Voodoo Island 1950’s Tiki Exotica Ball

It’s pretty incredible when you can go to an event and feel like you’re stepping back in time to a different era. Filled with Hawaiian shirts, hula dancers, tiki’s and palm trees, the Tiki Exotica Ball is an all day and night event designed to transport you back to the 40’s and 50’s. Inspired by the WWII era it gave you a feel of good olé American culture that your grandparents could relate to.
The event is run by the 1940’s Ball NFP, a non-​profit which hosts events such as these to donate proceeds towards the Wounded Warriors Project and the Spirit of Flight Center Colorado. The day and night were packed with events that included hula performances, an Elvis impersonator, swimsuit contest, limbo competition, and a local performance group called Polynesian FiaFia– just to name a few. At night, Onda, an Afro-​Cuban orchestra blessed our ears with jazz like music while everyone danced under the stars. All the performances were excellent, and there were many other fun things to do. You could take dip in the pool, or stroll around the vendors selling 40’s and 50’s style memorabilia, see the vintage car display, or purchase a tropical drink at the tiki hut.
In terms of the crowd, it was so fun to see how people really went all out for this event. Outfits ranged from full out WWII sailors suits, to 40s and 50s style bathing suits, or even ball gowns. Hair styles and make-​up were true to the era as well (men slicked their hair back and wore side burns, women curled their hair and painted their lips red). It was surely a sight to see. The weather was great, and after being their for a couple minutes I quickly forgot I was in Boulder, CO.
This was the first year the luau was held and I think the organizers did an excellent job putting on a fun, well organized event for a great cause. Like any first time event there are slight kinks to work out for next time, but I’m sure the next Tiki Exotica Ball will be even more groovy than the last!