XYMPOSIUMS
…MORE BEING ADDED!
*scheduled programming subject to change
ARTHUR LYMAN – KING OF THE JUNGLE VIBES
Musicologist and Tiki veteran, Jeff Chenault presents a one-hour celebration of Arthur Lyman’s illustrious career. Arthur was one of the three big kahunas riding the wave of Exotica along with Martin Denny and Les Baxter. Special guests include Kapiolani (Lyman’s daughter and vocalist on his albums) and Neil Norman, producer of Arthur Lyman on GNP Crescendo Records.
THE AZTEC MOTEL & other Mayanisms
Sven Kirsten will reveal a largely forgotten chapter of America’s fascination with Pre-Columbiana that brought forth splendid Mayan and Aztec temples in urban centers all across the United States. A treasure trove of previously unseen images from this fervent but brief love affair with the sunken civilizations of the Americas will lead up to the further exploration of mid-century Exotica in this unique pop culture genre.
DON THE BEACHCOMBER’S WAIKIKI with DESOTO BROWN
Famed author and Hawaii historian, Desoto Brown will peel back the many layered presence of Ernest Gantt aka Don the Beachcomber, in Hawaii and more specifically, Waikiki. There’s more to the story than just the Hawaiian outpost of his restaurant/bar, but rather a omniscient level of cultural urban planning for the tourist remake of paradise.
THE HEDONIST WORLD OF TIKI COCKTAILS...And The Bars That Made Them
Co-authors, Kelly "Hiphipahula" Reilly & "Trader Tom" Morgan discuss "Tiki Cocktail" history and how it fueled the Polynesian Pop movement as a whole. A brief history of rum and then its pairing with tropical juices and nectars. Donn Beach, Vic Bergeron and the growth into a cultural movement. Also described are notable cocktails from their book and the bars that served them.
ELUSIVE BIRD OF THE ANDES: YMA SUMAC with Damon Devine
Explore the fascinating story of one of the most unique performers of all time! There is perhaps no single character in the World of Exotica that compares with the larger-than-life personality, idiosyncrasy and sheer talent of Yma Sumac. Dive deep into the diva’s archives with rare audio and film footage and view in person an incredible display of her personal fashion and artifacts direct from the Sumac estate.
EXOTICA 101: An Introduction to “Incredibly Strange Music”
Hosted by Jordan Reichek and a superstar panel of luminary nerds in the World of Exotica. Together, they will explore what this genre of music and art is about, it’s growth and decline, it’s post-modern discovery in the 70s and its huge revival. The many “lands” of Exotica will be traversed as well as its coined classification as “Incredibly Strange Music”. We promise, you won’t snooze in this class!
PARADISE TO GO! The Art of Home TIKI Bars
Ron “Rincon Room” Ferrell and Adrian “Desert Oasis Room” Eustaquio sit down to discuss the ever-growing "home Tiki bar" obsession. It’s origins and the popularity it’s become today, where it started and where it's going. Featured will be showcases of high level home bars and the Poly-Pop enthusiasts who create them.
LIFTING THE GRASS SKIRT! The Story of OCEANIC ARTS: The Godfathers of TIKI!
Join author, Jordan Reichek as he shares details of Peekaboo Gallery’s ALOHA, OA! celebration of famed Polynesian supplier, OCEANIC ARTS. He’ll take us on a behind the scenes of celebrating 65 years of Tiki history, all the while, living every Tiki nerd’s fantasy in exploring all the nooks and crannies of the famous Whittier warehouse. Hear about working with Bob and LeRoy, finding long lost artifacts and learn expanded anecdotes of historic material just touched upon in his OCEANIC ARTS: The Godfathers of TIKI book.
THE GENIUS WORLD of RAYMOND SCOTT
Acclaimed author and music producer Jeff Winner joins special guests and members of the Scott family in TWO blockbuster symposiums celebrating the maverick story of composer and inventor RAYMOND SCOTT: The first will explore the history of the incredible 1930s Raymond Scott Quintet, and the second will focus on his barrier-breaking ELECTRONIC MUSIC with his own idiosyncratic inventions such as THE CLAVIVOX and THE ELECTRONIUM.
