BY DERIN DEREGO / Special to the Star-Advertiser
Sometimes I think a lot of the things that make living in Hawaii great also contribute to the lack of innovation we find here.
The same spirit that fosters treating everyone with aloha and advocates not sweating the small stuff is also responsible for a lack of constructive criticism. The same nurturing environment that allows people to develop professionally makes it easy for those people to be content with mediocre success and afraid to branch out beyond what’s safe. I’ve lived in a lot of places and nowhere does the “big fish in a small pond” mentality flow more freely than in Hawaii.
Mice Parade will perform at The Republik on Saturday, May 25. (Courtesy photo)
I’m not bagging on our island home in any way, and I’m sure I sometimes come off as someone who thinks they’re more important than they are. Perhaps I’ve seen so many things that are completely average being called amazing lately that I’ve become hungry for witnessing actual creativity. Taking someone’s concept — whether it be a party theme, ad campaign, art installation, etc. — throwing some glitter on it, then calling it your own doesn’t make you awesome.
Rather than citing specific examples I’ll just put it out there as food for thought. Besides, it’s a holiday weekend and there’s a lot going on.
Tomorrow, May 23, check out Skam Artist DJ Jerzy from Chicago ripping the decks at Addiction Nightclub in the Modern Honolulu. If you’re intimidated by the whispers of long lines and steep drink prices then Thursday is the night to head to Addiction.
Friday, May 24, will see the launch of a new Friday weekly at Nextdoor in Chinatown. Just in time for summer, HiFiveHNL (the fellas who brought you the infamous “Color Me Bad Paint Party”) kicks off “Good Fridays.” With electronic dance as the soundtrack and laser lights galore, let’s hope the party lives up to its name.
Saturday, May 25, change it up by catching New York shoegaze band Mice Parade. “Shoegaze” is the nickname for the genre made popular by emo-british bands in the 1990’s who often stopped mid-verse and stared at the floor. This show at The Republik is an all-ages affair.
Sunday, May 26, sees the return of the “Phoenix” party to RumFire at the Sherarton Waikiki. The sunset party takes place poolside and will serve as a fundraiser for the Rainbow Film Festival in June.
Later that night, head back to Addiction for another edition of “ME2″ with promoters Flash Hansen and Blaise Sato. Another Skam Artist heavyweight, DJ sKratchy, serves up the beats at this one.
Finally, Monday brings the “Bacardi Pool Party” back to the Queen Kapiolani Hotel. Capacity is limited, so don’t think you can saunter in at sunset — no matter who you think you are!
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When he’s not out and about at the hottest parties and other events in Honolulu, Derin “Dare” Derego works as an account executive at a local radio station group. Reach him via email at derinderego@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter.