Exotica Music Player Now Online!

Now playing on our Exotica page is the best music from Martin Denny, Esquivel, Les Baxter, Yma Sumac, Arthur Lyman, Tak Shindo, and more. Sit back and relax to the exotic strains of hip-cool music from far away in time and place! Launch the exotica music player so you can experience the tropics while you work or surf the web. Be sure to check out our large selection of downloadable exotica music from Amazon.com.

It's Patio Culture's 10th Anniversary!

NEW! It was Labor Day Weekend 10 years ago that the ol' Grillmeister coined the phrase Patio Culture and built a website to explain the concept. Taking naming conventions from archaeology, Patio Culture was created to describe the suburban American culture that emerged after World War II and roughly ended around the 1970’s. As they say, the rest is history. After beginning rennovations on a house in the neighborhood I grew up in, I began to recall all of the interesting events that transpired in that very place. By 1997, many Boomers were reaching an age where they began to look back fondly on the times that surrounded their youth. At least "trailing edgers" like me did. Thus began my mission to not only bring back a slice of our childhood, but to explore larger pop culture themes such as Mid-Century Retro, Tiki/Exotica, Lounge, and Rockabilly.

That Labor Day weekend seems like a thousand years ago as I was juggling code and graphics with tending the brisket (of course) and keeping up with the unfolding Princess Diana tragedy. After the site launched, it was amazing to hear from other Boomers and retro buffs who recalled the quirks of the era in which they came of age. It was even more exciting when Patio Culture garnered a segment on CNN's website reviews, and was listed under "Thunbs Up" on Yahoo Internet Life's Yippie Yahooey. Much has changed since we all eagerly watched our "hit counters" and gleefully posted every web kudo we received. Much has changed. Even though this website is about the past, I've tried to keep up with certain technical advances taking place in the social media world. Hopefully, the addition of YouTube, Myspace, Wordpress, and other Web 2.0 gizmos have added value and enjoyment to your visit. Thanks for a great ten years!

Slam Bang Theatre Video Clips!

YouTube video clips of Slam Bang Theatre and Nightmare are now available. Relive live black and white kid's show programming with Icky Twerp and his pals!

Updated Things on The Patio Page!

New look and updated step-by-step information on steak cookery on The Patio page. Just in time for grilling season!

See the Grillmeisters' Myspace Page!

My updated Myspace page is as close as I have come to an "About Us" page. Enjoy and sign up as a friend!

Retro Toys Guaranteed To Be Fun...Safety Optional!

New toy selections on the Kid Stuff page to reminisce about! Remember Star Trek tracer guns, clackers, Charlie Weaver battery operated bartenders, and Texaco fire helmets? We do. What about "smart toys" like the Visible Man/Woman and the Plastic Pumping Heart? Revisit them here without the pressure of going to medical school. We've got a virtural stockroom of Patio kid essentials!