So...

Between all the great tiki events and the Bar tours that you all have attended...what is something you'd like to see at a TIKI based event, that you have yet to see ?

Besides the obvious stuff, I mean, like Naked Hula Dancers, free booze, and a SHAG painting you could actually afford.

What's missing ?

What would be something that would make you go "Oh, I gotta check that out ?"

http://www.tikiyakiorchestra.com
http://www.tikiyaki.wordpress.com
http://www.cuefactory.com

[ Edited by: tikiyaki 2007-09-25 14:24 ]

What I already know is going to be at Hukilau next year. Pretty damned stoked.

That's a toughy....the fact that Tiki has had such an appeal then and now has a lot to do with the fact that it offers such a COMPLETE cosmos of human culture, and many Tiki events have represented that:

Art (sculpture, from jewelry to statues, and painting, graphics), photography, decor, architecture, music, fashion, food, drink (and drink utensils!), history, and, sprinkled over it all, a little sex.

Tiki is such a complete "game worth playing", it leaves little to be desired. Maybe one could look at all the different genres mentioned above, and think of specific aspects from some, which have not been put to use. I can't right now....

I would like to see a seminar on how mugs are made from start to finish and a how to seminar on carving where you would carve your own small tiki.

I would like to see a NUDIST Tiki Event! :D

I'd like to see someone Spontaneously Explode!

On 2007-09-25 15:30, RevBambooBen wrote:
I'd like to see someone Spontaneously Explode!

Easy....Hold an open flame next to the person who drank the most Mai Tais. :o

On 2007-09-25 15:30, RevBambooBen wrote:
I'd like to see someone Spontaneously Explode!

I've been trying my hardest for years to do that to the jerk bartender at my local bar. I usually just end up with a headache, but his hat did fall off once-I may have made that happen. He's such a jerk.

On 2007-09-25 14:23, tikiyaki wrote:
Naked Hula Dancers, free booze,

...you're not hitting the right after-parties!

An All-Inclusive Evening with The Smokin Menehunes( with a special guest appearance from Spike), Martini Kings, King Kukulele, Crazy Al Playing the Coconuts:),The Tikiyaki Orchestra, Polynesain Dancers, Buffet Style Dinner with a Mai Tai Fountain, a Limited Edition Tiki Farm Mug designed by Tiki-Ray, and a Event Poster designed by Little Lost Tiki :)

[ Edited by: WooHooWahine 2007-09-25 19:14 ]

more hot single tiki ladies so I could stand and oogle them and wish I had enough
nerve to go up and talk to them.

Jeff(bigtikidude)

On 2007-09-25 22:17, bigtikidude wrote:
more hot single tiki ladies so I could stand and oogle them and wish I had enough
nerve to go up and talk to them.

Jeff(bigtikidude)

Just pretend to be Australian, then by the time they work out that you are bullshitting them, you will have established a repore and can laugh it off..

Don't blame me for the consequences...

Id like to see single hot tiki chicks standing next to a chilli dog bar..Hey bigtikidude the chicks cant help but check out big men eating chilli dogs!!!!

[ Edited by: slapbass 2007-09-26 07:22 ]

um uh ok,

I think it would be hotter if the chicks were eating the chilli dogs.
wink wink get it???

Trav, it doesn't matter how I speak, I'm talking about there actually being more single tiki chicks.
for the most part everybody is married or hooked up.

Jeff(bigtikidude)

[ Edited by: bigtikidude 2007-09-26 09:42 ]

Before the Forbidden Island parking lot sale I was going to ask for an event where the drinks are consistently good, the mugs and art are reasonably priced and the artists don't cry when no one buys their stuff but that happened in Alameda so I guess a Southern California event that accomplished the same thing would be great.

I know I'm asking a lot.

On 2007-09-26 09:40, bigtikidude wrote:
I'm talking about there actually being more single tiki chicks.
for the most part everybody is married or hooked up.

