I’m heading to Los Angeles in October for The Art of Tiki show

The tikiphile event of the year is shaping up to be — The 21st Anniversary of the Art of Tiki Show at La Luz de Jesus Gallery in Los Angeles — opening party and book signing Friday night, Oct. 6. And, woot, I’m going — and to make it epic: I’m meeting up for the event — and touring for three days around retro-Los Angeles — with friends Christie Tiki Kiliki White, of Tiki Kiliki Productions and longtime organizer of The Hukilau, and Humuhumu Trott, publisher of Critiki, the go-to site for all the latest news and information on tiki bars worldwide. Can you tell I sound excited? Excited ain’t a big enough word!

The Art of Tiki Show will be in two parts:

“The first observes the present and the second celebrates the past. Together for the first time, the public will have access to both contemporary artistic interpretations of the Tiki art form and vintage Tiki originals from which the modern movement sprang.”

There also will be a new book written by Sven Kirsten, Otto Von Stroheim and Jordan Reicheck, with an introduction by Shag.

The opening party and book release, Friday night from 8 to 11 p.m., looks like it’s open to the public — so if you are in the Los Angeles area, come join us! Info starts on this page, and you can also show you’re interested on their Facebook event page. Look for me, Christie and Humuhumu all dolled up in our very finest vintage Hawaiian dresses, flowers in our hair, colorful baubles and suspiciously lavish eyelashes. If our flights make it in on time, you might also catch us hunkered up to the bar at Tiki-Ti on Wednesday night. Oct. 4 — first stop on our list after unpacking our bags.

Other sites we plan to visit while in Los Angeles: Oceanic Arts… B&W Tile… Practical Props… and Humuhumu has mapped out lots of iconic restaurants and watering holes to try and squeeze into our Grand Los Angeles Tiki Adventure (<< coined by Humuhumu) — because we will need sustenance, of course!

For more information:

• The Art of Tiki exhibition homepage
• Humuhumu will have three articles on the exhibit. The first is up — and it includes terrific info and background: The Art of Tiki 21st Anniversary: Otto von Stroheim on Curating the Show
• Humuhumu story about Jordan Reichek and the sale of rare mid-century Polynesian pop pieces from his private collection.
• Humuhumu with Sven Kirsten, on writing the accompanying The Art of Tiki book. You can buy the book here on Amazon — note, I make a small commission if you click this link and purchase anything.