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Seattle Yacht Rock Party!

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To celebrate opening night of Make Believe Seattle, enjoy a Yacht Rock Party at Erikson Theater in Seattle! Indulge in smooth tunes, tropical cocktails, and endless shrimp as the Make Believe Seattle team transport you back to the golden era of yacht rock. Tito's Handmade Vodka will have a "Build Your Own Ascot" station on-hand, as DJ Trent Von drops the beats. Expect to enjoy a lot of Loggins and Messina, Hall and Oates and Eagles. " Wear your best yacht rock-inspired attire and prepare to be transported to a time when shirts barely buttoned, wind always blew through your hair, and cocaine fell from the sky like rain."   Tickets are only $10!

Tikipalooza 2023!

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Mark your calendars!  The festivities on on March 9, 2023! Market opens at 4pm, Symposium at 6pm, bands 7pm-11pm Marketplace Free until 6pm $12 presale online(savemoney!), $15DOS cash only at door All Ages until 10pm on our heated covered patio The Tikigraphs in concert with Tropical Itch, Tiki with Ray, Marlow Harris and Sweet Pea are going all out to put together a night of tropical delights the likes of which haven't been seen here in many a moon! So much fun is planned and we're just getting started! Check back as we add more! The Tikigraphs- Grab a Mai Tai and drink in the Exotica lounge of The Tikigraphs! Based in Seattle, The Tikigraphs carry-on the tradition of Exotica today with their multi-instrumental, mid-century inspired original tunes and covers. Tropical Itch- "Cap’n” Cook has commandeered a combo of old pals from Seattle bands The Ukadelics and Lushy for an exotic adventure into the boozy waters of vintage south seas tunes and exotica lounge. A jigger of ja...

Tiki Tacoma and Hula-Billy Weekender!

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   A fun weekend of Tiki and Pop Culture, surf, lounge music, exotica and exploration in Tacoma, WA, near Seattle and a two-hour drive from Portland.  Friday Friday, May 26th Lushy reprises their album "Lushy, Allure of the Reef" 7-9pm at the Java Jive. TICKETS:   Lushy Live at the Java Jive. ***After Party 9pm-midngiht*** Devils Reef (Upstairs) Saturday Saturday, daytime, choose from several activities including visiting candy stores, antique shops, theme restaurants, miniature golf and bowling.   Click HERE for visits and tour ideas.  Some ideas include meeting at noon for lunch at Little Jerry's Seinfeld Restaurant, shopping at the Punk Rock Flea Market and getting candy at Brown & Haley's !  **Saturday Pre-Func:  Old Hangout Tiki Bar 5-8pm at the Elks!** Saturday night is Hula-Billy at the Elks Shrine in the Spanish Ballroom with local Super Stars Billy Joe and the Dusty 45's, The Boss Martians, Angela Tini, The Delstroyers,...

A Taste of Hawaii in Seattle

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Many folks from Hawaii have relocated to the Seattle area and miss the sights, sounds and tastes of home. Luckily, they don't have to go far to find some well-loved items that remind them of the lands they left behind. The Hawaiian General Store located in Wallingford, has a wonderful array of Hawaii snacks and chocolate macadamia candies, leis, poi, Punalu'u bread, Hawaiian Sun guava jelly, and soda crackers. They also have lots of fun and cute party items and favors, Hawaiian jewelry, CDs, and Aloha shirts and Mu'umu'u. Da best place to shop for everything Hawaii  

Art of the Aloha Shirt: Keoni of Hawaii at Tacoma Art Museum

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Art of the Aloha Shirt: Keoni of Hawaii, 1938–1951 July 1 – September 11, 2022 A traveling exhibition from Exhibits USA.   Explore the history, artistry, and production of Hawaii’s enduring fashion statement, the Aloha shirt. This exhibition of 60 objects, including original textile artwork, production sketches and swatches, advertisements, and vintage shirts, tells the story of an early innovator, John “Keoni” Meigs, in an industry that has left an indelible mark on fashion in the United States and the world. Although many claim authorship, the exact origin of the Aloha Shirt remains uncertain.  The patterns of Polynesian tapa cloth, the colorful and bold floral designs of Tahitian pareau, and the sheer Japanese fabric used for making kimonos are often cited as some of the early stylistic influences of the shirt. Sometime in the late 1920s to the early 1930s, when Hawaii’s economy began to shift from an agricultural to a service-oriented economy and tourists started f...

