Viva Las Vegas Music Festival Will Put a Tiger In Your Tank

Viva Las Vegas Music Festival Will Put a Tiger In Your Tank

Edible Skinny was cruzin' last month when we attended Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend, the world's largest rockabilly event at the Orleans Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas over Easter weekend! 

For those needing the skinny, rockabilly is one of the earliest styles of rock and roll music, dating back to the early 1950s in the United States. As genre it blends the sound of Western musical styles such as country with that of rhythm and blues, leading to what is considered "classic" rock and roll. Viva Las Vegas, which celebrated its 20 anniversary this year, is the longest running music festival in Las Vegas (rockabilly or not).

The festival was a real blast with its four day festivities included VLV fans from around the globe and featured 85+ bands a huge classic car show, Tiki Pool Parties, Rockabilly Dancing, Burlesque Bingo, and the Miss Viva Las Vegas burlesque competitions.

From classic pompadour greasers to pinups coiffed to perfection, VLV attracts the most eye-catching, stylish, head-turning people you will ever see in one place. Its red hot rockabilly has grown from the first year's 1,200 people in attendance, to selling out in advance 10 years in a row, with over 9,000 attending the four-day festival and 18,000 for the Saturday Car Show. It is promoted by Tom Ingram, who has been actively involved in the Rockabilly scene for 40 years.

Made in the shade! On hand was the WW2 burlesque and vintage variety show Pin-Ups on Tour, which recently celebrated its two year anniversary and has toured to 40 states nationwide (and of which this writer is a member of), along with burlesque legends such as Dita Von Teese and Tempest Storm. This year Miss Von Teese was featured in Viva Las Vegas' burlesque showcase, an event that had 4,000 people waiting in line for tickets.

Fast cars are about was about as cool as it got with the Viva Las Vegas car show on Sat Apr 15th which featured 800 –1,000 vintage cars, (which must be period correct, and pre 1964). It was a sea of tatted up Sailor Jerry guys proudly displaying their classic cars with the bravado of James Dean. As they say... "Put a Tiger in Your Tank!"

This year the car show was musically headlined by Brenda Lee, who has been inducted into both the Rock n Roll and Country Music Halls of Fame. Miss Lee is known for her hits "I'm Sorry" and "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" which has been a US holiday Standard for over 50 years. Miss Lee won a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and is the only female performer to chart songs in all genres: pop, blues, rock, gospel and country. Along with Brenda Lee, featured bands included Reverend Horton Heat, James Intveld, Lee Rocker of the Stray Cats & Los Straight Jackets.

Great ways to spend your bread! Along with the car show there was a variety of vending happening on Saturday. Brands of note were the ever expanding Avalon Meat Candy, a veteran owned Las Vegas based jerky company with the charming slogan of "Country First... Then Jerky!" Another great company featured at the event was the High Life Pomade Company, a high-end men's grooming product line that offers a range of purposes, holds, shines, and scents for the sophisticated greaser (so that Dudes can use as much products as the Dames attending VLV...) Another shining star was the clothing line Heart of Haute, specializing in vintage Inspired fashion from the 1950's and 60's such as ladies pinup dresses, rockabilly dresses, and Mod dresses. Heart of Haute's mission is to provide adorable, high quality products without the use of sweatshop labor (as their slogan says... "Made in the USA, baby.").

Glamour and glitz were up front and center, as this year's burlesque competition for the title of Miss Viva Las Vegas Burlesque Competition was won by Miss Frankie Fictitious. Inspired by old Hollywood glamor, Frankie Fictitious is a San Francisco burlesque performer who dances with the Fishnet Follies & Hubba Hubba Revue. The competition was sponsored by the lingerie company Secrets In Lace, the world's premier supplier of authentic 100% nylon stockings, retro chic lingerie, garter belts, girdles and bullet bras. Inspired by designs from the 1950's, Secrets In Lace has been creating and selling high quality nostalgic lingerie and stockings since 1984. They are the exclusive designer and manufacture of the Dita Von Teese Stocking Collection. Just the perfect invitation for some backseat bingo with your sweetie! ;-)

Right-O, Daddy-O.

