Pulse Picks: Ideas for the weekend ahead

BY ELIZABETH KIESZKOWSKI / ekieszkowski@staradvertiser.com

There are always more legit events in Honolulu than can be addressed each week in TGIF.

So, to help you plan the week ahead, we’ve launched Pulse Picks, up on the Pulse every Thursday with choice possibilities. Come back again next week for more insider tips.

Spin that bass!

Rockabilly and burlesque have been a symbiotic match since the days of Bettie Page, “Miss Pinup Girl of the World” in 1955 when rockabilly, with songs like Elvis’ “Baby Let’s Play House,” was also peaking.

So when Devil Doll and the Cherry Blossom Cabaret share the stage for a show this Friday, they’re sticking to a time-honored tradition.

Devil Doll is a five-piece band fronted by Colleen Duffy (pictured), who’s played on bills with rough-and-ready rockabilly-influenced bands like Social Distortion and at many a burlesque-themed event. With a voice somewhere in between rockabilly queen Wanda Jackson and chanteuse Peggy Lee, and songs like “Liquor Store” and “Queen of Pain,” you can guess she’ll explore the ragged side of life.

Also on the bill: local soul-rockers Kings of Spade, Honolulu’s rockabilly torchbearers Hell Caminos and Sex Puppets, who won a battle of the bands contest to take the opening slot.

The show starts at 9 (or maybe 10:30) at NextDoor, 43 N. Hotel St. in Chinatown. Tickets are $15 presale from the University of Hawaii-Manoa Campus Center box office or DevilDoll.eventbrite.com, or $20 at the door.

— E.K.

New shows at Showbox

Former Pipeline Cafe general manager Jed Roa has moved on to greener pastures at the all-new Showbox Honolulu in Kalihi. Formerly known as Coyote Nights, the nightclub has a new name and new staff to go with Roa’s new gig as general manager.

A soft opening on Friday will feature a performance by Beats Antique, with bellydance by Shakti Dance Movement.

The party starts at 9 p.m. at Showbox Honolulu, 985 Dillingham Blvd. Tickets are $20 general admission, $25 VIP.

For more info, visit www.shakti808.com

— Jason Genegabus, jason@staradvertiser.com

“Hellaflush” at Aloha Stadium

Import automobile enthusiasts will converge on Aloha Stadium this Saturday for a daytime car show sponsored by California-based retailer Fat Lace.

Appropriating a bit of Northern Cali slang, “Hellaflush” will focus on customized imports that lower the cars’ suspensions and brings the auto “flush” with the pavement. DJ Wish will also be there to keep the crowd entertained.

The event goes down 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $10 (free for kids under 12 years old). Info: www.hellaflush.com.

— J.G.

‘Dr. J’s Blues Review’

Like blues music? Looking for a way to head off the Sunday blues? Head to Anna O’Brien’s on Sunday for “Dr. J’s Blues Review” from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Moiliili bar. This weekend’s featured band is Jeff Said No.

It’s free. Info: 946-5190

— J.G.

‘Manufacturing Reality’ opens at Kahala

Forward-thinking, independent art curator group Interisland Terminal presents its first film program of the year with “Manufacturing Reality,” a series of films over three days at the Consolidated Kahala Theatres.

Three documentaries — “Marwencol,” “Plug & Play” and “This Way of Life” — are meant to represent separate takes on reality that are manufactured through perception, environment and circumstance.

“Marwencol,” one of the films featured at the last Hawaii International Film Festival, has gotten its fair share of praise, about the titular and imaginary World War II-town (made up of 1/6th-scale toy figures) created by a man recovering from a brain-damaging coma. Mark Hogancamp’s town of Marwencol is filled with representations of his friends and family, and he documents its many relationships and dramas with meticulous photographs.

“Plug & Pray” looks into the present and future of robotics, and the creation of machines that are equal to their human creators.

“This Way of Life” — reportedly on the shortlist for a best documentary Oscar nomination — profiles the life of horse whisperer Peter Karena and his troubled relationship with his adopted Maori father.

The series’ film screenings are 6 and 8 p.m. Tuesday through next Thursday, Feb. 17 at the Kahala theater.

See “Marwencol,” 6 p.m. Tuesday or 8 p.m. next Thursday, Feb. 17.

“Plug & Pray” screens at 8 p.m. Tuesday and 6 p.m. Wednesday.

“This Way of Life,” screens at 8 p.m. Wednesday and 6 p.m. next Thursday, Feb. 17.

Fifteen-dollar tickets — good for all three films — are still available for presale purchase, which ends tomorrow. Go to www.interislandterminal.org to buy them online.

— Gary Chun, gchun@staradvertiser.com