Good WillWestenhaver Hunting

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William Westenhaver, known for his wood carvings and his company Witco, is highly regarded in the tiki community for his unique and sought-after tiki art carvings. While hunting for his wood carvings may be hit-and-miss in some parts of the country, it is relatively easy to find them in cities and towns around Seattle, as Westenhaver lived on Whidbey Island and worked in Mt. Vernon and Witco mass produced thousands of pieces of furniture and tiki art carvings. The popularity of Westenhaver's tiki carvings in the tiki community has made them well-loved and highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts. His distinctive style, which often features bold and intricate wood carvings depicting Polynesian and tropical motifs, has become iconic in the world of tiki art. Whether it's large-scale furniture pieces or smaller art carvings, Westenhaver's work is known for its craftsmanship, attention to detail, and unique designs. Collectors and fans of tiki art often keep an ey...

The Chinese Connection

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  In Seattle, many Chinese restaurants have a tiki theme and many tiki restaurants served Chinese food and there is a historical connection between tiki culture and Chinese restaurants in Seattle.  The origins of this connection can be traced back to the mid-20th century when tiki culture was popularized in the United States. Tiki culture, which emerged in the 1930s, was a romanticized and idealized depiction of Polynesian culture, often characterized by its exotic and tropical ambiance, Polynesian-inspired cocktails, and kitschy decor.   In the post-World War II era, there was an increased interest in Polynesian culture, and tiki-themed restaurants and bars began to spring up across the United States. These establishments offered an escape from everyday life and were often associated with a sense of adventure and exploration. At the same time, Chinese restaurants were also gaining popularity in the United States, with many Chinese immigrants opening restaurants ...

The Polynesian

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 One of Seattle's premiere tiki bars and restaurants was called The Polynesian.  It was located on Pier 66, overlooking Elliott Bay, and was known for its unique Polynesian-inspired atmosphere, complete with tiki torches, thatched roofs, and bamboo accents. The restaurant was adorned with Polynesian artifacts, such as masks, carvings, and colorful murals, creating an immersive island vibe for diners. The menu at The Polynesian featured a variety of tropical cocktails, including classic tiki drinks like Mai Tais, Piña Coladas, and Zombie cocktails, all served in festive tiki mugs. The food offerings included Polynesian-inspired dishes such as coconut shrimp, pineapple fried rice, and teriyaki chicken, as well as seafood options like fresh fish and crab. In addition to the dining area, The Polynesian also had a lively bar area with live music and entertainment, including hula dancers and ukulele players, adding to the festive atmosphere of the restaurant. The outdoor patio provi...

75th Anniversary of the Alibi (Portland)

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  The Alibi Tiki Lounge  is celebrating its 75TH ANNIVERSARY tomorrow, Saturday, August 27. This is huge! It's the 2nd oldest surviving tiki bar in the country, second only to Trad'r Sams in San Francisco, according to our research (please correct us if that's wrong). There will be food, cocktails, live music, vending mugs, pins, glassware, hot rods, pretty girls, drunk guys and more! Saturday, August 27, starts at noon.  

Tiki Trailer Bash 2022

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    We're back!  Please join us for the 7th  Annual Tiki Trailer Bash at the Sou'wester resort located on Washington's beautiful SW coast, June 3rd-5th, 2022.  We will feature DJ Vodka Twist on Friday and Saturday night, with Seattle's reigning kings and queens of pop Music- LUSHY, playing from 9pm-midnight on Saturday night. Aside from the great music you will be able to peruse the grounds and view (and rent!) its 20+ amazing vintage trailers, cabins or camp spots.  Last year was a low-key (and rainy!), so let's hope for nicer weather this year.  To book your trailer, visit  https://www.souwesterlodge.com/  and use the code  TIKI2022.   If you'd rather, you may call them at 360-642-2542 or email Souwesterfrontdesk@gmail.com.  Please do not cancel at the last minute.  This leaves both the Sou'wester and your hardworking party staff in a real bind.  The Sou'wester Resort operates on a very...

Tiki Kon Rim of Fire 2022

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  Tiki Kon: Rim of Fire is  July 1-3, 2022 DoubleTree by Hilton, Lloyd Center, Portland HOTEL ROOMS  » Tuesday, March 15, 1:00 PM Pacific WEEKEND PASSES  » Tuesday, March 15, 6:00 PM Pacific ADD-ON TICKETS  » Sunday, May 1, 6:00 PM Pacific MERCHANDISE PRE-ORDERS  » Wednesday, June 1, 6:00 PM Pacific

The TikiGraphs and the Earthlings at Lucky Liquor

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  Join The Tikigraphs and The Earthlings for a night a mid-century madness.  Out of this world surf from The Earthlings and tropical, Latin and lounge from The Tikigraphs. Conga lines are sure to form. Saturday, April 30th at Lucky Liquor 10325 Marginal Way " The 5 star dive bar. Better burgers and fish & chips. Live music. Pinball. Heavy pours n cheap drinks. All ages until 11pm. Not a tavern, not Lucky Liquor Tavern, just Lucky Liquor."

