Las Vegas is full of excitement year around, but during the second weekend of April, “The City of Light” is extra bright. The Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Festival offers a thrill a minute for visitors. This weekend festival is a blast from the past, featuring 1950’s era themed Rockabilly music, car shows, burlesque stage performances, and a pin-up girl contest. This classic over the top Vegas style event is held at The Orleans hotel.
While the premier attractions of the Viva Ls Vegas Rockabilly Festival center around the musical performances, there is so much more to see and do throughout the weekend. Surprisingly, the crowd for this 1950’s themed festival is a cross-generational affair. Even the polyester clad senior citizens appear youthful, as they relive the glory days of Vegas.
Classic performers, which actually graced the stages of old Vegas, reprise their traditional roles on stage. Some of the performers are tribute artists of the old timed Rockabilly style of music. Whether the performers are tribute artists, or up and comers in the industry, the quality of the performances are top notch.
Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly popular acts often include: Lew Williams, Johnny Powers, Alton and Jimmy, Al Ferrier, and Don Woody. The “Legends of Rock” line-up often includes Dale Hawkins, Charlie Gracie, Harvey Fuqua of Moonglows, and Otis Williams of The Charms. Rockabilly performers from around the country, and overseas which travel to Las Vegas to participate in the annual festival often include: Dave and Deke, Captain Jeffery and the Chumbuckets, Crown Vics, Chop Tops, Dean Z as Elvis, Lucky Stars, Haystack Hi-Tones, Domestic Bumblebees, Cousin Harley, Alex Valenzi and the Hideaway Cats, and Wes Pudsey and his Sonic Aces. The full cast of performers, which includes several dozen other groups, can be found at www.vivalasvegas..net
An amazing group of 1950’s style burlesque brings the tantalizing art form back to life, during the Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Festival. Feathers, fans, shiny costumes, and strategically placed “pasties” adorn the sexy women while they romp to traditional burlesque music on stage. Dancers introduce themselves with funky names such as, Vi Vacios, Ms. Fever Blister, and Tallolah Love. Performers interact with the crowd, with this bonanza of knockouts taking time to pose for photos after their performances.
The Betty Page clothing stores sponsors a “pin-up” girl contest, straight out of 1955. The clothing store, along with scores of other vendors, offer authentic styled 1950’s era Rockabilly clothing and accessories for sale during the Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Festival.
Classic cars on display during the four-day show are truly pieces of art. This is the car show, of car shows. Vehicles are required to have been built in 1963 or earlier in order to participate. A full row of nostalgic racecars, show cars, and hot rods are just the tip of the ice burg. Hundreds of detailed pieces of Americana are on display, complete with their enigmatic owners. Hearing the stories of their favorite rides, and how they came to own, and restore, and cherish them is all a part of the fun.
Pabst Blue Ribbon, a popular beverage of choice during the heyday of the Rockabilly era is one of the primary sponsors of the event. Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly visitors can pop the tap of the patriotic colored can, and savor the taste of a by-gone era. Children are permitted to attend some aspects of the Rockabilly Festival, but are not allowed into the casino theater or gambling floor. Tickets for the Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Festival can be purchased in advance from the website, or at the door. A four-day pass to the event is generally $89 per person if purchased prior to the end of March. Prices at the door for a four-day pass are approximately $125 each. Prices for individual shows vary, with current details posted on the Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly website.
