Paradise Lost

Khyentse James, the woman behind the massive 1940s World War II Ball (held in early June) and the 1940s White Christmas Ball (held over Christmas) isn’t through. This year, she's also throwing the inaugural Voodoo Island 1950s Tiki Exotica Ball to celebrate cocktail, tiki and exotica culture. And this party...

By Amber Taufen

August 30, 2012

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Khyentse James, the woman behind the massive 1940s World War II Ball (held in early June) and the 1940s White Christmas Ball (held over Christmas) isn’t through. This year, she's also throwing the inaugural Voodoo Island 1950s Tiki Exotica Ball to celebrate cocktail, tiki and exotica culture. And this party will be even more specialized than the other two. “There's a very specific culture that we're diving into with this, and the other two are open to broader interpretations,” she says. “This will be more intimate. There's a pool where people can go swimming, and it's outdoors -- sort of the last hurrah of summer.”

That last hurrah includes hula lessons, live tiki carving, a nine-piece Afro-Cuban orchestra, fire dancers, Elvis and Carmen Miranda (or close enough), an authentic Polynesian music and performance group, barbecue, a limbo contest and more. “When they step in the door, they'll be stepping into another world and another time,” James says. “A place away from the hustle and bustle of modern life: the captivating, wild paradise lost.”

The ball runs from 3 to 11 p.m. today at the Millennium Harvest Hotel, 1345 28th Street in Boulder; tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door. Visit www.voodooisland.org or call 720-924-1945.
Sat., Sept. 1, 3 p.m.-1 a.m., 2012

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Amber Taufen has been writing about people, places and things in Denver since 2005. She works as an editor, writer, and production and process guru out of her home office in the foothills.

Contact: Amber Taufen

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