The vessel as a venue. Move over Carnival, the Tikki is the real funship.  The tikki boat is a two deck rustic ship, entirely decorated in tikki style. The lower deck is the more enclosed, giving it a cozy, more relaxed feel. The upper deck is were the madness begins. It is completely open air; sand and cabanas makes it feel like floating beach. To be quite honest, the top deck was so much fun I didn’t feel the need to go back down after we embarked on the musical journey.

The listed crew. When I think of the Listed staff, two very important things come to mind. They definitely know what they’re doing, and they definitely know how to get down. I’ve been to several events Listed has produced during Winter Music Conference week and all of them were very well organized, and pretty much hassle free.

Listed Staff Charlie Fleisig & Atish Mehta

My freaky good time. We get to the Bayside Marina and check in with the Listed staff, and nicely fast and easy. We hop on board the Tikki and are greeted with a continental breakfast, and after over 24 hrs of non-stop partying it seemed like a feast fit for kings. The fresh fruit, bagels, OJ and coffee were enough fuel to keep me going for another 24, not to mention probably the was the only thing I could stomach at the time.

We boarded the ship about an hour or so before leaving port, giving me enough time to relax enjoy the food and drinks, have a casual chit chat  with the rest of the shipmates and get familiar with the ship. The Tikki Boat itself is a fun boat to be on; it’s practically impossible to not have a good time. Listed also adds fun ambiance by giving people temporary “Are you Listed?” tattoos and by having masks laid out all over the boat so you can wear one if you choose. It really makes you get into the spirit of things, when you see these extra bonuses and how silly some of the Listed staff’s dressed. />

Unfortunately because of the torrential rain the previous day and the morning of, our Tikki boat adventure was postponed for the next day. It took a while for them to announce the fact, not sure why. But time is a valued asset during WMC. When we came back the next morning I appreciated the fact that all of the same preparations of the first day had been redone all over again. The food, the mask, the tattoos it was all there ready and waiting just like the first day.

The music. We set sail after 6 am. Getting there early was a good way to ease into to the sunrise affair all while listening to beats by Listed resident Hoj on the upper deck. Listed residents hold their own – opening up for another DJ is a form of art, you don’t want to over step your bounds and set the tone just right for the headliners. Hoj fit the bill to a T; it was a very smooth transition into Sebo K.  And I would definitely go see him play again any time, any place.

Sebo’s set took me by surprise his set on the Tikki was much more delicate and deeper than I’m used to from Sebo. He played perfectly for the situation, 150 people made the experience very intimate, with Miami’s bay area scenery for a backdrop. My friend Ramon Crespo, of Plusorminus.org described Sebo’s set as “Deep house with some nods to the past and the future”.

Both sets were stellar and complimented each other well. I was actually hoping that at some point they would have done some tagging. That would have taken things to the next level.  We returned to back to the port at about 12:30 pm, we disembarked and were given the Listed keepsake; which turned out to be music to go, a promo pack of Listed of the residents. left off, but brought the energy level up a notch. She played set that spanned the full spectrum of electronic music across house to techno and anything in-between. The moment that most stands out was when she played the MK Dub mix of Celine Dion’s Misled. The dance floor went gaga for it, and it was the only thing people would talk about for the first couple of minutes that followed. It was an “AHA! moment” on the dance floor. Sebo there was a small scheduling conflict.  But once on board we headed back to sea and Cassy took over where postedponed Marina to actually pick up Cassy. Since the voyage had been BaysideIt was interesting we had to go back to the

The Freaky Tikki was different from the rest of WMC’s, fast pace. It was much more enjoyable. Seeing the sun come up on the water to Sebo K and Cassy was truly enchanting. I walked out of that boat fed, drunk, musically satisfied, with a fist full of new friends, relaxed and ready rage for the rest Conference.

Was it worth the $100? So, the number one question everyone has in mind was the Freaky Tikki worth the $100 plus tax and fees? Abso-Freaking-Lutely.

The price of the ticket is usually the main factor that holds many people from going on the Tikki. You really do get your money’s worth. The value of the experience of being on the Freaky Tikki is worth more than what you pay for; it’s something that can’t really be quantified, magical almost.

Let me try to break it down. Average price of a WMC party is about 30$ – 40$, the average price of a drink in Miami is $10 (plus tips). If you have 4 or more drinks, right there the tikki has pretty much paid for itself.  And if you’re anything like me, you can probably spend as much as the Tikki costs on drinks alone. When you add the fact that breakfast is included, you’re watching the sunrise on the water while listening to some of the best talent out there, and you leave with your “Listed Keepsake” all this makes the six hour cruise a steal. For next year don’t let the price hinder your decision of whether or not to go.  And would I pay to go on a Listed Tikki again? YES!

Tikki tips for next year.

• If your going on the sunrise cruise, bring a hoodie or a light jacket it tends to get chilly in the morning. After the sun comes up you’ll be fine.
• Don’t be a cheap ass! Bring tipping money, five or ten dollars is enough and this will expedite the drink ordering process.
• Get on the Listed list so you can be informed on their latest shenanigans.

Go here to read the rest:
Freaky Tikki Party made my WMC 2010