Tiki Central / Other Events
Exotica 2003: pictures!
T
tikibars
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Fri, Aug 22, 2003 12:14 PM
Here's the first batch, kids. Trader Vics last night was a blast, the place was packed, and the weekend is off to a grand start!
[ Edited by: tikibars on 2003-08-22 12:15 ] |
T
tikifish
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Fri, Aug 22, 2003 2:15 PM
I am sad I am unable to be there after all my big talk of going... post more pictures! |
T
tikivixen
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Fri, Aug 22, 2003 8:02 PM
It's the lovely Louise Brooks sisters :) Hi Naomi, Sven, James, Dean and Robin!!! Argh. I wish I were there... thanks so much for the pictures, JT!!! |
T
tikibars
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Sat, Aug 23, 2003 2:49 AM
Lisa and Jane! We are SO missing you guys! Toasts were made in your honor - not to mention EVERYONE else on TC wh couldn't make the trek - Here's more of what you're missing...
[ Edited by: tikibars 2016-08-26 11:55 ] |
S
Swanky
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Sat, Aug 23, 2003 6:54 AM
I see Miss Formika made it. And she's squeazing on one of my favorite tikis! |
T
thejab
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Sat, Aug 23, 2003 10:14 AM
We miss you tikifish, vixen, and the rest who couldn't make it! Friday at Trader Vic's was a great start of the weekend. I loved the atmosphere and it's only a couple blocks from my hotel (the Burnham). Last night was a blast! Rum tasting at Delilah's, the lovely Kona Kai, and finally the Rock-a-tiki. I have pics coming soon. |
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tikibars
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Sat, Aug 23, 2003 10:46 AM
More from Kona Kai and Rock-A-Tiki on Friday night. Yes, we are all extremely hung over today.
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B
bigbrotiki
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Sun, Aug 24, 2003 9:00 AM
Thank you my lovely Naomi for the surprise birthday Tiki cake! And thanks to the whole Chicago gang for Exotica 2003, I feel whole again after missing the Oasis and the Hukilau. |
T
tikibars
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Sun, Aug 24, 2003 11:41 AM
Here are some pics from Saturday. That's Captain Dan on stage at the Fires of Polynesia show at the luau, and the other pics are from Hala Kahiki and the surf festival at Phyllis's. Those who skipped the luau in order to head over to Tiki Bowling report that it was packed full, and out of control. A great time. As I type this, Big Bro Sven, Naomi, and Bruce (Mr Smiley) have just left my house to head over Chef Shangri-La for brunch; I am unfortunately going to have to skip that one since I got called in to do an audio job for a Mars Williams gig tonight. So someone else is going to have to post some pics of the final event of Exotica 2003. Thanks again to everyone who attended, in particular those TC members who came in from out of town - Jeff, Alice, Michelle, Kristi, Bruce, Sven and Naomi, Randy and Naomi, Dean, Robin, Tristan, Bree, Brian... that's just off of the top of my head, I know there were more of you. It meant the world to us that you made the trip.
[ Edited by: tikibars on 2003-08-24 11:46 ] |
T
Turbogod
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Sun, Aug 24, 2003 6:14 PM
Dave x 4, James, Dan, Amy, Cindy, Coalbe Thanks, |
TB
Tiki Bree
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Sun, Aug 24, 2003 10:01 PM
Just got back from Chicago. Wow! What a blast. Who'd a thunk that Illinois was housing so much rich, chocolately, Tiki goodness???? Trader Vics was a great way to kick things off. I discovered a Peach/Rum concoction yummed me but good! The surroundings were solidly tikified and the company was outstanding! If you missed Delilah's on Friday you missed some fantastic rums (the mango flavored one kinda stole Tristan's heart and the South African liquour put a smile on my face - especially after the third sample!) It was a really neat kickoff to one of our favorite memories of the weekend: THE PARTY BUS. Captain Dan, you are our new best friend! From preflight instructions to endless rum punch/beer/snacks....boy, it's the only to fly!!!!! The Kona Kai was cool (I've got the mug, poster and Dave's book as souvenirs) and the Rock-aTiki was VERY IMPRESSIVE!!! Man, high marks for doing it right. We saw so many great tiki details including a couple of Mai Tiki tikis (reminded us of home here in Fla.). We met up with the gang at the Hala Kahiki on Saturday....a moment of reverent silence please.... we were delighted, surprised and went into sensory overload (ok, maybe the overload part was triggered by the Volcano - a tasty steal at only $10.50!) but suffice it to say that, save for the Mai Kai, it is the coolest, most totally tiki place we've ever seen! A definite high point was seeing a Witco piece on the screen during Sven's