The Year in Tiki 2024: A look back at the top events in photos, video

The Year in Tiki 2024: A look back at the top events in photos, video

The Tiki Times

Several new events made a splash in 2024, from Tiki-a-Go-Go in Orlando in April to the Beachcomber Bash in Ocean Shores, Wash., in September. All the major Tiki weekenders remain strong and vital: Inuhele, Arizona Tiki Oasis, Tiki Caliente, The Hukilau, Exotikon, Ohana: Luau at the Lake, Tiki Oasis in San Diego, Tiki in Waikiki, et al. Meanwhile, smaller regional events cointinue to pop up and attract an audience. Among the more spirited events, rum festivals in particular seem to be experiencing a boom. The lineup from The Rum Lab now includes eight events in the U.S., Spain and Puerto Rico. We’ve also tried to include more marketplace events to the calendar, reflecting the interest in the Tiki arts that never seems to wane. Browse the photos, video and social media posts below, or click on the links for more coverage and all the official sites.
NEW: Iconic restaurants revived: Don the Beachcomber, Mai-Kai, Trader Vic’s are top Tiki stories of 2024
MORE: Florida Tiki weathers an unwelcome 2024 hurricane season, poised for promising 2025
THE TIKI TIMES 2025: Latest upcoming live and virtual events
Social media: Facebook | Instagram

THE TIKI TIMES: 2024 EVENTS RECAP

Jan 19-21 – Inuhele: Atlanta’s Tiki Weekend
* Inuhele Brings a Celebration of Tiki to Atlanta (Paste)

Jan. 20 – Coconut Grove Rum Festival in Miami.

Jan. 20 – Rockabillaque Florida at the Seminole Casino Hotel in Immokalee.

Rockabillaque Florida

Jan. 27 – The Original Tiki Market Place 12th anniversary show in Garden Grove, Calif.

Feb. 3 – Endless Winter Surf Fest in Long Beach, Calif.

Feb. 6-11 – Hopetown Music & Rum Festival in the Bahamas.

Feb. 9-11 – Miami Rum Congress at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

In year 5, Miami Rum Congress matures into more complex and accessible spirits event
In year 5, Miami Rum Congress matures into more complex and accessible spirits event
By moving to a major convention center on South Beach and expanding its scope, the event showed potential for an expanded audience.
Social media recap: Photos, coverage of Miami Rum Congress events

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The Year in Tiki 2022: Take a trip back to the year’s top events

The Year in Tiki 2022: Take a trip back to the year's top events

The Tiki Times

While the COVID pandemic is by no means a thing of the past, the Tiki events circuit was back to almost full capacity in 2022. This also includes many rum and surf music events around the world that we also documented on The Tiki Times, The Atomic Grog’s ongoing event guide. It was great to see many old standby events back in full force, while new happenings also made their mark. Check below for artwork and links to official sites, plus images and videos from social media.
THE TIKI TIMES 2023: Latest upcoming live and virtual events
Social media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

THE TIKI TIMES: 2022 EVENTS RECAP

ONGOING EVENTS

Fridays – Spike’s Breezeway Cocktail Hour hosted by Matt “Spike” Marble of The Hula Girls. Pre-parties on Instagram Live, episodes on YouTube.



2022 LIVE EVENTS

Jan. 7-9 – The Rhythm Collision Weekend #8 in Riverside, Calif.

Jan. 12 – Dram of the Dead: The Bum on his new Zombie rum
Dram of the Dead: The Bum on his new Zombie rum

Jan. 22 – The Original Tiki Market Place 10th Anniversary in Garden Grove, Calif.
The Original Tiki Market Place 10th Anniversary

Jan. 22 – “The Suite of the Future” Fine Art Print Release Party at the Shag Store in Palm Springs, Calif.
The Suite of the Future Fine Art Print Release Party

Jan 28-30 – Inuhele: Atlanta’s Tiki Weekend.
* Past coverage

Feb. 19-20 – Rockabillaque Florida at the Seminole Casino Hotel in Immokalee.

