Las Vegas Weekly

Your guide to Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend

Photo: Allison Duck

It’s time to break out the bullet bras and corsets as Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend is upon us!

Lovers of Classic cars, retro clothes and pin curls will be out in droves as the Orleans hosts the weekend festival, now in its 13th year.

Scheduled events include fashion shows, a car show, concerts galore plus everyone’s favorite event, the burlesque competition.

Wednesday, March 31:

Wild Records Pre Viva Party at Wasted Space: This event will feature performances by rockabilly greats including Al Hendrix, The Caezers, Chuy and the Bobcats, and DJs Caveman Leo and Fancy Dan.

Dita Von Teese at Crazy Horse Paris: From March 31 through April 7 (dark April 6), international queen of burlesque Dita Von Teese will be performing alongside the ladies of Crazy Horse Paris. Get a dose of classic burlesque to put you in the mood for rockabilly weekend.

Thursday, April 1:

Hillbilly Hellcats at the Double Down: The band performs at the saloon, along with Phantom 88, James Hunnicut, The Slow Death and The Cowbelleros.

Pinup-A-Looza: The Harmon Theater presents Pinup-A-Looza hosted by Sabina Kelley, Dayna Delux and Candace Campbell with burlesque performances by Mimi Le Meaux, DJ Goo Goo Muck and special guests Heidi Van Horne, Kay Ohara and Java, publisher of Bachelor Pad Magazine.

Friday, April 2:

The Vintage Fashion Show at the Orleans Showroom: Besides the hair and makeup, rockabilly style is all about the clothes. Check out the best in retro dresses, bullet bras and porkpie hats on display.

Jive dancing school: Looking the part is easy compared to dancing like a true rockabilly diva, which definitely takes some practice. Get a little instruction at Miss Wolff's Jiving School so that you can dance to the best of rockabilly, doo-wop and surf music of the '40s, '50s and '60s.

Hell Bound Havoc at Feelgoods: Feelgoods will celebrate Rockabilly weekend with a car and bike show to benefit the Legacy High School Hot Rod program. This event is open to cars from 1965 and before and will run over the course of Friday and Saturday. On Saturday, ladies can take part in the pin-up contest. On Friday, Yeller Bellies and Jackson will perform and on Saturday Thee Swank Bastards, Rob 'Em Blind and Monster Zero will perform. Check out Thee Swank Bastards, Yeller Bellies, Monster Zero and Rob 'em Blind in our Local Band Guide.

Head Lite View at Double Down Saloon: Also performing will be The High Rollers, Cold Blue Rebels, Dave Wolfe Band (featuring members of the Go-Getters) and a surprise guest headliner.

Pin-Up Girl Contest at Blush: PinUpGirlClothing.com presents a pin-up contest with $2500 in cash and prizes at Blush. The event will be hosted by Vegas pin-up babe Ms. Redd.

Saturday, April 3:

The Viva Las Vegas Shifters Car Show at the Orleans: Last year's event brought hundreds of pre-1963 cars on display.

Burlesque Competition at the Orleans: A cornerstone of the rockabilly weekend, the competition will take place in the Orleans Showroom. Finalists were chosen during January voting and the top six will compete for the title.

Mighty Slim Pickins'

The Mighty Slim Pickins' at Divebar: A San Francisco-based group blending vintage country, rockabilly and punk, the all-female outfit theatrically mixes heartache with hardcore sounds.

Shotguns & Gasoline at the Double Down: Also performing will be The Earps, The Robbie Davis Band, The Ryan Bradley Affair, Sonic Sedation and a surprise guest headliner.

Sunday, April 4:

Viva Las Vegas Weekend's Tiki Pool Party: Check out the vintage swimwear on the ladies at the Orleans and wind down from the weekend’s festivities with a relaxing day by the pool.

Jaxy and the 357’s at the Bunkhouse: The Bunkhouse presents a Viva Las Vegas After Party featuring DJ Billy Boy Brad, DJ Goo Goo Muck, Jaxy and the 357’s and Saddletramps.