presentations
Leeteg, Babes, Bars, Beaches, and Black Velvet Art
Presented by C.J. Cook
This is the sensational story of Leeteg, a black velvet artist and party man from Tahiti who painted nude vahines in his tropical paradise, Villa Velour, on the Island of Moorea from 1933 to 1953. Edgar Leeteg, the “American Gauguin,” left California in 1933 with oil paints and a few paint brushes bound for the South Pacific. He was the original “Tiki Man” who started the black velvet painting craze linked to South Pacific-themed restaurants. His home in Tahiti allowed him to paint nudes, drink, and party with sensual babes at Quinn’s Bar in Papeete, Tahiti. He became one of the wealthiest and most famous artists in the first half of the 20th century. He was the Father of Black Velvet Art and the genesis of a genre that has continued today with Polynesian Pop Art and the Tiki Revolution.
Tyree, Artist of the South Pacific
Presented by C.J. Cook
Ralph Burke Tyree was an American artist who was a prolific portrait artist of the South Pacific people of the 20th century. Seven weeks after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, he joined the Marines and was soon shipped off to Samoa. His Commanding General befriended Private Tyree and became the Marine base artist. His portrait art career began painting the officers and their loved ones. Most of his first works were sensual island wahines in island beach and jungle settings. He painted primarily with oils onboard. He switched from mid-career to painting with oils on black velvet to add depth and texture. This was amid the 1960s Tiki revolution, and many of his nude pieces would be displayed in Tiki bars and restaurants. Tyree was likely the most prolific South Pacific and Tiki artist of the 20th century. In the 1970s, he painted endangered animals to draw attention to their limited numbers.
The King's Influence: Elvis and the Tiki Revolution
Presented by Keith Hart
Explore the dynamic relationship between Elvis Presley, the King of Rock 'n' Roll, and the enchanting allure of tiki culture. From Elvis's iconic performances in Hawaii to the fusion of tropical aesthetics in his movies, we'll unravel the threads that connect Elvis and the exotic world of tiki. Discover how the King's music and charisma played a vital role in shaping the mid-century fascination with island paradise, contributing to the unforgettable era of Polynesian pop culture that continues even today.
Sound Editing for Liberal Arts Majors
Presented by Rich Bryan
Just because one does not have a computer science or engineering degree does not mean you can’t easily edit music and sounds. This class will be an Introduction on how to edit and create custom
soundtracks using the very powerful freeware Audacity.
Topics will include:
-Importing and editing an existing audio track or song, digitizing music on other media such as LPs.
-How to capture speech/record audio
-How to trim, clip, cut and paste tracks
-Combing multiple tracks to layer or enhance/change sound
-Modifying tracks to make your voice sound young, old or even like a demon.
-Tips on how to clean up “noise” on a track, change pitch, volume, speed, and tone.
-Cheats and hacks for combining dissimilar audio
-Exporting your creation into an MP3 or other file format for use in your bar or videos.
Tiki Tech!
Presented by Rich Bryan
Lights! Thunder! Volcanos! Oh my. If you have ever thought a theme park level experience in your oasis was out of reach, think again. This class will provide a basic primer on how to integrate music, video,
lights, thunder, fog, animatronics, video, projections or anything else you can think of into a seamless connected show at the touch of a button or at programed times. The techniques demonstrated will focus
on using off-the-shelf commercial hardware and software designed for Christmas and Halloween displays to bring your bar to life.
Talking PNG Art with Stephen Curran
Presented by Stephen Curran
Many tiki fans are familiar with (or even own) art inspired by or from Papua New Guinea. But what do you know about PNG? The center-point of Melanesian art and culture, PNG is one of the most unique countries in the world. Join Stephen as he shares his photos and experiences from PNG his August 2022 visit. He'll explore PNG's people, bilums, masks, festivals (and even a little about headhunting and cannibalism).