Gee, I find the single tiki chicks saying the same about the tiki guys. Maybe we should have a tiki singles event.

On 2007-09-25 15:25, SouthBamaTiki wrote:
I would like to see a seminar on how mugs are made from start to finish and a how to seminar on carving where you would carve your own small tiki.

Carving, didn't they do that at Oasis this year and of course Benzart and others put on a great event but maybe Benzart should do a seperate event at the Mai Kai.

I would like to see a Forbidden Island parking lot sale event in So. Cal.
at the place I found that would be the perfect place for Forbidden Isalnd
south.

a guy can dream can't he?

Jeff(bigtikidude)

[ Edited by: bigtikidude 2007-09-26 21:47 ]

On 2007-09-25 15:25, SouthBamaTiki wrote:
I would like to see a seminar on how mugs are made from start to finish and a how to seminar on carving where you would carve your own small tiki.

I'd like this too, esp the mugs. Maybe even a workshop where you can make your own mug.

I'd love to find a handled coffee tiki mug to buy with a white interior, more traditional tiki color outside (blue, green, brown, red), the key for me is the handle and the white inside. I'd prob buy more than one.

I thought of something...but it is hard to put into practice, because it would depend on a few hardcore Tiki collectors:

Other than in my slide shows, Tiki revival events lack one genre which brought me, and through my books, many other folks to Tiki in the first place: authentic vintage midcentury Tiki artifacts. Looking around during contemporary events, it sometimes seems that vintage Tiki and Tiki history do not exist, and its all about new art and partying.

I did that somewhat for my Hollywood signing, by bringing some Witco art to display. I know there are "specialist" collectors who could show some amazing stuff, like Kevin Kidney who could create a great Hawaiian Eye exhibit.

Problem is that something like that is a lot of work and time for the individual, with no financial pay off. Or one could make a call like "everybody bring their Witco" to make a group exhibit, but that would be quite an organizational coordination challenge for the event manager.

I would love to see a lamp exhibit for example.... I think it comes down to the fact that something like this would need to be done in a museum or gallery context, to last for a longer period than a one evening event.

We did a whole three day carving seminar at Oasis 7. We brought extra logs, but ran out of stands to carve them on because newbies, once they started, just couldn't stop chopping. Look up the Oasis Chop thread.

We've had a mug casting party at Babalu's place - look up the Lemon Grove Trailer Trash thread for pictures. The problem is, mug making from scratch takes a long time; sculpting, mold, pour slip, harden, dry out, fire, glaze, fire again are literally days apart.

We had an Auction at Oasis as well, where we sold (cheap!) Witco items, bowls, a first edition Trader Vics book, vintage wares, lots of mugs, etc. I think this was a great way of spreading around and looking at classic Tiki items.

People should simply wear a specific flower to show they're single at Tiki events. Red hibiscus anyone?

And I'd like to see way more Islander culture at Tiki parties. GROG hires out a whole Luau crew with fire dancers & hula girls. GROG smart. (Hey, it's a start.)

And I'd sure like to see more family events - haven't seen almost anything that a whole family can enjoy, which is the center of South Seas culture.

How about goofin' it up with a version of Tiki Hollywood Squares, I'll take Crazy Al for the block. A version of The Gong Show also would rock.

Tiki Gong Show...Brilliant!!!!!!

On 2007-09-27 01:08, bigbrotiki wrote:

Other than in my slide shows, Tiki revival events lack one genre which brought me, and through my books, many other folks to Tiki in the first place: authentic vintage midcentury Tiki artifacts. Looking around during contemporary events, it sometimes seems that vintage Tiki and Tiki history do not exist, and its all about new art and partying.

I have the perfect solutions to this problem. Party at Sven's house! :)

I would like to meet

teaKEY

in person!!!

I wanna meet "Honeyboy" and "Jefferson"!

