While browsing through the video choices on Amazon Prime, I stumbled upon a documentary about the tiki scene up in Winnipeg Canada. It’s called Mai-Tais, Toques and Tikis and it is awesome! I loved this documentary so much that I bought it on Amazon immediately. It’s about thirty minutes long and it leaves me wanting more every time I watch it! The man behind this great tiki documentary is Steve Ward. Here’s his story on how Mai-Tais, Toques and Tikis became a reality …
What is the tiki scene like in Winnipeg?
Steve- I’m part of a loose collective of Peg City tikiphiles who get together a few times a year. But with no real tiki bar in Winnipeg, we have nowhere to congregate. After a few mai-tais, there’s always talk of opening our own tiki joint. Who knows … it might actually happen one day!
What made you decide to film a documentary about tiki?
Steve- I’ve always been a fan of the cocktail/lounge lifestyle going back to the early to mid 90s. So, the tiki aesthetic has naturally been with me throughout the years. I always had thrift store mugs, Exotica albums and other stuff kicking around. It just progressed from there – I started to get more serious about collecting mugs, making cocktails etc.
Around the same time, I made a few music videos for some local bands, which progressed into making a documentary about a local record label, Transistor 66. That documentary was made possible with funding from our local cable company, MTS. They had this “Stories from Home” project where you could pitch them a short documentary idea and if they liked it they would fund it. Which was an amazing opportunity.
So, I decided to pitch this idea and they gave me the go ahead.
Can you give a little history of how Mai-Tais, Toques and Tikis came together?
Steve- I had always been intrigued by this idea of tiki bars in Canada, where it’s so damn cold. I knew there was something interesting there.
But before I pitched the idea to MTS, I had to decided what the film was really going to be about. I approached it two ways – first was a history of Winnipeg’s Beachcomber Polynesian Restaurant, and secondly would be local Winnipeg tiki collectors.
To be honest I had no idea if either idea would work out but I thought I’d give myself two ways it could go and see what happened.
If I liked collecting tiki, I figured there had to be others in Winnipeg. So, I put an ad out on Kijiji looking for collectors and also placed another ad looking for links to the Beachcomber – ex-staff, patrons, collectibles etc.
Luckily, I had responses for both, so based on these initial contacts, I quickly drafted my pitch to MTS.
After that it was a domino effect. I searched the Manitoba archives for anything related to the Beachcomber and luckily, I hit pay dirt. I dug up these amazing photos of the interior and some models that were used as part of a campaign to promote Winnipeg’s nightlife and restaurants.
Then I met Ron and Thea who became a huge part of the film. As well as the other folks who were featured. Everyone was so open, helpful and excited about the project. But it was really down to luck that the film happened at all. The Tikis were smiling on me.
In hindsight, I was glad we could capture what was left of The Beachcomber in the film. It was a Winnipeg landmark for over 30 years and if it could have lasted another few years it might still be standing.
Have you worked on any other projects?
Steve- As I mentioned earlier, I’ve done some low budget music videos for a few local artists, The Farrell Bros. and Scott Nolan. I directed a documentary about Transistor 66 Records called “Happily Dysfunctional”. That was a super fun project.
My last project was a neo-noir short film entitled “Bandages” that I wrote and directed. It was such an awesome project to work on. So many talented people helped me get that done with virtually no money.
You are the founder of Hi Tone Records. Can you talk about your record store?
Steve- I worked in my buddy Blaine’s little book and record shop for a long time and he decided to retire last June. A few months earlier, my wife Angela moved her barbershop to a larger location and had some extra room. So, it seemed like a no-brainer for us to stick a little record store in there.
We’re both huge music fans and we wanted to bring a record shop back to Selkirk, our hometown. It’s a small place but I work hard to bring in good quality records. People can drop by, shoot the shit and grab a record. Perfect.
What is your favorite Tiki drink?
Steve- I’m a traditionalist when it comes to my tiki drinks. When I hit up a new bar I order a Mai-tai first. This is a staple and if you can’t make a decent mat-tai you should just close up and go home. Then I like to order the bar’s signature cocktail. Having said that I do like a Jet Pilot.
What is your favorite Tiki bar?
Steve- Luckily, my wife and our friends, Carl and Lisa, were able to have a great trip to Chicago right before the virus hit. We managed to hit up Three Dots, Hala Kahiki and Lost Lake as well as the Bamboo Room in Three Dots!
Out of all the bars I’ve been to, I really can’t say I have a favourite. I’m happy when I’m in a tiki bar … any tiki bar! As long as the mat-tai is decent.
What does the future hold for you?
Steve- For now, I’ll just be hanging out in the record store. But there may be more film projects in my future, I’m always percolating ideas in the back of my twisted brain.
There’s always talk of a sequel to “Mai-tais, Toques and Tikis”. It would be cool to explore other Canadian cities and meet other Canuck tikiphiles. So, who knows, it might happen.
Anything else you would like to add?
Steve- Stay home, mix a cocktail and watch “Mai-tais, Toques and Tikis”. Mahalo!
Mai-tais, Toques and Tikis Film
Mai-tais, Toques and Tikis Facebook Page
Love this feature on the amazing Steve Ward, record slinger, tiki lover, and documentarian!
Thank you very much! It’s one of my favorite tiki documentaries.