Here’s Lili Verona’s delightful “Day-O” from the recently re-discovered album Traditional Songs of Jamaica from Cosmic Spy Music. Traditional Songs of Jamaica by Lili Verona
Category: Tiki Room
Aug 17 2021
Is the Tiki Kitsch Craze Innocent Fun or Exploitation of Culture?
When Trader Vic invented his now famous Tiki cocktails in fun whimsical Tiki head souvenir glasses with curly straws and tons of rum, there was not any thought as to sensitivity to the Hawaiian culture that might exist if it were today. Think of it like this. What if a bar were started with a …
Jul 27 2021
Drum Rhythms of Haiti Cuba Brazil
First recorded by Katherine Dunham & The Singing Gods in 1955 and now rediscovered, here is Nanigo (Cuba) from Drum Rhythms of Haiti Cuba Brazil. Drum Rhythms of Haiti Cuba Brazil by Katherine Dunham & The Singing Gods
Jul 20 2021
Domenique Dumont – People on Sunday
Domenique Dumont’s album People on Sunday glows with synths that dance and bounce with both classical brilliance and the mystique of exotica. The Latvian composer created the album as a modern soundtrack to the 1930 German silent film People On Sunday (Menschen am Sonntag/Les Hommes le Dimanche) which portrays everyday life before the dictatorship. As …
Jul 13 2021
The Hilo Hi-Flyers: The Island of My Dreams
“The Island of My Dreams” is from the LA tiki swing quartet The Hilo Hi-Flyers’ debut album Adventure! The album is currently available from Hi-Tide Recordings, where you can buy the LP on vinyl in tiger orange, offered with this cryptic message: Somewhere deep in a rainy jungle lies a stone temple, guarded by a …
Jul 06 2021
Stag-O-Lee Shares Born to Hula! Compilation
This week Hamburg-based DJ Crille released a compilation of fun exotica tunes via the Stag-O-Lee DJ-Set Series. You can have a listen to all 32 tracks on BandCamp. BORN TO HULA! Stag-O-Lee DJ Set Vol. 4 by Stag-O-Lee DJ Sets
Jun 29 2021
Radio Martiko Unearths Two Surf Rock Gems
Radio Martiko recently re-released two solid surf rock gems from the ’60’s from French Canada’s Les Talismans and Les Jaguars. They are “L’interplanetaire” and “Guitare Jet,” respectively. They’re available on Surf Québécois, available from Radio Martiko’s bandcamp. Surf Québécois by Les Talismans / Les Jaguars
Jun 27 2021
Those Mini Umbrellas!
Ever since I was a little girl, I have been fascinated…no I LOVED those little mini umbrellas that go on top of fancy drinks. Not that I had fancy drinks. But one time I went to a little birthday party at a neighbor’s house and the mom and grandma put little mini umbrellas on top …
Jun 23 2021
¡Buenos Días, Señorita! Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room Opened On this Day in 1963
“Buenos días, señorita. My siestas are getting shorter and shorter.” -José Tiki On June 23rd, 1963, Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room was opened to the public at Disney parks. It was an amazing event that featured the first Audio-Animatronic show. The new technology was brought about by Walt Disney’s love of animation, and his desire to …
Jun 22 2021
The Tonga Room Storms Back July 9
Californians can look forward to one of the most iconic bars, The Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar in San Francisco, reopening July 9. The Tonga Room is famous for its rich tropical décor, Polynesian-fusion cuisine, and the occasional tropical rainstorm, complete with thunder and lightning! The Tonga Room will reopen on Fridays and Saturdays between …
