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Entries in the 'Events' Category
July 6, 2008  |
Filed under: Events, San Francisco, Tiki — Humuhumu @ 5:37 pm
Tiki Central’s Tiki Crawl 8 Save the date! The eighth annual San Francisco Tiki Crawl is happening October 9-12, 2008. Full details haven’t been announced, but the website has been launched with a basic outline (South Bay on Thursday, San Francisco on Friday, East Bay on Saturday, Forbidden Island revisit on Sunday).
San Francisco is unique in its density of great tiki locations, and this annual event is also unique in that it’s the only official event for Tiki Central. If you haven’t seen all the great tiki San Francisco has to offer (or if you have, but you’re due for a refresher), this is a very fun way to pack it all in.
The official event hotel is the Phoenix Hotel in San Francisco — it’s a very fun hotel, and I encourage you to get reservations sooner rather than later.
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Filed under: Events, History, Los Angeles, Music, Shopping, Tiki — Humuhumu @ 11:37 am
It’s time once again for tiki movies at the Egyptian! This has been an annual event for the past few years, and I’m always sad to miss it (this year I’ll be in Portland). But here’s why you shouldn’t miss it:
After the success of our Tiki events the past three summers, we’re back again with more exotic ephemera: more fun feature films, diverting oddball shorts, vendors, food, music and more! We’ll be showing old-school island adventure pics FAIR WIND TO JAVA, ALOMA OF THE SOUTH SEAS and HER JUNGLE LOVE (all in gorgeously saturated color) will screen along with artist Kevin Kidney’s collection of rare, island-themed TV surprises. Join us in the Egyptian’s Courtyard for a Royal Southern California-style Luau with exotic musical entertainment from King Kukelele and his Friki Tikis and the Polynesian Paradise Dancers. There will also be Tiki vendors and other special surprises in the courtyard on Saturday from 1:00 PM until we shut it down.
This year it’s happening over two nights, July 25-26, 2008. It all starts Saturday at 1pm at the Egyptian Theater in Los Angeles. Tickets will be sold at the door, but if you want to guarantee you’ll get to enjoy the luau dinner, it’s best to get tickets in advance.
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June 25, 2008 |
Filed under: Events, San Diego, Tiki — Humuhumu @ 11:13 am
Tiki Oasis 8 Robert Drasnin! Waitiki! I’m there!
Taking place once again at the former Hanalei Hotel (now the snoozetastically-named Crowne Plaza), with a special Thursday night meet-and-greet at the Bali Hai. There’s also burlesque & musicians & vendors & all the usual trappings, but of course it’s really all about the room parties. Though I am hoping I can manage to not be too hungover for the seminars…
August 14-17, San Diego… way too many details to go into here… just go over to the Tiki Oasis website & buy your tickets already!
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June 24, 2008 |
Filed under: Events, Los Angeles, Tiki — Humuhumu @ 9:02 pm
Mahiki Rum King Kukulele’s monthly Floating Luau is drifting into the San Fernando Valley this Friday, to the Tonga Hut in North Hollywood. The Tonga Hut recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, making it a natural choice for the King to weigh anchor in her port.
The Friki Tikis will be performing, and the King has brought back a special gift from his recent trip to England: the brand-new, currently-unavailable-stateside Mahiki Rum.
Also on hand will be the Polynesian Paradise Dancers and Ali Lexa, host of KPFK’s Ukulele Spotlight. A special highlight this month is a presentation of Johnny Halifax’s “Tiki Tiki Tiki,” which was filmed at the much beloved and sadly defunct Kahiki Supper Club in Columbus, Ohio:
If you’ve heard King Kukulele’s song “Otto’s Odyssey”, then you’ve heard the line: “Halifax is filming for the BBC”. This is what Johnny Halifax was filming, and now you have the ultra rare opportunity to see “Tiki Tiki Tiki”.
Wish I could be there to see it myself — I’ve always wondered what became of the BBC filming mentioned in “Otto’s Odyssey.” The show is happening this Friday, June 27 at 8 p.m., and there’s a $5 cover.