excellent slide presentation and being able to turn our heads a few degrees and see that same piece on a wall, or table or in a corner or know that you'd just seen it in the next room. The Hala Kahiki is truly a Witco shrine. What a rush! And speaking of rush... IT WAS BACK TO THE PARTY BUS for the trek to the luau. Once again, the alcohol, exotica tunes and good times rolled into the Chicago sunset. The luau was fun, the weather was great and the ride to Phylis' was filled with games, rum, tunes (ok, you get the idea - if you go next year you have to leave the driving to Captain Dan). Regretably we had to fly back on Sunday (those pesky jobs keep getting in the way) and so we missed the Sunday festivities. Still, we had a ball and are SO glad we made the trek! Kudos and sincere thanks to the crew in Chicago for staging such a great event. Ya done good! PS: We've got lotsa pics but haven't figured out how to post them on TC so... we'll email them to James - he of superior technological ablilities - and ask that he do the honors. Thanks! |
T
tikibars
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Mon, Aug 25, 2003 10:53 AM
Okay, here are the best of Bree and Tristan's pics... Tristan, I was wondering what all of those white spots are on the pic of the Maori meeting house at the Field Museum (glad you made it over there - what a GREAT collection of Oceanic art!), and I finally realized that they are the mother of pearl eyes in all of the Tiki carvings all over the walls. They all caught the light of your flash, and reflected back brightly - what a great effect!
[ Edited by: tikibars on 2003-08-25 11:13 ] |
M
mrsmiley
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Mon, Aug 25, 2003 5:17 PM
Thank you so much James, for your hospitality! |
A
aquarj
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Mon, Aug 25, 2003 5:57 PM
Wow, fast with the pics! Thanks for posting them already. I see the Thing from Addams Family made an unexpected appearance at the Kona Kai too (see the disembodied hand on Naomi's shoulder in the second to last pic in JT's post starting with Sven's cake). Whatta weekend - fun to meet lotsa people and see new sights! I'll post later with photos and more. -Randy |
K
Kailuageoff
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Mon, Aug 25, 2003 7:35 PM
Bree & Tristan, |
TB
Tiki Bree
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Mon, Aug 25, 2003 7:46 PM
Oh Geoff, we truly wish you and wahine Marian were there......you would have LOVED the Hala Kahiki. We had the best time on the party bus with the most fun people!!!!! |
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Kailuageoff
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Mon, Aug 25, 2003 8:07 PM
Bree, |
A
aquarj
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Tue, Aug 26, 2003 1:19 AM
Here are some of my pics, just from the Kona Kai nite for this first batch. Unfortunately these are mostly scenery and not people, so be warned, I took a boatload of pics...
Also, here are a couple related pics from the Marriott itself, which houses the Kona Kai.
-Randy [ Edited by: aquarj on 2003-08-26 01:22 ] |
B
boutiki
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Tue, Aug 26, 2003 5:39 AM
Great job on the photos Randy! You really captured the majesty of the old Kona Kai. I enjoyed meeting you and so many of the other Tiki Central folks whos acquaintance I had yet to make. Bruce, Robin & Dean, Alice (so cool to meet up again through Tiki, and we can't thank you enough for the kick-ass mug—you're the best!), Bree and Tristan, Primo James, Jeff (sorry we did not have more time, lets talk soon), it's always a pleasure visiting with Sven and so nice to get to know Naomi. I'm just sad that we had so much going on all weekend that we did not have more time to meet and talk at length with more people. Thanks Dave Lawrence for making Exotica what it was, it would never have happened if not for you! One of the nicest things about Exotica for us was that in addition to the Tiki Central gang who came from so many far off ports, we got to meet other Chicago Tiki fanatics who we had not known previously. So here's to renewing old friendships and making new ones! [ Edited by: boutiki on 2003-08-26 08:39 ] |
TB
Tiki Bree
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Tue, Aug 26, 2003 8:32 AM
Your place or mine??????? |
K
Kailuageoff
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Tue, Aug 26, 2003 8:33 AM
Aquarj: Thanks for the excellent shots of the Kona Kai! They make me want to cry -- or at least bite my lower lip -- for missing this... Bree: They are putting new siding our condo right now, but it sould be done about the time I get back (poor Marian will be suffering through it all). We'll have you guys over as soon as it is done. [ Edited by: Kailuageoff on 2003-08-26 08:36 ] |
TB
Tiki Bree
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Tue, Aug 26, 2003 8:40 AM
Geoff, |
B
boutiki