Tiki Revival Encore (CA event)

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  Not a Pacific Northwest event but worth mentioning as it's on the left coast, this amazing event from Peek-a-Boo Gallery, celebrating Oceanic Arts. "On  Sunday, April 10 from 3pm-10pm  BY DEMAND: TIKI REVIVAL ENCORE   featuring the hugely popular Tiki Revival movement of the 1990’s through the present day. How OA fits prominently into that history will be explored in this exciting and kinetic exotixtravaganza! Enjoy the Tiki, Exotica, Surf and Rockabilly sounds of THE HULA GIRLS, CREEPXOTICA, LITTLE KAHUNA and DJ MINT JULEP, with stunning fire performances from THE DANCING FIRE and presentations and panels from Tiki World luminaries and experts. ------------ So many of you asked to bring younger TIKI fans to visit Oceanic Arts, that the Tiki Gods couldn’t help but hear you. So, our 2nd Encore Show is a fun day of entertainment and activities designed with families in mind, with plenty to enjoy for people of ALL AGES. On Easter  Sunday, April 17 from 11am-6pm ...

Seattle Sunset Tiki Cruise, July 17th 2021

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Seattle Sunset Tiki Cruise Saturday, July 17th 2021 6pm-10pm, $45-$55 BUY TICKETS HERE   Boarding time: 6:00pm Boat leaves at 6:30pm- Don’t be late, the HIYU won’t wait **Board at  EASTLAKE-  MAP    South Lake Union Park 860 Terry Ave N, Seattle 98109 9:00pm return to dock Join us for a post-covid SUMMER EVENT – a sunset sail on Lake Union/Lake Washington with the Dusty 45’s and special guest Lushy. The Dusty 45s have inspired and fired up crowds for over two decades to the delight of fans and critics alike. With their signature style and unique sound, the band is a consistently powerful and energetic player in the Americana field. Sip on Tiki cocktails with good friends and enjoy live music on our open air venue is the perfect place to socialize and enjoy a summer breeze.  Tempt your taste buds with island inspired culinary bites by the famous Paseo Caribbean Restaurant. “ The sandwich with the cult following is the Cuban Roast: slow-cooked pork ...

International Tiki Weekend Kick-Off at Sneaky Tiki, Seattle

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  International Tiki Weekend Kick Off  Fri Aug 9, 2019, 7–11 pm   Sneaky Tiki   Greater Duwamish (Seattle)  $10   event website Transport yourself to a tropical location by dancing to live music by the Ukadelics and the Tikigraphs, plus more from DJ Vodka Twist, while you sip rum drinks. EVENT LOCATION Sneaky Tiki 6031 Airport Way S Seattle, WA 98108   Venue website

Tiki Kon: Pageant of the Pacific July 5-7, 2019

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  Tiki Kon: Pageant of the Pacific July 5-7, 2019 Pageant of the Pacific  mural, by Miguel Covarrubias, 1940 Doubletree by Hilton, Lloyd Center 1000 NE Multnomah St, Portland, OR 97232 Portland, Oregon Registration and hotel reservations open March 15, at 6:00 p.m. PDT "Pageant of the Pacific" was the theme of the 1939 Golden Gate International Exhibition, the world's fair where mainstream Americans were introduced to the wonders of Polynesia. It was the pre-Tiki decade that saw Don the Beachcomber and Trader Vic open their first restaurants, and when air travel across the Pacific was becoming a reality. Our theme is an origin story of adventure, romance, and exotic tropical destinations.   We've Upgraded! After listening to your feedback, we're moving Tiki Kon to a new location right in the heart of Portland and located on three light rail lines—just steps from the nearest stop. Nearby you'll find restaurants, groceries, coffee, shopping, liquor, movie theate...

Tiki Goes Underground

  Tiki and Polynesian pop, which were once popular cultural movements in the mid-20th century, are now seeing a resurgence and going underground. This means that they are becoming less mainstream and more niche, with a dedicated community of enthusiasts who appreciate and preserve the unique aesthetic and cultural elements of Tiki and Polynesian pop. The origins of Tiki and Polynesian pop can be traced back to the post-World War II era, when American soldiers stationed in the South Pacific during the war developed a fascination with the exotic and mysterious cultures of the islands. This fascination was then popularized through movies, music, and other forms of media, leading to a widespread trend of incorporating Polynesian-inspired elements into American culture, particularly in the realms of architecture, fashion, and cocktails. In recent years, however, Tiki and Polynesian pop have been experiencing a resurgence among a younger generation of enthusiasts who are drawn to the uni...