The Big Kahuna Bash 2021 - Group Art Show

Saturday, July 31, 2021

This year's art show at the Big Kahuna Bash featured artists Coop, Big Toe, Tiki Bosko, Derek, and more. I was really interested in a piece by Big Toe (shown middle in the above photo) and would've bought it but the guy doing the sales was never in the room long enough for me to do so. I gave up. Oh well, maybe next year. By the way, Dale was really taken with the pieces by Derek. 

However I did pick up the official Grumpy's Big Kahuna Tiki Mug by Shag. There was the option of green or blue (I went with blue). The first two images in the above photo show the front and the back of the blue one. 

Above is a computer rendering of the mug showing multiple angles which was posted by Shag on his Instagram page. 

Here's are cartoon version of the mug by Shag.

And here is the one I bought. I believe only 100 of them were made. Supposedly there's one already on eBay going for $800.

While waiting to buy a Diet Coke at the bar a guy next to me saw me with my boxed mug and said, "Oh, good for you. You got one!" I told him I was jazzed about it. He said, "You know, Shag didn't make that. He just drew it. Someone else made the mug. I went to Shag and told him that and Shag told me that Frank Lloyd Wright just drew his buildings. He didn't make them." I said, "He's not wrong." He responded, "Yeah, I got owned." Sure enough. Don't mess with Shag. 

Lucky Cricket 2 for 2019 - Drinks and Mugs

Saturday, March 16, 2019

I started the evening with a Jet Pilot which the menu describes as: "Strong and bracing. Rums, falernum, cinnamon, grapefruit, lime, and bitters." Brandon started out with a Cherry Zinger which the menu describes as: "Frozen. Bright and refreshing. Local vodka with cherry, almond, lime, and secret bitters." It came in the Derek Yaniger  designed Kava Kava Man tiki mug pictured above. I ordered it as my second drink. I found it to be somewhat tangy which was nice as drinks of this nature in the tiki world can sometimes be over-sweet. So far I've had good luck with Lucky Cricket's tiki drinks!

The website describes the mug as follows Kava Kava Man tiki mug as follows: "Derek's take on the Kava Kava Man will bring a whimsical splash of FUN to your tiki mug collection. Featuring a stylized famished Kava Kava Man perched on a bed of lava rocks with a grimacing expression, he's seen better days. Dig the "Siamese Birdmen" on the reverse! Measuring 8" in height and has a 17 fluid ounce capacity."

Lucky Cricket offers mugs for sale and I found the one shown above to be so irresistible that I bought it and made it mine. This particular mug is called The Mystic by Joe Vitale. Lucky Cricket's website says, "The primary influence for 'The Mystic' was Joe Vitale's 2002 'I Dream of Tiki' mug. What you see here is a beautifully stylized tiki and in a wonderful glaze to boot! This design has a unique, creative vibe as well. The Mystic is 8" tall and has a 20 oz. capacity." I love it. 

Lucky Cricket 1 for 2019

Sunday, February 17, 2019

Dale and I got to check out Lucky Cricket, the new restaurant and tiki lounge in town, today. It's gotten some mixed reviews but Dale and I quite liked it and became fast fans during our visit. We've made some plans to take friends in a few weeks. 

From the Lucky Cricket website: "Created by Andrew Zimmern and Michael McDermott, we focus on small plates, sharable foods, and adventurous culinary experiences utilizing natural, organic, and local ingredients, served in a contemporary atmosphere that also features a world class Tiki bar experience."

Lucky Cricket labels itself as "A unique take on the bold flavors of honest Chinese cuisine."

Lucky Cricket serves some of their drinks in tiki mugs and they offer them for sale. I bought the one pictured above. The mug is called the Easter Island Tiki Mug and the designer is Derek Yaniger.

It is described on the Lucky Cricket website as follows: "Derek's classic style shines in this Easter Island tiki mug design. The 'hat' also known as a top-knot, features a stylized, repeating glyph. The back of the mug features the Easter Island Birdman symbol. Glazed in a beautiful Jungle Green glaze, this mug measures 7 1/4 inch in height and has a 16 fluid ounce capacity."