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Tue, Aug 26, 2003 9:48 AM
Geoff, |
BK
Basement Kahuna
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Tue, Aug 26, 2003 10:42 AM
Does anyone here have a close-up front view of the poles in the Kona Kai? |
TB
Tiki Bree
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Tue, Aug 26, 2003 12:11 PM
Darling, send me your email and I'll send you one. Check your private messages for mine...... |
H
Humuhumu
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Tue, Aug 26, 2003 1:53 PM
Yet another fabulous tiki event! Mahalo nui loa to all the organizers: Dave & Cindy Lawrence, Dave Krys, Duke & Amy Carter, Dave & Coalbe Vasta, our own darling James Teitelbaum, and last but certainly not least, Captain Dan. What a monster event to pull together, it's amazing that it came together so well. Can't wait until next year. It was great to see the Chicago Trader Vic's (much smaller than I thought it would be, but beautiful of course). Big thanks to Mike at Delilah's for serving up such primo tropical drinks, AND offering up such a nice tasting selection of rums, what a great way to start the day. The Kona Kai was sooooo cool (loved shakin' it on the dancefloor with Purple Jade & Formikahini!), and the Rock-A-Tiki surpassed my expectations! (Biggest. Fork & Spoon. Ever.) JTD, how did you end up, buddy? Hala Kahiki was divine, I could have spent a whole evening there. With all of that, I still feel like we only scratched the surface of tiki. What fun it was to see old friends, and make new ones! James, doing business with you is always a pleasure, lets be sure to do more. Formikahini & Christopher, you were great roomies! (Hey, our keycards worked through the whole weekend!) I got my picture taken with the Famous Mr. Smiley! I slow danced with a big guy from Milwaukee & a super-hot blonde (the one in the white dress w/cherries, right above the pic of Naomi & Sven)! I got to meet Sven!!! But, I have one suggestion for next year, this will improve things a lot: MORE TIKIFISH!! Tikifish, what happened? My Year of Tiki will not be complete if I don't get to meet you!! Jesus, look at all those exclamation points. That's not like me. I'm sorry, I'll try to tone it down a little. To summarize: I had a very nice time at your tiki party, thank you for inviting me. |
CD
Captain Dan
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Tue, Aug 26, 2003 2:07 PM
Aloha all! WOW, what a great weekend. I'm so glad to have met so many great new people, and to now be able to put faces to the names. Thanks to all who came to chi-town, and a special thanks to those of you that rode the tiki bus! I hope everyone had a fantastic time, I know I did. Here are some of my pix. I'll collect pix from my fellow Chicagoans and post those too when i can. again, mahalo. (hope my pix embedding works...)
ALL PIX CAN BE VIEWED HERE: [edited by hanford to fix the last image] [ Edited by: hanford_lemoore on 2003-08-26 17:37 ] |
G
GECKO
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Tue, Aug 26, 2003 5:19 PM
One Hawaiian word describes da peopo, da pics and da establishment....ONO!!!! mahalo fo da picz!! |
T
tikifish
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Wed, Aug 27, 2003 6:20 AM
What happened was a rather intimidating lack of funds, and I decided instead of going further into debt to finance the trip, I would do the responsible thing and stay home. Once Mr. Tikifish gets his immigration papers and is allowed to work in Canada, things will be much different and I can jet set around again like back in the good old days. If I knew how to drive I would have drove down and crashed in someone's hotel room, but I do not have this skill, and to bicycle to Chicago, while an amusing thought, would take 2 weeks... So many forces were conspiring aginst me this year. |
T
tikivixen
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Wed, Aug 27, 2003 10:10 PM
Waahhh. There's a big sob story from me too, involving a sudden downturn in my mum's health, but what I feel worst about is messing up Cynful's plans for a road trip by having to pull out at the last moment. Turns out I was right to stay home, but it still just basically sucks. So, as TC is my witness, I owe her a hell of a consolation present. James, if I can find my way to Chicago in the foreseeable future, I still want to see Hala Kahiki. I'm so sorry I couldn't make it!!! (As for the Kona Kai...sigh...sniffle. ARGH.) PJ, I was so happy to see you relaxing with the famous MrSmiley! :) Thank you SO MUCH for those lovely tiki pendants--my little goddaughter is raving over her purple one right this very minute!!! Thanks, folks, for the wonderful pictures! And, to quote my favorite moose: "next time, for sure!!!" --tikivixen |
C
cynfulcynner
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Thu, Aug 28, 2003 12:11 AM
