Post #231156 by hodadhank on Tue, May 9, 2006 11:25 AM

If I could distill my Oasis experience into two words they would be

SENSORY OVERLOAD...

What a blast!

Unfortunately my beautiful wahine Rita had pinched a nerve in her back only a day before the event but she managed to tough it out with her chiropractor's help, a back brace and heavy painkillers long enough to join me at Ona & Moki's mellow pre-party and a fun filled Saturday at the Hanalei. I'm grateful she encouraged me to enjoy the event without her but I know next year we'll make it to the room crawl together. I just couldn't do that without her. The weekend's festivities were great but every thing's more fun with Rita.

Great partying with SD Ohana and meeting new friends. While I did meet a nice couple shivering at the Bali Hai's upstairs bar pining for the desert warmth of Oasis past but I hope others who'd not visited my city before now love it as much as I do. Like Wonka said "So much to do so little time!" The entertainment was awesome. What a treat hearing all those great bands. Listening to the Martini Kings in the legendary Bali Hai Ballroom was spectacular! I just know Artie Lyman's spirit was smiling on us all.I can't wait to see the Sand Devils, Mai Kai Gents and Ape again. Crazy Al's such a rock star!!

Home girl Mimi LeMeaux and the other burlesque girls were fabulous. (If that's what those shriners have been staying up late for all this time give me a fez and a secret handshake immediately!)

Sammy Davis Junior's got some heavy competition for the role of hardest working man in showbiz. It's gotta be a toss-up between Denny Moynahan and Matt Reese! Holy crap! You guys rock!

The marketplace was a treat. Great seeing Bosko and Truus again and meeting Danny G and Stephanie, Tiki Tony, Marcus, Holden and Stuckie's folks. We were lucky enough to be in the tent at Harvey Mendiola and Foi Mo's booth in time to see some unscheduled entertainment. While Harvey's uncles were demonstrating the carved drums a fellow attendee broke into a flawless spontaneous hula followed a moment later by a six year old boy doing some traditional male dancing and ripping it up on the drums. I hope Otto will include Harvey on the official entertainment roster next year, dancing drumming and spinning fire. His traditional Polynesian act would round out the bill nicely. Maybe outside at the Bali Hai!!!

Mahalo everybody. My camera burned in a fire or you can bet I'd have some great pix of the weekend. Can't wait till next year.. Hey wait maybe I'll see some of you in Catalina!