Tonga Hut
12808 Victory Blvd
North Hollywood, CA 91606
(818) 769-0708
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November 16, 2007 |
Filed under: Events, Music, My Travels, New England — Humuhumu @ 9:47 pm
Beantown Sippin’ Safari I’ve never been to Boston — and that’s all changing, thanks to Waitiki and Beachbum Berry. That’s the one-two punch that’s got me hopping on the next red-eye to Beantown:
WAITIKI presents An Exotic Beantown Sippin Safari featuring beach Bum Berry! Pho Republique will host this exciting event, a tiki-filled evening which includes four amazing tropical concoctions available (and mixed by the Bum!), dim sum apps ala Pho, and a special photographic slideshow by the Bum about the history of these drinks. Brother Cleve to keep the beat going between sets and other surprises may follow! There will also be tiki raffle prizes given out! View the press release for more info.
For all you tikiphiles: drinks will be sourced from the original recipes of some classic cocktails found in legendary Boston tiki establishments of the past (Trader Vics, Kon Tiki Ports, etc.) Check out Beach Bum’s 2007 Salon mag interview; a hoot!
RSVP today at sippinsafari@waitiki.com as there is limited seating for this free event. Or call (617) 262-0005. Okonkuluku!
More later after my fab trip!
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May 5, 2007 |
Filed under: Dallas, Events, Tiki, Trader Vic's — Humuhumu @ 1:22 pm
Dallas Trader Vic’s 
Dallas Trader Vic’s Well, with all this sad news about Trader Vic’s lately, how about a little celebration of Trader Vic’s at its best? If you’re in the Dallas area, tonight’s your night. Well, any night is your night — you’re lucky enough to have what is possibly the most beautiful Trader Vic’s in the United States right in your town.
About 25 Texas-area tikiphiles are gathering at the Dallas Trader Vic’s tonight for drinks and dinner. They’re meeting in the bar at 5pm, and planning on dinner at 7pm. It’s a friendly bunch, and if you’ve been wanting to meet other tikiphiles in your area, this is a perfect opportunity. They’ve got a roll call going at Tiki Central to get a rough head-count, but don’t let that hold you back — there’s always room at the bar if the dinner table is full.
The Dallas Trader Vic’s is at the Hotel Palomar, at 5300 E. Mockingbird Lane.
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April 20, 2007 |
Filed under: Events, Music, San Francisco, Shopping, Tiki — Humuhumu @ 2:17 pm
Forbidden Island The best thing to happen in the world of tiki during the last year is Forbidden Island. It’s shown how tiki should, and can be done. It has set the standard for new tiki bars. Where most new tiki bars out there have struggled to survive (as all bars do — starting a new business is never easy), Forbidden Island has found tremendous success, for one straightforward but often overlooked reason: attention to quality. From the interiors to the drinks to the music to the service, nothing has been overlooked, and it has paid off with national reknown, glowing write-ups and a lot of customer loyalty.
This Sunday, Forbidden Island will have been open for one year. It feels like it’s always been there, and we should be celebrating its fifth, fifteenth, twenty-fifth anniversary, but it’s only been a year. May there be many, many more. Congratulations!
The party this Sunday is going to be a real humdinger — a passel of tikiphiles are coming up from southern California, which is always a treat. There will be live performances by:
- The Maikai Gents
- Meshugga Beach Party
- The Atomic Lounge Show
- Cari Lee & the Saddle-ites
- Apocalypso Now
… plus The Jab will be DJing.
Vendors include:
- Tiki Diablo
- Jungle Trader
- Retro Diva
- Tiki Hunter
Forbidden Island Skull Mug,
by Munktiki … plus, a brand new Forbidden Island mug, from Munktiki — a special two-tone skull. It goes on sale at 2 p.m., for details on how the mug sale works, check out this thread on Tiki Central.
It’s all happening this Sunday, rain or shine (there will be tents & heaters, if neccessary, and delicious rum makes it all just fine anyhow). There will be a taco truck, too, from Alameda’s beloved La Pinata restaurant. It starts at 2pm. I’ll be helping out serving Mai Tais at the beginning of the day, be sure to come by and say hi!
