By Staff Reports
First Friday has been happening every month since 2002, rain or shine. This month look for a some Chinese new year activities on and around Bethel Street. Chinese Lions will be stopping in several Bethel Street merchants to help ring in a fortune-filled year. And two wishing trees will be placed in the area, one in front of Louis Pohl Gallery and one in front of eleven44. Pick up a wishing tag at any Bethel Street merchant, write your wish and hang it on a tree.
Arts at Marks Garage. “The Body Farm” – One Body, Two Artists, Two Visions. Works by Kris Goto and Eric West translating the human form into paintings. The Body Farm is not about the anatomy of the Human species, but the way we translate our inspiration into art, commonly or abstract from others. Within this body of works a deeper understanding of how two different artists see, feel, create, and are influenced by their inspiration is revealed. Show open from 6-10PM and there will be an artist talk at 7:30PM. Beauty and the Beard will perform musical sets at 7, 8, and 9PM. 1159 Nuuanu Avenue. www.artsatmarks.com.
Bar 35. Open 4pm-2am. Happy hour deals from 4-10pm. Live art presentation with Jay Tracy starts at 6PM. DJs and dancing. No cover until 9pm. 35 N. Hotel Street. www.bar35.com.
Bethel Street. The merchants on Bethel Street get an early start on Chinese New Year with Chinese lions making their way up and down Bethel Street starting at 6PM, making stops at nine different businesses. There will be fireworks to scare away negative energy along with red li-see envelopes available from shops, bars and restaurants on Bethel Street to slip in a contribution to
feed to hungry, yet friendly, lions. Be sure to pick up a wish tag from any Bethel Street merchant, write out your wish for yourself or a loved one and hang it on a tree, located at Louis Pohl Gallery or eleven44.
Blank Canvas. Offering affordable off-the-shelf contemporary clothing designs and create-your-own designs. Extended shop hours until 8PM. The Chinese Dancing Lions will be making a stop at Blank Canvas this night. 1145 Bethel Street. www.facebook.com/blankcanvascustom.
Brasserie Du Vin. Happy hour from 3-6pm. Kitchen Music Society presents “Delicatessen” with tasty beats and cuts by DJ Globes, starting at 9PM. No cover. 1115 Bethel Street. www.brasserieduvin.com.
Downbeat Lounge. It’s Club Underground with guest DJs, dancing and drink specials. No cover. 9PM-2AM. 40 N. Hotel Street. www.downbeatdiner.com.
Cake Envy. Serving up slices of gourmet cheesecake, coffee and tea. Extended hours until 9PM. 1129 Bethel Street. www.cakeenvy.net.
eleven44. Happy hour from 4-7pm. It’s Foundation First Friday with Honolulu’s favorite House DJs, including Ramit, Jimmy Lee, Loic, and others. $5 cover after 9PM. 1144 Bethel Street. www.eleven44hawaii.com.
Grondin. Offers a late night food and drink happy hour, starting at 10:00PM. Look for tasty items including charcuterie sandwiches, escargot, pomme frites and prawn ceviche. Happy Hour Late Night Menu every First Friday starting at 10PM. 62 N. Hotel Street. www.grondinhawaii.com.
HASR Bistro and HASR Wine Co. Last seating for dinner at the Bistro is 9:30PM.Wine tasting at the Wine Co. from 5-8PM, closing at 9PM. 31 N. Pauahi Street. www.hasrbistro.com and www.hasrwineco.com.
House of Aria. A great place to shop for the latest women’s fashion trends. Extended hours until 9PM, plus $5, $10, $15 sale bins and 50% off sale racks. 1140 Bethel Street. https://www.facebook.com/HouseOfAria.
Kan Zaman. Featuring both indoor and patio (BYOB) dining until 10:30PM this First Friday. Menu special for the night include Mediterranean mussel stew, Opah served over Moroccan mashed potatoes, and Mrouzia (braised oxtail) with ras el hanout (North African spices). 1028 Nuuanu Avenue. www.kanzamanhawaii.com.
Kumu Kahua Theatre. “My Name is Gary Cooper”, a story of a young man whose life has been roughly shaped by the effects of a Hollywood film crew in his home in Samoa. It is a political commentary wrapped in a bitter revenge story with such humor, heart, and heat, that it will leave your head spinning. 8PM showing. 46 Merchant Street. www.kumukahua.org.
Livestock Tavern. One of the new, exciting dining options in the area. Dining room and bar open until 10PM. 49 N. Hotel Street. www.livestocktavern.com.
Louis Pohl Gallery. Jerry Mayfield presents “Windows” and Paula Rath presents “Sand and Sea”. Artists’ reception from 6-8:30PM. 1142 Bethel Street. www.louispohlgallery.com.
Lucky Belly. Dining room and bar open until 12AM. The Window, locate on Smith Street, serving hot, savory, to-go specials open until 2:30AM. 50 N. Hotel Street. www.luckybelly.com.
Madre Chocolate. Chocolate, music and art – a trifecta of pleasure! Visual art by Alisha Kahealani Mahone and Nalani Sato. And music, starting at 6PM, by Shazam Jamieson, Brian von Ahsen, and Butterside Down. Plus get an early preview of Madre Chocolate’s Valentine’s Day treats. 8 N. Pauahi Street. www.madrechocolate.com.
Manifest. Art exhibit by local artist Kalani Ware and live music by The Bentos from 6:30-8:30PM and DJs JON C, SSSolution, and JMellow, 10PM – 2AM. 32 N. Hotel Street, www.manifesthawaii.com.
Next Door. “The Boy & Girl Nextdoor”, a Valentine’s art show and sale, featuring works by Aaron Miko (vintage bow ties), Sarah’s Shiny Things (jewelry), Jake Boggs (ceramics), From My Heart to Yours (terrariums), Tonia Moreno (glass), and others. Live painting by Luke DeKneef and Anya Leychenko and entertainment by Ikaika Pasua and Ian O’Sullivan and Lady Paisley. Event starts at 6PM. No cover. 21 and over. 43 N. Hotel St. www.nextdoorhi.com.
Owens & Company. Extended store hours until 9PM, plus a jewelry trunk show featuring the BYCHARI designs. 1152 Nuuanu Avenue. www.owensandcompany.com.
Pegge Hopper Gallery. “13 Women” a multi-media exhibition of works by Reiko Brandon, Allyn Bromley, Kandi Evrett, Sally French, Lynda Hess, Kloe Kang, Emily McIlroy, Mary Mitsuda, Marcia Morse, Esther Shimazu, Yida Wang, Suzanne Wolfe, and Maile Yawata. Open until 9PM. 1164 Nuuanu Avenue. www.peggehopper.com.
Proof Public House. (Formerly Mercury Bar.) Hosting one of the few full sized pool tables in the Downtown-Chinatown area, rock and roll, pizza and drink specials. No cover. Open until 2AM. 1154 Fort Street (entrance on Chaplain Lane). www.proofpublichouse.com.
Prepared by the Arts District Merchant Association on behalf of Downtown-Chinatown merchants. The list was developed with the help of contributors and the (sometimes fuzzy) memory of the author. Any omissions unintended! For more info contact Miki at auroragroup.pa@gmail.com or 808-779-7235.
**IMPORTANT TRAFFIC NOTICE** Pedestrians will no longer be permitted to use Hotel Street, between Smith Street and Nuuanu Avenue, as a walkway or rest area on First Friday. Visitors are advised to stay on the sidewalks and to cross at marked areas only. In an effort to keep the cars and pedestrians safe HPD will be in the area issuing warnings and citations (which can run upwards of $100).
