VLV 14 CONTINUED....VIVA LAS VEGAS

I don't know why its taking so long to get all of this down. If you have ever been to VLV I guess you know what I am talking about! They have been doing this show for a long time and each year its gets better as I am told. But as a newbie, I felt welcome, relaxed, engaged, and surrounded by a friendly bunch of like minded people. They did everything right, plenty to do, lots to see, amazing vendors with plenty of vintage to go around. One of my favorite vintage gals...Donnaland Vintage was onhand. I met her at Manhattan Vintage Clothing show years ago and have been a faithful admirer ever since :)Friendly, and fair I can always find something amazing in her place. http://www.donnaland.com/ There was another gal that sold petal bust bra tops I must did out her card and order one as she did not have my size when I go there...I bought a killer pair of vintage repro 40s jeans from a vendor who never gave me a card and 2 other killer dresses, again no card, how did that happen? My Baby Jo http://www.mybabyjo.com/ was also there and it was so nice to meet them in person. A wonderful family oriented couple, so sweet. They had real straw boaters from italy which I wanted but nothing in my size, bummer!

We did and saw so many things not to mention the show. Anyhoots, I was so glad we had the opportunity to witness this phenom! I guess we will start with the bands. There was not one that I did not like and many I had never seen live...
Big Sandy http://www.myspace.com/bigsandyandhisflyriteboys 
 has always been one of my favorites and to get to see him live and in person was amazing. (handsome to boot, I am a sucker for latinos;) Other highlights include https://www.facebook.com/bluecollarcombo such a good looking bunch of strapping billys', easy on the eyes but even better to the ears! They played at SWEET PEAS's Party.  http://www.myspace.com/sweetpea0821. That gal is another sweetheart and so fun.
and Kim Lenz http://www.kimlenz.com/. Beautiful, talented and down to earth!

The burlesque showcase was so classy and well done, so happy we did not miss it. The girls were very talented and alot of fun. They had Louis Prima Jr. do a song with them, so stoked he had performed! http://www.louisprimajr.com/

Honorable mentions, Los Tiki Phantoms poolside  http://www.myspace.com/lostikiphantoms Similar to Los Straight Jackets http://www.myspace.com/losstraitjackets (love) Lil' Mo and the Dyno Flos http://www.myspace.com/lilmoandthedynaflos , who does not love DO WOP! Pachuco Jose y Los Diamantes, http://www.myspace.com/pachucojoseylosdiamantes we have been listening to their CD ALOT! We had missed our friends Erin and the Boys from Delco Nightingale http://delconightingale.com/ and Roy from the http://www.thebuzzards.com/ perform but since they are east coast friends we will get to see them another time soon!

My friend mentioned and warned when we went there since it was our first year going to beware of the east coast west coast divide. Long ago I suppose, when she went it was very much the insider show. I could not find a more friendly and outgoing bunch! It was easy to meet people from around the world without pretense. People came right up to me and vice versa. I did not come across one scenester snot type my entire time there. Even in town ,when we saw a 'billy guy , gal, or couple, pleasantries were always exchanged. I did not see any usual bull shit that comes with a crowd of sometimes rebels like us, no fights, no drinks in the face, and if it did happen, I did not see it. Elevator rides to and from Jamie and Shawns room were the highlight, always someone new to talk to and joke with!

Compliments flew across the room in the passing to gals decked out in their finest. I don't know who looked better, the gals or guys! On the night of our wedding, I saw this most gorgeous gal in a black acetate full circle dress with velvet piping, petal bust, amazing neckline. Such a petite and pretty thing she was all dolled up. low and behold, the week before I sent this dress to a gal going to the show and there is was brough to live on this stunning creature. It looked like it was made for her.

I will post a pic of this. I turned around and could not speak. I was pointing at her with my mouth open. She must of thought I was out of my mind until I told her I was the sender of the dress. Her gal pal was equally stunning in a straight fitted gold thread and cream sheath. I LOVE when things come full circle! She was so happy with it and I could see why it fit her perfectly and she wore the dress not the other way around, perfection!!!!! The pics of the dress do not do it justice! And the ones I post of Stephanie and her friend do not do them justice either, ya had to be there, she was so beautiful.

All in all it was one of the best shows I have ever been to, and would rate this as a must go even if its only once. The headliner was Jerry Lee Louis. Sadly, we had missed him. A little too much partying the night before (after all it was our wedding night, tee hee)
I think the only 2 gripes I had about the trip was the expense of cabs which are about 3 times more than NYC but the cabbies were friendly and very knowledgable. And that we did not stay at the Orleans. Trying to get back the one night to our hotel (the Strat) from a long night there, proved to be difficult, resulting in a 2 mile walk until we found a cab at the bottom of the strip. (lesson learned) next blog...TIKI WEEKEND @OHANA in Upstate NY