I've said this before: keeping tabs on the after-hours scene in this city (or in any city, for that matter) is almost impossible. Club events premiere and die every night without advance notice, shows get booked and canceled before you can say "Danity Kane was here" (or wasn't here, in this case) and nightclubs change themes and promoters so often, it's maddening. Still, we do our best to keep up because if we didn't, we'd spend every night doing the same things, and who's down with that?

Here is a quick current events wrap-up of a few scene changes that might affect your night life.

IN THE CLUBS

• Universoul Clothing launched a new Thursday night event last night at King Street Cafe (1380 S. King St., on the corner of King and Ke'eaumoku streets). The party, dubbed Bamboo features $3 drink specials and $3 sushi and no cover charge. The party starts Thursday nights at 9 p.m; 21 and older.

• Loft Lounge and Gallery (115 N. Hotel St.) is the home to a couple of new(ish) events. Casa — as in "house," as in the genre of club music — happens every second and fourth Sundays from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Though the event itself has been around since 2004, it just recently settled in at Loft.

• Speaking of settling in, don't expect much of that at Thrash, a new skater-themed Vertical Junkies weekly that happens Fridays at Loft. The VJ promise: that it isn't your typical top-40 club. Sign us up, then.

Thrash features drink specials all night. Boys with boards and girls in pumps get in free before 11 p.m. (pumps, skater theme ... can somebody explain the connection?).

WE WANT OUR MUSIC VIDEOS

The Louis Vuitton Hawaii International Film Festival opened last night for 10 days of indie film viewing — and this year's entries look really good. Included in this year's fest is an all-local music video showcase that features videos from local bands Aim for the Heart, Missing Dave, Detego, Nomasterbacks, Linus, Bless, Pimpbot and the Hell Caminos.

The music video showcase was co-curated by KTUH DJ Catwings. It will screen Tuesday at 8 p.m. at Loft. Admission is free.

SPORTS, BEER AND BAR FOOD COUNT, TOO

Chef Neil Nakasone, an Alan Wong protege, moved into the old Dixie Grill/Tio's Garage building on Ward Avenue armed with a recipe for success. Because if good food, a full bar and plenty of televisions all tuned to one game or another isn't going to be a hit, then that building is doomed.

Kanpai Bar and Grill, open daily from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m., is just what the Ward district needs: an unpretentious hang-out that serves good drink and great food. Try the braised short rib loco moco or the wafu steak — you'll never eat another half-baked chicken wing.

AND THE NOT-SO-GOOD NEWS

The Liquor Commission has denied new restaurant Harbor Court Bistro a liquor license after the majority of the building's residents protested the application. Under state law, the restaurant, which had been operating with a temporary license, must wait a year before reapplying for a liquor license. For now, it's BYOB. The restaurant's weekly after-hours party, Dokyo, has been canceled.

The Waikiki stage show "Waikiki Nei" has ceased production for now. The show's producers decided to put the show on hiatus because of low attendance. Producers say the closure is temporary and it has not affected the Level 4 nightclub, which shares the same space. Party on, people.

OceanFront, the weekly Flash and Matty Boy party at the Sheraton's RumFire restaurant, is taking a break. There are some renovations being done to the restaurant's fire pits, as well as to the hotel pool (which is near the restaurant) that make packing party people into the space less than ideal. F&M say they'll be back ocean side in 2009.