By Jason Genegabus

Jason Genegabus photo

Stand-up comedy, like baseball, mixed martial arts or a swimsuit contest, is an activity best observed in a live setting.

You can stay home and watch it on TV – even on one of those big screen deals that broadcast in high definition. But there’s something special about sitting behind the first base dugout at Murakami Stadium, or watching punches fly at ringside in the same building Chris Rock performed at on Saturday.

And believe me, sitting just feet from a dozen (or more) beautiful women in bikinis beats watching the Hooters girls on cable any day.

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By Jason Genegabus

They might not have been born here, but Mike White (pictured) and Tim Fagan both have strong ties to Hawaii.

White moved here when he was 18 years old and spent years toiling in the local music scene, while Fagan is a Punahou graduate who left for college on the mainland and, like so many others before him, decided to stay. Their paths ended up crossing when the pair were recruited to play with Colbie Caillat, a Malibu-based MySpace phenom who is also a part-time Kauai resident.

Now White and Fagan, along with Hawaii-born-and-raised Justin Young, are getting ready to go on tour with Caillat and John Mayer for a string of summer dates. Before they leave, however, the two are back on Oahu for a short vacation and to celebrate the release of their own solo efforts.

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By Jason Genegabus

Jason Genegabus photos

Hope everyone is having a good Memorial Day. It’s not a holiday for me, however, so I’m staying on the grind and posting these shots from my adventures on Friday.

The above picture is my favorite – just after walking into the upstairs lounge at NextDoor, birthday boy DJ Eskae spotted me and made his approach.

Ever wonder what the proper reaction is when a party animal attacks? It’s simple, really.

FEED HIM SHOTS!!!

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By Jason Genegabus

Jason Genegabus photos

I got the chance to help judge the 2008 Iron Bartender Competition last night. This is the third or fourth time I’ve been asked, dating back to the days when it was held at the bar inside Palomino.

There were nine contestants entered in the third preliminary round, which meant I spent quite a bit of time sitting at a table, tasting drink after drink … after drink … after drink.

Not like I’m complaining, though.

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By Jason Genegabus

When Pearl Ultralounge first opened last year, owner Beau Mohr told me he would keep his party planning in-house and wouldn’t work with any outside promoters.

Guess he’s changed his mind, because Flash Hansen and Matty Hazelgrove launched “The Candy Bar” last Friday. Both Mohr and general manager Alvin Yeh didn’t respond to repeated requests for comment, so I’m not too sure what caused the change in attitude.

But I did get a chance to stop by last week, so I’ve got more pictures from the new party after the jump.

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By Jason Genegabus

I spent last night at Aiea Bowl for the first time in months, hanging out with Rick Rock and a bunch of other promoters during the one-year anniversary of “Moonlight Mondays.”

It’s amazing how diverse the crowd is at this event. Local residents from all walks of life have memories of visiting a bowling alley with their parents or grandparents when they were kids.

While last night’s installment saw a lot of nightlife types, Rock says he attracts a wide variety of professionals, from hotel and restaurant workers to doctors and lawyers. And things can get pretty crazy here as it gets later in the evening.

Be sure to get some food before the kitchen closes – you’ll need it to help absorb all the alcohol! Beer specials and complimentary shot samples almost guarantee you’ll get at least a little tipsy before the end of the night.

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By Jason Genegabus

Jason Genegabus photos

Brew Moon has a history of throwing late night parties.

Five or six years ago, Sundays were the night to visit. More recently, Rockstar Fridays packed in the 18-and-over college crowd on a regular basis, before the Ward Centre restaurant and microbrewery underwent an ownership change a few months back.

Last weekend, a new group of promoters introduced a new 21-and-over event. Animal House Hawaii launched the Animal House with resident DJ Peter Lau and plans to return on March 28, April 4, April 18 and May 2.

I’ve got more pictures from my visit to the new party after the jump.

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By Jason Genegabus

Jason Genegabus photos

The Vertical Junkies lost their only 21-and-over party when they pulled the plug on the Monkey Bar a few weeks ago, and in an effort to attract an older crowd to Big Wednesdays, Russ Inouye and his crew decided to launch the Secret Society.

The underage kids are still welcome at the O Lounge, but those old enough to enjoy the $3 drink specials now have a separate lounge, complete this week with local superstar DJ Eskae (pictured) of the Nocturnal Sound Krew.

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By Jason Genegabus

Jason Genegabus photos

Congrats to Molly Watanabe, Sarah Honda and Amy Alston, the brains behind SMART Magazine who celebrated three years in business with a party at RumFire on Friday.

More pictures from the night, after the jump.

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By Jason Genegabus

Jason Genegabus photos

It hasn’t taken long for Doraku Sushi to build its late-night following.

Then again, I guess it helps when you’re savvy enough to enlist the services of current leaders in the local club scene from the jump.

In a city where promoters control where the masses party, it’s so necessary to build relationships with the people who can reach hundreds of their closest friends via text message or MySpace bulletin.

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