Here's to life being delicious and glamour and glitz being up front and center!

Kat Thomas is the Editor in Chief of Edible Skinny, a site dedicated to making your life postcard worthy. She is also the CEO of the creative media company This Way Adventures. You can find more about both brands at http://www.thiswayadventures.com

Vintage Mixers Powell & Mahoney Sponsors Burlesque Fundraiser for Vets

Workin’ The Tease (the burlesque internet channel that is co-produced by Edible Skinny editor Kat Thomas) was lucky enough to partner with awesomely stylish vintage mixer brand, Powell & Mahoney, last weekend on the Roaring 20s burlesque fundraiser The Green Light District to raise funds for Veterans with the non-profit Pin-Ups for Vets.   

Held Saturday February 7th, 2015 at 7:00pm at the Crest Theater in Westwood, CA the Green Light District was a celebration of all things vintage glamour; an event that would have Daisy Buchanan green with envy! 

 

The night included Gatsby inspired burlesque numbers performed in front of classic silent films, circus acts, typewriting poets in the lobby, and larger than life glittery sparkly burlesque numbers!  The glamorous lineup included the Most Dangerous Woman in Hollywood Tonya Kay, Seduction Queen Jessabelle Thunder, The Stunning Siren Noire, tap sensation Buddy Watson, and Workin' The Tease creators Kitty Kat DeMille and Mona Bella.  All these numbers were tied together by Electro Swing maestro DJ Skyler, who earlier this year opened for Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett at the Cosmopolitan on New Year’s Eve.  

The Vermont based Powell & Mahoney, which produces handcrafted, all-natural cocktail mixers using only natural and organic ingredients, was the exclusive mixer sponsor at The Green Light District.  The tony night included tastings of their Old Ballycastle Ginger, Lemon Sour with Bitters, and Cosmopolitan all blended with the timeless spirit of vodka. 

The classic Cosmo mixer of cranberry, lime juice, and cane sugar edged towards the sweeter side while still maintaining the balance necessary for a great mixer.  In contrast, the Lemon Sour with Bitters walked the perfect edge of sour and sweetness.  But, the highlight of the night was the nuanced Old Ballycastle Ginger with flavor profiles that included spicy ginger, delicate elderflower, and a hint of sharp fennel.  The finish was direct ginger with a spicy heat aftertaste.  

For over two decades, Brian Powell & Mark Mahoney have traveled the world, sampling the finest creations from the most talented and knowledgeable bartenders in the industry.  Along the way, they’ve collected recipes, techniques and stories, which they have used to craft their line of Powell & Mahoney Vintage Original Cocktail Mixers.  “Thank you so much to Powell & Mahoney for helping us to help our Nation’s Heroes with this donation,” noted Gina Elise vintage influencer and founder of Pin-Ups for Vets. 

Since 2006 Pin-Ups for Vets has raised money for under-funded hospital programs that support America’s Veterans and recovering military service members.  Pin-Ups For Vets raises funds to improve Veterans' healthcare, donates funds to VA hospitals for medical equipment and program expansion, improves quality of life for ill Veterans across the United States through personal bedside visits to deliver gifts and show appreciation, promotes volunteerism at Veterans Hospitals, conducts morale-boosting events for military spouses, and boosts morale for deployed troops through delivery of care packages.  Due to their work with hospitalized Veterans they have been honored by Oprah Winfrey and recognized by Congress.

 “We are so appreciative of the support.  One hundred percent of bar sales went back to the nonprofit and we couldn’t have done it without of amazing sponsors like Powell & Mahoney,” noted Julia Reed Nichols, producer of Workin’ The Tease and The Green Light District. 

A La Jolla New Year's Eve!!!

A Blonde, Brunette, and Redhead....

Tiny Bubbles of Fun!

