FRIDAY-SATURDAY
All-female band channels power of Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath fans, head into the void with Mistress of Reality, an all-female tribute band.
The L.A.-based band channels the power bass and gloomy outlook with songs from the pioneering metal band’s first four albums, “Black Sabbath,” “Paranoid,” “Master of Reality” and “Volume 4.” And they do it with an authenticity that has critics gushing.
“It may have seemed like the band members were mimicking their parts while Sabbath discs were played over the sound system,” wrote the Tucson Weekly’s Jon Hobson.
So forget Ozzy, now of reality TV fame. Enjoy lead singer Izzy Osbourne’s energy, guitarist Nikki Iommi’s take on Tony Iommi, bassist Sheezer Butler ripping riffs on Geezer Butler, and drummer Jill Ward playing doppelganger to Bill Ward.
Where: Anna O’Brien’s, 2440 S. Beretania St.
When: 9 p.m. today
Cost: $13; ages 21 and over
Info: holdmyticket.com or 946-5190
Note: The group performs at 8:30 p.m. Saturday at Anna O’Brien’s with Cherry Blossom Cabaret. $32. eventbrite.com
SATURDAY
First CD coming from Jookbox City
Jookbox City is an up-and-coming reggae group that first formed about three years ago. The tune “Wishing Well” made the charts of local reggae radio stations, and now the trio is releasing their first CD, “Kill ’Em With Love.”
Lead singer Di Karnga, known as Kahnma K, spent her early years in Liberia, where reggae music was popular, and sang in church on the mainland before coming to Hawaii while pursuing her dream career in music. “A friend of mine was like, ‘Hey, you want to go to Hawaii for six months?’ And I said, ‘Of course,’” she said.
She met her now-husband Rawnie Lovely and bassist Aaron Friedman here in Hawaii. They earned some cred by getting to the finals of the 2012 Mai Tai Rumble with their uplifting, cheerful tunes, and they have some of the more sophisticated music videos out there to go with them.
“We’re very family-oriented, so we just wanted to make music that everyone can listen to,” Karnga said.
Where: Hawaiian Brian’s, 1680 Kapiolani Blvd.
When: 9 p.m. Saturday
Cost: $10-$15 (includes album)
Info: hawaiianbrians.com or 946-1343
SATURDAY- March 4
Nat King Cole movie opens film festival
As the nation marks Black History Month and film lovers debate the whiteness of this year’s Academy Awards nominations, it’s an opportune time to head over to the Honolulu Museum of Art. The fifth African-American Film Festival kicks off Saturday.
A film on the life and times of entertainer Nat King Cole starts the festival, opening Saturday with a reception that will include swing music, wine and food. “Nat King Cole: Afraid of the Dark,” pictured, includes two unreleased tracks sung by Cole — “Magic Window” and “What to Do.”
Two films were shot in Hawaii. “Holding Fast,” screening at 4 p.m. Feb. 14, showcases the achievements that African-Americans in Hawaii have made in the two centuries that they have lived here. “Popolo,” screening at 7:30 p.m. March 4, tells the story of a special-forces officer who confronts obstacles when he comes to Hawaii to fulfill a promise to a fallen comrade. Members of the cast and crew will be on hand at the screening of the award-nominated film.
Other films of interest:
“Akounak Tedalat Taha Tazoughai (Rain the Color of Blue With a Little Red in It),” a remake of Prince’s 1984 classic “Purple Rain.” The first feature shot in the Tuareg language, the film tells the story of guitarist Mdou Moctar struggling to make it in the music industry in Niger. Screens at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 14, 1 p.m. Feb. 23 and 7:30 p.m. March 2.
“MIND/GAME: The Unquiet Journey of Chamique Holdsclaw” documents the life of the basketball star and her battle with mental disorders. Director Rick Goldsmith and producer Lauren Kawana will attend screenings at 4 p.m. Sunday 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. Also screens at 1 p.m. March 3.
“Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution” is the first feature-length documentary about the 1960s political and social movement. Screens at 1 p.m. Feb. 13, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 19 and 1 p.m. Feb. 26; a free screening takes place 6 p.m. Feb. 29.
For a full schedule, visit honolulumuseum.org.
Where: Doris Duke Theatre
When: Opening-night reception at 6 p.m. Saturday; Nat King Cole film at 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $8-$10; opening night, $30-$35
Info: honolulumuseum.org or 532-6097
The Punahou Carnival offers food, games, rides, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. today-Saturday. Admission is free, rides and games up to $2. punahou.edu/carnival
TUESDAY
7 Chinatown venues will offer food and entertainment all night long
Mardi Gras rolls into Chinatown on Tuesday with food and fun from New Orleans and Brazil.
A $10 wristband gets you into seven downtown venues — Square Barrels, Scarlet, The ARTS at Marks Garage, Manifest, Downbeat Lounge, Bar 35 and Nextdoor — offering themed food and entertainment from 6 p.m. until 2 a.m. Performers include Reggie Padilla & the Stella Bean Brass Band, percussion ensemble Batucada CDO and Aloha Samba, who will roam the neighborhood and perform at each venue.
Some sites will host bands all night. The “Sambadrome” at the ARTS at Marks Garage features Brazilian funk group 2DoBem, while Nextdoor hosts bayou sounds with Good Foot. Scarlet Honolulu goes to Rio with Honolulu Zouk. Manifest will host samba lessons and a contest; Bar 35 will have a Mardi Gras costume contest.
Smith & Kings (at the corner of Smith and King streets) will serve slices of traditional King Cake every hour from 6 through 10 p.m., with the recipient of the toy baby winning a Smith & Kings gift certificate. Wristband holders also get a 10 percent discount at Grondin French-Latin Kitchen, The Dumb Coq, Maria Bonita’s Authentic Mexican Restaurant, Kan Zaman, Restaurant Epic, Little Village Noodle House, Pho’hana and Ethiopian Love.
When: 6 p.m.-2 a.m. Tuesday
Cost: $10 wristband
Info: fb.com/MardiGrasCarnaval; eventbrite.com
