From the ashes of the Week in Tiki (and, later, the Month in Tiki) rises The Tiki Times. Still ambitious, but more practical, this monthly guide to what’s going on across the world of Tiki culture will hopefully be a definitive resource of where to find special events that touch on topics of interest to many Tikiphiles. You’ll find all the major Tiki festivals, plus smaller gatherings along with events that scratch our itch for rum and cocktails, surf and rockabilly music, mid-century modern design, even Disney. And don’t forget authentic Polynesian culture, the well from which Tiki springs. The biggest will get extended coverage as “spotlight events.”
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February recap: Bar openings and closings, cocktail competitions, Modernism Week, more
MARCH 2017 TIKI EVENTS CALENDAR
March 3 – The first Chattanooga Surf Stomp in Tennessee featuring The Katatonics (Indiana), The Mystery Men? (Atlanta), and Genki Genki Panic (Tennessee).
March 4 – The Original Tiki Market Place in Garden Grove, Calif. Featuring vendors, live Hawaiian entertainment, food, friends, and more at the Garden Grove Elks Lodge.
March 4 – Grand opening of The Reef at the Caliente Tropics resort. in Palm Springs. Join propriator Rory “Wildsville Man” Snyder, the man behind Tiki Caliente and Mod Palm Springs, at the refurbished Tiki bar in this historic hotel, site of both of his events. The Jimmy Psycho Experiment plays live, and DigiTiki will be recording The Quiet Village podcast live.
March 4 – Shag book-signing and print release at Shag the Store in West Hollywood. This free event features the premiere the Leisure Principle serigraph print (Shag’s largest serigraph print to date) and signing for his new book, Shag: The Collected Works. Shag will also be signing prints and merchandise while guests enjoy complimentary cocktails and music.
March 4 – Unsteady Freddie’s Surf-Rock Shindig at Otto’s Shrunken Head in New York City. Featuring The Band of Others, Brad & The Bombers, The Tarantinos-NYC, and Thee Swank Bastards.
March 5 – Lei Low third anniversary party in Houston. Featuring live music by The Phantomatics and The Phantom Royals, special edition mugs by Eekum Bookum, plus more.
March 10 – Grand opening party at at Pilikia in Dallas. The newest Tiki bar in Texas celebrates its recent opening with hula dancers, fire-breathers, and special cocktails.
March 11 – Firkfest Caskaway Tiki Beer Festival in Anaheim, Calif., featuring unlimited cask pours from more than 30 Southern California craft breweries, international street food, and DJ music. Tiki dress is encouraged at this annual beer fest that takes a turn toward Tiki in its fourth year.
* Press coverage: Orange Coast Magazine | OC Weekly
March 11 – Full Moon Fever: Monthly Moonlight Luau in St. Augustine, Fla. The season premiere of Prince Pele’s Polynesian Revue at the Conch House Marina Resort, featuring authentic performances from the South Seas, including the Samoan sword fire dance. Plus: Music by DJ Vince, food and drinks.
March 11 – Second Saturday Surf presents Surf By Surf East at Nomad Bar in Austin, Texas. Featuring King Pelican, The Boss Jaguars, The Gentle Grifters, plus more.
March 11 – Southern Surf Stomp at Kavarna in Decatur, Ga. All-ages concert featuring Gemini 13, Forbidden Waves, and The 19 Hands.
March 11 – Tiki Makeke at Don the Beachcomber in Huntington Beach, Calif. More than 50 vendors selling their wares, plus authentic Polynesian music and hula dancers, live bands, food and drinks, plus more.
March 11 – Tiki Takeover at Ventura Beach Club in downtown Ventura, Calif. Featuring live bands (Kelp, Tikiyaki 5-0, The Volcanics, The Zip Guns, John Blair & The Trespassers, Glasgow Tiki Shakers), Polynesian dancers, DJs, live Tiki carving, artists and vendors, plus more.
POSTPONED: March 14 – Exotia Night: A Midcentury Cocktail Experience at Slowly Shirley in New York City. Featuring live jazz and exotica by Alika Lyman, burlesque and special drink menu. Postponed due to weather. New date TBA.
* Listen: The Speakeasy radio show previews Exotica Nights
March 16-19 – The Shameful Tiki Room’s four-year anniversary clambake celebrating the birthday of the vintage-inspired Vancouver bar with four nights of music and entertainment. Also featuring special-edition Tiki mugs, unique food and drinks, plus more.
March 17 – Shag’s “A Seat in the Kingdom” Exhibition Opening in Melbourne, Australia. This show, which pays tribute to designers who influenced and inspired the California artist’s work, runs through April 7 at Outré Gallery.
March 20 – Sven Kirsten at The Golden Tiki in Las Vegas. The author of Tiki Pop and The Book of Tiki gives a free presentation on “All Things Tiki” at the Chinatown bar.
March 25 – Tiki Underground grand opening party in Hudson, Ohio. This bash welcoming northern Ohio’s newest Tiki bar includes a ribbon cutting by the village mayor, plus live music by The Kahuna Kings.
* Press coverage: How a basement bar turned into Ohio’s third tiki lounge
ONGOING MONTHLY EVENTS
First Thursday – Otto’s Grotto at Forbidden Island in Alameda, Calif. Tiki Oasis mastermind and DJ Otto von Stroheim spins his favorite exotic tunes.
March 9 – Tiki Bingo at The Mai-Kai in Fort Lauderdale hosted by the Gumbo Limbo Chapter of the Fraternal Order Of Moai. A fund-raising event featuring an extended happy hour.
March 10 and 31 – DJ Lee Joseph at Clifton’s Pacific Seas in Los Angeles. Groove to the sounds of exotica, surf, jungle, Hawaiiana, lounge and more.
Third Wednesday – Primativa in Hi-Fi at Otto’s Shrunken Head in New York City. DJs Jack Fetterman and Gina of the Jungle spin the best exotica, lounge and cocktail music.
More events coming soon!
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