Hawaiian Steel
How to Host a Party with Tiki Torches
Short of an actual vacation, nothing sets a mood quite as tropical and intimate as a backyard party complete with tiki torches. The warm, flickering light casts inviting shadows, sets a sparkle to the eye and invites close conversation and a merry, festive mood. But there’s so much more to making the party something your friends will be talking about with their coworkers around the water cooler on Monday than just firing up the torches.
Precautions – Ensure that open flame tiki torches are placed far enough from flammables and guests to ensure there are no accidents. Alert guests with children in advance to keep an eye on their kids and don’t let them play where they might knock over a torch. Have a fire extinguisher handy just in case.
Timing – Arrange to have guests arrive an hour or so before dusk so they have time to familiarize themselves with the setting before they have to navigate by firelight. As the sun gets lower, begin lighting the tiki torches to ease into the moment.
Themes – Basing your party around a theme helps bind the event together and tiki torches lend themselves particularly well to tropical themes. Consider settings with a Latin, Caribbean or Pacific atmosphere.
A Hawaiian luau with wicker or bamboo tiki torches is always a hit. Include palm branches or living palm and tropical plants strategically placed in the backyard setting. The more lush your garden the better, but groupings of potted flowers and plants can do in a pinch. Have your children greet guests with flower leis when they arrive and consider inviting guests to dress the part in brightly colored floral shirts and wraps.
Grilled foods with sweet glazes and fruit-based dips, glazes and salsa for sides further enhance the illusion. Table settings can include carved pineapple, tropical fruits and flower centerpieces as well as table-top tiki torches. Additional decorative touches such as seashells on the tables and hanging paper lanterns round things out nicely. Consider adding sound to the mix with ocean noise and soft tropical music playing on separate sound sources such as a boom box hidden in some plants. And don’t forget to have the blender ready to mix some Pina Coladas!
A Latin theme can also be a tremendous hit. For this, bring margaritas or sangria into the mix. Keep the mood upbeat and lively. Make a decorative centerpiece for tables using a variety of colorful peppers and bright flowers. String lights, streamers or paper lanterns will add to the festive mood. Dishes should be a mix of hot and mild (for less adventurous guests). Fire up the grill and serve South American or Tex-Mex dishes. Consider a build-your-own taco and fajita bar. While you man the grill, guests can customize their favorite tortilla-wrapped foods. Cap everything off with upbeat Latin music.
For a Caribbean or tropical island theme keep the seashells and palms for ambiance. Rather than pineapples, use coconuts, bananas and other island fruit as centerpiece displays and include reggae or steel drum music. Prepare Jamaican Jerk chicken and pork and some tasty seafood recipes allowing plenty time in advance for the meat to marinade (remember to keep shellfish dishes separate for those who may have allergies). As with the Hawaiian theme, the sounds of the ocean piped over outdoor speakers will go a long way to immersing your guests in the illusion you’ve created.
Setting – If you have a green thumb and a garden to show off, use tiki torches to light paths that will invite your guests to explore or find a quiet sitting area where they can be alone for intimate conversation. Landscape lighting can further serve to accent the elements of your garden you would like to showcase and will set apart little islands of interest throughout your yard.
Ultimately, your budget and creativity are your only limits. As you plan for the event, think about what you associate with a vacation and include subtle hints of those things in your decoration. Remember that you are trying to create a mood and to do so you want to appeal to all the senses. Include fragrant flowers, tiki torches for the flattering lighting, sounds of water, music appropriate for your theme and tastes common to the region you are trying to capture. Then sit back and watch your guests blissfully escape into the memorable illusion you’ve created.
About the Author
David manages TikiTorchesGuide.com, a blog devoted enhancing outdoor experiences with the playful light from all kinds of tiki torches.