[ Edited by: The Sperm Whale 2007-09-27 18:23 ]

I would love to see a presentation on Exotica music touching on artists, style of playing, instruments used, cover art, etc. Cover the classics (Les Baxter, Martin Denny, Robert Drasnin, Arthur Lyman, etc.) to modern day (Don Tiki, Tikiyaki Orchestra, Martini Kings, Mai Kai Gents, etc.).

Along with that you could have a full-fledged game of "Name That Tune" and have a panel of players responding to the notes of Exotica.

FATIMA BLUSH: Oh, how reckless of me. I made you all wet.
JAMES BOND: Yes, but my martini is still dry.

[ Edited by: VampiressRN 2007-09-27 18:47 ]

I think someone should build a bitchin tiki lounge on top of one of those big ass flat party barges and float it around! River, lakes, ocean?

or...

So. Cal - How about having a huge gathering "camp out" in the desert somewhere? Huge bonfire(s)...bands...hired guns behind a cool make shift bar. Mucho possibilities!

On 2007-09-27 18:45, VampiressRN wrote:
I would love to see a presentation on Exotica music touching on artists, style of playing, instruments used, cover art, etc. Cover the classics (Les Baxter, Martin Denny, Robert Drasnin, Arthur Lyman, etc.) to modern day (Don Tiki, Tikiyaki Orchestra, Martini Kings, Mai Kai Gents, etc.).

Jeff Central has given an excellent seminar on that exact topic at the Hukilau the last two years in a row. Great stuff at the Hukilau and Oasis, you just have to go to them!

I have only been to the 2007 Oasis....so sorry for asking about something that has been done before. Hard to keep up on everything that occurs at all the events when your a novice like me. I will watch for this in the future, it would be a must-attend for me....thanks :)

I would like to see a watermelon sculpting contest. And a machine that pumps cupcakes full of meat.

On 2007-09-28 00:09, professahhummingflowah wrote:
I would like to see a watermelon sculpting contest. And a machine that pumps cupcakes full of meat.

Wow, now I'm offiicially sorry i asked :o

http://www.tikiyakiorchestra.com
http://www.tikiyaki.wordpress.com
http://www.cuefactory.com

[ Edited by: tikiyaki 2007-09-28 07:34 ]

On 2007-09-27 20:20, ZuluMagoo wrote:

On 2007-09-27 18:45, VampiressRN wrote:
I would love to see a presentation on Exotica music touching on artists, style of playing, instruments used, cover art, etc. Cover the classics (Les Baxter, Martin Denny, Robert Drasnin, Arthur Lyman, etc.) to modern day (Don Tiki, Tikiyaki Orchestra, Martini Kings, Mai Kai Gents, etc.).

Jeff Central has given an excellent seminar on that exact topic at the Hukilau the last two years in a row. Great stuff at the Hukilau and Oasis, you just have to go to them!

This is good to know. I'm pretty new to this as well. I agree with VampiressRN that it's hard to learn what's been offered where & when. The main thing that drew us to Tiki Oasis 7 was the chance to see The Blue Hawaiians live. We loved them and hope to see them back again next year. But even they are not there it's the fun, friendliness, the overall atmosphere, I guess the Ohana that we experienced that will draw us back.

On 2007-09-27 01:08, bigbrotiki wrote:
I thought of something...but it is hard to put into practice, because it would depend on a few hardcore Tiki collectors:

Other than in my slide shows, Tiki revival events lack one genre which brought me, and through my books, many other folks to Tiki in the first place: authentic vintage midcentury Tiki artifacts. Looking around during contemporary events, it sometimes seems that vintage Tiki and Tiki history do not exist, and its all about new art and partying.

I did that somewhat for my Hollywood signing, by bringing some Witco art to display. I know there are "specialist" collectors who could show some amazing stuff, like Kevin Kidney who could create a great Hawaiian Eye exhibit.

Problem is that something like that is a lot of work and time for the individual, with no financial pay off. Or one could make a call like "everybody bring their Witco" to make a group exhibit, but that would be quite an organizational coordination challenge for the event manager.

