I feel that Otto von Stroheim may be one of the most important people in the tiki scene …
Continue reading “Tiki VIP #35 Otto von Stroheim – Tiki Oasis, AZTO and Tiki News”
Tiki VIP #35 Otto von Stroheim – Tiki Oasis, AZTO and Tiki News
Tiki VIP
Tiki VIP #34 Doc Parks – Pagan Idol
One of my favorite tiki bars in the Bay Area has to be Pagan Idol. When I stepped inside this incredible bar, I could tell that the people behind it had a true love for tiki. I was right! Doc Parks has been loving tiki and had an interest in cocktails for most of his life. Here is his story …
Tiki VIP #33 Sammie Marie – WW2 Historian (The War Front) And Pinup Model
I’m living in the wrong decade…
If this holds true for anyone, it would be true for Sammie Marie. Sammie is the manager of a WW2 memorabilia shop called The War Front. She owns several WW2 uniforms and is also a pinup model. What’s her favorite era, the 40’s! Sammie has an in-depth knowledge of WW2 and I’ve learned a ton of information about WW2’s influence on the popularity of Tiki. Here is Sammie’s story…
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Tiki VIP #32 Jim Kruize – Gone Tiki
Your life should be filled with interests and hobbies that change constantly!
I actually met Jim along time ago back in 2004 and I didn’t realize it…
Tiki VIP #31 Nadia Reddy- Author Of Tiki ABC (The first Tiki children’s picture book in the world!)
Hey Gang! I would like you to meet Nadia Reddy. She wrote and illustrated the first Tiki children’s picture book ever! It’s called Tiki ABC. The story is simple, Nadia wanted a children’s Tiki picture to read to her baby. She searched around and found that none existed, so she wrote her own. I love that! If you want something and it doesn’t exist, create it yourself. Here is Nadia’s story…
Tiki VIP #30 Tony Canepa-Tiki Artist
If you live in Seattle and have spent some time at Rumba or The Diller Room you have seen Tony Canepa’s artwork. It’s truly beautiful! Tony used to live in Seattle but has since moved down to Austin Texas. It sounds like there isn’t much Tiki going on down there but maybe Tony’s tiki art will give someone inspiration to build something great! Here is Tony’s story…
Tiki VIP #29 Blair Reynolds – BG Reynolds Syrups
I remember making my first Mai-Tai…
The recipe called for Orgeat syrup. Back then I had no idea what this was, I just knew I needed it to make myself a Mai-Tai. I took a trip down to the local supermarket, found the isle that sold syrups and bought a bottle. My Mai-Tai was ok but it didn’t taste nearly as good one I would order at a Tiki bar. I couldn’t believe that one ingredient could totally alter the taste of a drink. This is where Blair Reynolds comes in handy, well actually his company BG Reynolds Syrups. BG Reynolds makes every type of syrup you need to make any Tiki drink you want. Not only will your drinks taste incredible but your Tiki drinks will taste correct. Let’s get to know Blair a little bit more…
Continue reading “Tiki VIP #29 Blair Reynolds – BG Reynolds Syrups”
Tiki VIP #28 Christine Benjamin (Tiki Artist)
Remember those “big eyes” paintings?
I do! These were paintings of children with big heads with even bigger eyes and I remember seeing them everywhere when I was kid. The artist’s name was Margaret Keane and her paintings were quite cute.
When I first saw Christine Benjamin’s art, it reminded me of Keane’s paintings, which at the same time reminded me of my childhood! I know I’m not the only one who has been moved this way by Christine’s art. Here is Christine’s story…
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Tiki VIP #27 Brandon Giraldez – Geeki Tikis and Beeline Creative (Star Wars Tiki Mugs and More!)
Star Wars Tiki mugs!
I couldn’t believe that two of my biggest loves have been merged. I didn’t have to think about which mug I was going to get: I was getting them all! Who thought of this awesome idea? Brandon Giraldez…
And he isn’t stopping with Star Wars. He’s only just begun…
Tiki VIP #26 Brandon Kleyla (The Man Behind Trader Sam’s)
The man behind the curtain.
I know it’s a Wizard Of Oz reference, but it’s fitting with Brandon Kleyla. He literally was the man behind making both Trader Sam’s locations what they are. Everything you see was hand picked by Brandon. You’d like to think that Walt Disney himself is somehow still pulling the strings making Disney the magical place that it is. Well, sadly old Walt is no longer with us, but his spirit is alive and well with people like Brandon Kleyla. Here is his story… Continue reading “Tiki VIP #26 Brandon Kleyla (The Man Behind Trader Sam’s)”