Every second Saturday of July you’ll find and excellent summer Rock and Roll dance party in Zoetermeer, the Netherlands. Martin and Sillie Verhoeve of dance school ‘Dance to the sixties’ are the key people of Sweet Lake Rock ‘n’ Roll Revival. This year, the Eightball Boppers, Big Caz and the Four Bobs’, Five o Matics and Dee Ann and the Nightcaptains were invited to get the dancers on the dancefloor, well on the street, as it is an open air festival in one part of town. A lot of stalls, a female hairdresser, a carshow and all the nicely dressed dancers turned the town square into a fifties scenery. The dance to the sixties demonstration was the top attraction. Go and watch the youtube! http://www.dancetothesixties.com/nl/ http://www.facebook.com/rocknrolldag http://members.casema.nl/rocking/ http://www.facebook.com/rocknrolldans
Archive for the ‘Festivals’ Category
Dancing in the streets at Sweetlake Rock ‘n’ Roll Revival 2014
ROCKABILLY ROCKOUT OCTOBER 2nd – 5th 2014
Memphis aan de Maas (NL)
On Sunday the 14th of September 2014 the first edition of Memphis aan de Maas will take place at ‘De Vertrekhal’ in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. This former Departure Hall for cargoships from Rotterdam to the USA nowadays is an event center and because of the historical link with the USA the location is very suitable for a 50’s & 60’s event. Memphis aan de Maas has an impressive line-up. One of the best Dutch Rockabilly/Rhythm & Blues bands ‘Dee’s Honeytones’ will play their swinging songs, Dutch Crooner Ray Martin will bring his tribute to Dean Martin & Frank Sinatra. DJ Franco Diago will play all the old Sun Records and there will be a cool oldschool barber: Rockin’ Barber Ritchie Mensingh. Together all the entertainment visitors can also enjoy a real 50’s & 60’s market with vintage clothes, coffee, 50’s stuff, vintage and retro furniture, oldschool jewelry and everybody can participate in the Memphis aan de Maas Music Quiz. Tickets are only €15,-. Wanna buy a few? Send an email to raymartin@hotmail.nl
De Vertrekhal
Benjamin Franklinstraat 507, 3029 AC Rotterdam, Netherlands
Viva La Grasa in Texas!
Viva La Grasa will be bringing some of the hottest Rock N Roll/Rockabilly bands in the US to Texas. Included on the bill will be (2) 1950′s recording artist. Rockabilly Hall of Fame artist Art Adams and Specialty Recording artist Roddy Jackson. We have artist coming from as far as California and as close as next door. Texas owns wonderful Rockabilly artists will be on hand to set the stage on fire. This weekender will have a car show, vendors, tattoo artist, and record hops with some special guest DJ’s from around the world. Tickets are on sale now at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/viva-la-grasa-rock-n-roll-weekender-tickets-10083430813
Viva La Grasa is Alex Tapia (left), Oscar Reyes (center), and Daniela Reyes (right). We are a small Texas based promotion company with over 15 years of experience combined. We have a passion for roots Rock N Roll, Rockabilly, and the culture that comes with it. This all started with a vision of putting together a show that hadn’t been done before in San Antonio, TX. We wanted to give an opportunity to our friends to see bands they normally wouldn’t be able to see as well as an opportunity for the bands to play for a different audience. We have two goals for Viva La Grasa, for everyone to have a good time and to be able to do this every year.
WHEN: September 12 & 13, 2014
The Rock ‘n’ Roll Lifestyle Part 2: Cars and stars 2014
“Home” is a concept that is both solid and nebulous. To many, home is the city where you currently reside, the plot of land you call your own, or simply the bed where you lay your head. These concepts of home are all true. But then there is “home” as a place of origin. The space that helped shape who you are. In the United States, this often brings to mind lots of Norman Rockwell imagery of simple, small town life and all of its nostalgic charms. As the setting of this story is my hometown of Graham, Texas; located in Young County, not far from the infamous Possum Kingdom Lake. And as we made our trek from Austin, my home for the last five years, those feelings of nostalgia started to trickle in and by the time we drove through Mineral Wells, were simply overflowing. For the first time in my adult life, my past and my present were locking horns in a fury of anxiety and excitement.
I first became aware of the “Cars and Stars” event through Facebook. Local Rockabilly/Alt-Country act, the Octanes played the show in 2013 and the pictures of my old town square drew me in like an old hound dog to a soup bone. If you had told my teenaged-self that there was going to be a festival with Rock ‘n’ Roll bands, hot rods, and pin-up models in my humble and conservative hometown my younger self would have no doubt scoffed in disbelief at the notion. But there it was, clear as day and it set my brain on fire. I had to see this for myself. Then lightning struck and I knew. Danger*Cakes, my wife, Jamie’s band needed to get in on this festival. Nothing would make me happier than to see them play at the town square where I had spent so much of my childhood. I had to make this happen.
