Tropical Daze Showcases Island and Family Fun July 23 and 24

July 6, 2011 - PRLog -- THOUSAND OAKS, CALIF.--It's time  to relax and enjoy live Caribbean, reggae, surf, island and a bit of pirate music and entertainment at the 3rd Annual Tropical Daze Summer Music Festival, July 23 and 24 at the Thousand Oaks Community Park (2525 Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks). The two-day festival features plenty of tropical food and more than 75 tropical-themed vendors. A children's activity area with hands-on science exhibits, games, arts and crafts is perfect for families.

   The Saturday entertainment lineup includes Kaleo (Hawaiian music) beginning the day at 11:15 a.m., followed by Pan On D Run (steel drums), Mai Tais (surf) and Soul Papa (reggae). On Sunday, Pirates from the Pacific kicks things off followed by Yoki Daiko (taiko drums), Island Rhythms (Caribbean) and Cartaya’s Enclave (global tropical beat).

   "You can come both days and hear something new and exciting from each band," says Randy Strong, Tropical Daze organizer.

   Kids (and adults) will particularly enjoy Pan on de Run (Saturday, 1:30 p.m.) featuring steel pans made from 55-gallon oil drums. The music is part Calypso and reggae and features Casey Jones who has performed with Urban Dread and Unkle Monkey throughout southern California. On Sunday, Pirates from the Pacific takes the stage at 11:15 a.m. with authentic pirate songs and sea chanteys. At 12:45 on Sunday, Yoki Daiko performs the ancient art of Taiko drumming while in traditional dress.

   For music lovers longing for the sounds of Hawaii, Kaleo will perform traditional Hawaiian music on Saturday at 11:15 a.m. that tells stories of love of the islands, their flowers and people. At 2:30 p.m., The Mai Tais from Huntington Beach and winners of Orange County's Best Surf Band will combine classic surf music with some heavy rock and roll. Soul Papa closes out Saturday beginning at 4:00 p.m., with a sound that is a mix of positive world music, surf and reggae.  

   Island Rhythms will be back for a return appearance at Tropical Daze on Sunday at 1:45 p.m. Combining Caribbean music, island songs and reggae, Island Rhythms creatively mixes tunes from Jamaica and modern hits into its set. Cartaya’s Enclave wraps up Tropical Daze at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday. Led by bassist Oskar Cartaya, the Enclave is an all-star ensemble of players from around the world including Cuba, Spain, Venezuela, Puerto Rico and the U.S. The music is combination of funk, salsa, jazz and Latin, making for danceable tunes that the band calls "Global Beat."
   "Tropical Daze is very much a family affair just as it is a music festival," says Strong. "If you have kids, this is the place to be." EARTHS (Environmental Academy for Research Technology of Earth Sciences) Magnet School in Newbury Park will host 10 free science experiment stations with each station containing a separate experiment designed for children in kindergarten through fifth grade.

   Exotic birds, including macaws, cockatoos, parakeets, Kookaburras, cockatiels, soft bills and peacocks, will be on display from The Bird Experience. Zootopia will give kids a chance to see small animals up close. Create Studio will offer kids a chance to create hands-on art projects while Tutor Time is presenting story times twice a day. Conejo Valley Recreation and Park District (CRPD) will have its own area of fun activities for kids.

   All proceeds from Tropical Daze will benefit The First 5/Conejo Valley Neighborhood for Learning (CV NfL) and its efforts to prepare children ages 0 to five for school and encourage family involvement. It offers child and parenting classes at six sites throughout the Conejo Valley. CV NfL's activity area at Tropical Daze will feature bubbles, hula-hoops and climbing area especially designed for preschoolers.   
   
   Tropical Daze is presented in collaboration with the Conejo Recreation & Park District, the City of Thousand Oaks and the Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce.

   Hours are 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., both days. Admission is free. For more information, call 805-499-6312, visit http://www.tropicaldaze.org or go to Facebook.com/TropicalDazeFun, Twitter.com/TropicalDazeFun.

Tropical Daze 2011 Entertainment Line Up:

Saturday July 23
11:15 Kaleo (Hawaiian Music)
1:30 Pan On D Run (Steel Drums)
2:30 Mai Tais (Surf Sounds)
4:45 Soul Papa (Reggae)

Sunday July 24
11:15 Pirates from the Pacific (Sea Chanteys)
12:45 Yoki Daiko (Taiko Drums)
1:45 Island Rhythms (Caribbean)
4:00 Cartaya’s Enclave (Global Tropical Beat)

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Tropical Daze Summer Music Festival is an annual event that takes place in July in Thousand Oaks. The two-day, free festival features Caribbean, reggae, surf and island music and entertainment and children's activity areas.