THE NIGHT STUFF
Faithful crowd at Dub Wize maintains mellow tone

By Derek Paiva
Advertiser Staff Writer

Jennifer Smith, left, of Palolo, and her friend, Michelle Monskee of Manoa, share a couple of drinks and a few laughs at Dub Wize at Auntie Pasto's in Kapahulu. Photos by Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

DJ Matt Radics kept the groove steady on a recent Friday night at the reggae-infused Dub Wize.

The smallish crowd we found at the 2-year-old party at Auntie Pasto's Kapahulu on a recent Friday was just enough to maintain a nicely chill environ for enjoying some drinks or finding ample room for some roots skanking. Vinyl turntablists El Nino and Liloa wisely paced the evening's musical flow first with the deep bass and slower grooves of contemporary roots, then later in the evening with the faster beats of dancehall.

Liloa told us Dub Wize was heavy on regulars, and singled out several patrons in the small crowd as proof. Nodding toward a male on the dance floor doing a passionate but subdued roots skank to a Sizzla track, Liloa shared that the man hadn't missed one Dub Wize night ... ever.

"The people here are mellow," Liloa said. "They don't really make requests and aren't real picky. They trust the choices we make." Small surprise, since the duo religiously tracks action on the Jamaican music charts (the country's record industry output is among the largest in the world) and receives several orders of new vinyl each week.

Still, the crowd at Dub Wize was a group that knew what it liked and what it wouldn't tolerate. In a room of just 25 people, that became quickly clear a couple of times when the dance floor emptied out on the heels of a few mismatched tracks that disrupted El Nino and Liloa's otherwise flawless flow. In spite of its size, the Dub Wize gathering was intriguingly diverse — everyone from dreadlocked rastas to Starter cap frat boys and a couple of twentysomething women downing tequila shots with beer chasers.

Perhaps because the night has become something of a fixture for its regular crowd, Dub Wize's weekly attendance moves up and down depending on the number of other reggae-themed events happening in Honolulu. Liloa said the unusually low turnout on this particular evening was likely due to a Big Mountain concert at Kapono's and a benefit show at Anna Bannanas, where Ooklah The Moc was performing.

"What's unique about (Dub Wize) is you won't hear the typical stuff you hear on the radio here," said Saha Shokri. When not watching the door and collecting cover, Shokri was often moving gracefully to the music. "(The DJs) are very good about giving the old stuff as well as the new stuff some play, too."

Shokri told us she was particularly fond of the "sweet" lovers rock and fundamental roots grooves being dropped in the restaurant's back dining room, which we finally managed to wander into just before leaving. The near pitch-dark room was empty save for a single DJ, who seemed to be savoring his solace and a playful Shabba Rank groove to which he was moving.

Chris (at least I think that's what he said his name was) was still flying solo when we left.

Got a night spot or club event we should check out? Reach Derek Paiva at dpaiva@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8005.

What: Dub Wize.

Where: Auntie Pasto's Kapahulu, 559 Kapahulu Ave., 739-2426.

When: 10:30 p.m.-2 a.m. Fridays.

Cover: $5.

Younger than 21 OK? No.

Age of crowd: 21-30s.

Dress code: None.

Attire we saw: Mostly casual. On men: casual dress shirts, jerseys, jeans. Women: T-shirts, peasant blouses, fitted tops, jeans, khaki shorts.

Our arrival/departure: 11 p.m./12:30 p.m.

What we drank: Whiskey sour, Absolut cranberry ($9).

Peak crowd while there: About 35.

Queue?: No.

Sample music artists: Sizzla, Luciano, Anthony B, Capleton.

Dancing? Yes.

Night notes ...

Last Friday's "Burning Down The House" benefit at Anna Bannanas for bartender Danny Dolan drew a record 700 patrons to the club for performances by Go Jimmy Go, Ooklah The Moc and Pimpbot, among others. The event raised more than $9,000 from cover, employee tips and food and drink sales. Dolan and his family lost more than $35,000 worth of belongings in a New Year's Eve house fire.

Downtown Honolulu nightspot Club Pauahi's schedule next month includes the electro-punk, synth-pop and '80s dance mix of "C*ntroversy Party" Feb. 15; and its monthly showcase/benefit for local indie bands "Avant Pop" on Feb. 22 featuring Teradactyl, Litil, Little Moments and Spare Batteries. 521-7252.

Pipeline Café kicks off its '80s-themed "Retro Night" mix of live bands and DJ beats at 9 p.m. Thursday. 589-1999.