The Rockabilly Weekender-A Love Story

To sum up in a few words my feelings about the Rockabilly Weekender in Vegas: More fun than a body has a right to have!


I was completely in my element the entire time and despite the pregnancy, I never felt wiped out or overwhelmed. It was refreshing to be among people who have the same love for the past that I do and enjoy the entertainment that goes along with it.

This was the tenth anniversary of Viva Las Vegas and so many bands signed up that neighboring hotels had to open up their ballrooms and get in on the action. The main event, however, takes place at the Gold Coast Hotel, a nice western-themed resort w/ plenty of showrooms and ballrooms for the gig. At night, bands play from 6pm to 3am and during the day there are jive classes, the shifters car show, and the best shopping I've ever seen! Yes, I spent too much money...but for once, I have no buyers remorse. From records to shoes to accessories to clothing it was just the best selection I've been confronted with. My most luxurious purchase was a pair of one-of-a-kind shoes from Lucky Lou ( http://www.luckyloushoes.com/styles.html) that I fell in love with immediately! They're like little works of art for my feet...sigh. I mulled over it for two days before finally giving in and handing them the visa.
The Shifter's Car Show Saturday was the highlight of the whole trip. So many gorgeous cars, so much pomade, so many cuffed jeans, and such a plethera of oriental umbrellas you've never seen! And even more shopping...but I was able to obstain. I fell in love w/ every 50's model Chevy on the place. By the way girls, whether it's your style or not, those parasols are a lifesaver! I got away w/ little or no sunburn due to that thing. The three girls in the picture (by the blue car) were on roller skates and they were so cute rolling around everywhere.


The music was all pheonomenal...very traditional rockabilly. I made some great discoveries and rediscovered some old favorites like Narvel Felts and Billy Lee Riley ( 'my gal is RED HOT...your gal ain't doodly squat'). The band in the picture came all the way from Australia and we actually bought their cd...they're called The Firebird Trio. Great vocals and excellent upright! And did I mention the dancing? While the bands played, huge areas were opened up on the dance floor for the couples that could jive and they were amazing! One couple was so good, I was simply mezmerized when they crossed the floor. There was also this cute dance for 'girls only' called the Sex Kitten Stroll that strongly resembles the electric slide. It was a blast!



Sunday was the Tiki Pool Party and it was perfect weather. All the girls dressed in fourties/fifties style swimsuits and did their hair in barrel curls w/ flowers. They also carried their signature sun umbrellas and wore rediculously high platform heels. Silly, but it made for great pictures. Needless to say they didnt go near the water. The guys wore white tanks and straw hats very similar to Huckleberry Fin. We sat for hours just people-watching and sipping (non-alcoholic for me) coctails by the pool. Incidentally, I've never seen so many heavily tatooed girls that somehow still manage to be glamorous. One girl beside me had an elephant tatooed over ther entire back. It was so beautifully done, I had to ask her for a shot of it...which seemed to flatter her alot .















The hotel we stayed at was The Orleans and I liked it so much that I doubt I'll ever be staying anywhere else in Vegas. It is extremely reasonably priced and off the strip so away from the hubbub that can sometimes be annoying. There is little lobby area to speak of, just a huge casino w/ cheesy 'Mardi Gras' themed decorations hanging from the ceiling and a registration desk on the right hand side. But there are at least six restaurants ranging from Tgi Fridays to Japanese to Italian and there's a ten screen movie theater, a bowling alley, and a spa. I had a massage, scrub, and facial combo Friday morning that was the best I've gotten yet...and the spa is beautiful. Actually, the rooms are quaint and quite pretty too, completely different from the loud lights and colors in the casino. The pool is the best we've ever visited! It is immaculately landscaped and there is a lagoon style hot tub that sits off in a quiet corner far away from the huge main pool. There is also a lounge pool for those who want to avoid the kids in the main one and tons of trees to relax beneath. We sat out there for 3 hours Saturday night...even ate dinner out there. The weather, again, was beyond belief. Gosh, I love the desert climate.

On the flight home, we ran into a bit of drama when the passenger in front of us passed out and a doctor had to see to him which sent the whole plane into a tizzy. There was scramblings for blankets and pillows, calls to the air-medic, and even an iv was administered. When we got to the Nashville airport, the tarmac was alive w/ red and blue lights as the perimedics boarded to cart him away to the hospital. My husband (who is an avid 'Airplane' fan) bets he had the fish. heh heh.

Anyway, it was a great trip, a wonderful trip, a perfect trip. And though it's always good to get back to children and congregations and the comfort of every day things...I won't be getting over it right away, I assure you.