New Year's Eve In The OC, 31 December 2008
My Journeys Behind The Orange Curtain - New Year's Eve with
the Tikiyaki Orchestra,
Part Cinq
Tom, our faithful OC guide, said he'd try and make it. But alas,
ultimately we were alone in The OC again. But not wanting to give up the
rare chance to observe the indigenous New Year's rituals, Lisa and I ignored our
friends' pleas to stay, laughing in the face of it all, daring to journey south, south
on the 405, crossing the border into this savage land of untamed business parks
and planned communities. This is the fifth in a thrilling series of
undercover exposés that dares to explore the native people who live deep, deep behind
The Orange Curtain.
Page 5 of an ongoing series
 "Before
the OC Border Patrol catches on, you should go another route," Tom, our
trusty OC Guide, had suggested, "But you need to keep your wits about you
going through Seal Beach."
Border towns are often dangerous towns, filled with drugs and whoring and boozing. But The Fates smiled upon us this day, and we made our way unnoticed. |
 Our
OC Guide Tom had said, "Arrive early at
Kona (formerly Sam's Seafood).
One of our agents, Brian "Casanova" Kassan, will be there. He lives near the
border and is absolutely fearless. He's playing keyboards and guitar in the
Tikiyaki Orchestra. He's one of our best agents. He'll be
expecting you. He'll make sure that you can observe the natives"
rituals and keep you from harm."We made contact with Brian "Casanova" Kassan, shown here with Jane, who both live in the badlands in the lowlands north of the headlands just this side of the OC border. |
 Jim
Bacchi and Brian "Casanova" Kassan of the
Tikiyaki Orchestra take to the stage at Kona's for revelers from all
over the OC as they celebrate their New Year festival. |
 Fueled
by Trader Vics mai-tais and exotica grooves, Marty Lush and Gary Brandin of
The
Tikiyaki Orchestra played on to keep the savage revelers satisfied. |
 We
observed with keen interest the native OC New Year's dancing rituals. |
 The
percussionist, Steady Eddie (filling in for Dave "Squid" Cohen") and the
bassist kept the grooves comin' despite the ominous painting behind them
depicting an ancient OC Festival of the Carnivores. |
 Steady
Eddie's kick drum, painted by noted Tiki artist
Kirby, inspired by Steady Eddie's brain, which we're happy to report is
okay. |
 Brian
"Casanova" Kassan tickling the ivories, served as our trusty OC guide for
the evening, there to keep the danger at bay. Thankfully, we were safe
the entire night from the wild natives of this forbidden land. |
New Year's Eve In The OC
Miscellaneous Photos
Eleven Shadows Travel Page
Contact photographer/musician Ken Lee
The
