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Truth from Dare: Lent and a long weekend

BY DERIN DEREGO / Special to the Star-Advertiser

If you ventured out today and aren’t a product of Catholic school, you may be wondering what’s up with the black, smudge-like adornments people are parading around with on their foreheads.

No, the grunge movement isn’t rearing its ugly head again. It’s Ash Wednesday; the day devout Catholics and casual churchgoers pledge to give up something until Easter in honor of the sacrifice Jesus Christ made for them.

I’ve never been a fan of organized religion, though I did attend Catholic school for most of my life. That was my family’s way of making sure I got a good education. They are all members of the casual churchgoing group. I just went along for the ride for the extra holidays offered.

I do, however, sometimes partake in the practice of Lent. It’s good to challenge yourself to give up some of your vices for a prolonged period of time. Although if it’s a truly bad vice, you might want to consider giving it a permanent vacation.

I haven’t quite decided what I’m going to give up this year, but I’m thinking it’ll be something more abstract. I’ve heard of people giving up gossiping, overreacting to miniscule issues, or cleansing their lives of negative people. That sounds doable. I believe your emotional well being is just as important as your physical health, and negative people are toxic. Thankfully I have until the end of the night to decide.

If you’ve opted to give up partying for Lent, you might be in for tough first week — not only did it include Fat Tuesday last night, but also encompasses Valentine’s Day and a long President’s Day weekend.

While the usual events continue tonight, the week’s festivities kick into overdrive tomorrow. For you couples, there’s “Soul Sessions.” The Valentine’s edition of this R&B concert series features 1990′s crooner groups K-Ci & Jojo, Blackstreet and Shai. With a lineup like that, this will definitely be the post-dinner go-to for those in a serious relationship or looking to start one.

For those of you who are single want to party with others who share your state, Addiction Nightclub is bringing in veteran DJ Neil Armstrong to keep you in party mode with local DJs KowaiKowai and Graves stepping in to start the night.

Hip-hop heads can express their adoration for the urban artform at “I Love Hip-Hop” going down at Nextdoor tomorrow. The evening features The Breakestra, a hip-hop inspired orchestra founded by trained multi-instrumentalist Mile Tackett.

On Friday, Feb. 15, the Sunset Room is hosting DJ Tato from Ibizia. The fairly new venue is bringing in some well-known DJs for their Friday nights, and Tato fits the bill. The house DJ with more than 10 years of experience is a resident at the famous “DC10″ party in Ibiza.

Saturday, Feb. 16, check out the art displays that signify the culmination of a week’s work of painting from Pow Wow Hawaii. The giant murals from artists from all over the globe will be sight to behold and add a zing to some of the dreary sections of Kakaako. Later that night, catch the wrap party at Safehouse inside The Republik.

Sunday, Feb. 17, is the one year anniversary of “#ME2″ at The Modern Honolulu, which is put on by Blaise Sato and Flash Hansen. The first incarnation came about after the huge success of their New Year’s Eve 2011 party. The response was so great they decided to do smaller versions on Sundays before major holidays. The theme for this one is “Blackout,” so be prepared to dress predominantly in black.

If you gave up partying and can make it through this weekend’s crazy line up, you’ll do just fine. Just make sure you’re not giving up having fun. After all, it’ll make my job of only hanging out with positive people easier if all of you are having fun.
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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.