Hawaiian Steel Guitar “SAND” by Ross Costa
|
|
4 inch HAWAIIAN FISH HOOK Hawaii Car Decal Sticker H9M $6.99 |
|
|
HAL ALOMA Takes YOur Favorite Tunes on Trip to HAWAIIAN Steel Guitar! $5.95 |
|
|
Hawaii Hawaiian Steel Guitar Collection Songs of the Islands Keoki E. Awai $7.95 |
|
|
Buddy Merrill -Beyond the Reef – Sealed LP -Hawaiian Pedal Steel Guitar – Accent $10.00 |
|
|
Epiphone Alkire Eharp – Vintage 10-String Hawaiian Lap Steel Guitar – early 40s $599.00 |
|
|
Aloha – Cast Metal 6-String Vintage Hawaiian Lap Steel Guitar – Rare $599.00 |
|
|
Pasco-Roberts Master Lessons Hawaiian Steel Guitar Volume I 1937 $8.49 |
|
|
Stevens Hawaiian Steel Bar 345 tone bar slide lap steel $19.95 |
|
|
TASSO ELBA SILK STEEL BLUE HAWAIIAN SHIRT MENS M $12.99 |
|
|
History of Hawaiian Steel Guitar (CD, Jan-2000, Hana Ola–Rsi) $7.25 |
|
|
Jerry Byrd 45 Hawaiian Sunset / Harbor Lights Steel Guitar reissue $5.00 |
|
|
Enorez WSB-100 Weissenborn Style Hawaiian Lap Steel Acoustic Guitar w/ FREE Case $149.99 |
|
|
Primo Hawaiian Beer – Schlitz Brewing Company- Steel 12oz Pull Tab Can Cans $5.99 |
|
|
Na Hoku Stainless Steel and Koa Wood Inlay Hawaiian Fish hook Pendant ~ Stunning $99.00 |
|
|
Mens IZOD Silk Hawaiian Shirt Size L 47″ Chest Steel Gray White $12.99 |
|
|
Hawaiian Quilted Pillow Covering-Steel Blue Ulu $24.99 |
|
|
Vintage ’30s-40s Oahu Harmony Regal Hawaiian Lap Steel Square Neck Guitar !!!! $149.99 |
|
|
Jerry Bird – Steel Guitar Hawaiian Style LP 33 rpm $9.95 |
|
|
Benny Rogers HISTORY of HAWAIIAN STEEL GUITAR Annie Kerr, Steepy De Rego CD $9.99 |
|
|
Stevens Hawaiian Steel Bar 345 tone bar slide lap steel $19.95 |
|
|
HAWAIIAN STEEL GUITAR FAVORITES NEW CD $9.90 |
|
|
‘Harmony’ Epitome Hawaiian Steel Guitar w/case $275.00 |
|
|
Rickenbacher Silver Hawaiian Lap Steel $550.00 |
|
|
MICRO Perfect Nut Hawaiian Dobro Steel Slide Guitar $5.95 |
|
|
Hawaiian huladance18kt gold trimmed enamel 9mm stainless steel italian charm New $2.99 |
|
|
Epiphone Electar Century Hawaiian Lap steel Guitar 1939 $399.99 |
|
|
STEVENS STEEL BAR LAP DOBRO HAWAIIAN GUITAR SLIDE NEW ! $16.95 |
|
|
Stainless Steel Flower Rings Polynesian Bands Hawaiian sz 6.5 $4.98 |
|
|
C6 Tuning Lap Steel & Dobro Lessons DVD 4 Beginners Learn Country And Hawaiian $9.95 |
|
|
STEVENS STEEL BAR LAP DOBRO HAWAIIAN GUITAR SLIDE *NEW* $12.95 |
|
|
Poss Miyazaki – Hawaiian Highlights steel guitar LP Japan Cheesecake Sexy Cover $42.50 |
|
|
STEEL GUITAR MAGIC HAWAIIAN STYLE BILLY HEW LEN BARNEY ISAACS JR. GOLDEN 16 $6.99 |
|
|
BEDIAZ ELECTRO-ACOUSTIC WEISSENBORN STYLE LAP STEEL GUITAR (Hawaiian, Lapsteel) $409.30 |