Tikivixen, Don't worry about it too much; you had to take care of your mom! I ended up taking a few shorter roadtrips instead, got a nice long massage in Calistoga (what's the deal with those mud baths, anyway?) and made some great thrift store finds in L.A. --cyn |
T
Turbogod
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Thu, Aug 28, 2003 12:41 AM
Friday @ the Kona Kai. [ Edited by: Turbogod on 2003-08-28 00:44 ] |
T
tikibars
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Thu, Aug 28, 2003 10:09 AM
Lisa, I was so bummed that you and Cindy had to bail out of this one. As soon as your mum is feeling better, you and Cindy can have a raincheck - I'll give you guys the private Tiki tour of all the Chicago hot spots - minus the Kona Kai, of course... not much I can do about getting in there... unless you want to bring a couple of thousand clams with you to rent the room! Exotica 2003 and a half! [ Edited by: tikibars 2016-08-26 11:55 ] |
JC
Jeff Central
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Sat, Aug 30, 2003 8:34 AM
I want to thank everyone for a wonderful time my wife and I had at Exotica 2003. The Kona Kai was a delight, the Hala Kahiki was truly incredible and Chef Shangri-La was very cool. Thanks Sven, James, Dave and Amy, Tristan and Bree for a wonderful time. If I knew how to post pictures up I would. They came out great! |
LTN
La Tiki Nostra
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Sat, Aug 30, 2003 12:53 PM
Aloha All, |
A
aquarj
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Sat, Aug 30, 2003 4:09 PM
More pics! Going back through these some more today, it's fun to think of all the places and people, familiar (Sven, Naomi, Bruce, Dean, Robin, James, Alice, Humu) and new (Turbogod Chris, Duke and Amy, Dave Krys, Purple Jade, Suburban Hipster, and many more). Strange to go to a tiki event with SMALL attendance from CA! These pics here are from Rockatiki. Coming up soon are my pics from Hala Kahiki and Chef Shangrila and Trader Vics!
-Randy |
A
aquarj
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Sat, Aug 30, 2003 4:12 PM
Pics from Vics! -Randy |
JC
Jeff Central
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Sat, Aug 30, 2003 10:41 PM
Hey Randy, Great pictures. Keep 'em coming! It was nice to meet you at the Hala Kahiki on Saturday. That place was the absolute highlight of the entire weekend! |
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tikibars
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Sun, Aug 31, 2003 10:46 AM
The people who run HK were initially a little resistant to the idea of us invading the place with a busload of aloha-shirted freaks, and it took a bit of doing to get Sven's slide show approved as well. But afterwards, they were delighted, and couldn't wait for us to expand HKs role in Exotica 2004... look forward to it! ...and no one broke their leg there either! :) |
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JTD
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Sun, Aug 31, 2003 4:53 PM
And that's why Hala Kahiki is my FIRST stop next year. :) -JTD |
A
aquarj
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Tue, Sep 2, 2003 3:44 PM
Thanks Jeff - it was fun meeting you too. Another great example of what happens at these tiki events - strike up a conversation with a friendly person at the next table, and learn that you've actually communicated before online! Here are my photos from Hala Kahiki...
-Randy |
T
tikifish
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Tue, Sep 2, 2003 9:13 PM
Did anyone take a pic of the rules and regs inside the front hall of the Hala Kahiki? As I recall they were pretty elaborate and worht documenting... |
T
tikibars
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Wed, Sep 3, 2003 12:08 PM
This is an older pic from Tiki Bar Review Pages. "Hala Kahiki Rules" - indeed! It is a bit hard to read, I'll have to rescan it some day (yeah, pre-digital!). In the past few months, they have finally caved after 35-odd years of strictly serving Tropical Drinks only; they scratched the 'not' out of 'we do not serve beer and wine'. :( |
A
aquarj
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Thu, Sep 4, 2003 6:32 PM
For those who've been undoubtedly holding their breath, here are my last set of pics from the exotica weekend finally. These are from Chef Shangri-La.
-Randy |
B
boutiki
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Thu, Sep 4, 2003 7:55 PM
Damn Randy! |
LTN
La Tiki Nostra
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Fri, Sep 5, 2003 7:58 AM
Randy, |
P
pablus
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Fri, Sep 5, 2003 3:01 PM
Wow. Thank you all for taking the time to post them, even though it lights a Tiki Torch of jealous rage within my sorrowful, rum-drenched soul. ...better go put on the new Martin Denny 2CD set I just got. Ahhhh - bird sounds and vibes - that's better. Oh well, there's always next year. |
PJ
purple jade
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Tue, Sep 9, 2003 10:12 AM
[ Edited by: purple jade 2005-08-25 10:03 ] |