Opening night at LEVEL4 Nightclub and Ultra Lounge (FL Morris photo)

So it’s been a month since LEVEL4 Nightclub and Ultra Lounge opened its doors at the Royal Hawaiian Center.

Have you gone? If not, check out my Barfly column that ran in the Star-Bulletin earlier this month. And if you have, will you return anytime soon?

I’ve waited a bit to go back, since it was obvious the club needed to work out a few kinks. But with the launch of Privilege, the club’s new weekly industry party, I’m curious to see how things are going.

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More Picks:
Band Camp VI with 311 and local opener David Tamaoka
In the Mix: Crucible, Cherry Blossom Cabaret and the Old School Summer Jam
Crawlspace: Fusion Waikiki’s 19th Anniversary and Ryan’s Beer Fest
Star-Bulletin Nightclub Listings

Little Brother photo

As much as people love to hate on MySpace because of its mainstream popularity, I’ve got to give Tom and his staff props for sticking with their decision to support a wide variety of musical acts.

This weekend, the social networking Web site presents its second Honolulu installment of The Release, a free concert series featuring some of the hottest up-and-coming hip-hop artists from around the United States.

Lupe Fiasco was the first to play here under the MySpace banner, headlining a show at Pipeline Cafe back in December.

On Saturday, Little Brother will perform at The Loft after being forced to move when NextDoor announced it would remain closed after shutting down for renovations last month. The performance is free, so it’s suggested that fans show up right when the doors open at 9 p.m. to secure entry.

Don’t feel like standing in line this weekend? Get down to DIG Lifestyles at Ward Warehouse tonight and you can stand in line for a shot at a guaranteed-admission wristband for the concert.

According to store owners, wristbands will be distributed at 7 p.m. tonight, and you must be there in person to claim yours (no sending one buddy to pick up bands for the entire crew). You must be at least 18 years old to attend; call 946-8620 for more info.

And don’t forget, Little Brother’s new album, “And Justus for All,” is in stores (and online) now.

Jason Genegabus photos

Didn’t realize it going in, but I ended up spending a lot of time in Chinatown last weekend. Fitting, since Friday was 8/8/08 and I am part Chinese (Year of the Snake represent!).

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I’m supposed to be on vacation this week, yet I spent nearly seven hours in front of a computer today (so far).

Guess I asked for it, though, after promising to update this blog in my column last Friday.

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Jason Genegabus photo

A three-day holiday can’t possibly a good time to close a nightclub, but that’s exactly what NextDoor plans to do this weekend.

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Jamm Aquino photo

If you’re into trying new cocktails when you go out, or just want to make something new at home, be sure to pick up a copy of HiLife in today’s Honolulu Star-Bulletin.

It’s the last Friday of the month, which means “Barfly” is back once again. This month, I took some time to speak with four talented Honolulu bartenders to get their take on the perfect summertime drink.

Those mojitos above? You can order them at Kincaid’s in Ward Warehouse. They’ve also got a “Cosmos for a Cause” fundraiser underway now through July 3, with $1 from every Cosmopolitan sold going to the non-profit organization Women In Need (W.I.N.).

Also in HiLife this week: Taiko Fest ‘08 goes down tonight at the Hawaii Theatre, and as usual, “In the Mix” has the most comprehensive nightlife news you’ll find anywhere in Hawaii. More nightlife picks can be found in “Nightcrawlers” and “Crawlspace“.

Have a great weekend!

Makana photo

If you haven’t yet paid a visit to RumFire at the Sheraton Waikiki, tomorrow is a great time to dodge the tourists and enjoy multi-million dollar views.

Local guitar virtuoso Makana continues with his regular Thursday residency this week, but the party will definitely reach another level as he celebrates both his birthday and the launch of a new non-profit organization that he founded to help support music education in Hawaii’s schools.

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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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Thud Rumble photo

World-famous turntablist and part-time Hawaii resident DJ QBert (pictured) is in town this weekend to headline what promises to be an exciting night at Lotus Soundbar.

Along with the founding member of the Invizibl Skratch Piklz, “Skillz” features exhibition sets by local DJs Revise, Memoirs, Skid, r2d2, Packo, Colossus and Yogurt. DJs G-Spot, Daniel J and Technique will also take turns on the decks.

I’ve got an interview with QBert in HiLife, but space limitations kept us from publishing the complete interview. Keep reading after the jump for exclusive bonus content that didn’t make it into the print edition.

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