|
|
Brand New Gold Tone Weissenborn SM Hawaiian Acoustic Steel guitar BLEM WARRANTY $524.99 |
|
|
Vintage 1950’s Guyatone Lap Steel Hawaiian Electric Slide Guitar $199.00 |
|
|
Vintage 1930’s Paramount Conservatory Electric Lap Steel Hawaiian Slide Guitar $250.00 |
|
|
Qty of 2 ~ ~Stevens Hawaiian Steel Bar # 345 $29.99 |
|
|
Legends of the Hawaiian Steel Guitar (CD, Jan-2006, Hana Ola Records (Cord… $18.06 |
|
|
Steel Guitar Magic Hawaiian Style by Jack de Mello (CD, Oct-2000, Mountain… $17.57 |
|
|
Vintage ‘30s Hawaiian Lap Steel Weissenborn Style USA $95.00 |
|
|
1933 patent Stevens APM & Co Lap Steel GUITAR SLIDE Hawaiian DOBRO NO DAMAGE $9.99 |
|
|
Vintage 1937-41 Oahu Hawaiian Lap Steel Guitar SQUARE or ROUND neck with case $149.00 |
|
|
New Asher Acoustic Hawaiian Lap Steel Strings – 2 sets! $18.50 |
|
|
Vintage Square Neck Hawaiian Lap Slide Steel Guitar Kluson Tuners american insti $202.50 |
|
|
Classic Hawaiian Steel Guitar Performances 1933-34 by Sol Ho`opi`i (CD,… $19.03 |
|
|
Hawaiian Holiday LP steel guitar record album Columbia $16.14 |
|
|
Hula Blues LP Rounder 1012 vintage steel guitar of 30’s 40’s hawaiian rare hear $7.00 |
|
|
Dobro Steel / Slide Stevens Style / Hawaiian Guitar New $13.95 |
|
|
SLIDIN’ ON THE FRETS: THE HAWAIIAN STEEL GUITAR PHENOMENON – NEW CD $12.02 |
|
|
SLIDIN’ ON THE FRETS: THE HAWAIIAN STEEL GUITAR PHENOMENON – NEW CD $15.02 |
|
|
HAWAIIAN STEEL GUITAR CLASSICS – 1927-38 [CD NEW] $15.51 |
|
|
TONY KU Original Hawaiian Steel Guitar RARE 1979 NEW CD $22.95 |
|
|
Older White label Primo Hawaiian Beer pull tab straight steel can Schlitz 1974 $2.99 |
|
|
GHS Electric Hawaiian Lap Steel Dynamite Alloy E Tuning, .013 – .056, LAP-E x 12 $59.99 |
|
|
Hawaiian Steel Guitar Softcover $34.25 |
|
|
1939 Sweet Hawaiian Dreams, Hawaii Sheet Music, Gibson steel guitars $5.99 |
|
|
STEVENS APM & Co LAP STEEL GUITAR SLIDE HAWAIIAN DOBRO EXCELLENT W/ CASE VINTAGE $20.00 |
|
|
SLIDIN ON THE FRETS:HAWAIIAN STEEL G (CD) $22.16 |
|
|
National Lap Steel Electric Hawaiian Slide Guitar, Lapsteel, Prewar Cast Metal $405.00 |
|
|
Vintage Rare Variation Primo Hawaiian Wide Seam Straight Steel Beer Can $18.00 |
|
|
Peter Bergen/Hawaiian Steel Guitar/Rare!/VG+ to NM $17.47 |
|
|
Chris J. Knutsen: History and Development of the Hawaiian Steel Guitar $110.00 |
|
|
Silver Stainless Steel pendant Charm Amulet Talisman $9.99 |
|
|
HAWAIIAN STEEL GUITAR CLASSICS: 1927-1938 – NEW CD $12.50 |
|
|
HAWAIIAN STEEL GUITAR CLASSICS: 1927-1938 – NEW CD $15.50 |
|
|
CASSETTE VINTAGE HAWAIIAN MUSIC STEEL GUITAR MASTERS 89 $29.92 |