Forbidden Island One Year Anniversary
2pm ’til close, Sunday April 22
1304 Lincoln Ave
Alameda, CA
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April 13, 2007 |
Filed under: Art, Events, Music, San Francisco, Tiki — Humuhumu @ 9:46 am
On Saturday, April 14, Judd’s Hill winery in Napa will be holding their First Annual Judd’s Hill Musical Bonanza. The lineup is pretty impressive: APE (quite possibly my favorite tiki band), King Kukulele, and the Maikai Gents featuring the Mysterious Miss Mauna Loa (that’s the Judd’s Hill house band, of sorts, with Judd himself on vocals). If that isn’t enough, there’s food — barbecue prepared by National Champion Barbecuer Pat Burke. And of course, there will be wine — the debut of Judd’s Hill’s 2005 Old Vine Zinfandel. Yum!
The event is a benefit for Arts Council Napa Valley, a non-profit organization that supports arts education and development. Ticket price is $70 for Judd’s Hill Wine Club members (join the Wine Club at the Judd’s Hill website), or $85 for non-members. To make a reservation, talk to Pat at Judd’s Hill: (707) 255-2332.
It’s happening at Judd’s Hill’s new winery; they moved last year from St. Helene into a beautiful new winery, and we got to see it a few months ago. It’s so beautiful — they’ve got a few tikis onsite, too. It’s a great event in a great setting, and we’re hoping to be there ourselves.
Judd’s Hill Musical Bonanza
Noon - 4pm
2332 Silverado Trail
Napa, CA
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April 12, 2007 |
Filed under: Art, Events, Los Angeles, San Diego, Tiki — Humuhumu @ 4:50 pm
Tiki Farm’s annual parking lot sale is coming up this weekend, on Saturday, April 14, from 9am-3pm. It all goes down in the parking lot at Tiki Farm’s HQ in San Clemente, and it’s a great way to see where the magic happens, and also take home some great tiki mug deals. In addition to special Tiki Farm deals, there will be a couple dozen tiki-centric vendors, including Bamboo Ben, Crazy Al, Velvet Glass, BarTiki, Ken Ruzic, Chongolio, Tiki Magazine, Monkeyman and Doug Horne. Many of the vendors have posted examples of what they’ll be bringing on Tiki Central, and it’s a pretty impressive lineup of goods. The event also includes a free concert by the Glasgow Tiki Shakers. Be sure to get there early and get the best deals!
Saturday, April 14, 9am-3pm
Free admission
1305 Calle Avanzado
San Clemente
Call (949) 940-1006 for more info
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March 20, 2007 |
Filed under: Events, News, San Diego, Tiki — Humuhumu @ 3:19 pm
Tiki Oasis 7 Tiki Oasis tickets are now on sale! This year, Tiki Oasis will be bigger and better than ever — the entire Hanalei Hotel has been booked for the event (that means room parties are a big go!). Speaking of go — that’s the theme this year (beyond tiki, of course) — Otto von Stroheim is combining his love of tiki with his wife Baby Doe’s love of go-go dancing. The event is a mixture of tiki, go-go and burlesque, with performances by the Blue Hawaiians, the Tiki Tones, the Martini Kings, LA dance mainstays Satisfaction and Bardot-a-Go-Go, and Baby Doe’s own Devilettes. It’s a jam-packed weekend, for full details and to purchase tickets, visit the Tiki Oasis website.
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February 15, 2007 |
Filed under: Events, Los Angeles, My Travels, Tiki — Humuhumu @ 11:17 am
Headed to Tiki-Ti! Aloha! I’ve got so, so much great stuff to post, but first, I have to head south for the winter — or at least for a weekend. Los Angeles, and the dulcet tones of Robert Drasnin’s Voodoo 2, are calling me.
First stop: Tiki-Ti.
We’re hitting the road now-ish, and we’ll get to L.A. in late afternoon, hopefully in time to be at Tiki-Ti not too long after it opens at 6p.m. If you happen to be in the area, please come by and say hello! I’ll be the blond chick with the bamboo handbag. (As pictured here, but the hair is shorter. On me. The handbag is bald.) A number of other folks in town for the Drasnin recording will probably be there too, it promises to be a very fun night. Tiki-Ti is kind of like pizza and sex — an off night is still fantastic, and when the night’s a winner — whoo boy.
Other stops for our weekend include Disneyland, and hopefully a pop into the Bevery Hills Trader Vic’s. We’re long overdue for a trip to L.A., I’m downright giddy.
