Hello Stranger and a VLV 16 Recap (Finally!!)

Well, it has been a while hasn't it?? I'm sure to all of you it seems like I got left behind at Viva. I promise I didn't. Basically, life has gotten in the way and I had no time or energy to blog. I am finally feeling settled, however, and think I will ease me way back into it.

So lets start with Viva. Personally, this was the worst time I have ever had at Viva. And I've gone like 11 times. Parts were ok, and a lot of fun, but overall I was unimpressed and uninspired. I hate to say this, but I feel that Viva has gotten too big. I feel like it has lost sight of what it was all about. It is sooooo commercialized now! Its all about contests and car shows and pin up girls and prizes and sponsors. Yuck!! Maybe its because I have been going since it was a fairly small event at the Gold Coast that I am just put off by the size of it now. Ever since it moved to the Orleans it hasn't had that same feeling. I wish they would bring the Rave back and do it at the Gold Coast. Just have an event for music and dancing. No car show, no burlesque, no anything else. I would be a happy girl.

Well, lets get on with my long overdue recap.

Thursday

Fernando and I drove to Vegas with no problems on Thursday. Roy Rapid was playing that night in Brendan's Pub, along with our friends The Rattle Rockin Boys. During the drive we bacame aware that there was a missprint in the schedule. It said that RR was playing in the wrong room. I put the word out with everyone on Facebook to let them know. Dollie Deville helped too, posting it on her page (thanks Dollie!). For the record, I feel that they should be playing the main stage already and I was disappointed that they weren't. I knew they would kill it though.

Our roommate lil e. He wasn't feeling Viva either. This was his entire weekend.

Fernando requested that I wear this dress. Hoaloha sarong dress.

With Fernando. I love this dress because it makes me look tiny!!

Alyx and Kat

The band had a bit of drama for the evening. Ben, the guitarist, had to take his state boards to become a barber that day in LA and was running late. They had Jacob from The Rattle Rockin Boys fill in until he arrived though. He did a great job! Ben arrived in true rock and roll fashion though to finish out the set. During one of the songs his guitar strap came loose and Jacob jumped on stage to fix it. Then, on the second to last song the bass fell apart and Josh, RR's original bassist, jumped on stage to help David fix it. Even with all of these problems the guys killed it. They had a ton of energy and the crowd loved them. I think it was the most rock and roll set I've seen in ages. From any band.

Jacob fixing Ben's strap.

All members of RR past and present. And Russell.
Thursday was by far the best night. Fernando and I danced a lot and I wore a really amazing outfit to the record hop that I have no pictures of. Black velvet cigarette pants with matching halter top. Guess I'll just have to wear it again!!
Friday

This was my absolute favorite outfit of the entire weekend. I got so many compliments on it. I just loved how it came together. Its like all the pieces were made to go together, even though none of them were. Repro Hawaiian tie top. Its part of a set with pants. Vintage Hawaiian halter top. Vintage Hawaiian cuffed shorts.

Bakelite. Orange kissing fish, yellow resin and blue moon.

With Melanie from Incendiary Blonde.

With Mar from Conventional Heretic.
I cruised through the vendors for a bit. I only bought pomade and setting spray though. They were too crowded!!

Late night outfit. Thrifted Elsie Krassas sarong dress. I definitely need to have it taken in. It just fits a bit big.

Bakelite. Root beer, prystal and black.

Room party.
Friday turned into a real shit show. I have no idea why people would wait until they go all the way to Viva Las Vegas to start drama when they could do it at home. It was stupid immature bullshit. The whole thing was super annoying and I let it effect me. I am not used to girls acting that way. My girlfriends are awesome girls that just want to have a good time. They are not interested in getting in fights, or talking smack about people or acting like mean girls. They are there to have fun and dance and drink. Thats it.
Anyways, Friday wasn't all bad. I danced some and wore an outfit that I really liked. Black and gold cigarette pants and yellow bustier top. Not a great option to dance in however. I felt like every time I raised my arms my boobs were gonna pop out! I don't need anymore pictures of that (thanks Patrick!).

Saturday
I have no pictures from Saturday because I did not leave the room. Me, Fernando and e stayed in and ordered pizza and Fuddruckers. This was the first time I have ever stayed in for an entire day during Viva. We were all just so sick of the drama that was literally following us around that we even debated going home early.
Sunday
I actually made it to the pool party. Applause!

This outfit takes a close second. Vintage Shaheen 2 piece set and Miss L Fire wedges. I had a girl offer to trade me her Shaheen for it but I had to decline. I have never seen this one before and I got it for a steal. Plus, she was wearing one that my friend Tina owns. If she ever comes back to Viva maybe we can swap for night.

The bakelite. 2 of the pieces came from that lot I won on shopgoodwill.com. My new obsession is root bear. I only have a few pieces and I want more!!!

Gotta love a Shaheen playsuit!!

With a bunch of Denver broads including Emma to my right (she JUST had her second baby) and Haute Rockabilly Fashionista.

I have to say that I really liked my hair this weekend. I have mastered the art of teasing and have big hair because of it. Yay me.

With E. He finally made it out to the jive contest. I wore my Waltah Clarke sarong dress.

San Diego and LA broads. We were there to see Roy Kay who was amazing!
The jive contest really pissed me off. I'm sorry, but they need to specify that you must be dancing jive in order to place. Not lindy hop, not boogie woogie. Just jive. Lets keep some things traditional at Viva if we can. In the end the right couple won. Katie and Seiji were awesome and deserved the win.

And finally, video of me and my Jive partner dancing. Maybe one day he'll give me the footage from our win in 2001. Sooooo many years ago!!

All in all it was a disappointing weekend. I know the hotel is already sold out and honestly I don't care. Unless Fernando's band plays next year I don't know if I will be going. If we do, maybe we'll stay elsewhere so we get a break from all the festivities. I do think the drama that happened is largely to blame, especially since it spilled over onto Facebook once Viva was over. So childish. I just won't let negativity invade my life. Just because you're unhappy doesn't mean I have to be.