Well, Chinatowners and all lovers of downtown Honolulu, things are coming to a close soon at The Advertiser, and it has for me, too. Friday was my last day after eight years in the newsroom — I've moved on to Team Vision Virtual as online editor for a new site they will launch in June.
But the great eats, wild theater, rocking music and rump-shaking dancing continues in the 'hood. You can continue to follow my adventures there on YouTube, or if you like the Twitter, follow my list, most of which link back to the websites and Facebook pages of the many fabulous downtown hot spots.
As Brandon from The Manifest just tweeted: "I was looking through some pictures and just realized that you can't party anywhere else on the island, like how YOU party in Chinatown."
Cinco de Mayo brought out the dancers last night. They were shaking it to Spanish house music, to the live band, to the DJ spinning Mexican polka — it was salsatastic.
Didn't get shots of food because I had a quiet dinner over at Duc's Bistro before heading over to the block party. (The basa with curry was really delish, but I gotta say, as basa fillet goes, nobody beats Little Village.)
As you can see from the video, people were out in droves and came to boogie. Another fun night in the 'hood. Thanks to Brandon at The Manifest for my rockin' pancho made of Hawaiian-print fabric. It was hot, temperature-wise, and a cool idea.
Don't let the weather forecast get you down — you've worked your way through another week and it's time to take advantage. If you're in the 'hood, consider these good times from Metromix:
CTown's lovin' the ladies lately — case in point, Cheeky at Bambu Two, a bi-monthly event (first and last Thursdays) with trunk shows, mini-makeovers, massages and beauty treatments. Cocktail with a massage? Yes, please! Tonight at 6.
Bellypalooza owns up to its name with performances from Cherry Blossom Cabaret, Malia and the Belly Dancers of Paradise (see performance below), Shakti Dance Movement and others. Bar 35, $7, Friday night at 10.
Soul Clap at thirtyninehotel hosts Brooklyn-based duo Telephoned, club hit spinmeisters. Check out "Breakfast" — lyrics dripping with 'tude, makes me smile. Friday night at 10, $7.
And Cinco de Mayo is around the corner — get ready for the annual street festival with libations, Mexican food and actual Lowriders on display! Next Wednesday, see you there.
If you haven't checked it out yet, hit up the bi-weekly farmers market on Fort Street Mall where it hits King Street — Tuesdays and Fridays. Fresh bread, fruits, vibrant flowering plants, crafts.
I hit it up last week for the special Green Market on Earth Day, sort of the regular farmers market on green steroids. Cool demo of an aquaponics system from Olomana Gardens, and if you have a knack for low-grade physics and want to build one with some piping, an aquarium pump and some compost, you too can do it on your lanai and grow your own salad.
Once I heard Pacific Soul would be there, I had to make the trip. (Their Soul Patrol lunch truck makes regular stops near The Advertiser, too.) Fresh ingredients, excellent food on the go, I'm addicted to their veggie chili with collard greens — but be ready for the salt. You can get the lowdown on where the truck will be by following chef Sean Preister on Twitter.
The market was in full swing this morning with the usual array of gorgeous plants. I'd love to be able to scoop up a bunch of them, however...
… I have this one at home. Jack specializes in destruction of organic matter. I'm safe because I bring the food home, but the plants wouldn't stand a chance.
Metromix sent out its 20 Things To Do in Honolulu list a day early to catch the Earth Day events, including the bi-weekly Fort Street Mall farmers market. I know where I'm getting lunch tomorrow.
Here's haps in the 'hood:
The Green Market is an expanded, Earth-Day-celebratory version of the bi-weekly farmers market held Tuesdays and Fridays on Fort Street Mall and King Street. Two of my all-time favorite chefs are cooking: Ed Kenney of town (and downtown at HiSAM) and Sean Priester of Soul Patrol — mavens of locally grown, fresh ingredients. In addition to the usual fresh fruits, veggies, plants and breads, find lots of booths with enviro themes. Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Also tomorrow, get your green groove on at NextDoor's Greenhouse Collective with Bay Area crunk/acid DJ Antennae and DJ David Starfire (play "Indian Fever" — connect with your chakras). Thursday night at 9.
KTUH DJ Ross Jackson and DJ Cape Cod spin at Robot Love, another fine theme party brought to you by the good folks at thirtyninehotel. Robot outfits get in free. Saturday night at 9.
It's 80s Prom at this month's Pop Muzic party at Bar 35. Dress the part. The prom theme song is "The Promise."— I promise you I will... Saturday night at 9. $5
There's a National Dance Week? Rock on! SoHo's Soulgasm (Saturday night at 9) features performances from Melanie Aguirre from NYC and Dancers Unlimited. $10, or half off if you RSVP via e-mail.
More National Dance Week events include the Fashion Block Party at Aloha Tower Marketplace (Sunday afternoon from 3 to 6 with dance and live art), and the Dancer's Delight at SoHo next Friday night at 10, freestyle dancing with prizes for the best dancers of the night.
Christine Strobel, the Digital Editor of the Honolulu Advertiser, has lived in Chinatown since 2002, just as the renaissance in the arts district transformed the neighborhood into the happening place for music, theater and clubbing. See the 96817, old and new, through her eyes.
