Oh dear. I do seem to have been neglecting my little corner of the internet, here. I just don't seem to be in the swing of blogging at all lately...
However, I just couldn't let any more time go by without talking about this year's highly anticipated Rhythm Riot which took place last month. I've been going to this event for the last few years, but I have to say that in particular, this one was a real corker!
The band line-up was fantastic, and my three favourites from the weekend had to be The Teenagers, Lazy Lester and The Zazou Cowboys.
The legendary Teenagers are one of my favourite do-wop bands, and have been performing since the 1950s. Three of the original Teenagers, have passed away, including lead singer, Frankie Lymon, who sadly died at the age of 25. His part was sang by another childhood star, and Motown artist, Timothy 'Tiny Tim' Wilson, of Tiny Tim and The Hits.
Words cannot express how amazing these guys are! They sing beautifully, their dance moves are perfectly coordinated, and they interact with the audience, in a way that is captivating rather than 'get on with it' overkill. I love them, which is fitting, because most of their songs are about love!
Love was definitely in the air when this sneaky photo was snapped of Aaron and I during their performance...
Lazy Lester played on the Sunday night, but was around to enjoy the weekender and watch the bands on the days prior to his show. He is just the coolest of the cool, not only because he got up on stage and put on an excellent gig, but because he also wore his own Lazy Lester sweatshirt!
The man is 80 years old! He is also sharp as a tack - during Bobby Brooks Wilson's show the previous night, he was pointed out in the audience, and BBW made a reference to him being 900 years old, to which Lazy Lester replied "I brought Noah his lunch when he was building the ark!"
The Zazou Cowboys provided the lunchtime entertainment in the Queen Vic pub on Saturday afternoon. I had heard a lot of good things about these guys, but had never actually seen them myself. Well I'm glad I have now, and I tell you, we even bought the CD, they were that good! There's nothing like a bit of honky tonk to put you in a good mood on a Saturday afternoon (or any time, for that matter), and this lot put a whole load of people in an excellent mood, as the pub was literally packed to the rafters.
I didn't do too much shopping this year, despite the vast array of excellent vendors, mostly because I was more interested in watching bands, hanging out with friends and dancing. I have found that I get a little impatient when trying on clothes at weekenders, because there is always so much going on, and I don't want to miss out on anything! Plus, frankly I don't want to mess up my hair and keep taking off my carefully planned outfits, only to find that a dress I've fallen in love with, doesn't fit.
That said, I got up bright and early on the Sunday morning to check out the car boot sale, and managed to score a few items which I'm really pleased with.
Of course, one of the best things about the Riot is that you get to spend three days and nights hanging out with your friends.
There are chalet parties....
Dressing conga-lines...
Seeing friends from far and wide, as well as meeting new ones...
The weekend was closed with Ray Collins' Hot Club putting on the final show, and then dancing into the small hours of the morning. A brilliant finale to a brilliant weekend....I'm already looking forward to next year!
However, I just couldn't let any more time go by without talking about this year's highly anticipated Rhythm Riot which took place last month. I've been going to this event for the last few years, but I have to say that in particular, this one was a real corker!
Obligatory car pose!
Chalets at night, Riot's delight!
Perhaps my favourite photo from the whole weekend - Bobby Brooks Wilson!
The band line-up was fantastic, and my three favourites from the weekend had to be The Teenagers, Lazy Lester and The Zazou Cowboys.
The legendary Teenagers are one of my favourite do-wop bands, and have been performing since the 1950s. Three of the original Teenagers, have passed away, including lead singer, Frankie Lymon, who sadly died at the age of 25. His part was sang by another childhood star, and Motown artist, Timothy 'Tiny Tim' Wilson, of Tiny Tim and The Hits.
Words cannot express how amazing these guys are! They sing beautifully, their dance moves are perfectly coordinated, and they interact with the audience, in a way that is captivating rather than 'get on with it' overkill. I love them, which is fitting, because most of their songs are about love!
Love was definitely in the air when this sneaky photo was snapped of Aaron and I during their performance...
Some serious double-chin action captured by Tony Bruce!
Lazy Lester played on the Sunday night, but was around to enjoy the weekender and watch the bands on the days prior to his show. He is just the coolest of the cool, not only because he got up on stage and put on an excellent gig, but because he also wore his own Lazy Lester sweatshirt!
The man is 80 years old! He is also sharp as a tack - during Bobby Brooks Wilson's show the previous night, he was pointed out in the audience, and BBW made a reference to him being 900 years old, to which Lazy Lester replied "I brought Noah his lunch when he was building the ark!"
