Dec. 16th! Tiki Joe's Ocean Christmas Concert and Dinner Party at Damon's! - California Events

T Tangaroa-Ru Member Surf's Up, Los Angeles! Joined: Aug 04, 2006 Posts: 413	T Tangaroa-Ru Posted posted on Sun, Jan 6, 2013 6:19 PM I can't believe it's taken me this long to finally post my follow-up message about this night. There's so much to say, yet I don't want to cure anyone's insomnia, so I'll keep it as brief as I can. I've always loved all things about Hawaii and Tiki. I grew up in a beach town in Los Angeles, so that Pacific Rim vibe and the abundance of Tiki bars/restaurants were around me, as well as my parents and one set of grandparents being very much into this. I "rediscovered" my love for Tiki about fifteen years ago, and was stunned and thrilled to find out there were others-- many others -- out there who felt the same way, and were creating a community filled with the aloha spirit, unlike anything I had ever seen outside of Hawaii. Over the years, through various events and places like Tiki Central, many of these people have become true "ohana" to me -- filling a space left very empty when some of my biological family members passed on. To be able to put together an event like this, at the bequest of one of my favorite Tiki restaurants, Damon's, was an extra jolt of happiness in my already great year. What a way to end 2012! And, to be able to put it together with so many people I truly love, made it all the more sweet and heart-expanding. Michael and Kevin at Damon's: Thank you for coming to me to help you put on this event. You were wonderful to work with! I look forward to seeing you both often in this New Year, and perhaps collaborating again some time on future projects. I cannot be more delighted that you and the new partners at Damon's want to welcome in our Tiki community even more. And your idea to have a special Tiki drink night once a week is a GREAT ONE! Hope to see that start soon! We'll all cheer you on! Andy Nazzal and the band members of Tiki Joe's Ocean: You earned this night! Nothing makes me happier than putting the right people together with the right circumstances. Your music put everyone in the perfect mood for this event. An exotica band that ran our favorite Christmas songs through the "Tikifier"?! How cool is that?! You really were the glue that brought so many to this event, and proved that Damon's is an outstanding place to host live musical events -- yes, right there in front of the fish tank! It worked! It worked! And no fish were harmed in the making of this concert! And thank you for letting me pitch some song suggestions, which you orchestrated so well! Mahalo, you fine musicians! Tom "Thor" Thordarson: You have been one of my best friends for many years now. You are truly a kindred spirit for me in all things fun and creative. Your willingness and enthusiasm to join me in this Damon's project has made this even better. You went so far above and beyond in your participation - from making four (4!!!) rum paintings, doing the live demonstration this night, designing Damon's first (upcoming!) Tiki mug and just impressing the heck out of everyone. The words "thank you" are not enough. I'll say it again: You really ARE a white knight! Crazy Al and King Kukulele: You two nutters added the PERFECT extra "Aloha-style" entertainment and "POW" to this night. Both of you with your great sense of fun and unique talents! Thank you for providing wonderful, hysterical distractions throughout the evening. You really brought your A+ game to this, and I love you for that! Chris Bonomo: Thank you for making the long trek this night to document this party on video. As the memory of this event fades, all of us will be able to refresh our brains thanks to you and your great camera and editing work! I've never seen anyone put together a promo so quickly or skillfully! My gosh, you are TALENTED!!! All the Vendors: (Buzzy, Tiki Tony and the lovely Alene, Eric October and Manuel, Doug Horne, Ken Ruzic, Krisdrama, Crazy Al, Mr. and Mrs. Bongofury) -- You showed up for me even thought this wasn't going to be a long night of vending, and I can't tell you how much I appreciate this! You brought such wonderful things for everyone to buy AND you introduced a whole bunch of new people to the wonders of contemporary Tiki art and crafts! You are all SO TALENTED! I hope you made a lot of new friends and fans this night. Thank you for being there and turning that back room into a party unto itself! Chris and Karen Garland: From the moment this event was announced, I got a call from you with the words, "What can we do to help?" You are two of Tiki's biggest cheerleaders, and you certainly were mine this night! You were the perfect extra hands I needed to help greet everyone with mistletoe and leis, and I thank you so much for being my friends. Anyone who has attended your International Marketplace knows of your welcoming spirit and ability to pull things together. You helped me more than you know, just by being you. May the spirit of the mistletoe monkey live with you forever! Robert Spina: Thank you for bringing your Don Ho (ho ho) to the night by singing "This Christmas". Great job! And also, thank you for cheering me on while I was planning this whole shindig out! To my Mom: Thank you for letting your goofy daughter with her crazy ideas bring a big exotica band into your home to rehearse. Now THAT'S some serious aloha! But I think you enjoyed it, and I have proof on video of you rocking out to "Yellowbird" while the boys jammed in your living room. Finally, to everyone who attended: My heartfelt love and thanks for being there. Whether you did the dinner/show package or just enjoyed your night from the bar, YOU SOLD OUT THIS EVENT and made it the success it was! YES, YOU! Your overwhelming response truly surprised Damon's (you drank them out of several drinks, did you know that?!?!) and showed them that they have a supportive fan base who will come back for more good times at their establishment. I have so enjoyed hearing from some of you, about how much you liked this event. It means more than you know to hear your positive feedback. Okay, everyone...So now we're beginning a whole new year, full of personal goals, fun events and a chance to spend more time together. I hope that all of you re-embrace one of the main reasons why we all got involved with Tiki -- THE SPIRIT OF ALOHA -- and that you truly share the meaning of this every opportunity you can. Our community has grown very large in the past ten years, and it's easy to forget this sometimes, as we get swept up into parties, events, influential friendships, and even a certain level of competition that, frankly, in Tiki, should NOT exist. EVERYONE in our community has gifts and talents to share, whether it's great drink recipes, artwork, a cool home bar, musical talent, or even the greatest thing of all -- kindness. I wish you all a year full of of aloha. ~ Kari Hendler (Associate Editor of Tiki Magazine) [ Edited by: Tangaroa-Ru 2013-01-06 18:21 ] [ Edited by: Tangaroa-Ru 2013-01-06 18:28 ] [ Edited by: tangaroa-ru 2013-01-06 21:54 ] [ Edited by: Tangaroa-Ru 2013-01-09 11:19 ]

