I’m supposed to be on vacation this week, yet I spent nearly seven hours in front of a computer today (so far).

Guess I asked for it, though, after promising to update this blog in my column last Friday.

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Looks like Laugh Factory Hawaii has found a new home, after plans to renovate and reopen the former Varsity Theaters last year failed.

A new partnership with Cirque Hawaii provides the comedy promoters with an alternative to some of the more expensive venues in Honolulu.

The first comic to benefit from the new arrangement is Mike Epps (pictured), who arrives this month for five performances of his Mike Epps on the Edge Tour from Aug. 20 through Aug. 24.

According to the announcement from LFH, Epps will perform at 8 p.m. on Aug. 20. The rest of his shows will start at 10 p.m.

The Indiana native got his start in comedy 13 years ago on HBO’s Def Comedy Jam, but his claim to fame came five years later when he replaced Chris Tucker in the movies “Next Friday” and “Friday After Next.” His first Hawaii performance was two years ago at the Blaisdell Concert Hall.

Most recently, Epps finished production on the movie “Janky Promoters” and is set to star in the upcoming film “Next Day Air.” He’s also been tapped to star in an upcoming Richard Pryor biography based on a book written by Pryor’s daughter.

Tickets, priced at $20, $25 and $30, are available now at the Cirque Hawaii box office. Call (808) 922-0017 to order by phone.

Photo Credit: Laugh Factory Hawaii

Don’t forget to check out my column and Crawlspace for even more ideas if you’re heading to the clubs this weekend. I’ve also got my review of LEVEL4 Nightclub and Ultra Lounge in this week’s HILife.

Have a great weekend!

Star-Bulletin file

Normally, when musicians leave a band – especially after an extended period of time – it’s not without more than a little animosity towards the remaining members.

That’s why I’m especially happy to report that former Go Jimmy Go trombone player Fernando “The Love Machine” Pacheco is back for the weekend, filling in at the band’s gigs tonight at Senor Frog’s first anniversary party and Saturday as the opening act for Smash Mouth at Aloha Tower Marketplace. Ryan Kunimura, who replaced Pacheco, is on the mainland this week playing with his other band, The Newjass Quartet.

The picture above is from January 2007, after GJG’s last Hawaii concert with Pacheco.

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Jason Genegabus photo

Stand-up comedy, like baseball, mixed martial arts or a swimsuit contest, is an activity best observed in a live setting.

You can stay home and watch it on TV – even on one of those big screen deals that broadcast in high definition. But there’s something special about sitting behind the first base dugout at Murakami Stadium, or watching punches fly at ringside in the same building Chris Rock performed at on Saturday.

And believe me, sitting just feet from a dozen (or more) beautiful women in bikinis beats watching the Hooters girls on cable any day.

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Jason Genegabus photo

The Honolulu Liquor Commission isn’t fooling around in the wake of reports that local bars and retailers are serving more customers who are underage. The recent murder in the parking lot of Club Komomai didn’t help, either.

At yesterday’s HLC meeting, Waikiki nightclub Fashion45 learned its liquor license would be suspended for a month, after bar staff “sold, served or furnished intoxicating liquor to a minor” on two separate occasions. According to the HLC’s weekly report, the suspension was suspended one week - in other words, Fashion45 will not be able to serve liquor for three weeks, not four as originally ordered.

Either way, tonight’s FUBAR Fridays party won’t be as crazy as it usually is, that’s for sure. I can’t get a hold of Fashion45’s management, so I don’t have any comment from them, but you can bet they’re not happy about the situation.

Bottom line: If you want to go out and have a few drinks at the club, scratch Fashion45 off your list until at least the middle of August.

***

UPDATE: Good news for Fashion45 fans. Liquor is still being poured at the club - for now.

I’m told the club has gotten its lawyer involved and plans to appeal the HLC’s decision to suspend its license. Until a decision is made on that appeal, Fashion45 will still be able to serve alcohol.

That means that tonight’s weekly party, The Playhouse, will take place as scheduled. No word, however, if it will still be an 18+ night, or if the club is switching to 21 and over.

If anyone from Fashion45 is reading and wants to talk, get at me: jason [at] starbulletin [dot] com.

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