Tiki Drinks & How to Make 'em
Presented by Colonel Tiki
Colonel Tiki will be leading four seminars in a "Tiki Boot Camp" of sorts at Beachcomber Bash
The introductory seminar is "Tiki Drinks & How to Make 'em" wherein Colonel Tiki will run you through a fun jaunt of flavor theory, the 'short' history of 'hoisting,' and how the swizzle fixed the 'fix', and other delicious ingredients in the mix of Tropical Exotica.
! I can't wait to 'Don' the professor's mortar board in exchange for the pith. I'll keep the pithy, though.
Spice & Spice Mixes & How to Use 'em
Presented by Colonel Tiki
The second of Colonel Tiki's four-part seminar series at Beachcomber Bash concerns the 'why' as well as the 'what, & when' in thinking about spice in the tableau of Tiki Drinks.
We'll tour an essentialized history of spice, masalas, and how their structural culinary influence underlies the flavors of tropical exotics.
There are heavy topics in these tropics, but fear not dear voyager: I'll guide you through the jungle!
Citrus Fruits & How to Juice 'em
Presented by Colonel Tiki
The third of Colonel Tiki's four seminars at Beachcomber Bash concerns Citrus in all their promiscuous glory. We will discuss these botanical berries, their fruitful family tree, and how to extract and express the best qualities for your libations. You won't want to miss this one: You'd rue the day if you did!
Stressless Tiki Soirees & How to Throw 'em
Presented by Colonel Tiki
How to throw your own Tiki Party. I will explain the frameworks, figures, and methodologies to successful soirees. I'll share tips, tricks, and lessons learned from my past experience with our PNW and extended 'Ohana; Don't worry! I will remember to speak softly for those nursing all that fun you'll have had.
crafting classes
Make a Fun Noodle Tiki
Presented by Kim Cook
Come learn how to carve a Fun Noodle Tiki!
Kim claims not to be an artist but if you’ve ever seen her home tiki bar, Headhunter’s Hideaway, you know that she has a real artistic eye!
Kim was initially given one of these cute tikis while floating in the pool at Tiki Caliente. It came from VenTiki Tiki Lounge and Lanai in Ventura, CA and she needed more! So she came home and duplicated their version. After all, isn’t imitation the sincerest form of flattery?
In this crafting class you will be provided with all of the necessary supplies, templates, and instructions to make and take home your own Fun Noodle Tiki! There will be a small fee of $12 to cover the cost of materials for this crafting class.
Please send an email to info@beachcomberbash..com if you want to take this class so that we can get the right number of kits made up.
Hair & Hat Flower Clip Design Workshop
Presented by Liza Voodoo Doll
Experience the joy of crafting a fabulous flower clip with the guidance of renowned hair accessory designer, Liza Voodoo Doll. In this hands-on workshop, you'll have the opportunity to learn the basics of creating your own wearable keepsake flower for your hair or hat! We’ll cover essential design techniques, styling tips, and tricks to ensure you can showcase your beautiful creation with pride throughout the weekend. Don’t miss this opportunity to blend creativity with style in a fun and inspiring setting!
All supplies will be provided, feel free to bring embellishments and additional small flowers as desired.
Price: $55 per person, payment in advance, no refunds. Transfers are ok.
Limit: 30 people - Please email info@beachcomberbash.com and we will get the payment instructions to you.
Disclaimer: Hot glue guns will be used in this workshop, Voodoo Doll Designs and Beachcomber Bash does not take responsibilities for possible injuries incurred.
Ribbon Lei Making
Presented by Wahine Jeanie
Come and make a ribbon lei with Jeanie!
You will be making a beginners plumeria lei of white with either pink or yellow accent. Your class kit will include 40 yards of ribbon, a beading needle, thread, scissors, laundry clips, gel pen, and instruction sheets.
You will start your lei in class and will finish at your own pace.
This class has a fee of $10 to cover the cost of materials. Please comment below if you are interested in making a ribbon lei.