Aloha, and welcome to a new feature on The Atomic Grog spotlighting the latest news and information on the Polynesian Pop revival and wide world of retro-themed entertainment. Every Monday, look for a new blog post that previews what’s coming up and looks back at the highlights of the previous week. The Week in Tiki will attempt to cover all the major happenings across the world, with a focus on our home base, Florida and the U.S. East Coast. In keeping with the theme of the blog, look for updates on events, music, art, cocktails and culture, along with our obsession with Disney World. We’ll also celebrate our favorite spirit, rum, and spotlight a different cocktail recipe every week. Sit back, relax … and enjoy!
* Keep up with The Week in Tiki: Facebook page | RSS feed | See past weeks
* Weekly features: Artist | Website | Band/music | Tiki bar | Rum | Cocktail | Events
Sorry we’re a little late today, but we had breaking news on The Hukilau to post. Enjoy your Week in Tiki!
THIS WEEK’S HIGHLIGHTS (Feb. 9-15, 2015)
Get your tickets now for The Hukilau’s mixology summit,
cruise with Dawn Wells of ‘Gilligan’s Island’
The Hukilau has announced final details and ticket sales for its two signature events during the June 10-14 Tiki weekender in Fort Lauderdale. You’ll want to act now before these sell out:
* The Tiki Tower Takeover features four of the country’s top barmen – Jeff Beachbum Berry (Latitude 29, New Orleans), Martin Cate (Smuggler’s Cove, San Francisco), Paul McGee (Lost Lake, Chicago) and Brian Miller (Tiki Mondays with Miller, New York City) – as they each serve up a cocktail in the revolving Pier Top Lounge on the 17th floor of the Pier 66 hotel on the Fort Lauderdale’s Intracoastal Waterway. This special event takes place on Thursday, June 11, at 4 p.m. Tickets are $69.
* And announced for the first time: The Hukilau welcomes a very special guest – actress Dawn Wells from Gilligan’s Island – for a “Three Hour Tour” Cruise on Fort Lauderdale’s inland waterways. Limited to 300 people, the cruise aboard a yacht will include open bar, food, Tiki tunes and more. The event is set for Friday, June 12, at noon. Tickets are $99 if you buy a wristband pass for The Hukilau, $149 without a pass.
The Hukilau’s new website is now live with complete coverage of the event, including a daily schedule, entertainer and band profiles, bartender bios, full details on all the symposiums, plus lots more.
New on The Atomic Grog: Click here to see our full preview
Modernism Week celebrates 10 years in Palm Springs
The world’s premiere event that celebrates the appreciation of mid-century architecture and design marks its 10th anniversary this week in Palm Springs, the cradle of the 20th century’s grand vision of modern living. Modernism Week – an annual celebration of art, fashion and culture – features more than 200 events, including the Modernism Show, home tours, films, lectures, double-decker bus tours, parties, walking and bike tours, vintage fashion, live music, and more.
Modernism Week actually runs for 10 days, from Thursday, Feb. 12, through Sunday, Feb. 22. Click here for a comprehensive guide to all the available tours, parties, and more. This week’s highlights include Thursday’s 10th Anniversary Opening Night Party, Friday’s Modernism Show & Sale Preview Reception, and Saturday’s “Space Oddity” party featuring David Bowie impersonator David Brighton (including Atomic cocktails and delicacies from The Space Bar)
Sold-out events include walking tours of neighborhoods made famous by Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack, plus architectural bus tours. One of the centerpiece events is the Modernism Show & Sale, running Friday through Sunday at the Palm Springs Convention Center. It features 85 dealers offering a huge assortment of mid-century modern furniture, decorative and fine arts objects.
Tiki and mid-century modern art lovers will also not want to miss several free events at Shag: The Store, home base for artist Josh Agle (see Artist of the Week profile below). On Friday (Feb. 13), catch a release party for a new Shag print featuring music by The Martini Kings. On Saturday (Feb. 21), you can meet the artist at his Palm Springs store.
Modernism Week is also a charitable organization, providing scholarships to architecture and design students, as well as supporting local and state groups that strive to preserve modernist architecture throughout California.
