The Tikiyaki Orchestra Mystery Machine ...

It's funny but when Tiki takes over your life everything becomes Tiki from the mugs you drink from, the clothes you wear and the music you listen to! But what about the car you drive?

When I think of Tiki on wheels this is what I see... "Big Bamboo."

Aka "The Tikiyaki Orchestra" Mystery Machine this beautiful van is proudly owned by members of one of my favorite modern Exotica bands. I love the bold print on the side and the bench seating in the rear.

Baby Trashes Tiki Bar ...

Been busy on the Secret Island for a while so it's been a long time between Mai Tai's, however I'm back and normal service should be resumed. Talking of alcoholic drinks it's important to serve them responsibly or this could happen.



Great video and a reminder that I need to fit the baby gate to my home bar before it reopens at the weekend after an extended period (Since November!) as a guest room. I've got quite a few plans and so I'll keep you posted in coming weeks on how things go.

Shag's Still Life with Cocktails ...

Shag has released a new set of twenty small ink and acrylic paintings. Measuring in at 25cm x 33cm these two-color original drawings will be shown to the public at M Modern Gallery Opening Reception on Friday, Feb. 18, 8 - 11 pm. Its free and open to the public so if your anywhere near Palm Springs get there...

SHAG will be in attendance to meet & great you as well as sign prints, books & merchandise purchased from the event.

Apparently the first three customers we contacted the gallery bought six of the twenty! So you'll need to be quick if you want one!

A new exclusive Print titled "Welcome to Palm Springs" will also be on offer at a special price throughout the weekend. There will also be more Artist Proof Prints (of previously Sold Out editions) than they time to count, plus other SPECIALS like SHAG's Disney "Pirate Boy" on SALE for $20 each (regularly $60 each).

See all twenty originals - SHAG Still Life (with cocktails)

Derek Does it Again ...

Derek Yaniger has been busy over the last couple of months by the looks of things and the results are spectacular as always...

First up is a set of beatnik bongos ...

Here we have the launch of the Derek iphone/ipad Wall-o-matic backgrounds, probably the best $1.19 (AUS) you'll ever spend.

And finally my personal favorite a hand-painted vintage ukulele for an upcoming Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Vegas...

Find out more from Derek Art News.

Leo Addeo Great Standards with an Hawaiian Touch Camden Records 1962 ...

For your listening pleasure I bring you another album from Leo Addeo. This time he takes some popular tunes from the time (1962!) and gives them the tropical treatment.

"For those that yearn to be part of the Island Life
this will be an invitation to sail or jet Westward"

It's a great record for fans of exotica and lounge.  Enjoy Great Standards with an Hawaiian Touch.

Wahine of the Week: Charlee Sin

This weeks Wahine of the Week is Charlee Sin. I have to confess that I know very little about her but her MySpace tag might just be right!

"The sweetest Sin you will ever know."

From her profiles she seems quite the down to earth gal. She likes Twilight, Harry Potter, singing and baking! She also likes tattoo's, rainy days, gardening and bloody meat!! As she says she's a "Simple girl with a twist!"

Shag: All at Sea...

Despite his recent accident SHAG continues his prolific works for Disney. This Summer (... Winter for the inhabitants of the Secret Island!) Disney will release the full Walt Disney World 40th Anniversary collection. I can hardly wait to see the prints and piles of merchandise that will be made available before I bid for them with hugely inflated prices on eBay. 

"Top Deck" by SHAG

In addition to the amazing artwork that Shag has created for Walt Disney World, he has also created new artwork for the Disney Cruise Line! SHAG’s Disney Cruise Line artwork captures the magic and excitement of the Cruise Liner and and the tropical island paradise of Castaway Cay, Disney's very own Island!.

'Island Intermission' by SHAG

"The talented teams at Disney Theme Park Merchandise have pulled elements out of each of the paintings and applied them in fun and creative ways to commemorative merchandise keepsakes. SHAG’s artwork for the Disney Cruise Line can be found on charm bracelets, designer apparel for men and women, postcard sets, as well as home goods such as a tumbler set and coaster collection."

If you want to check out what is available take a look at Tiki Chick's Blog.

If you've not seen the Disney Dream check this video clip out ...



