It's not just the same old First Friday anymore
By Kawehi Haug
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If you're anything like us, you've sort of crossed off First Friday on your to-do list because you did it every month for the first year. But maybe it's time for a revisit, because — guess what? — the event has seriously grown since the last time we were there. Now there are 'awa happy hours, legendary performers like The Brothers Cazimero and something called a "One Night Stand."
FIRST FRIDAY: A REPRISE
When: Tonight, and the first Friday of every month, from 5 to 9 p.m.
Where: Various venues Downtown and in Chinatown participate in the event.
Getting in: The event itself is free, but at some venues, a cover charge kicks in after 9 p.m. for their own First Friday after-parties.
Parking: Parking is cheap or free at various locations Downtown and in Chinatown. Street parking is free (but limited) after 6 p.m. There are a few municipal lots that offer cheap hourly parking until midnight. For the late-night folks, it's either street parking or Marks Garage (a $6 flat fee from 6 p.m. until 6 a.m.).
It's official. The participation of the following venues has been confirmed:
Hawaii Craftsmen presents Fiber Hawai'i 2008, featuring functional and nonfunctional objects in or about fiber or fiber techniques.
Like all Ong King events, this one's got a little of everything. Artwork by Anuradha Shankaran and Ariel Eisen; performances by Family Dinner, Deadbeats, Shakti Dance Movement, Taimane Gardner, Quadraphonix and plenty more. Plus, the Honolulu UnderGround Theatre Company will stage an absurdist musical about a monk flying on a pony. If ever there was a can't-miss event ...
Tonight, it's "The Nude Show." Nine Women. Ten Men. NOW we have your attention.
The exhibition (no pun intended) includes work by Chuck Davis, Debbie Young, Paul Hosch, Mark Kadota, Isis Godfrey-Byrne, Louis Pohl, Scottie Flamm, Chris Campbell, Pegge Hopper, Marc Turner, Wayne Takazono, Snowden Hodges, Christopher St. John, Allen Stamper, Kim Taylor Reece, Nancy Vilhauer, Sandra Blazel, Heidi Anderson and Kandi Everett.
Nu'uanu Gallery, this city's gallery of cool, presents paintings and sculpture by Hawai'i-born artist Lawrence Seward in his first solo exhibit since returning to Hawai'i after 18 years working as an artist in New York City. Meet Seward tonight during First Friday.
On display tonight, and through October, is the work of Dina D'Argo, who has a tendency to be consumed with art, animals and the Earth.
It's called a "One Night Stand," but it's not as risque as all that. It's a four-hour, once-a-month showcase of various artists. This month features mixed- media works by three artists, including a photo exhibit of breast-cancer survivors.
The Actors' Group, whose new theater is upstairs from the courtyard, will host "Costumes and Coffee in the Courtyard," a costume sale just in time for Halloween.
Stop by Chinatown's original home of stylish chill for a look at "iterate reiterate re," an exhibit of new work by Mary Babcock, Maya Portner and Madeleine Soder. Continues through Oct. 25.
Don't leave without trying a fresh fruit juice cocktail or two.
DaSpace, a community clubhouse of sorts with an esoteric bent, offers something no one else does: an alcohol-free happy hour from 4 to 6 p.m. Instead of getting silly on suds, relax with a bowl of earthy 'awa and take in the music, the live art demos and — what else? — the slam poetry.
We'd hang out here any night, if we could. The historical building (in 1872 it opened as Hawai'i's first hotel, the Hawaiian Hotel) is now home to a state-run art museum and one of the best restaurants in town, Downtown @ the HiSAM. Tonight, the lawn will be converted into a festival-like space of live music performances and 'ono grinds from Soul de Cuba Cafe, Le Crepe Cafe and Downtown.
On the bill are The Brothers Cazimero and Brother Noland, as well as the dancer-and-drummer ensemble Te Lumanaki O Tokelau.
The second-floor lanai will be a jazz lounge for an evening, with Jeff Peterson and Bobby Nishida performing.
Though they don't always say so, many of the Downtown and Chinatown shops and art galleries that are not listed here also participate in First Friday, many of them extending their hours to welcome the crowds.
Reach Kawehi Haug at khaug@honoluluadvertiser.com.