Edible Skinny was lucky enough to be in La Jolla is New Year’s Eve dining with the vivacious Gina Elise and Julia Reed Nichols of Pin-Ups for Vets!

We started the night out Right, sipping some delightful Perrier-Jouët House Grand Brut Champagne housed in an “Enchanted Nature” Cooling Case designed by Tord Boontje!  Hello tiny bubbles!!!

After toasting the impending 2015, a redhead, brunette, and a blond walked into the Crab Catcher restaurant (which totally sounds like start of joke), a fresh California and Pacific Rim seafood inspired restaurant.  Set high on a cliff overlooking the spectacular ocean view of La Jolla Cove with breathtaking views of the caves and Pacific Ocean.

The Crab Catcher

Being Veg, I dined on delectable Brussels Sprouts with Shallot and Slow Roasted Garlic ($10) and Locally Seasonal Vegetables with lemon, shallots, cilantro-garlic butter ($8).

Brussels Sprouts

The brunette and the redhead, went with the more classic seafood route sharing bites of Crab Ravioli and Main Lobster.   According to the Pin-Up Gals the Crab Ravioli was the perfect balance of lump crab stuffing, locally farmed oyster mushroom, savoy spinach, and Meyer lemon garlic cream ($30).  The 1 ½ lb. Live Maine Lobster was super succulent with garlic- chive fingerlings, local seasonal vegetables complimented by a Grand Marnier blood orange butter sauce ($62). 

Crab Ravioli

After ringing in the New Year and dancing ‘til in the wee hours of the morning, a New Year’s Day brunch sounded like the perfect compliment a night of debauchery.  The Cottage is located in the heart of La Jolla, a quaint house with outdoor seating it was the perfect New Year’s Day event. 

Lobster!!!

This hidden La Jolla gem is the perfect place for relaxing morning over coffee and a newspaper and sample a bite of their signature scone with homemade jam.   The Pin-Up Gals shared the Stuffed French Toast (considered the best in town), a country style French Toast with strawberry compote and mascarpone cheese ($14).   I concocted the Wild Mushroom Medley, a blend of 4 wild mushrooms, goat cheese, spinach and roasted shallots substituting black beans for eggs, it was totally divine ($14).   Our Cottage meal was the perfect start 2015 with some super sassy and successful dining companions!   

Celebrate!!!!

And speaking of those Pin-Ups Gals, they’ve got quite a big event coming up on January 17th with the Dollface Dames!!!   The second annual Hollywood Cantina: Salute & Shimmy will raise funds to support hospitalized Veterans and Deployed Troops!  From the moment guests enter the event, they will be treated to an event that would make Bob Hope proud.  The Hollywood Canteen’s goal is to recreate the grandstand magic of the Hollywood Canteen that operated during the 1940’s as a club offering food, dancing and entertainment for servicemen, usually on their way overseas.

 

So don your spiffiest outfits and join them (and me as I’ll be performing a brandy new Poi Routine for it!) for a WWII-Style party, open to the public and FREE for Veterans & Active Duty Service Members to attend at the Historic American Legion Post 43 in Hollywood.

Reserve your tickets HERE: Hollywood Cantina: Salute & Shimmy

Happy 2015!!!

Vegan Pumpkin Pie Latte with YouTube's York & Spoon

Date Carmel Apples, Gingery Carrot Tomato Soup, Cheesy Vegan Pumpkin Fondue.... Yummm!  And now imagine all of these delicious autumnal recipes are also Vegan.  Well now they are thanks to York & Spoon.   

While I was in Seattle I came across this awesome Vegan Pinup YouTube Channel that is the brainchild of Jenelle York, a Vegan Punk Pinup.  Registered Dietitian by day, pinup by night & health food promoter 24/7.  Via the interwebs you can watch how to make a delicious plant based dishes every other Monday via York & Spoon.

So in lieu of getting that not so healthy Starbucks Pumpkin Latte, take a gander and learn to craft the perfect Pumpkin coffee via your stovetop (because, again, as John Oliver notes Americans are bat shit crazy for pumpkin...)