Fast forward almost a year later to April 11th. Jamie, the band, and myself were all packing up late Friday night for a four hour drive through the Texas hill country. My mood was electric and the night was just chilly enough to have that atmospheric quality. By the time we finally rolled into Graham around 1AM, the town seemed empty, reminding me of the many misspent nights roaming the town streets with my friends, often ending up at the local cemetery, if we felt brave enough. Although this night my gang of friends and I simply ended up at the local Holiday Inn, a relatively new addition to the town.
The Rock ‘n’ Roll Lifestyle Part 1: Lonestar Roundup Weekend 2014
The Lonestar Roundup this year fell on a very special weekend for me. It was my second wedding anniversary. My wife Jamie and I spent the tail end of our Honeymoon seeing Wanda Jackson play at the 2012 show. We opted out of the 2013 show, but this year marked our return to the realm of fast cars, loud music, and big hair. It was a return with a kick like a kangaroo.
After a relaxing morning filled with sugary ceral and Pulp Fiction on Netflix, we rolled into the Travis County Expo Center. Even from the parking lot, you could hear cars revving their engines and music blasting. Once in the vendor area, we were quickly greeted by severa
l friendly and familiar faces.
Scum Bash Rotterdam, part 1
The men of Schorem, Haarsnijder en Barbier have been in the Dutch media a lot lately, being one of the few vintage styled barbers in The Netherlands. Clients lining up in front of their shop, they don’t mind waiting for one or two hours. Women are not allowed in, dogs are. Men with beards and moustaches everywhere, with the greasy haircut. Even at the university, grocery store, shopping mall. They’ve shot the hype into the mainstream world. Barbers loving the vintage style of the thirties forties and most of all music!
Leen and Bertus started the first Scumbash in Rotterdam on February 22nd, 2014. 14 bands on three stages, playing at the Van Nelle fabriek in Rotterdam (NL). It was like a North Sea Jazz festival for scum! And that’s a good thing. Loudness is the main criteria for being invited as a band.
Well not always. The Small Time Crooks, opened the festival. Four bearded men with tattoos from The Hague form a acoustic band, playing fun bluegrass, singing harmonies, kazoo and washboard included.
Amsterdam Beatclub 10th anniversary festival
Since 2003, Amsterdam BeatClub is one of the prominent organisations in The Netherlands for promoting the great 50’s/60’s music.
To celebrate it’s 10th years anniversary, an outstanding 2 record-set on vinyl & cd + booklet will be released,
presenting the very best bands and artists that performed at Amsterdam BeatClub over the last decade:
also included is a wicked book full of photos, rare flyers, full length stories and inside information about 10 years of Amsterdam BeatClub, “The Best Place To Go!Go!”
Hotrodded Bullfrog Rock and roll/ Rockabilly festival (NL)
Such a great atmosphere at Hotroddedbullfrog a festival that started in 2011, attracting 900 rock and roll fans to six cafe’s. In 2012 the amount almost doubled. This year Seven Rock and roll/ Rockabilly bands in seven cafe’s. C.C. Jerome’s Jetsetters, Vibro Kings, The Tinstars featuring Little Esther, The Taildraggers, The Hi-Tombs, 68 comeback and Dee’s Honeytones.
We got a warm welcome by Carla and Cor the owners of Café de schouw, a very cosy place where they usually play Rock music as Cor told us. With d.j.’s and occasionally bands.
I was planning on visiting Esther, but we were on a time schedule and played at the same time. It was raining so even during the breaks we didn’t get the chance to do a quick run to eachother, because we don’t wanna mess up our “wigs” as Esther said in a whatsapp message, haha.
MaRS2 (Maritimes Rockabilly Shakedown) Festival Canada
We are currently organizing the largest Rockabilly Music Festival in Canada and would like to invite all of you faithful followers of the Rockabilly Lifestyle to come and either visit our website or attend the festival itself.
The MaRS2 (Maritimes Rockabilly Shakedown) Festival will be held in Amherst Nova Scotia on the 6th, 7th and 8th of September and there will be over 20 Rockabilly bands as well as vendors of Rockabilly-esque products.
We will also be broadcasting all performances of festival at our new MaRS TV website which will be a 3 day event in itself right after the actual festival for all of those who are not able to attend.
