From Muay Thai to Mai Tais

Last weekend, Curiouslaydee and I went to the Songkran Thai New Year festival in Hollywood. We drank Singha beer on empty stomachs, gorged ourselves on food from Jitlada and then watched some Muay Thai fighting before we fled the hot sun to sip Mai Tais at the Tiki Mugs book signing at 8-Ball.

Now, you might be asking yourself—Didn’t I just go to a Tiki Mugs book signing? Well, yes. Yes, I did. But this one was different because artists Crazy Al, Tiki Tony, Tiki Diablo and Squid had merch set-ups for their wares. And I mentioned the free Mai Tais, right?

img_3867

The centerpiece was “The Collector,” a carved tiki by Crazy Al. I dig the fleur-de-pineapp-lys nose.

img_0669

Squid’s excellent “Uncle Shrunkle” bowl. You lift the top of its head and put the straws in the brains! (Photo credit: Curiouslaydee)

img_3872

I also really loved Crazy Al’s Kona Club mugs.

This repeat trip to 8-Ball also gave me the opportunity to pick up a few more random gifts for some folks. And I was pleasantly surprised to find plenty of new stuff among what I’d seen before. Those who weighed in on the telephone vs. the bed purse may be saddened to know that they both seemed to be sold out. But take heart, as I did end up with a very cool purse that day. Stay tuned…

Tiki Mugs Book Signing – Los Angeles

1960x49960c5b

Last weekend was the release/book signing for the brand spanking new book Tiki Mugs: Cult Artifacts of Polynesian Pop at La Luz de Jesus gallery. It was kind of a pain to get there, though, because I guess Lance Armstrong decided he wanted to take a bike ride down Hollywood Boulevard or something so a bunch of the roads were blocked off, making the LA traffic even worse than usual. But it was definitely worth it.

img_3569

“It’s addicting, isn’t it?” This—or something to that effect—is what Holden Westland (hunched over at left), owner of Tiki Farm, said to me when I gushingly admitted my admiration for his wares. He’s right on the money about that! Author Jay Strongman is next to him in that photo (signing books on a tiki bar, of course) and he was very cool and nice as well.

img_3563

A side view of the bar in the gallery area where they were serving up free mai tais courtesy of Trader Vic’s. Don’t you love that ginormous lava lamp?

img_3560
Note my attempt at product placement. (I guess I’ve learned a thing or two from watching so much “Top Chef” and their Gladware glad-handing.) Ah yes, that reminds me. I believe it’s only t-minus-one-month until Trader Vic’s at L.A. Live opens…

img_3552

“Mauna Loa’s Minions” mugs by Crazy Al, which, along with being featured in the book, were also on display as part of the “Everything But the Kitschen Sync” group art show in the gallery section of the shop. That show is going on through March 29, so you still have a chance to go check it out. (Just make sure that Lance is not going on a little joy ride that night.)

img_3556

Tiki Farm’s special set-up of mugs for sale. *Drools*

La Luz de Jesus
4633 Hollywood Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90027
323-666-7667