Waikiki Fireworks - Hilton Hawaiian Village

Waikiki Fireworks - Hilton Hawaiian Village
If you're anywhere near Waikiki on Friday night, you should check out the Hilton fireworks.  The Hilton Hawaiian Village puts on a Rockin' Rainbow Revue that involves traditional music and dance.  You have to pay $20 to sit in the preferred seating by the Hilton swimming pool, but anyone can watch from the open air lobby.  The highlight of the evening is listening to What a Wonderful World over the speakers as the the Waikiki waves reflect the fireworks. 

Kailua Beach Park - Oa'hu, Hawaii

Kailua Beach Park - Oa'hu, Hawaii
This perfect white sand beach is on the Windward Coast of the Island of Oa'hu.  A 30 minute drive from downtown Honolulu, Kailua Beach is worth the trip.  Enjoy the drive through the island as you leave the city behind and curve through the mountains of the interior.  A popular spot for kayaking and swimming, the Kailua Beach Park can get crowded on the weekends, but never as crowded as the tourist populated Waikiki beaches.  If you'd like to mix a workout into your relaxing day at the beach, take a swim to Bird Sanctuary Island.  The water is never deeper than 12 feet and the swim will take about 20 minutes (each way) for a decent swimmer.  This is a can't miss for anyone visiting the island.

Manoa Falls - Oa'hu, Hawaii

Manoa Falls - Oa'hu, Hawaii
The Manoa Falls are nestled deep in the beautiful Manoa Valley.  Follow Manoa Road into the Valley and drive until you dead end.  There is parking available and the hike is a very easy 1.5 miles with only a slight incline.  You will be surrounded by the incredible Hawaiian foliage as you hike the trail.  Bring water, bug spray, and be aware that it is slightly colder in the valley.  Hikers are not advised to swim or jump into the water at the base of Manoa Falls.  Enjoy the view and then decide if you're going to take the trail back down or be adventurous and push on.  A great hike for any level.

Koko Head Hike - Hawaii, Oa'hu

Koko Head Hike - Hawaii, Oa'hu
The trail is only 1 kilometer, but that 1 kilometer goes up a 1,200 foot elevation.  Leave the StairMaster at the gym and hit the Koko Head Hike if you're looking for a great leg workout and a panoramic view of Oa'hu.  There is a small parking lot at the base of Koko Head.  Bring water, sunscreen, and your camera.  Be aware of the 30 foot rail bridge about half way up.  The bridge has wooden planks that you can walk across, but there are spaces between the planks that lead to a 15 foot drop.  Once you get to the bridge there is also a safer path to the right.  It's a hard climb, but the view is one of the best on the island.

Hanauma Bay - Oa'hu Hawaii

Hanauma Bay - Snorkeling on Oa'hu 
This beautiful marine embayment is formed inside a volcanic cone.  Just south-west of Waikiki, Hanauma Bay is the best and safest place on the Island of Oa'hu to go snorkeling.  Even though tourists flock to this popular spot, it's still a can't miss.  There are an abundance of green sea turtles and small bright marine life.  If you are a local it's free, if you are visiting it will cost you $7.50.  If you haven't been before you will be required to watch a short safety video before descending into the valley and exploring the bay.  Catch the Number 22 bus from Waikiki to avoid the parking fee.

Stairway to Heaven - Hawaii

Stairway to Heaven (Haiku Stairs) - Hawaii
The most popular of Hawaii's forbidden trails.  The Haiku Stairs have been closed to the public since 1987, but it hasn't stopped adventurous hikers from making the climb.  The trail winds through the Koolau Mountain Range.  The trick is to find parking in the local residential area and arrive early in the morning before the security guard arrives.  The guard arrives at a different time each morning, but you should get there before 6 AM.  Once you've found the trail entrance (near the small security guard tent) you will not be turned back.  Bring water and a flashlight.  The hike is not too difficult, but it is long.  If you're looking for something off the beaten path, this is it.  Your hike will involve sneaking through the Hawaiian foliage with a flashlight in hand, avoiding a lone security guard, and then climbing a dilapidated U.S. Coast Guard stairway through the beautiful Koolau Mountain Range.  (WARNING: Go at your own Risk!)

