Nov 11 2024
Webley Edwards was an instrumental figure in the popularization of Hawaiian music on the global stage. Born on this day November 11, 1902, Edwards was a broadcast journalist who worked in Hawaii for many years, but he is most widely recognized for his contributions to the world of music. He was fascinated by the rich …
Sep 14 2024
In his essay of the “Cultures of Tiki,” Scott Lukas noted that in modern presentations of Tiki cultures that had little to do with Tiki of the past like the soft surf culture and the former car culture. These are now becoming a part of the Tiki culture. This is particularly true of surf music, …
Aug 22 2024
No Alcohol Needed! Tiki Bars are immediately associated with drinks containing alcohol, but truth be told, it’s the container and the fruit that makes a Tiki drink, Tiki. When Tiki bars are done correctly, the atmosphere is like something straight out of the Pacific islands and the escape to the land of enchantment can last …
Jul 08 2024
We are used to the words “totem pole” to mean those long poles with carved figures on them. Usually we see totem poles with wings from birds or other animals. But in the Pacific islands, these pole structures are called Tiki poles or Tiki totem poles. Tiki totem poles from the islands of the Pacific …
Jun 26 2024
Before you hang a Tiki mask in your home, you might want want to learn more about the history of Tiki masks and the chosen mask for your house in particular. With the correct Tiki mask, you might invoke a blessing or serenity, or yikes, fertility! Deciding whether to decorate with a Tiki mask …
Jun 18 2024
When my sister went to Hawaii years ago, she brought me back a small Tiki wooden carving. The perfect gift from Hawaii, I thought. Every time I look at this carving, I think of Hawaii and the island culture. Of course I also think of my sister! Tiki statues, the totem poles, masks and all …
May 04 2024
Dick Dale, often referred to as “The King of the Surf Guitar,” was a legendary figure in the world of music, particularly within the surf music genre. Born Richard Anthony Monsour on May 4, 1937, he pioneered the surf sound by incorporating Middle Eastern influences and innovative guitar techniques. With his powerful and energetic playing …
Apr 10 2024
Happy birthday to the “father of exotica” Martin Denny, born on this day April 10, 1911 in New York, NY. Martin Denny’s album Exotica is a genre-defining blend of jazz, world music, and tropical sounds that captured the imagination of a generation. With its lush instrumentation and evocative melodies, Denny’s music continues to inspire and delight …
Jun 08 2023
I want a Tiki Dress! They are so colorful and lovely. Back in the 1950s Women’s dresses had two main shapes. They were full circle skirts and very narrow pencil shape dresses. The big difference between the standard dress in the 50s and the Tiki style was the material and the colors. Tropical print fabrics …
May 20 2023
Tak Shindo, born in 1922, was a Japanese-American musician, composer, and arranger known for his contributions to the exotica genre in the mid-20th century. Exotica, a form of lounge music that incorporated elements of various ethnic and indigenous musical styles, became immensely popular in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s. Shindo’s innovative fusion …
