Category Archives: Tiki Oasis

I Dream of Tiki…. Tiki Oasis 15 Memories

Tiki Oasis 15



tiki oasis mugIt’s been a week now since I unpacked my suitcases loaded with floral print tiki oasis pool partydresses, Aloha Shirts, Cosmic Laser guns and the newest Tiki mugs that I bought at Tiki Oasis 15… but I still have Tiki Dreams… I close my eyes at night, and it all rushes back into my head; surf rock, giant Moai, and rum all jumble together in a colorful swirl.

I wake in my own bed and feel a little lost, the connection slowly slipping from my consciousness. I’m back in the mundane real world.

Tiki Oasis 15

tiki oasis 2015
Every year Tiki Oasis works with a theme, and this year’s “Yesterday’s Future TODAY” was like a blast from our future past. Most people took the opportunity to put on costumes from Space Shows and movies of the 50s and early 60s. The creativity was awesome! Imagine Disney’s Tomorrowland populated by people from mars… but wearing Aloha shirts…

What is it that brings hundreds of people to the Crown Plaza in San Diego to worship the Tiki god; to drink, to laugh, to dance, to learn, and to wear wild floral prints? Is it a desire for a time that never really existed? A simpler mid-century lifestyle? Many of us are old enough where we caught a bit of that time in childhood. It’s a memory of parents or grandparents laughing in the backyard with a cocktail in hand. It’s a photo of a trip to Hawaii with a visit to the Polynesian Cultural Center, or a Luau with Fire Dancers.  Maybe it’s the colorful dresses, worn at a time when fashion was straight lines, couture was important, and bold colors were a break from the dreary every day. For some it might be the music, lively and fun without the harsh synchronized beat that we hear all too often on the radio.

Tiki Oasis is a chance to connect with others who share that desire. Age, tiki oasis gogo dancerappearance and economic status lose importance. Friendships are formed over the print on a shirt or the mug in your hand. Who you are in the real world matters less than your enthusiasm for a surf band and some awesome go-go dancers.

tiki oasis crowdOtto and Baby Doe von Stroheim have created this wonderful fantasy world for Tiki-philes. What started as a backyard luau has evolved into a fabulous party for 3000! But, Tiki Oasis is more than just a 4 day Bacchanalia. Certainly, you can spend your time at the Crown Plaza in a Rum soaked haze, dancing and floating from one room party to the next. But you can also turn it into a fun family vacation by the pool. (Yes, there were full families in attendance…. kids and all. Special programs and rooms are set aside for the young ones, everyone is welcome in the pool, and overall, the event is family friendly…)

DJ’s spinning records all day and high energy Bands (like Jason Lee and the Rip Tides) played well into the evenings giving the scene a constant party atmosphere. Dancing and drinking were the norm, but I never saw anyone take it over the top. It was as if everyone was there for a good time, and no one wanted to wreck it by going too far.

rumsession2rumsession  rumsession3  tikioasis15_4

Tiki oasis 15
El Vez Crowning Miss Tiki Oasis


Well planned seminars
give us a chance to learn. Topics like “Where did the rum come from”? “What is the best way to mix a drink?” “How can I throw a tiki party on a budget?” “What are the basics of surf guitar? And what the heck does “tiki” mean anyway?? We even heard from the legendary Sven Kirsten (author of Tiki Pop… and all around Tiki Icon). These talks were more interesting than anything I learned in school… and most of them included a cocktail!

And don’t forget, it’s a chance to shop! Find that perfect hand carved sign for your bar…. buy 2 or 3 (or 5) new Tiki mugs that you just can’t live without from the talented artists who created them… and of course, you need that fabulous new dress for tonight’s room crawl.

 

Tiki Oasis us all together.

In the real world things move at the speed of light and there isn’t much time to breathe. We text, snap chat, and the internet zaps information around the world before we get the chance to finish a thought.

Tiki Oasis takes us back.

tiki oasis friends

It’s a loosening of life that allows us to slow down, to savor bold colors, exotic music and newly forged friendships with kindred spirits. It’s a way to remember that not everything must be cold and digitized.

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And we remember what we think might have been. We strive to touch a memory … A simpler life….. with a lot of rum.

tiki oasis rum seminar
Rum and then some

And remember everyone….

A video posted by Tiki Time (@itsalwaystikitime) on

It’s Always Tiki Time! at Tiki Oasis

Tiki Oasis Entertainment Lineup 2015

Tiki Oasis 15: Yesterday’s Future Today presents an Out-Of-This-World lineup of live musical entertainment, burlesque and DJs!
San Diego, CA August 13-16

www.tikioasis.com

Tiki Oasis is the Class M hypergiant of the Tiki scene – the biggest Tiki Weekender in the solar system

man_or_astroman_lgBlast Off with live performances by:
Host: King Kukulele
Man or Astroman?
The Chocolate Watchband
Tikiyaki Orchestra
The Phenomenauts
The Phantom Surfers
Clouseaux
Fono66
The Devil-Ettes
Marina the Fire Eating Mermaid
The Neptunas
Project: Pimento
Jason Lee and the r.i.p. Tides
The Outta Sites
The Little Richards
The Rosalyns
The Ding Dong Devils
Diddley Daddies
The Angel and Robot Show
Els A Phonics
Point Doom
Slim Jenkins
Millionaire Beach Bums

