Post #217838 by Sabina on Mon, Feb 27, 2006 10:01 PM

As an original midwesterner (Ohio) It seems to me even MORE important to have Tiki events in what are otherwise relatively non-Tiki places. These are where Tiki is needed the most, and where Tikiphiles feel the most isolated. Rather than isolated Tikiphiles always having to travel to CA, or FL, etc, it might be really nice to create reasons for places that are Tiki soaked to come to places that are Tiki desolate.

That said, I'm not sure HOW to do it. Having at least one Tiki venue as a focal point, or 'home base' becomes important. And being somewhere with several, or that even USED to have several venues can be good.

Places that perhaps do not have full scale Tiki-vibe, but a little Tiki in the midst of say, other googie architectural gems can create a vibe that while not Tiki per se, can help the mood along a bit.

(Trust me, I've been personally contemplating such both in terms of the Wildwoods in NJ, and here in Maryland which has Vera's white sands and not much else.)

So what do I look for in events? (Oaktiki and I have been to quite a few now, from Exotica in Chicago, to Oasis in Palm Springs, from Hukilau in FL, to Mondo Tiki in Vegas, all this straight on through to our local MD/DC/VA get togethers.

Well, I may be a bit of a freak, but the history, architecture, and and actual 'arts' are some of what attract me-

Things like Sven's slideshows have been real high points for us. Architectural tours in both Palm Springs and Vegas have been some of best of the best (but a big part of that has been the fact that both featured EXACTLY the right guides!)

Events that allow time to explore more- what else is around in the neighborhood and town- drive ins, other architectural goodies, diners, museum exhibits, an evening boat cruise on a Tikified boat (a la Hukilau!) a tie in with a gallery event- best of all a Tiki show! Maybe renting out a local architecturally significant movie theater to run Tiki films in- work with what you've got, and then figure how Tiki can be worked in.

Further, if you're in a town that has specific features set aside some time for them- make open time for things like 'beach time' if you're at a beach, try not to run everything opposite everything else all the time, as people will begin to feel sad for all the things they wanted to do that ran opposite all the other things they wanted to do and did. A less cluttered quality over quantity approach can be good.

Good mixology- there's nothing worse than being in a good & Tiki place with a bad drink- except maybe being in a good and Tiki place with bad/wrong music music!

Demonstrations and hands on fun- carving demos, painting demos, 101 ways to recreate the look of matting on a ceiling, mixology demos, best ways to hang tapa, Uke 101, the list could go on and on.

Allowing time and deliberate spaces for meet and greets- we know so many people on TC from their posts alone, while lucky Tikiphiles that are parts of broader communities like in parts of CA know each other and do things together on an ongoing basis, it can be hard for even long timers from somewhere else to fit in- make social space and time to meet one another and talk a part of the event. I've seen REAL deep friendships come out of Tiki events and while no one can schedule that, making it possible and not getting in the way of it is really important. Anything that facilitates connecting the person you've never seen before to 'oh, yeah, that person on TC who posted that amazing thing!' helps- now I'm not saying TACKY bad nametags like you just came out of the board room, but some ability to recognize each other, get a feel for who all is at the event, and maybe a common (physical) message board where people can leave notes for others saying 'hey- I know you're here, I'd love to meet up! How about... if you can'?

Dedicated space and time for venders- AND making ways for venders to enjoy the event they're at. There's nothing worse than being at THE Tiki event and not get to enjoy it yourself!

Humour, FUN, silliness, and the unexpected! If you don't plan on them being part of the event, it won't work.

ART! This community has an incredible wealth of creativity! (In case everyone hasn't already noticed!) Make ways for it it to happen- watching people transform even the most ordinary of hotel rooms into weekend long art installations is part of the wonder that are the folks from TC. Importantly, however, people flying in are in a different situation, making both people feel at home- those who drive in giant Moai heads and those who perhaps pack a lei and their aloha shirt should feel equally a part!

Kids- deciding what kind of event you're throwing and how kids are going to be both part of it, and at times perhaps a more adult atmosphere can be really important. OakTiki and I are child-free, but many in this community are not only dealing with childcare issues, but are also let's face it, showing the next generation what Tiki is all about. (No, I'm not saying we indoctrinate children! I am saying, memories of luaus and Tiki restaurants last a lifetime!) Our community both feasts in Tiki palaces, and holds wild drunken Tiki debauchery on into the wee hours of the night, errrrr pre-dawn, errrrrr, well for days on end. So perhaps the Tiki Burlesque needs to be specifically set aside for those over 18- then again, perhaps the 'find 10 neat details about the Mai Kai scavenger hunt needs to be specifically set aside for those UNDER 10! Find the balance- mark what's what clearly on the schedule and if time can be set aside for parents to get to enjoy some of the adult times without having to panic over childcare, so much the better.

A final note for now- transport. If the event will be spread over multiple venues in one evening, a bus for shared non inebriated transport can be a lifesaver. Knowing that you'll be able to enjoy an evening's worth of events and the mixology thereof without having to fuss with cabs or who will do the driving can be a REALLY great way to not only make the event run smoothly, but also build friendships and a sense of community among those who are traveling together. Kon Tiki transports from Exotica in Chicago was a good model.

Make it easy, make it realaxing, make a schedule people can plan on, and above all else, make it FUN- a memorable EVENT and well, you could probably throw it in Nebraska (with a lot of work and a good crew of co-hosts!)

I've got a lot more but it's still perkilating.