Hot Lava (a.k.a "How Bowers") plays baritone ukulele and sings with America's best tiki music band, The Crazed Mugs. He lives in sunny St. Petersburg, Florida with his wife and son. Contact
You are currently browsing the Tiki Talk weblog archives for February, 2006.
Mug maker Tiki Farm has released a slew of cool new products, including:
The second coming of the Trader Vic’s empire is at hand—the company is beginning to open new locations around the globe for the first time in years.
On March 6, Belleview, Washington gets its chance to sample Vic’s famous Mai Tai at their new Lincoln Square location. Diners can make reservations for opening night (or any other night) today.
Online retailer Surfwarez has a nice set of tiki canisters for sale.
The canisters have rubber seals and come in three sizes (the largest is 11 inches tall). The set also includes matching salt and pepper shakers.
$24.95
Link | Thanks Kate!
When I was an up-and-coming graphic designer with a penchant for retro clip-art, I used to blow a fortune on Dover Publications’ copyright-free books.
Today I noticed in their catalog that they also have a book and CD-ROM devoted to Polynesian and South Pacific designs. The inclusion of a CD-ROM is new to me—back in the old days we had to scan everything ourselves, so it’s a welcome addition. Overall, their books are of very high quality and are a great source of both imagery and inspiration.
The book contains 245 images from authentic folk art of New Zealand, the Solomon Islands, New Guinea, the Hawaiian Islands, and Australia. It includes geometric patterns, masks, wood carvings, images of the mysterious giant statuary of Easter Island, Australian rock paintings, tapestries, pottery, and much more.
$14.95, currently on sale for $10.47.
The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain is a group of ukulele performers that reinterpret rock and punk songs for the diminutive instrument (they play a handful of vintage novelty songs, as well).
Since it was Kurt Cobain’s birthday on Monday, we’re celebrating posthumously with a link to a video of the UOGB covering the Nirvana modern rock classic, “Smells Like Teen Spirit” on Jools Holland’s Hootenanney.
Link to video | Link to UOGB website | Play mp3 sample of “Hard to Handle”
The crew aboard Thor Heyerdahl’s Kon-Tiki expedition wore watches made by Eterna, so after the successful voyage the company named their sport watch line in honor of it.
The company still makes four models of the watch today—the back of each features the image of the Kon-Tiki ship. The “Four In Hand” (pictured) has a nice retro feel. New watches are fairly expensive, but vintage ones appear consistently on eBay.
Link (Flash interface—click on “Collections” and then “KonTiki”)
Imagine Waikiki’s International Marketplace circa 1963 - now you can experience a South Seas bazaar in the atrium of Vacationfest. It’s Tikifest! Wander among artisans, vendors, and live Tiki carvers while listening to the soothing sounds (music) of post-Statehood Hawaii.
Island ambiance provided by DJ Otto (San Francisco) spinning flotsam from his clutch cargo trunk of vintage vinyl as well as signing his books Tiki Art Now! and Tiki Art Two.
The First three people to purchase Tiki Art Two will receive a free promo copy of the new Martin Denny’s Exotica Best of CD on Capitol.
Santa Monica Civic - Feb 26, 2006 from 10 am - 4 pm
2:00pm-2:30pm - Slideshow
Tikis of the South Pacific with Doug Nason
Directions
Located south of Third Street Promenade and Santa Monica Place Mall. From the 10 Freeway driving west, exit at Fourth St. Make a left onto 4th St, then take the next right at Pico Blvd. Take the next right at Main St to the parking lot entrance. Park on street to save $$$.
