Post #654935 by Swanky on Tue, Oct 9, 2012 8:28 AM

On 2012-10-07 09:42, Sophista-tiki wrote:
Chiming in from Seattle. I can point to a few things. The attitude problem of " I did it first" has fractured any scene we might have had around here Seattle). So we dont have events where anyone can feel like they could attend. Its all about private parties that have selective invites to purposely keep the people that the "original Tcers" dont approve of out. As far as other events go if you're not in the thick of the socal scene then you dont seem to count for much. I still come to TC every day to see whats going on but as time goes by I see that when I do post something its like posting to a grave yard. So I spend alot more time over on facebook, I sell more art over there, I know what kind of an audience I have as opposed to here where EVERYONE is just "lurking" without bothering to say anything. I have a lot more interaction with tiki people there than on here. Its like TC and some of the "old timers" have set up an atmosphere of exclusion and made it uncomfortable for people to feel like they can be themselves.

All that being said, I try to behave myself here, I try to add content in the way of stuff I make, and I still have some good friends I've made from TC.
I've been doing tiki art since BEFORE TC, since before Tiki News even. and I still feel kinda like an outsider. ( not an attitude , a fact) I often find myself as the person who has the completely out in left field viewpoint from everyone else around me. Which I believe is still a valid wiewpoint.

What I like most about events is meeting new people. When I was in charge of Hukilau, it was my intent to bring people together in ways that facilitated meeting and getting to know each other. When I had the idea for a seminar event that was more like a Con, I had in mind that there would be dozens of small "events" that every type of enthusiast could find fellows to talk with, peer-to-peer. Unfortunately, my idea was turned into a few events where a single person on stage talks to a group. Then I suggested that all such seminars be followed by a meet and greet where people can talk to the speaker and interact with them and each other. That got translated into a book signing... I think people don't get it. I quit trying to share ideas.

I hear it from all over. Events are getting bigger, but maybe not better when you can't really hang out and talk and meet all these people who are like-minded. It seems to end up being accidental.

Hukilau in the early days was great as a mixer. It got bigger and we knew less of the attendees and more stuff got scheduled. Coon Tiki was great because we had 25 people in a remote cabin who all hung out together and got to know each other. That was more of a success in many ways.

Events are a Catch-22. You want more people always, but you then need to plan small activities for them.

In the Tiki community, it really is about the people IMO.

As for old timers, life happens.