This is one of those Retro Roadmap worthy events that I can’t believe I haven’t gone to yet, but is totally on my “bucket list”!
Here’s some info about the 11th annual Hukilau, the largest annual celebration of Tiki culture on the East Coast happening Thursday through Sunday, April 19-22, 2012 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
The Hukilau, founded in 2002, is the largest event on the U.S. East Coast dedicated to Polynesian Pop culture. The Hukilau features four days of live music and themed entertainment, informative symposiums, acclaimed artisans and vendors plus dining and cocktails at one of the world’s great Polynesian restaurants. It draws Tiki devotees from around the world to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., for an experience that many participants treasure for a lifetime.
Highlights for this year include:
Tiki godfather Sven Kirsten will speak at the annual Polynesian Pop festival!
More activities than ever will take place at The Mai Kai, the landmark Polynesian palace, including symposiums on Friday and Saturday, plus happy hours and late-night parties.
Vintage tiki rockabilly lounge inspired music includes:
- The Martian Denny Orchestra
- Angie Pontani, founding member of the World Famous Pontani Sisters
- The Intoxicators
- Exotik-a-GoGo
- Gold Dust Lounge
- Pablus, co-founder of The Crazed Mugs
- Dan Cunningham has been channeling Elvis Presley
- Marina the Fire Eating Mermaid
- Several nationally known DJs (Heelgrinder and the duo Jack Fetterman and Gina of the Jungle from New York City) – will be spinning tunes throughout the weekend.
Symposiums and special events include!
Sven Kirsten, author of the “Book of Tiki” (2003) and “Tiki Modern” (2007) will host a special presentation, “The Golden Age of Tiki Archeology: Unpublished Images from the Sven Kirsten Archive.” He’ll share previously unpublished slide images of lost Tiki temples and will also be available to sign copies of his books.
Jeff “Beachbum” Berry is back with a new symposium, “Revenge of the Zombie: The Tale of Tiki’s Deadliest Drink”
Paul Roe of Britishink Tattoos in Washington, D.C., returns with another visually stimulating and informative symposium. “Ta-ta-u: The Mark of Civilization” will look at the importance of the male and female tattoos in Samoa, culminating in a demonstration of traditional tatau.
Tim “Swanky” Glazner will lead the first-ever symposium on the history of The Mai-Kai to be presented in the restaurant’s grand dining room. ”Mai-Kai: History, Mystery & Adventure” will take guests on a trip back to 1956, when the Thornton brothers took Don the Beachcomber’s concept, supersized it and and plopped it down on a rural stretch of Fort Lauderdale’s U.S. 1.
“Plastic Paradise” – a new documentary on the rise, fall and resurgence of Tiki culture – will get a sneak preview. The project by Miami filmmakers Common Machine was commissioned by PBS with much footage shot at Hukilau 2011
An exclusive Tiki bowling event will be offered to a small number of lucky guests. They’ll get a chance to play the themed lanes and tour a vintage Tiki apartment complex west of Fort Lauderdale.
Tiki Treasures Bazaar and Art Show
Along with vendors from around the world selling vintage merchandise, Miami’s Harold Golen Gallery will present the fine art show “Exotica in Hi Fi” with a focus on classic music-themed art created by today’s new wave of retro artists.
Here are the links where you can find out more about all these events, and if Mod Betty can make it this year she’ll totally let you know!
The 2012 Hukilau Schedule of Events
About Mod Betty
Helium Design