|
|
Hawaiian Steel Guitar Classics / Var CD $10.94 |
|
|
GOLD TONE SM WEISSENBORN HAWAIIAN STEEL SLIDE GUITAR~PICKUP~GOLD TONE HARD CASE $799.99 |
|
|
Art of Hawaiian Steel Guitar, Volume 2 Book/CD Set $17.96 |
|
|
LOT- Hawaiian Steel Guitar Sheet Music 3 Pieces $4.95 |
|
|
LOT- Hawaiian Steel Guitar Sheet Music 3 Pieces $5.95 |
|
|
LOT- Hawaiian Steel Guitar Sheet Music 3 Pieces $4.95 |
|
|
Hawaiian Steel Guitar Sheet Music-Lord is My Shepard $3.95 |
|
|
Hawaiian Steel Guitar Sheet Music-Lead Kindly Light $3.95 |
|
|
NEW GOLD TONE HAWAIIAN WEISSENBORN STEEL 6-STRING ACOUSTIC LAP DOBRO GUITAR $554.00 |
|
|
Rickenbacker Model BD6 – Vintage Hawaiian Lap Steel Guitar – Circa: Late 40s $1,250.00 |
|
|
VTG HAWAIIAN TREMOLOA W/ DIRECTIONS BOOKLET CASE & MORE LAP STEEL $149.99 |
|
|
ELTON LAP STEEL HAWAIIAN GUITAR SLIDE, BAR, VINTAGE, 7/8″ THICK, CLEAN $19.99 |
|
|
The Art of Hawaiian Steel Guitar mel bay publication $8.99 |
|
|
Vintage Oahu Hawaiian Steel Guitar (used & reconditioned) $250.00 |
|
|
Vintage Hawaiian Music ~ Steel Guitar Masters 1928-34 Rounder CD $15.00 |
|
|
Hawaiian Flower Italian Charm Bracelet Stainless Steel $14.99 |
|
|
Hawaiian Flower Italian Charm Bracelet Stainless Steel $14.99 |
|
|
ANDERWOOD SPRUCE TOP WEISSENBORN STYLE ACOUSTIC LAP STEEL SLIDE GUITAR HAWAIIAN $405.00 |
|
|
Hawaiian Steel Guitar-Sun of My Soul Sheet Music $4.95 |
|
|
Hawaiian Steel Guitar-Let Lower Lights…l Sheet Music $4.95 |
|
|
Hawaiian Steel Guitar-The Old Rugged Cross-Sheet Music $4.95 |
|
|
Steel Guitar Magic Hawaiian Style Music CD Billy Hew Len & Barney Isaacs Jr 1994 $0.99 |
|
|
GOLD TONE LM Weissenborn Hawaiian steel guitar NEW w/ GIG BAG $553.50 |
|
|
HAWAIIAN STEEL GUITAR – BOB BROZMAN *NEW* DVD $26.99 |
|
|
Cool deluxe 1935 188-page HAWAIIAN STEEL GUITAR FOLIO hardbound M M COLE Chicago $20.00 |
|
|
BILL WOLFGRAMME ~ HAWAIIAN TAHITIAN LP ~ SEXY COVER ~ Steel guitar ~ orig NZ $9.99 |
|
|
c1920s Hawaiian High and Fancy Divers at Steel Pier Atlantic City NJ postcard $6.00 |
|
|
Vintage Stevens A P & M Co Guitar Slide PAT.#1904335 Electric Hawaiian Steel $25.00 |
|
|
HAWAIIAN STAINLESS STEEL BAR TOOL CORK SCREW HAWAII #3 $8.99 |
|
|
Hawaiian Collection of Steel Guitar Solos Copyright 1927 $20.00 |
|
|
Mens IZOD Silk Hawaiian Shirt Size L 47″ Chest Steel Gray White $19.99 |
|
|
The Art of Hawaiian Steel Guitar, Volume 2 [With CD] NE $18.64 |
|
|
Hawaiian mask surf style retro vintage men’s T-shirt gift idea for a man F5 $12.63 |
|
|
Hawaiian mask surf style retro vintage men’s T-shirt gift idea for a man F5 $12.63 |
