THE NIGHT STUFF
POPular cranks up mix with bands

By Derek Paiva
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

Lani and fellow band members of My Ex Is Dead will be among the performers at tonight's POPular event at Club Pauahi, in downtown Honolulu.

It's been a month since University of Hawai'i classes started. You're too young to get into Wave Waikiki or Anna Bannanas. You've dined at Kaimuki Zippy's so much, you're assigned lot checks by the manager. And you swear the Mokihana dorm tower walls are starting to close in on you.

What do you do? Come on down to downtown! More specifically, come down to POPular at Club Pauahi.

"We're getting into the second month of classes, and I know that there's still a new student body here that may have nothing to do on a Friday night," said POPular promoter Ara Laylo, throwing down the personal invite to her year-old monthly. "This is for them."

Laylo has even set up a sweet and varied mix of Honolulu DJs and live bands for the evening. Tonight's lineup includes DJs Shane (retro, indie records), Kause feat. Omega 6 (indie, drum-n-bass) and Subliminal (downtempo house). On the live tip, there's acoustic Megum Pie, riot-grrlish My Ex Is Dead, hip-hop collective Direct Descendants and progressive rockers The Manner.

"I like mixing genres," said Laylo. "POPular is known mostly as a DJ event. But I've been trying to add more live music and more variety to it."

Go ahead! Share a cab with some friends.

From 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. at Club Pauahi, 80 S. Pauahi St. Cover is an altogether affordable $5.

NIGHTSPOTTING

British turntablist extraordinaire DJ Harvey guests at thirtyninehotel's Quiet Storm weekly, from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday. Entry is $5, BYOB welcome. ... The Piranha Room's "Destination: Italy" happens from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. Saturday. Entry is $5 before 9 p.m., and $10 thereafter. ... The W's Wonder Lounge showcases a Sergio Rossi fashion show tonight with three sets of couture — "Bare," "Ripped" and "Fleur." Promoter Matty Hazelgrove promises lots of skin. From 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., $10 to $15 entry, 21 and older. ... The Lounge, a new monthly promising changing themes, launches tonight at the Buddha Bar. From 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., at 260 Lewers St. ... Spyhunter and Rundown at Galaxy's Volume, from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Saturday. Also spinning are Vertigo, Spellbinder, G-Spot, Matthew Grim, IKON and Big Daddy Dave. At 1739 Kalakaua Ave.; BYOB welcome. ... The Honolulu Academy of Arts' ARTafterDARK folks present Tiki Night from 5 to 9 p.m. today. Don Tiki's Fluid Floyd spins exotica with the Don Tiki dancers. Tiki's Grill 'N Bar does the menu. Elvis Presley's epic "Blue Hawaii" screens in the Doris Duke Theatre for an extra three clams. Entry is $7; free for museum members.

Reach Derek Paiva at 525-8005 or dpaiva@honoluluadvertiser.com.