* Official site: ModernismWeek.com
LAST WEEK IN REVIEW (Feb. 2-8, 2015)
Disney teases us with Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto drink names
The Disney Parks Blog has provided a sneak preview of the drink menu at the upcoming Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. According to the Tuesday (Feb. 3) blog post, there will be at least five new drinks plus more than three drinks coming over from the Trader Sam’s menu at Disneyland.
Exclusive to Disney World will be Castaway Crush, the Polynesian Pearl, the Nautilus, the Dark & Tropical Stormy, and the Tahitian Torch. Shared with Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar will be the Shrunken Zombie Head, Krakatoa Punch, Uh-Oa! and “many more,” according to the blog. We’re also assured that Trader Sam’s “head” beverage crafter is “concocting new handcrafted cocktails made with authentic premium ingredients in souvenir drink vessels.” [See: Mugs | Menu] A reliable source also tells us that the Grog Grotto will use the same high-quality tropical drink syrups as Trader Sam’s in Disneyland: the B.G. Reynolds brand.
Previous Atomic Grog coverage
* Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto design, merchandise revealed during Disneyland event
Smuggler’s Cove seeks return of priceless Fijian war club
Smuggler’s Cove in San Francisco, acclaimed as one of the top bars in the world (Tiki or otherwise), was the victim of a theft last week of a one-of-a-kind decorative war club. Owner Martin Cate says he thinks a drunk patron yanked it off the wall and smuggled it out of the bar.
The wooden hand-carved Fijian war club was carved by Georgia artist Basement Kahuna. It’s among the many rare and specially made Tiki and nautical items that cover every wall of the 5-year-old bar. Employees are scouring eBay and Craigslist, and they ask that anyone who sees such a piece for sale to contact them.
* See the KGO-TV news report and video
Oakland’s Conga Lounge closing after 12 years
When the Conga Lounge opened in the bar space above the pizza restaurant Cafe Rustica in 2003, the Tiki revival was not firing on all cylinders like it is today. Opening a Tiki bar, even in the Bay Area where Trader Vic created the Mai Tai, was a risk by the owners, Michael “Conga Mike” and Manny Thanos. But the bar was a success, and it inspired the Thanos brothers to join forces with mixologist extrordianire and fledgling owner Martin Cate to open Forbidden Island in Alameda in 2006.
Cate left to open Smuggler’s Cove in 2009, but Forbidden Island is still thriving as one of the of best examples a modern neo-Tiki bar. The cozy Conga Lounge never achieved such fame, but it continued to serve the Oakland area with its menu of 40 tropical drinks, including the signature Gilligan’s Island cocktail, for more than a decade.
Unfortunately, the owners are closing that Pizza Rustica location and Conga Lounge along with it. The decision to shut down has more to do with the restaurant than the bar, according to an article on Inside Scoop SF. Michael Thanos, who has helped operate the business since 1990, said it was “definitely pretty taxing running a full-service restaurant.” He said it was “a tough decision for sure, but it’s time to say goodbye.”
Saturday, Feb. 21, is scheduled to be the restaurant’s final day in business. The restaurant and bar, including the liquor license, are for sale. According to the article quoted above, the space is in a desirable location in “a unique, historically significant modernist two-story building.” Let’s hope it lands in good hands. Interested buyers can click here for more info.
* Related: Critiki profile, photos
***** Tiki links of the week*****
* Video: Mermaids resurface in Florida (Zoomin.TV Canada)
* Video: International Tiki Marketplace third anniversary (Randomland)
* Swimming with Montana’s magical Tiki mermaids (Punch)
* A splash of Hawaii in the French Quarter (Plate)
* In the Tiki room: Meet Lost Lake (video) (Glossed & Found)
* Video: Lost Lake brings Tiki bar to Logan Square (Fox 32 TV)
* Photos: Introducing Lost Lake and Thank You (Clayton Hauck)
* Bacardi rum gets a brand new look (The Floating Rum Shack)
* Dunder and dragons: Making rum at Lost Spirits Distillery (Alcademics)
* Richard Seale: On the subject of sugar added to rum (Bahama Bob’s Rumstyles)
* Make some falernum (Rated R Cocktails)
* 1,000 items from Disneyland’s earliest days to go to auction (Los Angeles Times)
* Disney history: Tomorrowland then & now (WDW For Grownups)
ARTIST OF THE WEEK: Shag
Josh Agle, the California artist better known as Shag, is perhaps the most acclaimed contemporary artist specializing in mid-20th-century themes that transport you back to a more colorful – and wildly hip – time. His art conjures up a unique parallel universe dominated by swanky cocktail parties full of surreal characters and ubiquitous Tikis. He’s also well known for his work for Disney, particularly his Enchanted Tiki Room prints. In honor of Modernism Week, Shag will be releasing a new serigraph print, “The Ensuing Elephant,” on Friday (Feb.13) [More info] Next Monday (Feb. 16), the Palm Springs restaurant Tinto is hosting an intimate dinner with Shag, featuring modern cuisine by Iron Chef Jose Garces. Reserve a seat now before they sell out. Finally, his Palm Springs store will host a meet-and-greet on Saturday, Feb. 21. It’s a great week to get your Shag on.
