There is a light that never goes out...

Well, my Viva posts are over for another year - I hope that you enjoyed reading them!  I still have some more holiday posts coming up, but before that, I thought I'd take a little break from the neon lights of Vegas, and bring you the neon lights of London...

This weekend we experienced perfect sunny springtime weather in London, so loverboy and I headed out for some adventuring, and our first stop was the Chris Bracey exhibition currently being featured at the Scream Gallery.

The first thing you notice when approaching the gallery is this neon dagger shattering the window and piercing through a neon heart.

The exhibition, entitled 'I've looked up to heaven and been down to hell' is the first UK solo exhibition by London-based Bracey, who works with neon to create light art.

Developing the skills that he learnt from his father, who was a neon sign-maker, predominantly making signs for funfairs, Chris Bracey's artwork shines a light on popular culture, the seedy side of Soho, and of course, the neon mecca - Las Vegas.

Some of his works reference song lyrics, by bands such as The Smiths....

I loved this piece, just as I love the song.

There is also reference to rock'n'roll and tattoo culture...

The heaven and hell side, as mentioned in the title of the exhibit is pronounced through religious iconography juxtaposed with sex, love and even violence.

Don't even ask how many attempts it took me to capture this shot with the flashing 'love' part lit up...

I loved this show - it has all the glamour and sleaze of Las Vegas, without the cigarette smoke.

On a side note, you may have noticed that I've joined Instagram, where I posted some other pictures from this exhibition on Saturday.  If you would like to follow me on IG, you can find me under @Incendiaryblonde, where I post general silly pictures, outfits of the day and so on.

'I've looked up to heaven and been down to hell' runs until the 1st of June 2013 at Scream.

Viva Las Vegas 16 - Part Four

So picking it up where we left off, we've had part one, part two, part three, and now here is the final installment of my Viva Las Vegas 16 series of posts.  Get comfy, it's a long one.

The headliner of the car show on Saturday evening was none other than the legendary Little Richard.  The schedule was a bit behind, so we had a look around the cars a bit more, where I ran into another little fellow...

We also bumped into Haute Rockabilly Fashionista and Tre, and as you can tell from this photo, they were also excited about the imminent performance by the Georgia Peach himself...

Then, it was time.  The moment that everyone had been waiting for: Little.  Richard.

The man is eighty years old, and he brought it.  Granted, his voice was a little deeper and his songs a bit slower, but he still had the piano-playing skills and the charisma that we were all there to see.  That and he had rhinestone covered shoes!  Honestly aside from the music, I thoroughly enjoyed his banter and his humour...SHUT UP!

 A sea of cameras greeted Little Richard's entrance!

This was the best picture that I could get of the man himself...

 Girls on stage during 'The Girl Can't Help It'!

I could see both men and women around me in floods of tears, overcome with emotion at getting to see their idol.  It definitely was an amazing and memorable experience to be part of a huge crowd of people, outdoors on a warm night in the middle of the desert, watching Little Richard perform.

Next up, we braved more lines to get dinner.  After waiting what felt like an eternity, we finally got our food and took it to our room to get ready.  Unfortunately because the car show stage schedule was running late, and dinner took so long to wait for, we ended up missing The Cleftones.  I have already seen them a couple of times before, at the Rhythm Rocker and at last year's Rhythm Riot, however I was still a little disappointed to miss this show.

We ran into Eddie from Royal Crown Revue, and his shades matched Aaron's shirt perfectly!

That night Si Cranstoun headlined in the main ballroom, and despite having seen him many times, we still thoroughly enjoyed his set.  I danced so much that I lost one of my earrings (that I got married in) - *sob*.  I was very disappointed.  Not only because it took me a while to realise and in the meantime I was walking around with one earring like an 80s throwback, but because I loved those earrings and they had great sentimental value.  

 These are the happy, sweaty faces that follow a night of dancing to Si Cranstoun!

We hit the record hop until 7am, so it was a good thing that we had a nice relaxing day by the pool planned for Sunday...

A knock on our door on Sunday morning heralded a visit from the Easter Bunny, who came bearing chocolates!

Good thing the bunny knocked for us, otherwise who knows what time we would have woken up...

At the pool, mai tais, sun loungers, and a swimsuit contest were on the menu.

A few of our friends took part in the swimsuit contest, so of course we cheered them on...

The winning entry! 

DJ Tanoa Samoa Boy was on the decks, poolside, so we had some fun al fresco dances...

DJ Tanoa Samoa Boy spinning the platters that matter!

Photo by Lisa Freemont Street - so glad she caught this snap!

The Sunday pool party is one of my favourite parts of the weekend, and this year's was just as fun as ever - so many glamorous people, and so much wonderful vintage swimwear.

With the stunning Doris Mayday!

The incredibly talented and sweet Tony from His Vintage Touch Hairstyling!

With the beautiful and talented Lola Devlin!

Lovely Bay Area ladies, including Kit Lopez from Kit & the Branded Men!

I didn't get the hat memo...with lovely Lee and Ruby!

After this we hot-footed it to the buffet with a group of friends.  I always find it fun looking at the types of foods that my friends pick out when presented with a million different options.  I didn't take a photo, but I should have.

Then:

Nikki Hill was one of the acts I was really looking forward to on the line-up, as I had heard so many great things about her.  Well let me tell you, that girl can sing.  She has a strong, powerful voice, which demonstrates a really sophisticated technique, and yet maintains that raw, soulful sound.  Her dress was also stunning!

The Roy Kay Combo also played on Sunday night, in the Bienville room.  They were one of my favourite bands of the weekend.  A definite highlight, providing a much-appreciated honky tonk vibe to the evening.

By this point, I didn't know if my feet could carry me anymore.  My swollen little tootsies were so tired, I found myself a seat and had myself a little rest.  Then Ray Collins' Hot Club came on and this happened...

Who can sit still to this band?  You know I love them as I have mentioned it before.  I was tickled to watch these two dancing BAREFOOT (you know, like the song?) to RCHC...

The rest of the night was a blur of bears, boots and burgers...

Aaron and Rockin' Vic looking sharp!

With the lovely Amber Foxx!

Until next year...