Tonga Tam’s House Concert Series!

As many of you know, I’m kicking off the summer house concert series with the Island Castaways Band on June 9th! We’ve been hard at work.. when not on the road going on adventures… getting the backyard ready! Lots to do! And this is only the beginning! We’ve got Dave McKenney gracing Tonga Tam’s on August 11th and working on a special appearance for June 30th! What better way to recouperate from Buffett at Great Woods than chilling in the backyard listening to awesome tunes and hanging with a lot of fun people? I’ll be making a calendar soon and start posting dates so keep your eyes focused here! … put the tonga straw down! If you’re a musician or band and want to come play, let me know! Now, I’m off to Trenton, NJ to hang with the boys of Homemade Wine and Michael “CrawPappa” Crawley.. and a few close friends! See ya all soon! xo

Tonga Tam’s is OPEN!

It’s official folks.. I am so pleased to announce my first house concert! Oh ok, I got ya.. you thought I finally opened my bar right? Not quite yet, but in the meantime.. why don’t you plan on hanging out with me on June 9th, 2012 with the Island Castaways Band! They will be playing from 5-8pm. BYOB and please bring a dish to share. Donations are $10 to cover the band! Bring a chair and be ready to have some fun! Hang out after for a bonfire and some s’mores! Got a tent? There’s room in the front yard and even in the woods! Got a camper? Get a hold of me and make sure there’s room… first come and got to warn you, Randy and Tracy have a standing ’1st dibs’!

Tonga Tam’s is located on the back of Mt Wachusett!
101 Wheeler Road ~ Princeton, MA

Originally formed in 2008 as Jimmy Buffett tribute, The Island Castaways Band have evolved into one of New England’s most popular Trop Rock bands. Their live show features a balanced mix of originals and classics, all with their own Tropical touch of fun – bringing Summer to you, regardless of where you are or the time of year. “LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST” – The Island Castaways Band.

Waiting and anticipation…

It is March 14 and at this moment in time, we still have not heard dates for the upcoming Jimmy Buffett tour. Rumors are flying all over the place on when and if he’ll play Great Woods. Since 1994, there have been two years he has not played Great Woods and those years he played Fenway and Gillette. Fenway was amazing, Gillette, not so much. Regardless, he has always come home. Now there are rumors of him playing at Mohegan only, and in the fall. I can understand that as he has not sold out a concert at Great Woods in some years. He has stated that he is not slowing down, but I believe the economy is doing that for him. Time will tell and all we can do is hope that our summer tradition will not be coming to an end.

Where am I going with all of this? What are we going to do if he no longer goes to Great Woods and worse, when he retires? We all joke about it happening and that he’ll pull a Keith Richards and live forever, but we know that’s not possible.

So we turn our focus to the Trop Rock world.

Homemade Wine rips up the Lazy Gecko at MOTM

Trop Rock is exploding and bringing with it so much talent, I’m almost giddy about it. I love live music to begin with, but live Trop Rock just seeps into my soul and plays to my heart. The steel drums, harmonicas, guitars and those amazing voices! I was a fan of St. Somewhere way back in the day and now follow Homemade Wine with as much excitement. They are not traditional Trop Rock, but more of a cross over (a cross over in our small genre? very cool!). Then there’s the up and coming Island Castways Band, my home town boys who wrote a song about me after a few too many Tonga bowls! What these bands do is pull their audience in and make them a part of the magic. When you go to a show, you feel that connection with the artists unlike any other genre I’ve seen. Jim Morris wraps friends and fans into his lyrics all the time. And every time I see any of these guys, I’m met with huge smiles and hugs.

And as Trop Rock gains in popularity, so do bigger and bigger events. We are not going to a show where a single musician plays, we are now attending events that boast ten plus acts. There have been events that have done this over the years such as the New England Parrot Head Convention, Stars on the Water, Pardi Gras, etc. But now, you can not go a month without a new event calling your attention to register.

