Photo courtesy of https://www.facebook.com/pages/First-Friday-Hawaii/271755269663
By Staff Reports
(Honolulu)– On the first Friday of each month an array of activities and entertainment can be found in the Downtown-Chinatown Arts and Cultural District. On this night, the area’s galleries, shops and boutiques have extended evening hours. Art gallery exhibits, demonstrations and openings, performances, trunk and clearance sales and happy hour deals abound. And you never know what kind of entertainment you will find on the street.
Created in 2003, First Friday is credited with revitalizing the Downtown-Chinatown area, by introducing thousands of people to the areas galleries, performance spaces, shops, restaurants and nightclubs. Here is a sampling (in alphabetical order) of what’s happening this coming First Friday, February 1:
Andrew Rose Gallery. Artist talk and reception at 6pm. 1003 Bishop Street, www.andrewrosegallery.com.
ARTmusicBEER. Gong Xi Fa Cai! The Chinatown Courtyard will be transformed into a Secret Beer Garden benefiting The ARTS at Marks. (www.artsatmarks.com). Shop Bop & Grind takes over the downstairs walkway with music by DJ Mr. Nick that’ll make you bop while you shop, delicious grinds by Café 888 – 1123 Maunakea Street (Vietnamese sandwiches, spring rolls, & shrimp chips) and local goods. DJ Mr. Nick brings you intimate world dance party inspired DJ sets between 6-9pm. The Chinatown Artist Loft inhabitants will open their galleries to the public between 5-10pm with a Chinese Lion Dance to bring luck to the New Year!
bambuTwo Cafe + Martini Lounge. Happy hour from 4-7pm and 11pm-2am. DJ Mortadelah starts spinning at 8 pm. No cover. Next door, at theVenue, check out the DJs and dancing. 1144 Bethel Street. www.bambutwo.com.
Bar 35. Open 4pm-2am. Happy hour deals from 4-8pm. DJs Rhombus, KSM and Anarch. No cover. 35 N. Hotel Street, www.bar35.com.
Brasserie Du Vin. Happy hour from 4-6pm. 1115 Bethel Street, www.brasserieduvin.com.
Catherine’s Closet Vintage Boutique. Red and Pink Night – for all the sweethearts get- ting ready for Valentine’s Day. Vintage, one-of-a-kind lingerie and sleepwear will be the focus. Red and pink cocktails served. 125 Merchant Street, www.facebook.com/pages/Catherines-Closet-Vintage-Boutique
Chinese New Year Early Kick Off. A troupe of Chinese lions will make its way along Maunakea, King, Hotel and Smith Streets. Traffic on these streets will be re-directed for short periods while the lions (and some fireworks as blessings for businesses) are on each street. It’s good luck to feed the lion a few dollars. Pull out your donation (which goes to the lion dancing troupe), walk toward the mouth of the dragon and wait until he opens his mouth to stick your hand in. Really!
Downbeat Lounge. This Friday Downbeat will open the doors to its new venue, Downbeat Lounge, adjacent to Downbeat Diner. 6pm-2am. No cover. 40 N. Hotel Street, www.downbeatdiner.com.
Dragon Upstairs. Live jazz-funk-soul with Chris Yeh Quarter at 7pm, followed by the Jason Gay Trio at 10pm. 1038 Nuuanu Avenue, www.thedragonupstairs.com.
Fashionista’s Market. Mango Luxe trunk show, wine and nibbles. Open until 9pm. 1185 Bethel Street, www.fashionistasmarket.com.
Florenicia Arias. Gaya trunk show and a Florencia Arias sample sale from 5-10 pm. Complimentary wine for shoppers. 1161 Nuuanu Avenue, www.florenciaarias.com.
Hanks Cafe Honolulu. Live music with Karl at 7pm and Third World Briefcase at 10pm. 1038 Nuuanu Avenue.
HASR Bistro. Live music in the courtyard with Summer starting at 7pm. Last dinner seat- ing at 9pm, small plate/appetizer menu available until 11pm. Drink specials. 31 N Pauahi Street, www.hasrbistro.com.
Hawaii State Art Museum. Aria di sorbetto, Messa di voce, Vibrato… Featuring opera and the Hawai‘i Opera Theatre and members of the Mae Z. Orvis Opera Studio of Hawaii Opera Theatre. From 6-9pm, second floor of the Hawaii State Art Museum. 250 S. Hotel Street, www.hawaii.gov/sfca/HiSAM.html.
Homecoming. Shop with a friend and save! You and one friend = 10% off; you and two friends = 15% off; and you and three or more friends = 20% off. Complimentary beverages. Open until 10pm. 1191 Bethel Street, www.facebook.com/HomecomingHonolulu.
Human Imagination. 9 on the Wall, featuring the photography of Allen Ying, John John Florence, Kanoa Zimmerman, Ken Goto, Lenard Smith, Mike Coots, Sagan Lockhart, Zak Noyle and Contrast Honolulu contributors. 5-11 pm. 1154 Nuuanu Avenue, www.thehumanimagination.info.
Lotus Downtown. Open 7pm-2am. $4 drink specials before 10pm. Live performance by Activ8 starting at 8pm. Two rooms of throwback, hip hop and deep house by DJ Matt Kee, Double Jay, Rob Chiong and guests. No cover before 9pm; $10 after 9pm. 34 N. Hotel Street, www.facebook.com/pages/Lotus-Downtown-Honolulu.
Louis Pohl Gallery. Learn to play Hanafuda 5-9 pm. Helen Nakano and her friends will be on hand demonstrating the game. Helen will also sign her special set. Plus, don’t miss all the other fantastic art on display. 1142 Bethel Street, www.louispohlgallery.com.
Lucky Belly. The restaurant is open from 5pm-Midnight. The take-away window from 10pm-2:30am. 50 N. Hotel Street, www.luckybelly.com.
Manifest. Live jazz with the Quiet Band at 7pm. Good Company DJs from 10pm to closing. “Bones and Bitter”, art by Justin Park. 32 N. Hotel Street, www.manifesthawaii.com.
SOHO. Love is in the Air a night of entertainment including aerial artists, a fashion show, art show and lots of DJs. 5pm-2am. 80 S. Pauahi Street (across Wahine Couture), www.sohomixedmediabar.com.
Wahine Couture. Open 10am-9:30pm. 15% of all merchandise on First Friday. 77 S. Pauahi Street (next to Fighting Eel).