Tiki Central / General Tiki / The Tiki Times: News and events calendar
Post #758004 by Hurricane Hayward on Wed, Jan 27, 2016 11:42 PM
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Wed, Jan 27, 2016 11:42 PM
The Week in Tiki (Jan. 1-15, 2016): New Tikis to rise at The Mai-Kai, Lost Lake honored, Smuggler’s Cove book release, Tiki in South Beach, plus more! The new year is off to a roaring start with comprehensive coverage of the carving and planned installation of two giant Tikis at The Mai-Kai during The Hukilau ...
The Mai-Kai in Fort Lauderdale is renowned for the massive Tiki carvings that grace its grounds, some dating back a half-century. But in recent years, many have sadly succumbed to the elements. Every year, it seems, you’ll find another tribute mug to one of The Mai-Kai’s fallen Tikis. In June, however, there will be a welcome new sight at the 59-year-old historic landmark. Two monumental Tiki carvings standing up to 10 feet tall will be unveiled in the restaurant’s outdoor tropical garden during The Hukilau, the annual Polynesian Pop celebration that draws enthusiasts from around the world. Marking the project happen were The Hukilau’s Christie “Tiki Kiliki” White and master carver Will Anders, plus several other people whose contributions were indispensable. Anders began work on the Tikis in November, when two gigantic logs estimated to weigh 4,000 to 6,000 pounds each arrived at his Fort Lauderdale home. By early January, when White snapped the photo above, the first Tiki was already taking shape. She later announced the project on Facebook, calling it a dream come true. “I have to say, when you see a man of 119 pounds carving a 4,000-pound tree into such an amazing work of art, it humbles you,” she wrote.
After less than a year in operation, acclaimed neo-Tiki bar Lost Lake in Chicago added another award to its growing list of achievements when it was named Cocktail Bar of the Year for 2016 by Imbibe magazine. “It isn’t just about Tiki drinks. The Lost Lake experience combines the best in hospitality and drinks with fun and relaxing escapist vibes,” the magazine says. ” The mix of classics and modern drinks hold to the expected tropical framework, but many of the new recipes tip the scales of the genre.”
Rum and Tiki cocktail trailblazer Martin Cate has confirmed that his long-awaited book, Smuggler’s Cove: Exotic Cocktails, Rum and the Cult of Tiki, will be released via 10 Speed Press on June 7. “You’ll find us all over the U.S. this summer taking our baby on tour,” Cate posted on Facebook. This will include multiple book signings (at The Mai-Kai and Pier 66) during The Hukilau in Fort Lauderdale on June 8-12.
If you put off buying tickets to the second annual Tiki cocktail event coming to the South Beach Wine & Food Festival in Febuary, you’ll probably miss out. The SoBeFest website lists “The Art of Tiki: A Cocktail Showdown,” set for Feb. 26 at the Surfcomber Hotel, as sold out. We could credit the growing popularity of Tiki culture and/or the popularity of the event’s host, Guy Fieri of Food Network. Let’s hope it’s more of the former and less of the latter.
As it turns out, Tiki’s return to the SoBeWFF will coincide with the arrival of a full-fledged Tiki establishment to Miami Beach, home of such legendary mid-century mainstays as The Castaways and The Luau. But in true South Beach style, this is not your father’s Tiki bar. Naked Tiki is a new concept from celebrity chef Ralph Pagano (above), joining his upscale Naked Taco concept on Miami Beach. The new Polynesian-themed restaurant and bar will open in The Stiles Hotel (at 11th Street and Collins Avenue) on Feb. 20, according to an industry source. Pagano and Naked Taco will also be participating in The Art of Tiki at the the SoBeWFF, so the synergy is definitely intentional.
We also preview an art and rum event in Fort Lauderdale, plus Tiki Caliente in Palm Springs. Quick sips include The Broken Shaker opening an outpost in Los Angeles, Marina the Fire Eating Mermaid heating up Las Vegas (see above), and the introduction of Rum Minute videos.
Regular features spotlight lowbrow legend Robert Williams; Indianapolis surf band The Madeira; The Rum Line cocktail bar on Miami Beach (above); and the Imbibe website.
The Rum of the Week, R.L. Seale’s 10-year-old from Barbados, is featured in the Winter Daiquiri by Mindy Kucan of Hale Pele. Okole maluna! |