EXOTIC PORTS OF CALL – Stephen Crane & Beyond
With B-movie actor Stephen Crane’s themed restaurants as the starting point Sven Kirsten will explore the inspiration that mid-century Americans drew from cultures other than their own. After coming into extensive contact with Pacific rim nations in WW II, America’s horizons were broadened from its roots in the Old World to the exotic otherness of Asia and Oceania. Eye-candy imagery of this genuine romance with the exotic will entertain and educate the viewer.
LES BAXTER – EXOTICA TITAN
Les Baxter archivist Jeff Chenault presents a brand-new presentation that highlights the best of Les Baxter’s exotica catalog. You will learn about the seminal albums that not only influenced Sun Ra but started an entire genre of music. From Quiet Village to Que Mango, Exotica Titan is a historic travelogue of Les Baxter’s illustrious career. Rare photographs from the Les Baxter Archives and Jeff’s own personal collection, highlight this presentation.
QUEST for the TIKI MUG: A Sacrifical Chalice for an Urban Savage
MUGGISTS UNITE! Martijn Veltman and a panel of top enthusiasts discuss the history, art and sheer ADDITICTION for TIKI MUGS. The reason they came to be, the bars that offered them, the companies that produced them and the new wave of modern Tiki mug creators. A very special presentation with rare and perhaps overlooked gems from this incredible subset from the world of Tiki!
APOCALYPSE TIKI: The Fast Times of Danny Balsz
Authors Jordan Reichek and Sven Kirsten cover the tawdry history of the infamous, THE TIKIS theme park and its maverick creator, Danny Balsz. The full story of Danny, the Balsz family, their incredible run with The Tikis in Monterey Park and its eventual downfall. The evening show consists of two parts: The main key presentation and panel discussion followed by a volcano-blowing theatrical floor show recreation of AN EVENING AT THE TIKIS!
BELLYDANCING, BURLESQUE & BULLFIGHTERS
Under Appreciated Exotica with Kris Kraus: Exotica is defined as something strange or interesting that is usually derived from a foreign land. Somewhat lost in the lounge/exotica revival that started around the turn of the millennium are three subsections of albums that were incredibly popular during the middle 20th century: this seminar will showcase their highlights.
The EXOTIC WORLD of SOUTH SEAS CINEMA
Travel back to a time when Hollywood first discovered the exotic South Pacific; a world that only the rich and adventurous could explore. See movie posters and video clips from the 1920s through the 1960s. From the collection of Rincon Ron Ferrell, South Seas Drive-in Theater movie reviewer for Tiki Magazine.
HERB ALPERT & HIS IMITATORS with Kris Kraus
Herb Alpert is a trumpet player, band leader, and label owner who has had an incredibly successful career. So successful that his band The Tijuana Brass and its sound ,which mixed easy listening, jazz, and exotica into a pop stardom, spawned a countless imitators. This seminar will explore Mr. Alpert’s success and the bands/labels that tried to ride his wave
FROM PAINTING TO MUG: STORIES BEHIND THE ARTIFACTS
with TOM "BIGTOE" LAURA
From thumbnail sketch to ceramic drinking vessel artifacts. Join BigToe for a fun and informative ‘show and tell’ and find out how your favorite tiki mugs go from idea, through design and development to final production.
RAY BUHEN AND THE LEGENDARY TIKI-TI
Spend a fascinating hour with podcaster, historian and avid fan and supporter of the Buhen family, Adrian Eustaquio, as he presents the story of Roman Realista Buhion (better known as Ray Buhen), the famous tropical mixologist and founder of the small, but mighty, Tiki-Ti bar in Los Angeles, California. See historical photos from the Buhen family’s personal archives and hear stories directly from Ray’s son and grandson, Mike Buhen Sr and Mike Buhen Jr, while Adrian walks you through the timeline and legacy of Ray Buhen and the Tiki-Ti.
…MORE BEING ADDED!
*scheduled programming subject to change