Lina LecaroThere is and never will be another event quite like Tiki Oasis. And while creators Otto and Baby-Doe von Stroheim were forced to cancel the IRL event (which takes place in San Diego, but has a huge L.A. following), that isn’t keeping them from celebrating their love of tropical culture in all its Technicolor drink, dress, dance, decor and more glory. For pandemic times, Tiki O is offering a virtual weekender via “Tiki Oasis TV” and the online celebration will include meet-ups, seminars, live entertainment, a virtual marketplace and more.
If you’ve never gone to the event or always wondered what it was like, start by reading our comprehensive cover story from last year right here:
L.A. is Still Intoxicated by Tiki Culture and at Tiki Oasis Everyone Comes Out to Play
Every year there’s a theme and last year’s saw the event incorporate “new wave” with different interpretations including, of course, live music, which is always the hottest ticket part of the event. See pics from last year’s event here:
This year T.O. was scheduled to move from the Crowne Plaza Hotel (formerly The Hanalei Hotel) to more the expansive but just as tiki-appropriate Paradise Point Resort. PP still serves as home base for the televised/streamed activities this year, some of which require fees to participate in and some of which are free.
Timely tiki art (Brandon Campbell)
Full schedule via the promoters below:
Friday 8/14:
4- 5 p.m. – Seminar: ‘Disney Goes Tiki’ with David “Dr. Skipper” Marley. Proceeds benefit Walt Disney Family Museum; $15.
6- 8 p.m. – Virtual Marketplace Cocktail Hour: get to know the artists, makers, and traders of Tiki Oasis hosted by Audrey Moorehead; free.
8-10 p.m. – Ape ‘Supersonic’ record release party, hosted by APE. NEW music, film clips, tiki carving, and mug raffle hosted by exotica band APE; free.
Saturday 8/15:
10-11:30 a.m. – Shopping in Pajamas: virtual marketplace; free.
1-2 p.m. – Seminar: ‘Rum & Reàl Exotic Cocktail Challenge’ hosted by Global Rum Ambassador Ian Burrell; $25.
2-3 p.m. – 11th Annual Tiki Oasis Art show LIVE on Instagram hosted by artist BigToe; free.
4 p.m. – Aloha Caftan Society – Zoom Party; free.
6-10 p.m. – Tiki Oasis TV Main Showcase: music, mixologists, and special guest appearances; free.
10 p.m.-1 a.m. – Late night “Room Parties” go virtual with DJ’s, dancers, and revelry from tiki fan’s homes hosted by Barron Scott Levkoff of Midwayville & If ‘N’ Wendy; free.
Sunday, 8/16:
10-11:30 a.m. – Shopping in Pajamas: virtual marketplace; free.
11:30- 1 p.m. – Panel discussion: ‘Sensual Paradise – Deconstructing the Romanticization of the Alluring Island Maiden; free.
2-4 p.m. – The Velvet Gazette’s Virtual Release Party: Zoom gathering with live music, live burlesque and more hosted by V.G. Editor-in-Chief Susana Andrea; free.
For more detailed info on everything and tickets go to https://tikioasis.com/2020-
Damon’s FdC Chi Chi (Courtesy Flor de Caña )
Tiki Tip:
As Sunday is National Rum Day, we suggest hitting the liquor store before the weekend gets in full swing so you can enjoy all the festivities as you would’ve if you were actually at T.O. — with cocktail in hand. If you’re not much of a mixologist Flor de Caña and Sailor Jerry have partnered with a couple L.A. spots to provide cocktail orders-to-go for the holiday at Damon’s: (Flor de Caña Mai Tai, FdC Chi Chi cocktail), Scopa (12 , 18 and 25 yr old Flor De Caña rum tasting options) and Ventiki (Sailor Jerry Punch).
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