Mai Tai Day in Oakland: Mix 'n' Pix

Written By Will Viharo
Monica, Rebecca and me

Team Mai Tai: Mano, Rebecca, Andre, me and Molokai Mike
Michael's wife Denise and my wife Monica

As I reported earlier, August 30 was officially declared MAI TAI DAY in Oakland by city council hep rep at large Rebecca Kaplan, at the Conga Lounge, headquarters for the campaign to have the Mai Tai recognized as the official cocktail of Oakland, where it was invented in August 1944 by Vic Bergeron. We're still working on that resolution, but meantime, Rebecca and her chief of staff Andre Jones stepped up and gave the Mai Tai, and Oakland, their due on the 65th anniversary of the Mai Tai's creation, presenting the proclamation at the Conga Lounge, to a lively crowd of supporters. Thrill Seeker and Tiki Torch Bearer Larry Kakos recorded it all here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKsZwe97COo



There was some panic when the power went out briefly at some point, and naturally the tiny but cozy Conga Lounge was packed to the bamboo rafters, but a great time was had by all as we collectively celebrated Vic, the Mai Tai, and Oakland in general. Here are some photos by our pal Enid Westberg which really capture the festive mood of Aloha. The campaign to have the Mai Tai officially declared the Cocktail of Oakland continues but this was an awesome step in that direction. Cheers!


Will Viharo

WILL "THE THRILL" VIHARO is a freelance writer and the author of several "gonzo pulp" novels including "A Mermaid Drowns in the Midnight Lounge," "Freaks That Carry Your Luggage up to the Room," "Chumpy Walnut," "Lavender Blonde," "Down a Dark Alley," and the “Vic Valentine, Private Eye” series, the first of which, "Love Stories Are Too Violent For Me," has been optioned for a film by Christian Slater, reissued in 2013 by Gutter Books, which also published the new Vic Valentine novel "Hard-boiled Heart" in December, 2015.

Two science fiction novels, "It Came from Hangar 18" and "The Space Needler's Intergalactic Bar Guide," were written in collaboration with Scott Fulks, who added real science to Will's pulp.

Will's own imprint, Thrillville Press, has issued a three volume anthology series featuring all of his standalone novels called "The Thrillville Pulp Fiction Collection," along with another omnibus called "The Vic Valentine Classic Case Files," which include four novels from the 1990s, "Fate Is My Pimp," "Romance Takes a Rain Check," "I Lost My Heart in Hollywood," and "Diary of a Dick," plus a recent short story, "Brain Mistrust."

More recently published books include the Vic Valentine "Mental Case Files" trilogy comprised of "Vic Valentine: International Man of Misery," "Vic Valentine: Lounge Lizard For Hire," and "Vic Valentine: Space Cadet"; the original story collection "Vic Valentine, Private Eye: 14 Vignettes"; the erotic horror noir novella "Things I Do When I'm Awake"; and a collection of erotic horror noir stories, "VIHORROR! Cocktales of Sex and Death."

Additionally Will has had stories included in a variety of anthologies including "Fast Women and Neon Lights: Eighties-Inspired Neon Noir"; "Mixed Up!"; "Long Distance Drunks: A Tribute to Charles Bukowski"; "Deadlines: A Tribute to William Wallace"; "Dark Yonder: Tales and Tabs"; "Knucklehead Noir" and "Weird Winter Wonderland" (both Coffin Hop Press); and "Pop the Clutch: Thrilling Tales of Rockabilly, Monsters, and Hot Rod Horror."

Viharo's unique brand of "gonzo pulp fiction" combines elements of eroticism, noir, fantasy, and horror. For many years he has also been a professional film programmer/impresario and live music booker. He now lives in Seattle, WA with his wife and cats

https://www.thrillville.net
Previous

Zombie Prom '09 Photo Album
Next

Cocktail Nation: Unite!