Ala Moana Lantern Floating Ceremony

Ala Moana Lantern Floating Ceremony
As the sun fell below the horizon on Memorial Day, the waters around Ala Moana Park were illuminated by thousands of floating lanterns.  The performance and ceremony are in remembrance of the loved ones that have been lost.  Originally a Japanese Buddhist ceremony, the practice of floating lanterns on the open waters has become an annual tradition in Honolulu.  This year brought more than 40,000 people to Ala Moana Park.

Google Digital Music Service

Google's Digital Music Service Will Not Replace Pandora or Grooveshark Anytime Soon

The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.  Google's new digital music service was created with the intention of being a competitor with iTunes and Amazon Music.  A place where you can purchase music and listen to a vast quantity of uploaded music (i.e., grooveshark).  The music labels however have prevented Google from doing just that. 

Like the Google book reader before it, this venture fails because google is unable to circumvent the legal licensing restrictions.  Sorry google, I might use you to search for everything from concert dates to band biographies, but you will not satisfy my music listening needs.

Matsumoto Shave Ice

Matsumoto Shave Ice - Haleiwa Hawaii

Established February 13, 1951 Matsumoto's Shave Ice is the perfect chilled treat after a morning on the North Shore. Whether you're surfing, sunning, or just enjoying Historic Haleiwa you have to stop by Matsumoto's. Strawberry, lemon, root beer, pineapple, lime, coconut, vanilla, banana, orange, grape, cherry, green apple, lilikoi, li hung mui, watermelon, guava, cotton candy, bubble gum, honeydew, melon, and pina colada. There's a flavor for everyone. 

Matsumoto Website

The Locals - Coppenhagen Street Style

The Locals - The New Copenhagen Street Style
The popular site Copenhagen Street Style has decided to stop publishing new posts. Fortunate for us one of its creators has moved on to a similar project that takes the style off the streets of Europe to you. The Locals is created by Soren Jepsen and it features stylish individuals walking to work, hitting the town, and just living life. Forget about the runway, style has moved to the streets.

2011 Coachella

2011 Coachella - Tickets Now on Sale

The 3 Day Indio, California Music Festival has released its 2011 Lineup. Here are a few of the headliners: Kanye West, Arcade Fire, the Black Keys, Mumford & Sons, the Strokes, Bright Eyes, Interpol, the Chemical Brothers and many more. Coachella takes places from April 15-17 and tickets go on sale on January 21, 2011. Click here to be taken to the Coachella website to purchase your tickets.

Black Dub

Black Dub

It's difficult not to picture a smokey bar stage when you listen to the rough scratchy voice of lead singer Trixie Whitley and the bluesy melodies of guitarist and producer Daniel Lanois. Daniel Lanois is the former producer of U2 and Bob Dylan, and Black Dub is his creative child. Melodic, creative, soulful, the entire album oozes with deep riffs, painful lyrics, with just a side portion of gospel hopefulness. This is blues/soul at its very best. Listen to Slow Baby to hear Lanois featuring his incredible talents and Surely to experience the Janis Joplin - Joss Stone - Trixie Whitley sound. Click below to listen to I Believe in You.

Fame - Directed by Kevin Tancharoen

Fame - Directed by Kevin Tancharoen
This loose remake of the 1980 performing arts classic is directed by Kevin Tancharoen and lead by an ensemble cast of young dancers, singers, and actors. It follows students as they apply to P.A., are accepted or rejected, and through their 4 years of high school. The film does a good job of showing the realities of trying to make it as a performer, while still leaving time for dance scenes and singing. Overall it's enjoyable and fun, but with the exception of Collins Pennie the cast does not make you feel the highs and lows and trials and tribulations of achieving fame.

Norah Jones - Various Artists Featuring Norah Jones

Norah Jones - Various Artists ... Featuring Norah Jones
This album is a collection of songs and singles spanning 9 years. Most of the songs are off other albums in which Norah Jones was featured in a particular song. The Various Artists on this album are an eclectic blend of greatness; including Herbie Hancock, Ryan Adams, Ray Charles, Outkast, Talib Kweli, Foo Fighters, Willie Nelson and Dolly Parton. While the entire album is good, only a few songs are really great. Listen to Little Lou, Prophet Jack, Ugly John by Belle & Sebastian. And click below to listen to Turn Them by Sean Bones.

Nowhere Boy - A Story of John Lennon

Nowhere Boy - A Story of John Lennon
Nowhere Boy is a 2009 British-Canadian biopic about John Lennon's adolescence, the creation of his first band, The Quarrymen, and its evolution into The Beatles. The film is based on a biography written by Lennon's half-sister Julia Baird. The story examines the impact on his early life and personality of the two dominant females in his childhood – his Aunt Mimi, and his mother, Julia. The film also shows the first meeting of Lennon with future Beatles Paul McCartney and George Harrison. A must for die hard Beatles fans and a netflix rental for everyone else.

