CLUB BUZZ

The Safari begins

Safari Sam's finally opens, and War is declared in Santa Monica.

April 13, 2006

Hunting season opens at Sam's II

Safari Sam's is the little engine that could. After a long and winding road from Huntington Beach to Hollywood, the live music venue at 5214 Sunset Blvd. makes its debut tonight. Lots of good news: There are 100 free parking spots (it shares a plaza with a 99 Cents Only store) and $10 will get you in to see tonight's gritty roots band Tex & the Horseheads — an act that played in the 1980s at the original Sam's, which also hosted the likes of Black Flag and the Jesus and Mary Chain. On Friday, the Kiss or Kill promotion starts its run at Sam's, which offers a dinner menu.... Lone Justice alum Ryan Hedgecock begins his new solo project Friday at the Mint, and the rumor mill says he's bringing some famous friends. Wink, Wink.... Brody Jenner hosts Centerfold Tuesdays at Privilege in WeHo, with DJ Morty at the helm.... Motochrist celebrates the release of "Motochrist Live: Hollywood High" tonight at Zen Sushi in Silver Lake.

Dancing over the ocean blue

In the free-is-good category, Sal Rodriguez fired up the Santa Monica Pier on Sunday with some classic War covers. Nothing sounds better on a groovy Sunday than "Low Rider" and "Cisco Kid." Next up for the pier's free music series is the oldies band Homemade Jam on Sunday and Theresa James & the Rhythm Tramps on April 23. And while we're on the beach, such notables as Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Cher, Jim Carrey, Jennifer Aniston, Vince Vaughn and Charlize Theron have checked out the fab art exhibition "Ashes and Snow," the photos and films of artist Gregory Colbert. The exhibition, in a temporary museum just north of the pier, closes May 14

Seen on the scene

Jessica Alba and Cash Warren checked out a screening last week of pal Jessy Terrero's documentary on Reebok skateboarder Stevie Williams at H.D. Buttercup in Culver City.... Thursday's acoustic set by the Psychedelic Furs' Richard Butler at the Key Club in WeHo attracted such fans as Billy Corgan, Tool's Maynard James Keenan, Poison's CC Deville and No Doubt's Tony Kanal....Kanal is among the folks who made a point to come out for singer Pearl Aday's free Wednesday night shows at the House of Blues Foundation Room, along with Kiefer Sutherland, Keanu Reeves, Bo Bice, Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd. And speaking of the Blues Brothers, Aykroyd and Jim Belushi whooped it up at last Wednesday's memorial benefit for the LAPD and the LAFD at Avalon, where they rolled up in vintage cop cars.... Dolce Enoteca is cutting club kids a break on Tuesdays with a discount cocktail and dinner menu and DJ Sarah serving up hot tunes to the likes of Paris Hilton.

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