 

kitten_deville_lgYou’ll be in orbit with these Burlesque Stars:
Kitten de Ville
Ruby Joule
Tana the Tattooed Lady
Amber Ray
Bunny Pistol
Charlotte La Belle Araigne’e
Dolores Daiquiri
Eva D’Luscious
Lila Starlet
Lydia DeCarllo
Mimi Le Meaux
Ruby Champagne
Dottie Deville
Eva Mae Garnet
Goldie Candela
Jessabelle Thunder
Jolie Goodnight
Meghan Mayhem
Szandora LaVey
Coco Lectric
Violetta Beretta
Di’Lovely

lee_joseph_lgVinyl Flying Saucer Pilots (our DJs that is…)
Lee Joseph
Howie Pyro
Anja and Mike Stax
Tanoa Samoa Boy
Agent Kari
El Nova
Duke Weiss
Lukino Ungawa
Johnny Bartlett
Tiki Tena & Jeff BigTikiDude
Axle
Eric Musick
Switched on Audrey
Astro 138
Jon Burchard
Nuria Alsina
Patrick Robinson
Sid Presley
Strike
Suzy Moran
Xerox
Burnie Gipson

Stay tuned for more information about symposiums, Miss Tiki Oasis 15 Pageant, book signings, special events, vintage car show, pin-up packages, art show, cigar and rum pairing, and MUCH MORE!

 

TikiOasis15_ShellbackRum

SHELLBACK RUM
Named for the fellowship of mariners who voyaged across the Equator, Shellback Rum is a bold spirit for celebrating good times in good company, from epic journeys across the globe to epic nights on the town. Join Shellback at the Tiki Oasis 2015 car show and show off your skills in their Shellback Combine tent. Play games, win prizes, take pics with your friends, and enjoy delicious spiced rum with Shellback during this amazing weekend event!
www.shellbackrum.com

THE OBLONG BOX SHOP
TikiOasis15OblongBoxAloha and welcome to The Oblong Box Shop, a pinup’s paradise featuring novelty print skirts, dresses and all things Tiki! Featuring original art by owner & designer Denialle Von Fitch.

Drawing inspiration from the past, Denialle’s hand drawn designs are inspired by all things mid-century, kitsch and Tiki. From John Waters’ pink flamingos to Plan 9 from Outer Space, featuring everything from shrunken heads to Tikis in space. And the newest offering from The Oblong Box Shop…matching Cabana sets. Never lose your partner in a Tiki Bar again!

Check out The Oblong Box Shop’s poolside fashion show on Friday at Tiki Oasis to see all of their newest designs! Mahalo!
www.theoblongboxshop.com

HAWAIIAN SHIRT DUDE
TikiOasis15HawaiinShirtDudeMy name is Zippy Moondog and I love Hawaiian Shirts. For 15 years I have shared my passion for aloha-wear from my shop ‘Hula Girl’ on the beautiful island of Kauai. I recently launched the Web site ‘Hawaiian Shirt Dude’ so I could spread aloha to the rest of the world, and the response has been amazing. I’m making new friends worldwide and making the world a better place one shirt at a time. This will be my first Tiki Oasis and I look forward to meeting all of you!

Tiki Oasis 2015

Tomorrow’s Future, Today!

San Diego CA August 13-16 2015

It’s Always TIKI TIME has secured its passes to this most wonderful of all tiki events and we will be in full coverage mode, well and there might be some dancing and drinking involved too, so you get the full lowdown on the meet and mingle that is Tiki Oasis. We will be attending symposiums with video camera and notebook in hand to bring you the best Tiki news from this years event.

Coming this August this years Tiki Oasis is themed around the Future and Space travel. Check out this blurb from the home page:

Tiki Oasis is the Class M hypergiantof the Tiki scene – the biggest Tiki Weekender in the solar system

The Space Age ran parallel to the Modern Primitivism of Tiki Culture. While technology propelled modern man to the moon, the common man celebrated isolated islander cultures that were equally unattainable.

Whether it was a World’s Fair or Disneyland’sTomorrowland (1955), It seemed that the interest in other worlds in outer space was equally as intriguing as our curiosity of primitive cultures. All World’s Fairs had “International” exhibits displaying Exotic and Primitive cultures alongside the most modern aspects of technology. Similarly, with a short walk across Disnelyland’s Main Street, tourists travelled from the advanced technologies of Tomorrowland to the wilds of Adventureland’s Polynesian garden – The Tiki Room and the Jungle Cruise. In 1947 the world listened and read about the Kon Tiki raft sailing across the South Pacific toward the most remote island on earth – Easter Island. Ten years later the Western world watched as Russia’s Sputnik sailed into outer space to begin The Space Race. Soon thereafter Apollo jettisoned the first men to the moon.

 

tiki oasis 2015