It’s time for another Manhattan Vintage Clothing and Textile Show .  This is one of the best, with  over 75  dealers from all over the country  selling their high  style vintage wares.    It’s being held  on Oct. 12th and 13th at the Metropolitan Pavilion  on West 18th St.   If you’re fortunate enough to be able to attend, be on  the lookout for some of the online sellers like The Cat’s Pajamas , Tangerine Boutique  and Katy Kane who are exhibiting there. You can check out their websites to get an idea of the caliber of merchandise at this show.  For a full list of exhibitors click here.

If you’re fortunate enough to be anywhere near Minnesota this coming weekend, you can attend the Midwest Vintage Clothing, Jewelry and Textile Show .  It’s being held at the St. Paul River Centre on June 8-9.

There will be over 50 dealers, including some great internet sellers, Woodland Farms Antiques ,  Vintage Martini   and The Cats Pajamas .  And if you enter the vintage clothing contest on Friday night, you’ll get a chance to win a $25.00 gift certificate!

Do you love vintage Hawaiiana, carved tiki gods, exotica music, all things to do with mid-twentieth century cocktail culture? Looking for a fun vacation, perhaps in June?  Look no further than sunny Fort Lauderdale for the annual Hukilau  being held from June 14-17.  Hundreds of people come from all over the world to attend this fantastic four day event produced by none other than the Goddess of TIki herself, Tiki Kiliki.
She does an amazing job of organizing entertainment, seminars, vendor shows, parties, feasts and festivities completely centered around the celebration of the tiki culture of the 50s and 60s.

Last year I shared a vendor booth with my fellow vintie friend who owns  Vintage Diversity, selling vintage Hawaiian clothing and collectibles. Later that night I attended the Hukilau main event at the Bahia Mar Resort and Yachting Center. These people really know how to throw a party! I met tons of happy, fun loving tikiphiles decked out in their Hawaiiian finery, brandishing tiki mugs while dancing to music styles ranging from rockabilly and 60’s surf classics to exotica .

This year I hope to make it to the Polynesian dinner and show at the famous
Mai Kai Restaurant and the Hukilau Finale at the swanky Jetsetter Lounge in Palm Beach. There is also a Hawaiian fashion show planned called Sarongarama.

A sampling of the impressive music line up for June includes a live performance of his Voodoo II album, by famed exotica musician Robert Drasnin, rockabilly tunes by High Noon   of Austin, Texas and The Intoxicators and Haole Cats , both from Florida, playing jazz standards, rockabilly, Hawaiian and surf classics.   Also appearing, among other special guests are, Trixie Little and the Evil Hate Monkey, voted best Burlesque Duo 2006 by  Exotic World.

If your home is decorated like a 1950s tiki bar (or you wish it was), then grab your ukelele and hula on down to Fort Lauderdale for the coolest celebration of the Aloha spirit in Florida.    For more information on this interesting lifestyle, visit Tiki Central , a forum where you can meet other enthusiasts of polynesian pop culture, many of whom attend the Hukilau and similar events around the country.