Petition Update, Mai-Kai news and Supporter Spotlight on MeduSirena Marina!
ALOOOHA!! Today we have a very special Supporter Spotlight on the Queen of Tiki, MeduSerina Marina! In case you are unfamiliar with MeduSirena, she is a former performer and Mystery Girl at The Mai-Kai! The Mai-Kai also has drinks to go and merchandise just in time to make Father’s Day a hit! We currently have 11,350 Mai-Kai petition supporters! Mahalo to everyone who signed and shared the petition. Make sure to keep the conversation going and share your stories and photos on the Save The Mai-Kai Facebook group as well as sharing the petition link. https://www.change.org/savethemai-kai
Much love and mahalo,
Tiki Don
Supporter Spotlight, Memoirs of a Fire Eating Mermaid, MeduSirena Marina!
If you have never had the pleasure of meeting MeduSirena or attending one of her performances at the Wreck Bar in Fort Lauderdale Florida then you will really enjoy this week’s Supporter Spotlight on our very own Queen of tiki! I first met MeduSirena at Tiki Caliente where she is a staple performer that I look forward to visiting with whenever I attend one of Rory’s events in Palm Springs. I had the chance to chat with her recently and we both discussed the Mai-Kai and some of the special memories we have there. I wanted to capture her story and share it with the Mai-Kai ohana. Get to know MeduSirena a little better in this very special edition of The Mai-Kai’s Supporter Spotlight!
MeduSirena's body of work is the result of her lifelong love of stunt, retro, aquatic & Tropiculture entertainment. An icon of the performance "tiki" world, she first danced at the Hawaiian Inn Daytona Beach in the 90's, before moving to Fort Lauderdale and dancing at The Mai-Kai, where she was also a Mystery Girl, show emcee, and worked in the gift shop.
MeduSirena stated that, "Every time I parked my car to go into the building, I felt like I had to pinch myself. I absolutely loved how the Mai-Kai had the power to transport you into an entirely new immersive experience once you walked through its doors."
Even with her previous extensive professional experience, the show training wasn't easy. Rehearsals were grueling however, she loved it! The training took at least 4 months of the year to prepare for new themed shows that would be released every January.
"The Mai Kai style of performance is very high energy, it felt so natural adding physical theatrics to give the audience a further connection."
To prepare for the Mai-Kai stage, Marina studied constantly and practiced show choreography and maneuvers every chance she had. Drills varied, from moving hip rotations while walking down random hallways, spinning poi balls in the living room (she knocked down a light fixture once, cutting her back), and even doing figure eights with her hips while washing laundry in the bathtub. She'd play a tape of their recorded show music on her Walkman while training (it was 2000). Marina practiced every chance possible. Marina stated that, "Once I was asked to be part of the show- it was tough, but it was also heaven!"
Marina's Polynesian pop culture interests & aquatic work have been featured in variety of publications, including Bachelor Pad Magazine, Pirate's Magazine and Tiki Magazine (both as a feature story and as Dream Wahine) just to name just a few. Marina has even been made into a comic book character, appearing in Jim Balent's 'Tarot- Witch of the Black Rose' and Michael Gordon & Peter Cutler's 'Tiki Zombie'! After her years at the Mai-Kai, Marina approached the Yankee Clipper (now the B Ocean Resort) and revived the Wreck Bar, reintroducing the swim shows, and spreading the word of Fort Lauderdale's Polynesian and theme establishment entertainment history. She preaches her love of all things aquatic and Tiki in documentaries such as Duda Leite's 'TIKIMENTARY' & PBS' 'Plastic Paradise'. Marina was also one of the last women ever to be photographed by legendary pinup photographer, Bunny Yeager, who also photographed Nani Maka, who performed both at the Yankee Clipper’s Polynesian Room and at the Mai-Kai as one of the first "Mystery Girls". Marina and Nani are very close friends, even dancing together on the Mai-Kai stage for The Hukilau; a historic moment for the popular tiki event!