I would love to see a lamp exhibit for example.... I think it comes down to the fact that something like this would need to be done in a museum or gallery context, to last for a longer period than a one evening event.

bigbrotiki, though we don't collect vintage stuff, I'd love to see it. I like your idea for a traveling vintage tiki exhibit. Maybe you could make it happen at locations in/near the three big events and in some of the cities that still have popular tiki restaurants/bars. I'm sure it'd be a logisitical nightmare, but I'd pay an entrance fee to see it. It could even be past and present, like this one on the ukulele http://www.mocfa.org/exhibitions/index.htm (we haven't been yet but plan to before it closes)

[ Edited by: Sgirl 2007-09-29 12:17 ]

I have yet to attend a large gathering of my fellow tiki collectors and aficionados, yet that should be rectified with the upcoming San Francisco Tiki Crawl.

Instead of a nudist event (posted earlier on this thread) may I perhaps suggest the attending wahines' wear traditional Hawaiian garb circa pre 1800's (Before Captain Cook)? This would encompass the true spirit of gathering and socializing and would add a kind of "Burning Man" esque theme to the occasion.

Psycho Tiki D (I know I am and I am just trying to help out)!

I would like to see several things at events, but not all at the same time or same event.....

I would like to see cheap hotel rates coupled with cheap air-fares so that more of the ohana can go to more of the events. And not just the big events like Hukilau or Oasis.

The Mai-Tai fountain sounds like lots of fun, want to see one of those.

I would like to see more ohana at more events. And not just the big ones like Hukilau or Oasis.

The cupcake stuffing machine, well.... I actually want to see that too.

I would like to see some of the details for each of the big events broadcast a bit earlier so I can work on number one above. The "Details to be Announced" announcements make it hard to schedule time off. Doubly so if I find out that the special event I saw at Oasis is being repeated at Hukilau, or vice versa. Gotta gimme something to make it worth the time-off, I only get so much a year before I have to call in dead......

Did I mention seeing more of the ohana?

Topless Hula is always appreciated even if it is a bit hard to get permits for.....

More 'things' at the events that focus on the ohana. Classic things like classic Singles-Mixers, Bridge Night, Cocktail Hour, Movie Night. The kind of things that bring the ohana together over drinks, not simply gather the ohana in one room while the next room gets whatever ready.

Something like..."Martin Denny plays in the background, waiters and waitresses keep your glass full as you stroll through the conversations on your way to meet that fabulous wahine/kane that caught your eye at the pool last night..."

And, dont forget the Ohana!

Funny, but I was talking about this very thing with Tiki Kiliki today: that what I really love at these events is simply hanging out with the ohana. I haven't been to Oasis since it left the Caliente Tropics, but it was sooo relaxed and lovely. Days were spent simply lounging by the pool and wandering the booths set up on the lanai. Bands at night (and more swimming too). No need to leave the site! I did leave the hotel my first year (Oasis II) to see the fab MCM architecture in Palm Springs, but that was it. And it was 100% family friendly: kids everywhere, welcome to all events.

I loved HotRod Hula Hop III this year for the same relaxed atmosphere; I got to hang out with my friends, which was the reason I went. Antiquing/thrifting - with wonderful friends - was gravy.

Chicago Exotica has let me hang out in wonderful, classic tiki bars, having spent the afternoon on a bus with wonderful friends. Perfect!

And some of my favorite moments at Hukilau are in the hot tub or on the beach (or in the ocean!) at 2:00 (or 3:00 or 4:00 AM). I do love the seminars and Friday night shows and Saturday nights at the Mai Kai, but I wouldn't be in Ft. Lauderdale that weekend if people I adore weren't there also. I mean, I'd be there some other weekend, mind you, because I love the Mai Kai, but these events are all about the ohana. Oh - the Home Bar Bus Tour. Man! Nothing better.

OK, and the merch.
I come back with huge, formerly-empty suitcases full.