I can't believe it's taken me this long to finally post my follow-up message about this night. There's so much to say, yet I don't want to cure anyone's insomnia, so I'll keep it as brief as I can.

I've always loved all things about Hawaii and Tiki. I grew up in a beach town in Los Angeles, so that Pacific Rim vibe and the abundance of Tiki bars/restaurants were around me, as well as my parents and one set of grandparents being very much into this. I "rediscovered" my love for Tiki about fifteen years ago, and was stunned and thrilled to find out there were others-- many others -- out there who felt the same way, and were creating a community filled with the aloha spirit, unlike anything I had ever seen outside of Hawaii. Over the years, through various events and places like Tiki Central, many of these people have become true "ohana" to me -- filling a space left very empty when some of my biological family members passed on. To be able to put together an event like this, at the bequest of one of my favorite Tiki restaurants, Damon's, was an extra jolt of happiness in my already great year. What a way to end 2012! And, to be able to put it together with so many people I truly love, made it all the more sweet and heart-expanding.

Michael and Kevin at Damon's: Thank you for coming to me to help you put on this event. You were wonderful to work with! I look forward to seeing you both often in this New Year, and perhaps collaborating again some time on future projects. I cannot be more delighted that you and the new partners at Damon's want to welcome in our Tiki community even more. And your idea to have a special Tiki drink night once a week is a GREAT ONE! Hope to see that start soon! We'll all cheer you on!

Andy Nazzal and the band members of Tiki Joe's Ocean: You earned this night! Nothing makes me happier than putting the right people together with the right circumstances. Your music put everyone in the perfect mood for this event. An exotica band that ran our favorite Christmas songs through the "Tikifier"?! How cool is that?! You really were the glue that brought so many to this event, and proved that Damon's is an outstanding place to host live musical events -- yes, right there in front of the fish tank! It worked! It worked! And no fish were harmed in the making of this concert! And thank you for letting me pitch some song suggestions, which you orchestrated so well! Mahalo, you fine musicians!