* Visit Shag at Shag.com and ShagTheStore.com
* On The Atomic Grog: Shag volcano bowl released | Tiki Room celebrates 50 years
Hukilau’s 2010 opening party reached a new level of overindulgence
Disney World is still cool at 40 thanks to retro artists Shag, Kevin & Jody
* More: Shag on Pintrest | Buy Shag books on Amazon
WEBSITE OF THE WEEK: Zen Tiki Lounge
The Zen Tiki Lounge is the longest-running podcast focusing on the Tiki, island and mid-century modern lifestyles. Make yourself a cocktail and tune in to the freewheeling shows hosted by Sunshine Tiki, Starshine and Kalani, and you’ll swear you’re a fly on the wall at the craziest Tiki cocktail party. You can stream the podcast directly from the website or subscribe via iTunes. The latest episode (No. 322) is a romantic adventure with exotic lounge music and a Tiki drink perfect for Valentine’s Day. Like the podcast, the site is all about the cocktails. You’ll find a voluminous archive of recipes, many of them Zen Tiki Lounge originals. In addition, there’s a web store, photos, an event listing, and more.
* Check it out: ZenTikiLounge.com
BAND/MUSIC OF THE WEEK: The Crazed Mugs
The Crazed Mugs play Tiki music and spread aloha. It’s as simple as that. This ensemble of musicians from the Tampa Bay area, led by multi-instrumentalist/vocalist Pablus, specializes in rum and sun-soaked original ukulele songs, supplemented by a wide array of instruments on the excellent 12-song album, Find Forbidden Island, released in 2011. They call it Hawaiian-influenced ukulele rock with touches of exotica, hapa haole, and surf. But you’ll find it just plain fun. And Tikphiles can relate to the many familar subjects in the lyrics, including Bamboo Ben, Trader Vic’s, and The Mai-Kai’s mystery girl and Rum Barrel. Catch Pablus of The Crazed Mugs performing solo with his voice and ukulele at The Hukilau (including The Mai-Kai) this June in Fort Lauderdale. [Event preview]
* Official band website | Facebook page
* Crazed Mugs store: Buy the CD and limited edition Tiki mugs
* Buy Find Forbidden Island (Amazon): CD
TIKI BAR OF THE WEEK: Trader Vic’s, New York City
* Tiki Central discussion, photos | Critiki profiles, photos: Savoy Hilton | Plaza Hotel
* Remembering Trader Vic’s, New York’s favorite Tiki bar (Eater)
* Official site: Current Trader Vic’s locations and history
RUM OF THE WEEK: Koloa Coconut
Spiced or flavored rums are usually not taken seriously by rum connoisseurs, but an exception to the rule is the outstanding coconut rum made by the Koloa Rum Company in Hawaii. Introduced in 2013, it won the gold medal for best in class flavored rum at the 2014 Miami Rum Renaissance Festival, where I first tasted it. It immediately stands out from the mediocre coconut rum crowd with its full 80-proof strength and robust flavor that reminds you of fresh coconut, not artificial ingredients. Koloa’s rums are hand-crafted from Hawaiian sugarcane and Kauai’s pure water sources. If you visit the island, check out the tasting room next to the company store.
COCKTAIL OF THE WEEK: Restless Native
By Jeff “Beachbum” Berry, from Beachbum Berry Remixed
* 1 1/2 fresh lime juice
* 3/4 ounce white creme de cacao
* 2 ounces coconut rum
Shake well with ice cubes. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a lime peel speared to a slice of coconut.