See you all soon!
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February 2, 2007 |
Filed under: Events, Seattle, Tiki — Humuhumu @ 9:41 pm
Seattle tikiphiles at Hula Hula, photo by monkeyskull 
Swanky’s pufferfish lamps at Hula Hula,
photo by Exoticat My hopes for Hula Hula were not high, but I’m so happy to hear that the local Seattle tikiphiles have made a couple visits to Hula Hula, and they like the place a lot. It sounds like some changes are coming to the drink recipes, and it looks like the place is darker and moodier than the Hula Hula website would suggest — and you regular readers know what a sucker I am for a dark bar. The music selections still sound incongruous to the decor, but as mentioned earlier, booking Lushy to play a show there is a huge step in the right direction.
The local tikiphiles are planning on meeting up there the third Thursday of every month, with the first get-together happening on February 15. If you live in the area and would like to get to know other tiki-lovin’ people, I can personally vouch for them — the Seattle tikiphiles are near & dear to my heart. Perhaps Hula Hula will play some Exotica or some old hapa haole music for them on those days? Or better yet, hire Selector Lopaka to lend them a hand with the music!
There are some pictures of a recent Tiki Central gathering at Hula Hula here, along with some of their reviews of the place. I have no idea what the glass bananas are about.
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Filed under: Events, News, Portland, Tiki — Humuhumu @ 9:08 pm
Portland Tiki Kon 2007 Dates for Portland’s annual Tiki Crawl, a.k.a. the Tiki Kon, have been announced: it’s happening July 27-29, 2007. Tiki Kon: Venture into Darkness will include stops at Portland tiki mainstay The Alibi and of course Portland’s newest tiki hotspot, Thatch. HQ for the whole shebang is once again the Jupiter Hotel, and there will be a tour of area home tiki bars.
I was at the first Portland Tiki Crawl five years ago, and I haven’t missed one since — I’ll be there again this year, and I’m particularly excited to get to see Thatch in person. The Tiki Kon website only has a teaser image for now, but stay tuned to the site for details.
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January 27, 2007 |
Filed under: Events, Music, Seattle, Shopping, Tiki — Humuhumu @ 10:21 pm
Lushy, at the Polynesian Room in Vancouver, B.C. Lushy, a darling bossa/exotica, loungey-but-dancey band based out of Seattle, is playing a show at Hula Hula on Wednesday, February 7. Lushy sounds so good in nice, intimate spaces, and Hula Hula’s space is probably just about perfect for them. It’s a great opportunity to give Hula Hula a whirl — early reports are that Hula Hula is a neat space, but that the modern/rock music played there is a mismatch — and my guess is that Lushy will give the place the mojo it may be missing.
Lushy’s eponymous album Vocalist Annabella Kirby leads the gang of stylish pop musicians through infectious songs that sound like they could have come off a ’60s European soundtrack. Two of my favorite songs of theirs are “French 75,” a cheeky ode to the francophone life, and “Bella Beretta,” an homage to Annabella’s kick-ass, Vespa ridin’ momma (as seen pictured on the cover of their album). If you can’t make it to hear them in Seattle, I recommend picking up their self-titled album, put out by Dionysus Records.
Lushy at Hula Hula
9:30 pm, no cover
106 1st Ave. N.
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January 26, 2007 |
Filed under: Events, Music, Seattle, Tiki — Humuhumu @ 9:45 pm
Selector Lopaka I while back, I shared a reverie about my days in Seattle, when I could be found reliably once a week at Fu Kun Wu in Ballard, to hear Selector Lopaka spin Exotica tunes. Ahhhhh… those were good days. I’ve tried to convince Selector Lopaka to come move down to San Francisco, so that I can hear him every week once again; while I think I’m making progress, so far he hasn’t actually budged. But someday… someday I will succeed.
That makes it that much more urgent that you discover this Seattle treasure before I steal him away from you. He’s been on hiatus from Fu Kun Wu for a while now, but he’s starting up again, this time on Sunday nights.
Selector Lopaka - 6ish-9ish every Sunday
Fu Kun Wu
(back bar of Thaiku)
5410 Ballard Ave
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