Rockabillaque Florida

Feb. 24 – Trader Vic’s Tonga Fundraiser

Feb. 25 – The Art of Tiki Cocktail Showdown at the South Beach Wine & Food Festival in Miami Beach.
* Cheers all around: 21st annual South Beach Wine & Food Festival® is a wrap!

Feb. 17-27 – Modernism Week in Palm Springs, Calif.
Modernism Week

March. 11-12 – Miami Rum Congress in Miami Beach.

Miami Rum Congress 2022 kicks off full schedule of worldwide rum events
Miami Rum Congress 2022 kicks off full schedule of worldwide rum events
Industry VIPs and rum enthusiasts gather for seminars, tastings and special events at the Hilton Cabana Miami Beach.
Social media recap: Photos, coverage of Miami Rum Congress 2022

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The Year in Tiki 2019: Recap all the top events with photos and video

The Year in Tiki 2019: Recap all the top events with photos and video

The Tiki Times

Once again, The Atomic Grog documented an entire 12 months of events in 2019, following the top Tiki and rum events, plus mid-century modern, surf and rockabilly music, Disney and other happenings of interest to the Tiki community. Check below for official artwork and links to the official sites along with our own unique coverage. Under many events, you’ll also find images and videos from social media plus links to news sites.
NEW EVENTS: UPDATED 2020 CALENDAR
Social media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

THE TIKI TIMES: 2019 EVENTS RECAP

Jan. 12 – The Original Tiki Market Place 7th Anniversary in Garden Grove, Calif.
* Atomic Grog event preview
The Original Tiki Market Place 7th Anniversary print by Clee Sobieski

Jan. 17 – Tiki Bingo at The Mai-Kai in Fort Lauderdale.
* Atomic Grog event preview
Tiki Bingo at The Mai-Kai

Jan. 19 – The Mai-Kai Takeover in Fort Lauderdale.
Special event: ‘Demerara Rum – The Mai-Kai’s Secret Weapon’
Demerara Rum: The Mai-Kai's Secret Weapon on Jan. 19, 2019, at The Mai-Kai The Atomic Grog was pleased to present a special happy-hour talk during The Mai-Kai Takeover event on Jan. 19, presented by the Magical Tiki Meet-Up and Retro Rekindled. Click here to check out our full event recap, including photos and highlights of our Demerara rum discussion.

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The Year in Tiki 2018: Recap all the top events with photos and video

The Year in Tiki 2018

The Tiki Times

In 2018, The Atomic Grog consolidated previous news and events coverage into a comprehensive 12-month calendar that offers dates, links and previews of all the major Tiki and rum events, plus a touch of modernism, surf music, Disney and other happenings of interest to the Tiki community. Below, you can still find the official artwork and links to the official sites. Following the events, the calendar was updated to include images and videos culled from social media, along with some of our own photos and relevant press coverage. We’ve archived this full year of coverage for posterity.
UPDATES: 2019 EVENTS CALENDAR
Social media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

THE TIKI TIMES: 2018 EVENTS RECAP

Feb. 15-25 – Modernism Week in Palm Springs, Calif.

Feb. 23 – Taste of Aloha and Art of Tiki Cocktail Showdown at the South Beach Wine & Food Festival in Miami Beach.

Feb. 24 – Inuhele: Atlanta Tiki Homebar Tour. Atlanta Tiki Home Bar Tour

Feb. 24-25 – Polynesian Cultural Festival in Oakland Park, Fla.

March 4 – Adventureland Day at Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom in Disney World.

March 31 – Bamboo on The Bayou’s Bamboo Bash in Houston.

April 7 – Magical Tiki Meet Up at the Magic Kingdom in Disney World. Magical Tiki Meet Up

April 7-8 – Rhum Fest Paris.

April 14 – Chicago Rum Festival.

April 19-22 – Viva Las Vegas rockabilly weekend.