Berry is best known for his outstanding books on Tiki cocktail history, plus his new Latitude 29 bar and restaurant in New Orleans. And while this simple cocktail doesn’t appear on the bar menu, it’s a nice showcase for coconut rum. It’s also something you might want to whip up for Valentine’s Day instead of all those cloyingly sweet drinks you may see suggested elsewhere. The combination of lime, chocolate and coconut immediately takes you to the islands.
In Remixed, the 2009 book in which the recipe appeared, Berry says he came up with the drink in 2005 while trying to combine chocolate and coconut in a cocktail. The result is a streamlined yet flavorful drink that can easily become addictive. A good rum and liqueur are essential, however. I prefer a quality creme de cacao (the Marie Brizard brand is good) rather than a cheap store brand. And hopefully you’ll be able to find a bottle of Koloa Coconut to give the drink a great punch of flavor and slight heat. If not, avoid that ubiquitous coconut rum in the white bottle and check out some of these other options rated by blogger Josh Miller of Inu a Kena in his Coconut Rum Challenge. Note that he reviewed Koloa’s rum after the challenge, moving it to the top of the coconut heap.
Don’t miss Berry at The Hukilau in June, where he’ll be participating in several events: A symposium on the history of the Planter’s Punch; and a special “Tiki Tower Takeover” at the top of the Pier 66 hotel, where he’ll join fellow barmen Martin Cate (Smuggler’s Cove, San Francisco), Paul McGee (Lost Lake, Chicago) and Brian Miller (Tiki Mondays With Miller, New York City) as they each shake up a signature drink during a special two-hour happy hour. Check out our latest event preview.
* Last week’s recipe: Jungle Bird
SAVE THE DATE: Upcoming events
***** In Florida *****
* Feb. 20 – The Art of Tiki: A Cocktail Showdown, South Beach Wine & Food Festival, Miami Beach. Featuring Emeril Lagasse, Jeff “Beachbum” Berry, Martin Cate.
* Feb. 21 – Lost Cocktails of The Mai Kai, Fort Lauderdale.
* Feb. 27 – WMNF benefit with The Disasternauts and Switchblade Villain, Sarasota.
* Feb. 28 – Rockabilly Ruckus at Skipper’s Smokehouse, Tampa.
* March 14 – Dapper Day at Disney World.
* April 17-19 – Miami Rum Renaissance Festival. The ultimate rum festival and trade expo. [Atomic Grog coverage]
* June 10-14 – The Hukilau at the Hyatt Regency Pier 66 hotel and The Mai-Kai restaurant, Fort Lauderdale. The world’s most authentic Tiki event. [Atomic Grog coverage]
* Oct. 1-3 – Ohana: Luau by the Sea, Fort Lauderdale. A weekend of ohana in sunny South Florida.
***** On the Eastern Seaboard *****
* May 15-17 – Instro Summit, Chapel Hill, N.C.
* June 25-28 – Ohana: Luau At The Lake at The Tiki Resort, Lake George, N.Y.
* July 15-19 – Tales of the Cocktail, New Orleans, La.
***** Across the U.S. *****
* March 1 – Dapper Day at Disneyland.
* April 11-13 – Mojave Oasis, Newberry Springs, Calif.
* April 24-26 – Chicago Area Tiki Tour
* May 14-17 – Tiki Caliente, Palm Springs, Calif.
* July 10-12 – Tiki Kon, Portland, Ore., and Vancouver, Wash.
* Aug. 8 – Surf Guitar 101 Convention, Los Alamitos, Calif.
* Aug. 13-16 – Tiki Oasis, San Diego, Calif.
***** Worldwide *****
* Feb. 27-March 1 – Festival RumBahamas, Fort Charlotte
* May 23-25 – RhumFest Paris, Paris, France.
* June 18-21 – Surfer Joe Summer Festival, Livorno, Italy.
* Oct. 17-18 – The RumFest: London, United Kingdom
Keep us informed: If you have news or events to report, simply e-mail [email protected] and let us know what’s happening, along with any appropriate links. Feel free to send photos and flyers. You can also send a message via the Facebook page. If you post news or updates on a regular basis, let us know how to follow you (website, Facebook, Twitter, etc.)