Revival of ‘KIIS & Unite’ Planned April 24

“KIIS & Unite” will return to Irvine Meadows on April 24 with a lineup of rock and pop performers playing short sets to benefit the Pediatric AIDS Foundation.

Acts announced so far are Jon Secada, Patty Smyth, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Neneh Cherry, Portrait, Joey Lawrence, Shai and Jeremy Jordan. The show is scheduled to start at 5 p.m. and run through the evening.

Last April, a 16-performer bill featuring Richard Marx, Luther Vandross, Amy Grant, PM Dawn and Color Me Badd raised $235,000 in pledges for the Pediatric AIDS Foundation, according to Karen Tobin, spokeswoman for the benefit’s organizer, radio station KIIS (102.7 FM).

All tickets for the inaugural KIIS & Unite benefit were given away by the station. This year, tickets are being sold through Ticketmaster at prices ranging from $5 for lawn seats to $100 for the stage-front pit. Other seats will cost $35, $20 or $10.

The benefit also will feature a silent auction at which concert-goers can write down their bids for such items as a guitar signed by the members of U2 and a basketball autographed by Magic Johnson.

The Pediatric AIDS Foundation is devoted primarily to treatment and research of AIDS in children. Credit card pledges can be made by calling (800) 800-2900.

Club 5902 in Huntington Beach is expanding in an effort to raise its capacity from 300 to 450, a 50% increase that could give the night spot a shot at booking some higher-profile bands along with the assortment of local alternative rockers that has been its customary fare.

Having taken over an adjacent storefront formerly occupied by a veterinarian, managers of the club at 5902 Warner Ave. say they expect the expansion to be completed by mid-April. City inspectors then will determine the maximum capacity.

George Verdugo, whose family took over management (though not ownership) of the club last summer, said the expansion will add two lounges, a dressing room for bands and more restrooms. The club already has been vastly improved over its dingy former incarnation as Night Moves, with a remodeled interior and improved sound and lighting systems.

Unlike the Rhythm Cafe in Santa Ana, which went out of business three weeks ago after failing in head-on competition with the well-entrenched Coach House, Club 5902 is not relying strictly on concert business to succeed. The club will continue to feature rock shows on Friday and Saturday nights; on other nights it will offer a variety of once-a-week dance events.

Rikki Rachtman, host of MTV’s Headbangers Ball program, has launched a Tuesday night hard rock series, Bordello, which features recorded music and occasional live bands. On Thursdays, the successful Disco 2000 series offers dance music. Wednesday nights the club becomes Wreck Shop, offering hip-hop and funk, while Sundays are devoted to live reggae.

“When the expansion is done, we will bid on whatever we want,” said J.P. Boquette, one of the bookers in charge of bringing in concert talent on weekends. “Our capacity will be up, and we’ll be competitive. Whatever is sellable in the market, we’ll do it.”

Scheduled acts at Club 5902 include Motorpsycho, 714, Smash Palace and Face to Face this Friday; H.R. on Saturday; Dave Wakeling, Sublime and Mere Mortals, April 16; Bitch Funky Sex Machine, Loveless and Face to Face, April 23; Beat Farmers, Naked Soul and Minute Kings, April 24; and Uniform Choice, Mind Circus, Jesus Chrysler, April 30.

Eli Riddle, one of the best alternative rock bands on the local grass-roots scene, is organizing a series of free weekly concerts starting tonight at Sakura, a restaurant and bar at 8052 Adams Ave. in Huntington Beach.

The featured band each week will be none other than . . . Eli Riddle.

The object, according to band leader Jon Melkerson, is to gain more regular exposure than the established club scene allows. “Trying to get a following is such a struggle,” he says. “The (club) bookers work on their own agenda; once a month I get a good slot. This way, I can tell people we’re always (playing) on Monday.”

Eli Riddle plays tonight at 9 followed at 10 by Utter Prattish. Guest bands for upcoming Mondays will be announced.

“Hopefully, I can attract some people who want to see some new music, and we can all benefit by sharing the crowd,” Melkerson said. Sakura is at the corner of Adams Avenue and Beach Boulevard. Concert-goers must be 21. Information: (714) 890-0308.