A bunch of us attended Music on the Bay a couple of weeks ago and were simply blown away. An amazing venue, great line up and even better after hour parties (you’re welcome!). It was a perfect blend of what every parrot head wants in an event. Last year, Chris Lang (aka ‘C-Dawg’) and I helped co-produce Beach House on the Mountain. I have to say, it was one incredible event packed full of awesome music and a gorgeous venue. One of my favorite moments was standing down on the grass in front of the stage and glancing up to see Nadirah sitting on the hill, her head swaying back and forth listening to John Frinzi. She had this beautiful smile and seemed simply content. To me, that sums up the weekend. Pure content! We’ve been asked about doing it again this coming summer… time will tell! Keep your eyes on our website – Island Vibes Entertainment or our Facebook pages!

Beach House on the Mountain

So where does all this rambling leave us? First, I haven’t written in some time and needed some verbal therapy, and second was asked to write something again. So here it is! I’ll be back soon with some updates on Tonga Tam’s! Although its not quite to where I want it, Tonga Tam’s in my backyard will be opening this summer with 2-3 backyard house parties! (bands, contact me if you’re interested!)

Till then, keep smiling and keep bowlin’!

Making a vision a reality!

Alright folks and faithful followers…. all three of you! I started writing ideas down about what I’m looking for and what I want Tonga Tam’s to be. I have a good head start from this past spring and got some great feedback on that. Now I need to refine, research and investigate! Ohhh.. sounds fun! Especially the researching part as there is no way I want to open TT’s in New England – sorry folks, its just not for me!

Which brings up the first big question.. WHERE?! I know most of you will say Key West off the bat and I’d agree with you. Except that the cost is more than I’d be able to hope to get and the competition there is crazy. Course, done right.. it could happen. I’m thinking of Key West as a second or third opening! (yes, already thinking multiples.. its how I roll!) So then New Smyrna Beach pops into mind as its basically one of my top five spots on the planet so far. its peaceful and laid back and I already found the perfect bar. But again, lots of initial money and the family isnt quite ready to sell. I’m not exactly ready to buy yet either.

The next logical location is the west coast. Tampa, Ft. Meyers and such. Theres a great parrothead population along with one of the largest parrothead clubs in the world. My kind of peeps! You’ve got classic stops like the Nav-a-gator which boasts a dive hang out with the best local music around! Love it! The beaches are amazing and the people are as carefree as you can get! Plus, the ferry to Key West is not far!

I know I only have one more winter in me here, and thats stretching it! I should have been in FL by now! But thats ok, life tends to throw you curve balls and the only way to come out on your feet is to meet those curve balls straight on. Yep, a bit of bending and twisting is involved but you get there. Can you tell I used to work at a sports company! So glad that part of my life is over.

So moving on… got myself an awesome financial advisor who is pointing me in the right direction – Thanks Rob! I know what I have to do and realize I’m a lucky gal to have so many amazing friends that will help me on this journey.

more soon!
xo ~ tonga tam

9 Days to go!

Know its been a while since I last posted… been a crazy few months. We’re in the final stretch before Buffett returns to Great Woods and preparations are underway! I stopped over my friend Tracy and Randys last night to peek on our project. Have to say, its coming along nicely! I’ll head back over tonight or tomorrow to start painting it. Good thing about being unemployed.. gives me extra time to do things like this! ahaha… I’ll post pics when I can, another sad story of how I lost my camera. And let me tell you, not having a camera is like not having a right hand. I’m going to have to dip into the non-existant savings to get a new one it seems!

So moving on, we have nine days till heading into the Great Woods parking lots. Seems that Comcast is being a major pain in the butt and has announced that gates will not open until 3 on Thursday and noon on Saturday. Apparently its ok to get drunk on the weekend, but not during the week. Seriously!?! We are professionals here, those of us die hards are planning on several days of this and have taken days off (or in my case, glad the boss knew to lay me off before summer!). Rumors are, the clubs will still get in early so we’re not really all that worried. And worse case scenario… we’ll find a place to chill till they let us in – the side of 140? Shaws parking lot?! ahahah…

Time to go work on the tan, then work on the ‘project’! Catch you all soon and a lot of you in 9 days!

xo ~ tam

Buffett Announces 2010 Dates!

