Where: Forbidden Island Tiki Lounge, 1304 Lincoln Ave, Alameda
When: Sunday, June 3, 2018 at 3-6PM
What: History has been made! Nadia Reddy, local author, has written the first-ever picture book about tikis. Her creation generates color and vibrance in an easily digestible format. Join her in celebrating her accomplishment, get familiar with local creative expression, and learn about the surprisingly vibrant tiki culture of the Bay Area.
A proud supporter of the tiki lifestyle, Reddy and her family hail from the Fiji Islands. She grew to love her culture after visiting the islands when she was one year old. Her passion is evidenced by a large collection of novelty items related to her interest. Unfortunately, when she became pregnant, she dreamed about sharing her passion with her family but could not find any children's books about tikis. The artist, who began drawing when she was 13, knew what to do. Tiki ABC is her second book after Mr. Green, the Pirate Iguana. You can check out her website to see both books and stay updated with Reddy's work.
Fortunately for enthusiasts like Reddy, the Bay Area provides many opportunities to connect with tiki culture. Surprisingly, the San Francisco Bay Area is a hotspot for such activity. For example, not too far away from the Golden Gate Bridge, Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room recently celebrated 50 years of charming visitors. Tourists come from around the world to listen to and watch the pseudo-Polynesian-themed animatronic-show. Also in San Francisco, the Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar at the SF Fairmont Hotel allows guests to relax in a tropical atmosphere. The bar plays fake thunder and features a stage for live performances with bands able to play music while floating on a pool. You can find out more about the Enchanted Tiki Room here and about the Tonga Room here.
Alameda also takes part in pro-tikism. Nadia Reddy reveals that her introduction to Bay Area tiki culture began right here in Alameda at the Forbidden Island Tiki Lounge. The Tiki Lounge has been a component of Alameda culture for more than a decade. Often described as a retro-oasis of the island, the bar offers delicious drinks with live performances and exhibits. Find out more about them here.
The event is free, but you have to be 21+ to enter the Tiki Lounge. Find out more about the event here.
You can read Nadia Reddy's interview with Ray Wyland here.