... I'll be sure to give it a wave as it passes on the horizon.

What's wrong with this picture? ...

I came across this picture on PinUp Post (Well worth a look by the way!) At first glance it has everything ... the beautiful (... and former Wahine of the Week) Doris Mayday - check, a Tiki Bar - check, Tiki mugs - check, bottles of stuff - check and bamboo - check...

... now look closer! What is oh so wrong with this picture? Answers on a postcard to "You made a Mai Tai in what? Competition" The Secret Island, Pacific Ocean.
Closing date will be the day that the Tiki Gods wrath strikes the culprit down. ;0)

It's Friday ... It's Fez Friday ...

The fez is named after the city of Fez, the metropolis of Morocco, which was the seat of numerous schools, libraries and a famous university. Fez formerly had a monopoly on the manufacture of Fezes as it had complete access to the juice of the berry used to color them.

The Fez Friday movement seems to be gathering pace, with a Fez Friday Facebook page as well as the Fez-o-rama Blog.

If you want to get your Fez on then you can look no further than Fez-o-rama who specialize in unique fez hat designs ranging from Tiki and Honu patterns, to Monkey and Gorilla fezzes. There are also modernist retro fezzes with far out patterns like the Atomic and Clockwork fezzes all hand-made in the USA.

Plastic Wahine of the Week: Hula Girl Lego Mini Fig ...

I know how visitors to The Secret Island love the Wahine of the Week posts! For some of you Tuesday has become the favourite day of the week! Well I like to give visitors what they want so here's another. Presenting Hula Girl ...

As reported on Tiki Talk LEGO has taken a page from the vinyl figure toy and trading card market and started selling a series of highly-themed minifigures in sealed “mystery” bags. The figures typically include special accessories, a display plate, and leaflet describing the character. The idea is that kids (and collectors) will purchase the minifigs like trading cards, swapping the duplicates with friends.

One of the latest figures is a very cute Hula Dancer. Part of the just released Series 3, she comes with a “grass skirt” and maracas. Buy LEGO Minifigures Series 3 at LEGO.com for $2.99 a pop. If you want to avoid the lottery of the random bag then check eBay and Amazon where there are plenty available (with the inflated prices of course!)

Wayne King Sounds of the Islands Decca Records 1930 ...

For your listening pleasure I present Wayne King's Sounds of the Islands from 1930 ...

"The islands will always create an aura of magic ... a spell of enchantment."

A popular 30s bandleader, Wayne King was known as the "Waltz King," his repertoire was made up of waltzes, novelty songs and sentimental recordings. Besides being a successful bandleader, Wayne King was also a saxophonist, often playing his instrument in the Wayne King Orchestra. King began recording for RCA/Victor records in 1929. Most of his hits did not become popular until the mid-30s, early 40s. The songs had a slow, dreamy style, sounds that people could easily dance to, and on this release the sounds of the islands provide a perfect vehicle for that.Many of these songs have the Big Bang treatment but with a flavour of the islands. My pick is Little Grass Shack.

The Big Band era was coming to an end in the late 40s and early 50s to make way for a new style of music. Many big bands and orchestras disbanded yet Wayne King's Orchestra continued playing and entertaining audiences well into the 1980s.

Enjoy The Sounds of the Islands.

Appleton Estate Tiki Mug Design Competition ...

October 2010 saw the highly anticipated release of the new Appleton Estate Rum Tiki Mug. Although long associated with tiki, this was the third year that Appleton Estate designed their own, customised Tiki mug for people like me.

2008... front and centre.

The Appleton Tiki mug has received an almost cult following and can be seen to grace many of the top bars and bartender’s homes around Australia.

2009 Going, going ... gone!

Last year’s design of the ‘Appleton Rum God’ was the best yet. Designed and manufactured by Tiki Farm’s Holden Westland and Appleton Estate, “the mug far surpassed previous designs,” Holden explained.

2010 Their best yet!

In 2011 Brown Forman is giving you the chance to achieve immortality by being the brains behind their latest Appleton Estate Rum God Tiki Mug design. “We want to give you, fans of Tiki and lovers of Appleton Estate Rum, your chance to become etched in history by creating your own piece of Tiki immortality and designing the 2011 Appleton Estate Rum God Mug,” states Darren West, Innovation and Agency Brand Manager for Brown Forman.

