Viewing posts from : June 2015



June 17 / Community

REVIVED ‘HUKILAU’ DEBUTS WITH MAI-KAI OWNER’S 60TH BIRTHDAY

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In case you’ve not heard, the ‘Hukilau’​ is South Florida’s largest annual event for tiki-lovers and fans of midcentury Americana alike. For four days this past weekend, Fort Lauderdale was the top destination for an exodus of fun-loving, tropically-clothed tiki lovers. The Hukilau, billed as “The World’s Most Authentic Tiki Event,” not only brought people from all over the United States, but from far corners of the globe, as the event draws close to 1,200 visitors annually and in 2015 celebrated its 14th anniversary.

Originally, last year’s event was scheduled to be the last, however, the event had grown so popular that founder and owner Christie “Tiki Kiliki” White was contacted by Idle Hands Event Management, LLC’s Michael Zielinski and Richard Oneslager (themselves Hukilau attendees for years) who proposed a partnership deal in order to keep the celebration alive. A much needed shot in the arm, the Hukilau this year was effectively ‘revived’ and promptly proceeded with opening and closing festivities at the Hyatt Regency Pier 66 Hotel and the recently-appointed National Register of Historic Places, Mai-Kai restaurant located in Oakland Park (the “tiki mecca” for many fans.) Since 1956, the Mai-Kai has captivated people with its warmth and magical aura and remains one of the few grand Polynesian palaces of tiki still in operation today.

 

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This year’s Hukilau was unlike any other in terms of sheer Tiki-ness. It was over the top – a tiki lover’s dream come true. Over the course of the four-day event, the Hukilau featured several symposiums meant to educate, inform, and celebrate the tiki and Polynesian-pop lifestyle. Symposium presenters included Arthur Dong, who discussed the history of Chinese American nightclubs; Kevin Kidney and Jody Daily, who explored Disney’s original Polynesian Village Resort, and Jeff Chenault, who’s fantastic discussion centered on Ohio’s oft-remembered Kahiki Supper Club restaurant. Additionally, there was a milieu of tiki-related activities for attendees, including symposiums on drink culture, rum tastings, cocktail parties, tropical performance shows, and a grand tiki marketplace dedicated to selling midcentury Americana trinkets, Hawaiian shirts and dresses, beach-inspired jewelry, and original artwork. To top it all off, the Hukilau Finale coincided last Sunday night with Mai-Kai owner Dave Levy’s milestone 60th Birthday. Tanabi was honored to experience first hand the tiki craze revival and personally joined Christie “Tiki Kiliki” White and her cast of Polynesian-pop enthusiasts to celebrate it all.

With top tiki bars opening up in the United States (Smuggler’s Cove, Three Dots and a Dash, Lost Lake, Latitude 29, to name but a few) and all over the globe (London, Italy, Germany, Paris etc.), tiki’s last seven years have been a renaissance unlike many others, going from an incidental category to one of the largest collective growth trends in the tropical mixology bar scene.

The first tiki bar, Don the Beachcomber, opened in Los Angeles in 1934; it started a sensation as celebrities and debutantes alike were regularly spotted sipping mai-tais, eating pu pu platters, and enjoying an exotic environment unlike anything they had seen before. By the 1950’s Polynesian pop culture was in full swing. Fueled by the music of artists such as Les Baxter, Martin Denny, Arthur Lyman, Robert Drasnin and Cal Tjader, the phenomenon was spreading to countries all over the world. This trend would continue well into the early 1970’s. The late 1970’s and early 80’s saw the decline of Polynesian pop and tiki culture and as popularity waned, many tiki restaurants and bars closed or went out of business.

Thankfully though, the glamour of retro travel and midcentury Americana is alive and well. Sure, there are plenty of factors that may have influenced the return from obscurity (not least because of the renewed global interest in rum as a spirit), but in this case we should give proper credit to pop culture, a gentleman by the name of Jeff “Beachbum” Berry, and a slew of other tiki practitioners – most notably, Martin Cate, Brian Miller, and the inimitable Paul McGee.

 

The 14th-annual Hukilau took place from June 10 through 14 at various locations including the Mai-Kai Restaurant (3599 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale; 954-563-3272; maikai.com) and the Hyatt Regency Pier 66 Hotel (2301 SE 17th St., Fort Lauderdale; 954-525-6666; hyattregencypiersixty-six.com).

For more information and to sign up for next year’s epic Tiki extravaganza, please visit hukilau.com

Mahalo!

June 5 / Uncategorized

LAUNCH OF RESCUE 365 / LANSIAD ACHUB 365

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Cymraeg i’w ddilyn:

Today sees the official launch of ‘Rescue 365’, a community interest company that specialises in providing Health & Safety Training and Advice.

Based in Carmarthen in West Wales, Rescue 365 provides training and consultancy in many areas including health and safety, first aid, fire safety, working at height and water rescue, as well as bespoke solutions depending on the client’s needs.