Tom "Thor" Thordarson: You have been one of my best friends for many years now. You are truly a kindred spirit for me in all things fun and creative. Your willingness and enthusiasm to join me in this Damon's project has made this even better. You went so far above and beyond in your participation - from making four (4!!!) rum paintings, doing the live demonstration this night, designing Damon's first (upcoming!) Tiki mug and just impressing the heck out of everyone. The words "thank you" are not enough. I'll say it again: You really ARE a white knight!

Crazy Al and King Kukulele: You two nutters added the PERFECT extra "Aloha-style" entertainment and "POW" to this night. Both of you with your great sense of fun and unique talents! Thank you for providing wonderful, hysterical distractions throughout the evening. You really brought your A+ game to this, and I love you for that!

Chris Bonomo: Thank you for making the long trek this night to document this party on video. As the memory of this event fades, all of us will be able to refresh our brains thanks to you and your great camera and editing work! I've never seen anyone put together a promo so quickly or skillfully! My gosh, you are TALENTED!!!

All the Vendors: (Buzzy, Tiki Tony and the lovely Alene, Eric October and Manuel, Doug Horne, Ken Ruzic, Krisdrama, Crazy Al, Mr. and Mrs. Bongofury) -- You showed up for me even thought this wasn't going to be a long night of vending, and I can't tell you how much I appreciate this! You brought such wonderful things for everyone to buy AND you introduced a whole bunch of new people to the wonders of contemporary Tiki art and crafts! You are all SO TALENTED! I hope you made a lot of new friends and fans this night. Thank you for being there and turning that back room into a party unto itself!

Chris and Karen Garland: From the moment this event was announced, I got a call from you with the words, "What can we do to help?" You are two of Tiki's biggest cheerleaders, and you certainly were mine this night! You were the perfect extra hands I needed to help greet everyone with mistletoe and leis, and I thank you so much for being my friends. Anyone who has attended your International Marketplace knows of your welcoming spirit and ability to pull things together. You helped me more than you know, just by being you. May the spirit of the mistletoe monkey live with you forever!

Robert Spina: Thank you for bringing your Don Ho (ho ho) to the night by singing "This Christmas". Great job! And also, thank you for cheering me on while I was planning this whole shindig out!

To my Mom: Thank you for letting your goofy daughter with her crazy ideas bring a big exotica band into your home to rehearse. Now THAT'S some serious aloha! But I think you enjoyed it, and I have proof on video of you rocking out to "Yellowbird" while the boys jammed in your living room.

Finally, to everyone who attended: My heartfelt love and thanks for being there. Whether you did the dinner/show package or just enjoyed your night from the bar, YOU SOLD OUT THIS EVENT and made it the success it was! YES, YOU! Your overwhelming response truly surprised Damon's (you drank them out of several drinks, did you know that?!?!) and showed them that they have a supportive fan base who will come back for more good times at their establishment. I have so enjoyed hearing from some of you, about how much you liked this event. It means more than you know to hear your positive feedback.

Okay, everyone...So now we're beginning a whole new year, full of personal goals, fun events and a chance to spend more time together. I hope that all of you re-embrace one of the main reasons why we all got involved with Tiki -- THE SPIRIT OF ALOHA -- and that you truly share the meaning of this every opportunity you can. Our community has grown very large in the past ten years, and it's easy to forget this sometimes, as we get swept up into parties, events, influential friendships, and even a certain level of competition that, frankly, in Tiki, should NOT exist. EVERYONE in our community has gifts and talents to share, whether it's great drink recipes, artwork, a cool home bar, musical talent, or even the greatest thing of all -- kindness. I wish you all a year full of of aloha.

~ Kari Hendler
(Associate Editor of Tiki Magazine)

[ Edited by: Tangaroa-Ru 2013-01-06 18:21 ]

[ Edited by: Tangaroa-Ru 2013-01-06 18:28 ]

[ Edited by: tangaroa-ru 2013-01-06 21:54 ]

[ Edited by: Tangaroa-Ru 2013-01-09 11:19 ]

Post #663238 by Tangaroa-Ru on Sun, Jan 6, 2013 6:19 PM