-In 2018, Marina was chosen as one of "Miami's Most Fascinating People" by the Miami New Times.
Marina continues to do her part in helping to preserve retro-style entertainment venues as a trailblazer in the underwater "mermaid" performance genre; performing and producing underwater mermaid and Aqua Burlesque swimshows (the only ones in the U.S) at the Yankee Clipper's famous Wreck Bar for the last 15 years.
When not underwater, the O'l SeaHag also enjoys performing as a Taiko drummer and doing a variety of stunts; from fire eating to wing walking!
Make sure to see her at The Wreck Bar in Fort Lauderdale Florida!
You can find MeduSirena merchandise at:
MeduSirena is currently performing her AquaBurlesque Swimshows at the Wreck Bar (21+) on Thursdays Fridays and Saturdays, and at the family friendly Mermaids and Mimosas Sunday Brunch.
Info-
The Wreck Bar
On the web at:
www.bhotelsandresorts.com/b-ocean-resort/eat-drink/mermaids-at-the-wreck-bar/
https://myfortlauderdalebeach.com/food-drink/the-wreck-bar/
(954) 524-5551
1140 Seabreeze Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
MeduSirena Marina will also be performing with Nani at Tiki Oasis this upcoming July!
Mai-Kai News!
FATHERS DAY IS ON SUNDAY JUNE 20TH! Come to the Mai-Kai and be sure to make Dad happy with some drinks to go and Mai-Kai merchandise! New items are arriving soon so be sure to check online at: https://www.maikaitradingpost.com/collections/mai-kai-apparel
Merchandise for Father’s Day will be available for sale on Friday, June 18th from 4 to 7pm and Saturday, June 19th from 11am until 2pm. Also on Friday, June 18th meet the Mai-Kai’s featured guest vendor, Sandbar Sauce! Sandbar Sauce offers handcrafted, small batch cocktail mixers and garnishes. May I suggest adding a bottle of The MK’s Real McCoy to your Father’s Day shopping list?
THE REAL McCoy 12-year “Distiller’s Proof” Mai-Kai Blend 92 proof bottles of Rum. Single-blended Barbados rum, exceptionally smooth with unmistakable notes of toasted pecan, vanilla and wood spice, with a long elegant finish. Blended especially for The Mai-Kai. $85.60/bottle
Tropical Drink orders are open for pick up Father’s Day weekend!!
The deadline to order is Thursday June 17th by 5pm, TODAY!!
Pick-up dates and times are, Friday 6/18 from 4pm to 7pm and Saturday 6/19 from 11am to 2pm. You can also call Pia directly to make special arrangements for other pick-up times at (954) 646-8975
Here’s the drink line up for dear ‘ol Dad!
BARREL O'RUM® - the name says it all: Smugglers, pirates and rum runners took their pleasures with this spirituous libation, bold and big, but rightfully smooth. We suggest serving these shaken over ice in 12 oz. cups $80/gallon or $25/quart.
MAI-TAI - a favorite of sweet Molly Malone. The celebrated drink of the islands, made smoother here by the subtle introduction of Appleton 12-year-old Jamaican Rum. We suggest serving these shaken over ice in 12 oz. cups. $120/gallon or $35/quart.
JET PILOT - This St. Patrick’s Day we dedicate this drink to Spitfire Paddy, the Irish ace who gave his all in the Battle of Britain! Fast and courageous, a vigorous blend of heavy bodied rums and zesty juices. We suggest serving our strongest drink in 8 oz. cups shaken over lots of ice. $131.50/gallon or $35/quart.
BLACK MAGIC - The owner’s choice. A superbly smooth but forthright blending of fine dark rums and tropical juices, subtly laced with coffee and truly refreshing. We suggest serving these shaken over ice in 12 oz. cups. $80/gallon or $25/quart
Mai-Kai Merchandise online!
The Mai-Kai now has hats, stickers, mugs, shirts and more! Be sure to check them out online if you can’t make it in person to shop for Dad and they will ship directly to you! https://www.maikaitradingpost.com/collections/mai-kai-apparel