As a community interest company, profits are reinvested back into MAWWFRS’s community safety initiatives, or the wider community.

In just its first few months, Rescue 365 has seen rapid growth with clients ranging from global companies such as TATA Steel and RWE in the private sector, as well as local authorities and education providers right across Wales and England.

At Rescue 365’s official launch today at the Dylan Thomas Centre in Swansea, MAWWFRS Chief Fire Officer, Chris Davies said: “I am thrilled to be supporting this new venture. Rescue 365 is an excellent example of how an innovative business model can service industry demand while supplementing traditional Fire and Rescue Service funding streams in these challenging economic times. This new venture will not only ensure that the valuable community safety initiatives provided by Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service are secured, but also allow their expert skills in risk management to benefit a wider industry audience.”

Rob Quin, Director of Rescue 365 said: “Seeing Rescue 365 expand so rapidly over the last eight months shows that there is a great demand for experienced and highly skilled training operators within the risk management sector. I look forward to seeing how the company develops over the next 12 months with the aim of expanding further throughout the UK and beyond.”

With the support of Tanabi Group, Rescue 365 will be expanding into new sectors over the next 3 months, which will include the Creative and Renewable sectors in Wales.

You can follow the progress via @Rescue_365 on twitter, on Facebook as well as their website: www.rescue365.co.uk

Heddiw, bydd lansio swyddogol ‘Rescue 365’, cwmni buddiannau cymunedol sy’n arbenigo mewn darparu Hyfforddiant a Chyngor mewn Iechyd a Diogelwch.

Lleolir canolfan Rescue 365 yng Nghaerfyrddin, Gorllewin Cymru, ac mae’n darparu hyfforddiant ac ymgynghoriad mewn nifer o feysydd, yn cynnwys iechyd a diogelwch, cymorth cyntaf, diogelwch tân, gweithio ar uchder ac achub yn y dŵr, yn ogystal â datrysiadau pwrpasol yn ôl anghenion y cleient.

Fel cwmni buddiannau cymunedol, mae unrhyw elw’n cael ei ail-fuddsoddi’n ôl i fentrau diogelwch cymunedol Gwasanaeth Tân ac Achub Canolbarth a Gorllewin Cymru (MAWWFRS), neu’r gymuned yn ehangach.

Ym misoedd cyntaf ei fodolaeth, mae Rescue 365 wedi gweld cynnydd mawr yn ei gleientiaid, o gwmnïau rhyngwladol yn y sector breifat e.e. TATA Steel a RWE, yn ogystal ag awdurdodau lleol a darparwyr addysg yng Nghymru a Lloegr.

Wrth lansio’r Rescue 365 yn swyddogol heddiw yng Nghanolfan Dylan Thomas, Abertawe, dywedodd Prif Swyddog Tân MAWWFRS, Chris Davies “Rydw i’n hynod o falch o gael cefnogi’r fenter newydd hon. Dyma enghraifft wych o sut y gall model busnes arloesol wasanaethu anghenion diwydiant, ac ar yr un pryd ychwanegu at lif arian y gwasanaeth Tân ac Achub yn y cyfnod heriol hwn. Bydd y fenter newydd hon, nid yn unig yn sicrhau bod mentrau gwerthfawr a ddarperir gan Wasanaeth Tân ac Achub Canolbarth a Gorllewin Cymru yn ddiogel, ond hefyd yn caniatáu i’w sgiliau arbenigol mewn rheoli risg fod o fudd i fwy o gwmnïau diwydiannol.”

Meddai Rob Quin, Cyfarwyddwr Rescue 365, “Mae gweld Rescue 365 yn ehangu mor gyflym dros yr wyth mis diwethaf yn dangos bod galw mawr am weithwyr profiadol sydd wedi eu hyfforddi mewn sgiliau tra arbenigol o fewn y sector rheoli risg. Rydw i’n edrych ymlaen at gael gweld sut bydd y cwmni’n datblygu dros y 12 mis nesaf, gyda’r nod o ehangu ymhellach drwy’r DU a thu hwnt.”

Gyda chefnogaeth Grŵp Tanabi, bydd Rescue 365 yn ehangu i sectorau newydd yn ystod y tri mis nesaf e.e. sectorau Creadigol ac Adnewyddadwy yng Nghymru.

Gallwch ddilyn ein datblygiad drwy @Rescue_365 ar Twitter neu Facebook yn ogystal â’n gwefan: www.rescue365.co.uk

June 3 / Uncategorized

ACTRESS SAMIRA MOHAMED ALI TAKES BOLLYWOOD BY STORM

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Actress Samira Mohamed Ali has embarked on a journey half way across the world to promote her latest Bollywood movie bPositive where she stars as the lead heroine. Samira, currently the UK Ambassador for

BritWeek Miami, FilmInWales and UK ambassador for Children’s Charity Cerebra, is on an intense 10-day press tour in India to promote the picture.