Like my ride at the Drive-in Barn
Attention for everyone coming to the next Drive-in Barn (Rockabilly weekender 16th, 17th & 18th August) with a pre 65 vehicle. Send a picture of your ride your to: Likemyridecontest@gmail.com. Drive-in Barn will post your picture in their ‘Like My Ride Gallery’ on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/drivein.barn?fref=ts)
The Ride with the most likes, will receive a Awesome ‘Facebook Award’ at the coming Drive-In Barn! (Only if you actually bring your ride!)
So send the best picture of your ride (car, bike, rocket or whatever!) to: likemyridecontest@gmail.com. Don’t forget to send your name with it as well.
Hoorn Rock ‘n’ Roll Sunday Danceday
Hoorn Rock ‘n’ Roll, a famed rock and roll party in the centre of the city of Hoorn, The Netherlands. I heard a lot of great things about this party, but i never went, though i had planned to go last year. To my disappointment i missed the party, and with that the Teddy Boy singer Yann the CorrupTED! So when I was asked to go, and one of the organizers who also writes here one this site, asked me too, I didn’t have a choice 😉 So i got a ride and went there.
I went with some friends, and we first went to the Spunyboys, of course. The first set was as energetic and powerful as every time i see them! He had a great arsenal of songs, including songs from Gene Vincent and Eddie Cochran. He even played the great Sandy Ford’s song Oh What A Shame. ‘Especially for Rocky’, Remi(the singer) said, Sandy Ford being from the Teddy Boy band The Flying Saucers. Near the end of the first set we went for a stroll to see which band to go next. On the way I came by a lot of friends from all over the country 😀 We just walked from bar to bar and saw Gotta Go, The Rechords (good band!) and the 2-tones, before walking into El Rio Trio. Always good, the quartet from Amsterdam! Bopper had his new pinstriped bass and wasn’t scared to show it off. And although the bar was small (all bars were), they played the roof from the joint again!
Rockabilly on the Route interview 4: Dustin Brown
Our next interviewee is Dustin Brown of Mr. Right and the Leftovers. Rockabilly on the Route is just a few short weeks away, so blast those motors and get ready to rock!
Tell us about yourself?
I been involved with music for about 15 years, started playing the guitar and then moved to the drums. I played drums in many bands over the years. I started to write songs for the last band I was playing drums with (Rusty Curtians). Members of that band moved to Massachusetts and thats when I decided to start Mr. Right and the Leftovers with Lou Gomes (Bassist) where I now play guitar and sing.
Rockabilly on the Route interview 3: Tina Bartolucci
Our next interviewee should be one already familar to our readers. As part of the all-female Austin powerhouse “Danger*Cakes” Tina Marie Bartolucci combines 50’s pin-up curves with the ethereal energy of a 60’s flower child. The girls are third billed on the festival, so I took some time to play catch-up with her.
Tina, you’ve been playing sax with Danger*Cakes since the bands first year. How would you describe the experience of playing with such a fast rising band?
ROCKABILLY ON THE ROUTE HEADLINERS: WANDA JACKSON & CHOP TOPS
TO BENEFIT THE NEW MEXICO ROUTE 66MUSEUM
Vive le Rock Productions and La Loca Magazine present Rockabilly on the Route 2013, June 7-9 in Tucumcari, N.M., nestled along historic Route 66. For its inaugural year, Rockabilly On the Route is pleased to announce the Queen of Rockabilly herself, Wanda Jackson, along with Southern California’s The Chop Tops, as headliners for the Saturday night concert event. The festival is also a benefit for The New Mexico Route 66 Museum, which is opening this summer in
Tucumcari.
Wanda Jackson, who began her illustrious career in the 1950s as one of the first women of rockabilly, is known for her unique vocals in songs such as “Funnel of Love,” “Fujiyama Mama,” and “Let’s Have A Party.” She was an early sweetheart to the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll Elvis Presley, who mentored her and whose ring she wears
around her neck to this day. Jackson has also been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Rockabilly Hall of Fame and received two Grammy Award nominations for her work.
Formed in 1995, The Chop Tops hail from Santa Cruz, Calif. They blend rockabilly music with punk, surf and psychobilly to create their own special sound, which they’ve coined “Revved-Up Rockabilly.” The band performs their signature sound at more than 200 shows every year, including the infamous Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekender in Nevada.
Hoorn Rock ‘n’ Roll SUNday #6
On May 26 2013 Hoorn (The Netherlands) shakes to its foundations for the 6th time in a row; it’s time for Hoorn Rock ’n’ Roll SUNday! From 13.00 hours until late at night there is a lot to do in the city centre and also in the port of Hoorn. The organization of the festival succeeded again to contract the best rockin’ bands from around the world, so it will be a rockin’ time all over the bars!