Its that time of year when Jimmy announces some of his tour dates for the upcoming summer. BuffettNews.com is abuzz with whos going, hotel reservations and tailgate planning. Anything to distract us from the cold winter months!

So far we have confirmed Great Woods dates of June 17 and 19! Tickets already went on sale, but not to worry, there are still some left! Other dates include Tampa on April 24th, Camden on August 3rd and 7th, Jones Beach August 31 and The Lube in Virginia September 2nd and 4th!

Time to start making plans!

Saying goodbye to 2009!

Well as this year rolls into the final couple of days, it has me thinking of new directions and new ideas. That and of course, reflecting on the past year and all that has come to pass and now is. Lots of ups and downs, and a heck of a lot of fun! I’m so grateful that I was able to travel quite a bit even with my work being cut for five months. Got to love friends, especially those in the parrothead community! Always looking out for you and offering a hand when needed. I honestly believe if not for them, I would have gone completely bonkers!

The ups of the past year? There are so many its hard to pin point. Of course all of the concerts and tailgate parties. Loved going to Nissan in Virginia this year. Great Woods is always the place to be, but Nissan definatley impressed me! Jones Beach was a blast.. even though I was bar-less! And Mohegan Sun was a fantastic surprise! Lots of familiar faces and new friends.

I only made it to two music festivals this year. Camp Creek was cancelled, however, rumors are saying it’ll be back in 2010! I do hope so! Thats such a great time. Got to go to Strange Creek for the first time over Memorial Day weekend and have to say that will be a new tradition. My Aunt Jeanne flew over from England to joins us camping for the first time as well! Nothing like introducing her to a hippy filled music festival! I do believe shes trying to return for next year! Wormtown lived up to its hype even though it was freezing cold out and we had to wait till 4am to catch Goosepimp play. We got to witness Zack Deputy’s amazing stage performance for the first time and I do believe Heather and I were simply swept away by him!

This may have been the year of music. I missed my boys of Flock of Assholes quite a bit, but have found some new loves including Ilo Ferreira! Ilo toured with Buffett this year and played one of two songs to us at each show. Hes got a calm and passion about him that is captivating. I’ve seen him play a couple small venues now and am just as impressed.

So whats next? More music, more friends, more fun! That and hoping that this will be the year of moving on! Sorry New England, its just too damn cold up here. In my travels this past year, my sister of another mother, Mary introduced me to New Smyrna Beach and I simply fell in love. Its small, but quaint. Just south of Daytona with pristine beaches and a lot less traffic. I may have found me a new home!

Happy New Years everyone! I hope that 2010 brings you all happiness and prosperity!
xo ~ tonga

Clothing Line!?

Got to love the internet… you can create designs and have your own little clothing line in no time at all! I created some stuff for the upcoming Buffett shows and figured I’d share! Can’t wait till Thursday… with all the crap going on at work, I’m really looking forward to changing my latitude!

create & buy custom products at Zazzle

Bartop Update!

Yeah!! The pictures have been modged… modged podged.. whatever, they’re stuck to the surface. I’m picking up the bartop sealer today which will give me FOUR days for it to solidify. Yep, I’m quite the procrastinator!

Going on Tour!

So I was chatting with my good friend Carrie recently, and we got to talking about how fun would it be to go on tour with Buffett. As in, jump in an RV and hit every show on the tour! I know people do this.. and its not something new… but its something we want to do. I’m doing a smaller version of that this year with 5 shows on the to-do list! Two shows at Great Woods, Jones Beach, Nissan in VA and Mohegan Sun! Not bad considering I thought I’d be lucky to make both the GW shows.

The whole ‘tour’ thing got me thinking about making up some t-shirts for Tonga Tam’s! Mary hooked me up with a cool new logo…

My new logo!

…so I got to scratching out some ideas on a pad of paper. The end result is a pretty cool t-shirt design! I still have some work to do on it.. its a bit rough for my tastes but I’m getting worried about how much time I have left till the shows! That and my bartop isnt done yet. EEEEKKK!!! I’m way too busy to have so many hobbies! hehe…

the t-shirt design!