Havana Before Castro by Peter Moruzzi
When Cuba Was a Tropical Playground
in bookstores now
Links & Cuba Resources
Shopping
By no means a definitive guide here are a few books and CDs on my shelf. I recommend enjoying them in combination: mix one of Jeff's superb cocktails as you cue-up a Desi Arnaz track, then settle into a comfy chair to read about mid-century architecture through the eyes of Alan Hess or Chris Nichols. Sound good? Thought it might.
Peter Moruzzi (myspace profile)
Havana Before Castro: When Cuba was a Tropical Playground
Havana's lost era is brought to life through engaging writing, enriched by hundreds of photos and other unique images.
(Pop) Culture Books
-
Jeff Berry (BeachBumBerry.com)
Sippin' Safari: In Search of the Great "Lost" Tropical Drink Recipes... and the People Behind Them
From amazon.com: "Beach Bum Berry" as he is better known, leading authority on tropical drinks and polynesian pop-culture, offers up tantalizing new drink recipes and the untold stories of the people behind the drinks.
-
Wayne Curtis
And a Bottle of Rum: A History of the New World in Ten Cocktails
Travel writer Wayne Curtis follows rum's 400 year history, using ten cocktails to explore topics from slavery to tiki bars.
-
Charles Phoenix (CharlesPhoenix.com | myspace profile)
Americana the Beautiful: Mid-century Culture in Kodachrome
Southern California in the '50s: Sun, Fun and Fantasy
In these collections Charles re-assembles America of yesterday through 100's of vintage Kodachrome slides of families at home, out recreating, and vacationing (not his family).
Mid-Century Architecture Books
Alan Hess (alanhess.net)
Alan has authored several insightful books detailing the serious and frivolous aspects of mid-century architecture. Here's but two I've really enjoyed:
Googie Redux
Oscar Niemeyer: Houses
-
Chris Nichols (myspace profile)
The Leisure Architecture of Wayne McAllister
-
Sven A Kirsten (BookOfTiki.com)
Tiki Modern
Tiki Modern "... [bringing] together the two recent retro trends of mid-century modernism and Tiki style, is bound to lift the Tiki craze to a new level."
Another beautiful Taschen book!
Cuban Music
-
Buena Vista Social Club
Buena Vista Social Club (1997)
When Ry Cooder got this group into the recording studio no one could have anticipated their impact, shooting up the US charts and introducing a generation to a classically Cuban sound.
-
Ibrahim Ferrer
Buena Vista Social Club Presents Ibrahim Ferrer (1999)
Afro Cuban All Stars
Toda Cuba La Gusta (2004)
Chuy Reyes And His Orchestra
Chuy Reyes & His Orchestra (1947-1950)
Desi Arnaz
The Best of Desi Arnaz: The Mambo King
Cuban Originals: Desi Arnaz
Babalu Music! I Love Lucy's Greatest Hits
-
Perez Prado
Havana 3 A.M.
Mondo Mambo: The Best of Perez Prado
Online Resources
Preservation Advocacy
Architecture
- arts & architecture has posted their original articles on the case house study program (PDFs)
Pop Culture
- Charles Phoenix, from kitsch to classic kitsch, Charles opines on mid-century design and American Culture with his "Slide of the Week" newsletter, books, tours, and shows.
- Martini Kings, this local favorite, a vibraphone-fronted quartet, plays "retro classics, jazzy standards, bossa novas and cool instrumental"
- LottaLiving.com, its active community forums take on mid-century modern lifestyle, design, art, furniture and architecture
- TikiRoom.com, the name says it all -- all things Tiki that is. Whether building a Tiki bar or a better Mai Tai or choosing the appropriate Martin Denny album, someone on these forums will happily help you.