Some of the bands: The Cheaterslicks (UK), The Spunyboys (FR), The Mean Devils (P), Truly Lover Trio (USA), Ruby Ann (P), The Rechords (AUS) and many, many more!
Rockin’ movie, fifties-market and Elvis
This year you can enjoy the many bands, but also a great rock ‘n’ roll movie at Cinema Oostereiland: Walk the line. Get lost in the fifties and sixties and enjoy the life of Johnny Cash.
Do you have a bad hair day on May 26, don’t be sad! The barber Monsieur Moustache and vintage hairdresser Madame de Pompadour will take good care of you, so you can impress everybody with your new quiff or other hairstyle! Would you like to have a new outfit, then make sure you’ll visit our big fifties market. Besides all kinds of nostalgic things from the rock ‘n’ roll area, you will also find here stylish fifties clothing.
Rockabilly on the Route interview 2: Vivian MirAnn!
Once more I am bringing you the scoop on the upcoming Rockabilly on the Route festival. This time around we’re looking at the events slice of “burlyq!”
Tell us about yourself and how you came to involved with burlesque?
Rockabilly on the Route Interview 1: Ungelbah Davila!
“Rockabilly on the the Route” is a festival presented by La Loca Magazine and Vive Le Rock Productions. The festival will also include Burlesque performances by Albuquerque’s Gilded Cage Burlesk & Variete, a pin-up girl contest for Miss Rockin’ Route 66 2013. The first year line-up includes headliners Wanda Jackson and the Chop Tops. With support by Danger*Cakes, the Shadowmen,the F-Bombs, and Mr. Right and the Leftovers. This is the first in a series of interviews high lighting the fest. Today we’re sitting down with co-founder Ungelbah Davila, aka La Loca Linda !
Your website states that you “draws inspiration from her own multiculturalism” as well as “classic Americana.” Give some detail on that and how it relates back to the scene?
Showgirl Adventure: Viva Las Vegas 15
I had heard that the Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend was the mecca of rockabilly culture in the world. This wasn’t much of an exaggeration, as I found out. There was a massive car show, live music on several stages almost around the clock, a vibrant marketplace, pin-up contests, swing and jive dancing, a fashion show, and of course, burlesque. The Orleans Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada became the center of the rockabilly universe for a long, 4-day weekend in April with attendees coming from all over the world.
I arrived Thursday morning after an insanely early flight from Texas and dearly wished I could go back to sleep! More pressing, however, was that afternoon’s rehearsal and fitting for the Secrets in Lace fashion show. I hadn’t seen what I’d be wearing yet, but I’m a huge fan of the high-quality, retro-chic brand, so I was very excited. Off to the showroom I went, back to the dressing rooms where other gorgeous burly-Q girls were already trying on their glamorous underpinnings. LouLou D’Vil ofFinland looked fierce in violet and leopard print from the Bettie Page collection, and Medianoche of Spain was divine in pink. The ever-charming Dan Whitsett, CEO and mastermind behind Secrets in Lace presented me with the ensemble I was to wear, and I fell in love instantly. It was the dreamiest, most delicious shade of mint green, and included silky undies, garter belt, a delicate brassiere and robe. The shoes and stockings would be fit separately. “! thought this would go nicely with your hair,” Dan said. How wonderful of him to consider a redhead’s particular color scheme! But then, he is in the business of making ladies look even more luscious. Several pairs of stockings were tried until I found just the right fit. The all-nylon fabric of these coveted silkies has no give, so a perfect fit is essential.
Showgirl Adventure: New Orleans Burlesque Fest 2012!
It is a long, nine hour drive from Austin to New Orleans, but it’s a drive I’ve got used to and now enjoy as I watch the Texas hill country give way to lush swampland and Spanish moss. We rolled into the Crescent City the night before the official start of the New Orleans Burlesque Festival, and there was a pre-party happening at LOA, just outside the French Quarter. It was about midnight when we arrived, but I instantly got a second wind of excitement when I thought of reuniting with some of my dearest burlesque friends!
I dropped my bags at the hotel, slapped on some lipstick and hustled my road-weary self over to LOA, where I was met with the beautiful vision of burlesque folk spilling out into the night-lit street. I began collecting hugs immediately – from ‘the bishop of burlesque’ stage manager extraordinaire David Bishop, the fabulous photographer Derek Jackson, and ravishing raven-haired stars Lydia DeCarllo, Charlotte Treuse, and Athena.