So what would I like to see that I haven't seen? Jeez, I've seen a Pineapple wedding, Room 135 (132?), Elvis' honeymoon hotel, Hawaiian Eye from a swimming pool, Robert Drasnin (and sang with him! Twice! Holy Sht!), an Esther Williams (badly) synchronized pool dive, met :wink: cute single tiki guys (yes, they're there!), seen BUTTloads of Witco at the Hala Kahiki, The Madonna Inn, a Gddamn genuine MERMAID, Jeff Berry's storytelling magic, The Joke Butcher, Bamboo Ben's thoroughly red eyes, The Corn, Elvis impersonators at a luau...

Have I made my point? What could be better than any of these things?!?

None none NONE of them hold a candle to the friendships I have made (and none would have been much fun without those friends). I now count seven years since I went to the first such event (the Kahiki closing), and I am still friends with people I met there. With some, it was almost immediate, and with others I got to spend substancial time for the first time this summer.

So you know, I just don't require anything more. Only less! Less, so I can do what I really love doing anyway - being with my friends (which includes making new ones).
*
*
*
...OK, I admit I wish I'd been to a carve-it-yourself seminar, but I just learned from this thread that it has happened at a recent Oasis! Well, if Oasis ever moves back to not-during-school, I'll be there again! (Kiliki, could you have such a class at Hukilau?)

SOMEday I'll get back to California! I miss y'all!! Come to Texas!
F

TIKI BINGO!!!!!

On 2007-10-02 21:03, Formikahini wrote:

I've seen a Pineapple wedding

What's a Pineapple wedding?

Games..... with prizes....

Tiki Olympics...

modified for a hedonists view on exercise (eg- low impact but still some hand eye coordination required).

This thread sounded somewhat familiar to one that was started in Feb 2006. http://www.tikicentral.com/viewtopic.php?topic=18588&forum=4

I would love to see some of the masters at work, like Bamboo Ben or Crazy Al, who might be able to give us some pointers in creating our own personal tiki oasis at home. Topics like "How to properly hang thatching or lauhala matting", or "Lashing Bamboo together - different styles and knots", or "Is Fireproofing Natural materials, such as thatch or lauhala, really necessary for home use? And if so, what products are best for this?", or "But I like my white ceiling and attaching that matting is such hard work.. it just falls down anyway!" It would be cool to see a small room turned into a tiki bar or lounge, right before our eyes. Of course, the observers would have to keep the Masters well stocked on Mai Tais and other tropical libations, to keep their energy level high.

Another topic might be "Tropical Plants that could (possibly) Thrive in Your Area" (please note the "possibly" notation), and how proper landscaping can enhance your backyard tiki parties. Or "How to build you own Backyard Waterfall". Professionals like Jungle Trader could really offer some great advice, and maybe even construct one at the event!

• Myke

Being somewhat new to the Tiki world that many of you have enjoyed over the years, I attended my first Oasis and had a great time. A lot of great suggestions, some strange but I'm open minded. I enjoyed the two short films we saw, Squeeky's Revenge and Camp Burlesque. I think I got the titles correct. My compliments to the filmmakers and the organizers for putting the showing together.

I would like to see more tiki movies. Maybe show one of those 60's movies and let the audience make comments as it plays? Tiki Karaoke? A Tiki gong show would be cool. More education seminars like the drinks and history presentations. Also, how about a how-to black velvet paint?

I would like to see and hear or actually not hear people going crazy at tiki events party's. I always thought that the tiki scene was about sipping rum drinks and relaxing.

Not guzzling Tequila getting hammered fast and hooting and hollering.

just my 2 cents.
Jeff(bigtikidude)

On 2007-10-03 18:48, bigtikidude wrote:
I would like to see and hear or actually not hear people going crazy at tiki events party's. I always thought that the tiki scene was about sipping rum drinks and relaxing.

Not guzzling Tequila getting hammered fast and hooting and hollering.

just my 2 cents.
Jeff(bigtikidude)

just crossed you off the list for MY next party!

have fun at the Lawrence Welks Lodge!!