M-Audio: Fast Track

M-Audio: Fast Track - Record Guitar and Vocals on Your Computer
Turn your computer into a powerful music production studio. Fast Track allows you to plug and play with its USB connection. Plug in your instruments and you're ready to record. There are a lot of digital recording systems out there, but none are as easy to use as the Fast Track. Plus, the sound quality to price ratio can't be beat. If you purchase Fast Track from an M-Audio official dealer it will cost you around $150, but look around and you'll find it for $90. Be sure that the package comes with bundled software, otherwise you'll have to drop another $30 - $50 for a decent production package. 

Wick-It the Instigator

Big Boi v. the Black Keys Mashup
Nashville DJ and Mix Artist Wick-It the Instigator has created a great mashup with Big Boi and the Black Keys. The album is available for free and can be downloaded off SoundCloud. Even if you don't want to download it, it's definitely worth a listen. The key to a great mash is finding two artists that complement each other. Surprisingly, Big Boi's the Son of Dusty Chico and the Brothers Album by the Black Keys creates a deep layering that spreads well throughout its 8 songs.

Greenberg

Greenberg
Written and directed by Noah Baumbach. Greenberg is a clumsy, awkward, funny, pretty great movie. Ben Stiller stars as Roger Greenberg who is just starting to put his life back together after a nervous breakdown. Greenberg house sits for his brother in L.A. and begins a relationship with Florence (played by Greta Gerwig).  Even though Florence has an apathetic attitude toward life decisions, she is endearing and very likable. You'll find yourself laughing at the uncomfortable situations and enjoying it. 74% Rotten Tomatoes Review Grocery List for Greenberg: Ice Cream Sandwiches and Whiskey.

Harry Potter Butterbeer Recipe

Harry Potter Butterbeer Recipe

Ingredients: 1 Cup (8 oz) Cream Soda, 1/4 Cup (2 oz) Ice Cream Butterscotch Syrup, 1/2 Tablespoon Real Butter, Whip Cream

Directions: Put 1/4 Cup Ice Cream Butterscotch Syrup and 1/2 Tablespoon Real Butter into microwavable cup/glass and heat for 1 minute.  Remove from microwave and slowly pour in the 1 Cup of Cream Soda.  The mixture will begin to fizz.  Slowly stir the heated Butterscotch Syrup, Butter, and Cream Soda. Put a dab of whip cream on top and enjoy.

Study: Love Music? Thank a Substance in Your Brain

Study: Love Music? Thank a Substance in Your Brain
Whether it's the Beatles or Beethoven, people like music for the same reason they like eating or having sex: It makes the brain release a chemical that gives pleasure, a new study says. The brain substance is involved both in anticipating a particularly thrilling musical moment and in feeling the rush from it, researchers found. NY Times Article

Girl Talk - The 373 Hit Wonder

Girl Talk - The 373 Hit Wonder
In November, Gillis and his label, Illegal Art, released the fifth Girl Talk album, “All Day,” as a free download. Within 24 hours, several sites had posted annotations of “All Day,” cataloging the samples on the album —there are 373 of them. Download traffic was so heavy that MTV News ran the headline “Girl Talk Apologizes for Breaking the Internet” — hyperbole, but not far from the truth. NY Times Article

Spoon - Transference

Spoon - Transference
This album is a half & half, with some songs sounding polished and together and the other half sounding like demos. While it creates a disjointed album as a whole, it doesn't take away from its strengths. The heavy drum beat and Britt Daniel swagger are ever present and make for another strong album. Written in Reverse and Before Destruction are my favorites, but don't overlook the rest of the album. Like Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga and Gimmie Fiction before it, this is a great listen for anyone that enjoys Austin American Indie Rock. Click Below to Listen to Before Destruction.

Matei Apostolescu

Matei Apostolescu
Freelance illustrator from Bucharest, Romania.  Uses all kinds of tools ranging from rotring pencils, markers, spray paint, to Wacom tablet, Photoshop and Illustrator.  His work is very cool and perfect for a skinit or wallpaper.  Check his work out here, available for purchase, commission, and viewing. 

Matei Apostolescu Gallery