The Zazou Cowboys provided the lunchtime entertainment in the Queen Vic pub on Saturday afternoon. I had heard a lot of good things about these guys, but had never actually seen them myself. Well I'm glad I have now, and I tell you, we even bought the CD, they were that good! There's nothing like a bit of honky tonk to put you in a good mood on a Saturday afternoon (or any time, for that matter), and this lot put a whole load of people in an excellent mood, as the pub was literally packed to the rafters.
I didn't do too much shopping this year, despite the vast array of excellent vendors, mostly because I was more interested in watching bands, hanging out with friends and dancing. I have found that I get a little impatient when trying on clothes at weekenders, because there is always so much going on, and I don't want to miss out on anything! Plus, frankly I don't want to mess up my hair and keep taking off my carefully planned outfits, only to find that a dress I've fallen in love with, doesn't fit.
That said, I got up bright and early on the Sunday morning to check out the car boot sale, and managed to score a few items which I'm really pleased with.
This photo by Nick Grant surfaced from the car boot on Facebook - I did not end up buying the sunglasses!
There are chalet parties....
Dressing conga-lines...
Seeing friends from far and wide, as well as meeting new ones...
I finally got to meet Elisa, who writes the blog Like a Tree in the Desert!
The weekend was closed with Ray Collins' Hot Club putting on the final show, and then dancing into the small hours of the morning. A brilliant finale to a brilliant weekend....I'm already looking forward to next year!
That blue pencil dress is amazing! We managed to miss Lazy Lester, we may have got a little preoccupied sampling the beverages in our chalet!
ReplyDeleteWhy, thank you! Heeheehee! You missed a good one, as Lazy Lester was great...but then again, I do love a good chalet party! :)
DeleteGreat photos of the bands! I'm so glad I went this year and I'm looking forward to the next big event...
ReplyDeleteThank you! Aaron took most of them as I was a bit lazy about taking photos this year! :) It was so lovely to meet you - it's a shame we didn't get a photo together....but then there's always next year...or somewhere else before the Riot! xx
DeleteGreat photos! It was fabulous to see you again!!
ReplyDeleteThank youuuuuuuuuu! Great to see you too - and it was nice to see you up on stage with Bobby!!! :D
DeleteFantastic photos! That shot you got of Bobby Brooks Wilson is hilarious!!! The Teenagers were definitely one out my faves from the weekend as well. Love that photo of us from the pub! Getting to finally meet at the Riot and then hang out in London was a trip highlight ;) Just over 4 months to go until we meet again in Vegas! xoxo
ReplyDeleteThanks Elisa! Ha! That photo makes me laugh sooo much!!! :D I am not too sure if he would like it...but maybe he would appreciate the funny side?! Yaaaay, I loved hanging out with you in London! It will be fun to see you and Ben again in Vegas!!!! xxx
DeleteSo many young and fun faces:) What an exciting place to be. I especially love your blue frock...beautiful indeed:)
ReplyDeleteThank you Joanna! This is definitely a fun event, and I just love people watching, and seeing all the amazing outfits and hairstyles that everyone has!
DeleteThat looks like SO much fun! I'm going to add the Rhythm Riot to our vacation wish list. :)
ReplyDeleteYaaaaaaaaaaaaay!!!!!!!!!!!! It would be so great if you guys came to the Riot one year, Gabriella! I think you'd like it! :)
Deletethe blue frock looks fantastic on you! ... oh, i especially love the pictures of the chalet parties. looks like so much fun.
ReplyDeleteThank you! :) The chalet parties are a definite highlight!
DeleteLooks like so much fun. The navy dress with the scalloped neckline is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteIt is a really fun weekender...and thank you! I really like the navy dress too - it is a really simple dress, but has some lovely details!
DeleteYour blue dress with the scalloped neckline is gorgeous and suits you perfectly
ReplyDeleteWhat a rollicking, splendidly fun event! I love seeing each and every vintage and/or rockabilly related outing that you two attend. I swear, I live such events (of which there pretty much zero around these parts) vicariously through your awesome photo filled posts about them.
ReplyDeleteBig hugs & the very merriest of Christmas wishes,
♥ Jessica
*PS* Thank you very much for your great comment on today's post about my gig as a vintage jewelry model. Anja very, very sweetly paid me (and Tony, too, technically) in jewelry, so while I didn't actually purchase anything from her myself that day, I didn't come home empty handed either. The carved green Bakelite bangle and 1950s red crystal earrings that I modeled in those photos, as well as some other amazing pieces (not photographed that day) were my wonderfully generous payment - in a currency (vintage jewelry) that I'm always more than happy to accept! :)
Thanks so much Jessica! It's funny, but even when I go to events such as this one, I like reading about them other blogs too, as it's fun to see other perspectives, and also other outfits/parties/bands that I may have missed! :)
DeleteOooh that is definitely great payment! I really liked those red earrings, too! What a great pre-Christmas treat!!!
A very merry Christmas to you and Tony! xxx