May 17-20 – Tiki Caliente in Palm Springs, Calif. Tiki Caliente

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The Tiki Times – October 2017 Events Calendar: Historic art show in L.A., world’s biggest rumfest in London, Circa Caliente in Palm Springs, Halloween happenings

The Tiki Times
The Tiki Times: Archive of past events, monthly recaps
Social media: Follow our Facebook page for updates | Pinterest

OCTOBER 2017 TIKI EVENTS CALENDAR
Spotlight events: UK RumFest (Oct. 14-15) | Circa Caliente (Oct. 20-23)
Ongoing events | Upcoming events

Oct. 1 – Tiki Day at Disneyland. The sixth annual gathering that celebrates the love of Tiki includes meet-ups in the park, group rides and meet-and-greet at Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar.
Tiki Day at Disneyland


Oct. 1 – Tiki Safari in Australia, a celebration of Tiki culture featuring live music, DJs, merchandise, food and carver Tiki Bob plying his trade.
Tiki Safari

Oct. 3-7 – El Floridita’s 200th anniversary celebration in Havana, Cuba. Tales of the Cocktail presents a once-in-a-lifetime excursion to celebrate the bicentennial of the legendary cocktail bar with special events, tours, tastings, competitions and more.
El Floridita's 200th anniversary celebration

Oct. 5 – Tiki bar launch at Death or Glory in Delray Beach, Fla. A party celebrating the opening of the South Florida restaurant and craft cocktail den’s new Tiki bar, featuring live performances by Skinny Jimmy Stingray and Polynesian Proud Productions. Proprietor Ayme Harrison (formerly of Kreepy Tiki Lounge in Fort Lauderdale) will also be launching a new Tiki mug designed by Tiki Diablo.
Death or Glory's Tiki bar launch

 

Oct. 6 – The Art of Tiki: Exhibition opening party and book release at La Luz De Jesus Gallery in Hollywood, Calif. The launch of the 21st anniversary Art of Tiki show (curated by Otto von Stroheim), which runs through Oct. 29, along with the accompanying book by author Sven Kirsten (Tiki Pop, The Book of Tiki). The original Art of Tiki exhibition in 1996 ushered in the postmodern Tiki era, introducing new art by such acclaimed artists as Mark Ryden, Shag, Mitch O’Connell and The Pizz. The new exhibit brings back some artists from the original show (Shag, O’Connell, Von Franco, Crazy Al Evans, Jeffrey Vallance, Mary Fleener) plus artists from around the world – Bai (France), Danielle (Australia), Mookie Sato (Japan), and Dr. Alderete (Mexico). The show includes 30 of today’s top Tiki artists, including Bosko, Brad “Tiki Shark” Parker, Thor, Kevin and Jody, Tiki Diablo, Tiki Tony, Doug Horne, Big Toe, Ken Ruzic, Gecko, Michael Uhlenkott, Joe Vitale, Donella Vitale, Derek Yaniger, Scott Scheidly, and Eric October. If you can’t make it to the show, you can order the book online. As a special bonus, the exhibit includes “The Art of Tiki: No False Idols,” billed as “the world’s first and most comprehensive public offering of original, mid-century Tiki decor.” It will feature commercial carvings, fixtures, furniture and lighting from some of the most famous and obscure mid-century Tiki temples. Items for sale include those from such notable establishments as Trader Vic’s, Kona Kai and Kon Tiki culled from the private collection of Jordan Reichek. Artists represented include LeRoy Schmaltz of Oceanic Arts, Barney West, William Westenhaver, Jim Casey, Milan Guanko, Richard Ellis and Andres Bumatay.
More from Critiki News: Interview with Otto von Stroheim
Jordan Reichek’s collection of rare mid-century Polynesian Pop
A sneak peek at Sven Kirstens latest book
Press coverage
* You can own a piece of mid-century Tiki history at this gallery show
The Art of Tiki: Exhibition opening party and book release
The Art of Tiki: Exhibition opening party and book release




Oct. 7 – Voices of the Xtabay: A Tribute to Yma Sumac at the Hammer Museum at the University of California, Los Angeles. A free event featuring Latinx vocalists and musicians reimagining the songs of legendary Peruvian singer Yma Sumac, whose vocal range was said to be well over five octaves. The concert honoring the queen of exotica was inspired by the Hammer exhibition “Radical Women: Latin American Art, 1960–1985” and features a band led by Alberto López of Jungle Fire.
Voices of the Xtabay: A Tribute to Yma Sumac

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