Samira has started the tour in Bangalore with a press photo shoot with her co-stars Raj Purohit and Nibeditha. She will travel to Mumbai on Wednesday for a full week of interviews for major TV channels, magazines and media conferences. Last night’s red-carpet event at the Grand Leema Hotel saw the release of the movie trailer, followed by an exclusive fashion show. This attracted over 4,000 screaming fans outside the hotel hoping to catch a glimpse of the cast and crew.

Samira will play lead heroine Nina, and the Venkatesh Kumer film is about a love triangle, with an interesting twist that cannot be revealed until the film is released. In an interview Samira said, “I am very excited to be part of this latest Bollywood movie. It’s great to be back in India and a privilege to be working with such an amazing production team. I can’t wait for this movie to hit the big screen at the end of March.” Born to Arab-Portuguese parents, the Welsh actress feels that she can relate to many different cultures – she especially loves India, its culture and its people.

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Samira has recently starred and co-produced the British action movie ‘By Any Name’ which is based on the number one best selling novel by Welsh Author Katherine John under Tanabi Films. This is due to be released summer 2015.

Samira was the first ever Westerner to be cast as a lead role in the Southern India Film Industry in 2013 and is now touring North India to promote her latest film. The movie bPositive will be released in theatres in 5 languages across Asia and the Middle East from the end of March, and in Europe during August 2015. You can follow her journey on Facebook at SamiraMohamedAli or Twitter @SamirasFanPage.

June 3 / Uncategorized

AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR TEAMS UP WITH TANABI FILMS

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AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR KATHERINE JOHN HAS TEAMED UP WITH TANABI FILMS FOR BEST-SELLER ADAPTION

Welsh author Catrin Collier (writing as Katherine John), who has just released her 48th book title through Accent Press, has now teamed up with Swansea-based Tanabi Films to produce an action packed film adaption of her best-selling 1995 thriller, By Any Name. Tanabi Films have had the pleasure of producing “By Any Name”, which is based on the novel by Katherine John – a No.1 best seller on e-book Amazon and a bestseller in Germany, Poland, the US and UK. Recently selected as one of Amazon’s chosen authors, Katherine John is currently profiled on most online platforms across the US, South America and Europe. In an interview with Katherine today, she explains “I am very much part of the project to bring ‘By Any Name to the screen. The entire team at Tanabi are incredible, and determined to get everything right. I’ve written the script with the support of the director and the actors who are all superb professionals, and it is a huge privilege to be able to work with them”.

Welsh actress Samira Mohammed Ali will star as the joint lead in the movie as Elizabeth Santer, a psychologist, who is taken hostage by John West. Samira, currently the Ambassador for BritWeek Miami, FilmInWales and UK ambassador for Cerebra charity, is currently undergoing intensive personal training in order to keep up with the physical demands of the role. In an interview today, Samira said: “I am thrilled to be part of this movie and to co-produce this transmedia project. Being able to work in Wales and especially in Swansea and Brecon is very exciting, as most of my work to date has been abroad in Bollywood movies”.

Actor and Combat expert Cengiz Dervis plays the lead role of John West, the bloodstained stranger who has suffered amnesia, and is the centre of a manhunt across Wales. Cengiz has a huge fan base in the UK, Europe and especially in Turkey, and he is set to be an exciting cast member on this production. Speaking earlier, Cengiz said “I’ve read the novel twice and the screenplay is fantastic. I can’t wait to get into character ready for principal photography. My background will serve me well, and it will be a privilege to work with a renowned author such as Katherine John.” Also, set to feature in the movie, as the third lead is actor Dan Richardson, who’s many acting credits include British and US movies and make him an integral part of the team.

 

Tanabi’s CEO Euros Jones-Evans said today, “Swansea is becoming a hotbed for film and TV productions,and we’re looking forward to be an integral part of this media buzz. Being based at the Dylan Thomas Centre is an important part of our plan to involve the local community in this project. The majority of the cast, extras and crew have been ‘sourced’ locally. This forms part of our 5-year strategy to bring inward investments into Wales through productions, especially from India and the US. Our chosen charity is ʻOur Local Heroesʼ, and some ex-service men and amputees will also have the opportunity to star in the movie as extras. I would like to thank the following for their support – Gower College, Welsh Government, Wales Screen Commission, Swansea Council, Ffilm Cymru, South Wales Police and Swansea University.”

You can follow the adventure on Twitter @ByAnyNameMovie or @TanabiFilms and on facebook

June 3 / Business, Marketing, Uncategorized

THE RICH RULES

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Following the successful launch of The Rich Rules by social entrepreneur and star of Channel 4’s The Secret Millionaire, Kevin Green, Tanabi TV have been filming in readiness for delivery of exclusive online content to clients across the world. The international speaker and Guinness World Records holder has been working with the team at Tanabi over the last 4 years and we look forward to delivering the content by the end of July!