Wednesday, May 07, 2014

VINTAGE SNOW BIRDS!!! Part 2 - Viva Las Vegas 17, Las Vegas, CA

First up if you did not see part 1 of this series then go check out Jacquie's post on "Cabana Bay" in Florida, its amazing!

Now onto my part of this Vintage Snow Birds travel series....


Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend 17

Since it started 17 years ago Viva has grown to be the largest event of its type in the world, featuring bands and fans from all over the world who come to experience rockabilly and original ’50s music, a classic car show, burlesque competition, vintage fashion show, dance lessons and competition, tiki pool parties, swimsuit contests, burlesque bingo, pin-up beauty academy, pin-up contest, more than 120 vendors, a bowling event, tattoo lounge and more (Source).
The festival is also known for attracting the most eye-catching, stylish, head-turning people you could ever see in one place and some of those people were your very own "Toronto Vintage Society" members.
Viva Las Vegas rockabilly weekend 17
Some of the Canadians at Viva. Find the members :)

What was also very exciting was that Toronto's very own Rockabilly band the "Millwinders" were going to be playing on Sunday afternoon. This is a huge deal for Rockabilly bands as the exposure is out of this world. Plus TVS very own lovely and talented Sarah Butler sings and plays the Bass in the band as well. Amazing!

Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly weekend 17
Sarah from the Millwinders on the left
Viva Las Vegas rockabilly weekend 17
James from the Millwinders, Sarah-Millwinders and Teddy Fury from Royal Crowns

That aside I bet your eager to see some highlights from this very cool event and without further adieu here you go.

It is a tradition for many visitors to Viva to visit the very cool "Frankie's Tiki Room", so I gathered up my friends Tikified myself and off we went!

Viva Las Vegas rockabilly weekend 17
Here are some of the lovely ladies (including myself on the left) of TVS
Viva Las Vegas rockabilly weekend 17
Images courtesy of Dean Villafuerte

Now Viva is not just about Frankie's Tiki room there is a whole lot of music to listen to all weekend long and you could spend your whole trip jumping from ballroom to ballroom trying to hear them all. I was lucky enough to be able to hear several really really good bands.

Names like: Imelda May, Lloyd Price, The Royal Rhythmaires, Jive Aces, Kim Lenz and the Jaguars, Stompy Jones, Sun Records Rockabilly show, The Millwinders, Shakedown Combo etc etc. etc. It was amazing! I danced so much and saw lots of amazing dancing. I mean seriously!? How could you NOT dance to such great music!

The Jive Aces
Image courtesy of Dean Villafuerte

Lloyd Price
Lloyd Price

Imelda May
Imelda May                      Source

Shakedown Combo are a Rockabilly band/family from Nova Scotia. They were amazing during their set!

Shakedown Combo
Image courtesy of Dean Villafuerte

Then Toronto's Own "Millwinders" played and they played the roof right off the Orleans, they were that good!

Millwinders
Millwinders-Image courtesy of Dean Villafuerte

Now when your not listening to music you could of checked out the car show because with over 800 cars there was never NOT something to look at.

Viva Las Vegas rockabilly weekend 17
Images courtesy of Dean Villafuerte

Tired of looking at cars? Well then there was also some pretty outstanding Burlesque and even Burlesque Bingo to be seen each night of the event.

Viva Las Vegas rockabilly weekend 17
Images courtesy of Dean Villafuerte


You could of also taken a Jive lesson or two.

Viva Las Vegas rockabilly weekend 17
Image courtesy of Dean Villafuerte

Viva Las Vegas rockabilly weekend 17


Taken a spin down the lane way at the Bowling Alleys.

Viva Las Vegas rockabilly weekend 17
Image courtesy of Dean Villafuerte

Or gone swimming at the pool parties that happened every day.

Viva Las Vegas rockabilly weekend 17
More lovely ladies of Toronto at the Friday's Pool Party

Or maybe some vintage shopping was your thing. With two large rooms and the vendors at the car show there was always shopping to be had.

Viva Las Vegas rockabilly weekend 17
Images courtesy of Dean Villafuerte


Then last but not least there was the people. Everyone brought their vintage A game and they looked so good! I spent most of my time just gawking as people walked by in total awe of everyone's class and taste.

Viva Las Vegas rockabilly weekend 17
Sarah and James-Millwinders
Viva Las Vegas rockabilly weekend 17
More of the Toronto gang -Image courtesy of Dean Villafuerte
Viva Las Vegas rockabilly weekend 17
TVS Member Dean (on right) who also supplied most of the pics seen here

Viva Las Vegas rockabilly weekend 17
Now these are some Dapper Men - Image courtesy of Dean Villafuerte
Viva Las Vegas rockabilly weekend 17
Images courtesy of Dean Villafuerte


So there you have a high high level overview of my vintage vacation with some fellow TVS members to Viva Las Vegas.

So will you be joining me next year?

Viva Las Vegas rockabilly weekend 17
Image courtesy of Dean Villafuerte


Note: If you would like to see more images and read about my personal adventures from Viva then head over to my blog "Vintage Inn".

Liz

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