Creative genius is demanded for this year’s challenge. Is your Rum God stranded on a deserted island with nothing but beautiful scantily clad natives and a lifetime supply of Appleton Estate Rum? To start with, all they want is for you to bring your inspiration to them in words. Entries will be reviewed by their panel of judges who will select their top three Rum God creations.

“Should your story be one of the three chosen finalists you will then work with Tiki farm to design and bring your Rum God to life in the form of the next Appleton Estate Rum God Mug,” West says. Once the top three are designed the choice is turned over to the bar tending community with the mugs and their stories going on-line to be voted for by the industry.

The winner takes a once in a lifetime trip to Jamaica where they’ll spend time with Appleton’s Master Blender Joy Spence and visit the estate. Runners-up will receive a bottle of the limited release Appleton Estate 21 Year Old. Deadline for submissions is Sunday 13 March 2011. Good luck! Click here for more info.

Wahine of the Week: Bettie Page...

Okay okay so I should have done it sooner! Better late than never my Wahine of the Week is the one and only Bettie Page.

With locks as dark as midnight and a smile as bright as day, Bettie Page was much more than a beautiful pinup model, she was simply the best. A legend as much today as during her modelling days, every facet of Bettie's life and personality captures the interest and devotion of the thousands of fans that followed her career until the day of her mysterious disappearance.

Without elaborate props, costumes, or set-dressings, Bettie produced some of the most beautiful shots to ever grace the covers of hundreds of magazines. In 1955, Bettie won the title "Miss Pinup Girl of the World." In January 1955, she was the centerfold in Playboy’s January issue and named the "Girl with the Perfect Figure," with her photographs appearing in everything from record albums to playing cards. It’s hard to disagree.

The dark-haired girl from Nashville has become a living legend, a modern icon, a symbol of beauty and femininity that transcends ordinary standards. In the heart of her adoring fans, Bettie will forever remain the queen of pinups.

Official Fans Website.

It's a four string happiness machine ...

The Ukulele ... said to mean "jumping flea" in Hawaiian.

The instrument, introduced to the Hawaiian islands by Portuguese immigrants in the 19th century, is undergoing a renaissance. According to a Time Magazine article Hohner Inc., which manufactures the Lanikai brand of ukuleles, saw sales shoot up 300% in 2010.

Why the sudden popularity? Well Hohner's research shows that during the Great Depression, only two instruments showed year-on-year increases in sales: the harmonica and the ukulele, both cheap, compact and easy to learn. History is repeating itself!

Forget everything you know about the ukulele — there, that was easy — and go do a quick Google search. The first video that pops up won't be some grainy clip of Tiny Tim or George Formby but a performance by a hair-gelled 34-year-old Hawaiian named Jake Shimabukuro. In 2006, the ukulele virtuoso's jaw-dropping rendition of the Beatles' "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" hit YouTube and went viral, pulling in more than 7 million viewers.



I even noticed a poster for a Ukulele Orchestra in my local stationery store! I don't have one but one of the savages here on the Island does ... maybe I should give it a go!

Shag Tiki Cake ...

We all love Tiki's and SHAG and heck most of us like cake too!

Well cupcakejonas shows that you can have all three! Check out his flickr site for this and more delicious looking creations.

Martin Denny Exotica Today Liberty Records 1966 ...

While Australia battles through a heatwave, category five cyclones and floods, friends of The Secret Island in the US are rugging up against the extreme cold. What a crazy world. To take our minds off the weather for your listening pleasure I present Exotica Today by Martin Denny, a 1966 Liberty Records release.

Think Martin Denny... think Exotica! When his first record, "Quiet Village," was released, Martin Denny immediately became the spokesman for paradise.In this particular album, he selected some of the most popular tunes of the time and have them a beating with the Exotica stick. For true fans of exotica he may have not gone far enough, but for those wanting a lounge feel with the odd bird call then this is for you! My pick is "The Shadow of Your Smile" which has more than a hint of Quiet Village about it.

Enjoy some Exotica Today.

Wahine of the Week: Mosh ...

It's Tuesday and that means only one thing... Introducing Mosh this weeks Wahine of the Week.