As I have stated before, the DC Metro Region is totally lacking a vintage scene! There are no events, no musical acts, no shows, and no vintage-clad people traversing about the Beltway. Instead of circle skirts and platform shoes, all I see is Ann Taylor Loft, Brooks Brothers, and khaki-clad suburbanites. I have made peace with the fact that DC is not a vintage town. It is a government town where lobbyists and government employees are the standard. I stick out and that is okay.
Nevertheless, I have taken an interest in going to Viva Las Vegas. I have never been and I would really like experience it at least once. I love visiting Vegas in general and I think Viva would be a fun way to meet some of you and other vintage-loving people. I need an excuse to dress up, shop, and have martinis! I have been to Las Vegas three times for business. Despite the professional reasons for my trips, I was able to sample the amazing food, shopping, and night life. The best martini I ever had was at the Rumjungle in Mandalay Bay. I felt like I kid in a candy store when I was shopping at Sephora at the Venetian. That was the BIGGEST Sephora I have ever been in my life! Talk about sensory overload!
So, girls, what do you think? Should the man and I go to Viva? If any of you have gone in years past, what did you think of the event?
I've always wanted to go, though I just feel I am too old now for it.
ReplyDeleteAy, no, chica! Que linda tu eres! You look amazing and one is never too old! Life is too short!
ReplyDeleteYou're not too old for it :) I'm 24 and when I went last year, we were in bed at midnight (well 1 or 2) and didn't end up truly drunk a single day (well maybe Saturday for the car show...haha). It was an awesome time though! I would have found it fairly boring to stay at the hotel the whole time, but there is a ton to do there. We also went and saw the Rat Pack show and saw Vegas itself a bit. Its definitely worth going, if only to say you've seen Jerry Lee Lewis live!
ReplyDeleteGo. To. Viva! It's so much fun!
ReplyDeleteI live in VA, and you're right, there is no scene for this style at all. I've never been to Viva, but I do go to Heavy Rebel every year in North Carolina!
ReplyDeleteI love it but sadly haven't been for a few years, the exchange rate used to be $2 to our £1 so everything in the US was a bargain! You may find that it's sold out already though eeek! If you go you'll have fun though!
ReplyDeleteYou must go! Its a life changer, you will love it! The tics are still available, so get one asap and go! You wont regret it!
ReplyDeleteThen we can have a blogger meet up!
XOXO
Dollie
I've been following Kim Bombshell's (The Kim Show) posts about Viva Las Vegas - and it sounded like so much fun, I was contemplating going too! But I just don't think I can get my act together quickly enough to manage it for this year...
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you will have a grand time if you go. Hope that it's not sold out...
The hubs and I are going for the first time this year, and although I don't know a soul, I'm very excited to have an excuse to go all out dressing up!
ReplyDeleteNo vintage scene here in Iowa either (big surprise, LOL), so it will be wonderful and perhaps a bit surreal to be somewhere where everyone else is dressed vintage as well.
I think you should go! I also think it sounds like we need to have a Vintage Virginia meetup. DC is so...grey.
ReplyDeleteGO! GO! GO! Its really not that expensive of a trip and you will have fun no matter what you choose to do. Even if you don't dance or drink, there will still be tons of things to do. GO!!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd Shrinky Inky---you are never too old to go out and have a good time. Believe me, there are tons of older people that go there every year. Its not a young event in the least. Thats one of the things I love about this stuff we're into. You can grow up in it and continue to do it for years to come.
Girl- go! I wish I could but I am stuck in town until I graduate next December ;( After that tough i am SO there!
ReplyDeletePS I am doing a series of posts for VLV14, so make sure to check out my blog. I'm going to have a big VLV giveaway at the end of March too
http://tartdeco.blogspot.com
Please go! You will love it. They offer free jive lessons so you and your man can learn to dance. They also have stroll and bop lessons so I want to see you out on the floor! There are lots of hotels close by so you don't get sensory overload which can happen. There are just so many people to see and things to do. If you go, lets plan a meet up at Frankies Tiki Room on Friday afternoon! It will be a great way to start off the weekend.
ReplyDeleteI hope to go there at some point in my life too! =)
ReplyDeleteI went from 2000-2006, and maybe missed a year in there. If you've never been, you should really consider going at least once, just to experience it. VLV has gotten a lot more popular and successful, and through the years I found that it lost some of the magic for me, which is part of the reason why some friends and I stopped going. I have never been to an Orleans VLV, only the Gold Coast ones. As they got bigger, the prices went up on everything and you stopped getting as much for your money, entertainment-wise. The entertainment line-up left something to be desired there for a while, but it seems pretty full this year.
ReplyDeleteI will say that back then, I was probably guilty of being a snobby purist in terms of my music preferences, so the psychobilly and other stuff didn't appeal to me. Because of the easy accessibility, we also saw the event attract attention of people who really weren't in it for the music, and the vibe became more about the drinking/socializing, and less about the music/dancing. I don't know how it's been in the last few years, so I can't speak to that. I was fortunate to be able to go to the Green Bay Rock 'n Roll Week-ers when they had them, which I vastly preferred.
Ideally, the best time to decide to go is a year in advance when you can get your hotel reservation right at the event site. Your best bet now is to pray you can get into the Gold Coast so you can take advantage of the free shuttle, or maybe even stay at the Rio or Palms, so you can catch the Gold Coast shuttle to the Orleans. You definitely don't want to have to worry about transportation, especially if you're staying at the shows late. I'm not sure if there's any hotels near the Orleans, but it's been a long time since I've been there.
I've rambled, I know. It can be a really fun weekend, and it sounds like you'd really enjoy it right now, especially if you don't have a scene out there in DC. Have fun meeting LOTS of people, as it's always a perk of the event. We always got a kick of the fact that you could be sitting next to someone at the bar who looks like you - until they open their mouth and start speaking Swedish. :)
Hola,
ReplyDeleteI nomitated you for a Stylish award..go check mi blog for info.
http://doradadama.blogspot.com/2011/01/stylish-award.html
oh you should go..I never been ,but I heard is so much fun.
Oh lord. I am totally with you on the DC area. I LITERALLY was the only person the whole week i was in DC with platinum hair and red lipstick. I stuck out like a sore thumb among fleece northface jackets and light jeans. I heard there is NO rockabilly scene there AT ALL. How depressing! I want to go to Viva so bad! I've been wanting to go since I was 21 and now im 25... Rrrrr. I dont think the man wants to go though. BOO!
ReplyDeleteGO! GO!!
ReplyDeleteYou will have SO much fun! I've been 11 times and it's always a BLAST!!!
BTW, on a side/makeup note, Vegas is definitely worth the trip! There's an Inglot store at the Forum shops, a MAC pro store, that fabulous Sephora, and a CCO at Primm! :)
ReplyDeleteThank all for your *amazing* insights, thoughts, and comments! The more I learn about Viva from you gals, the more want to go! I just need to spiffy up my wardrobe and work on perfecting my hairstyles. I have tons of day wear but my night/cocktail attire needs to be improved! I have several Stop Staring dresses but I do not think they will "cut it." They are not unique/original enough. I also need Hawaiian wear. I have a 50s-inspired, cotton-blend, Hilo Hattie swing sundress from the 80s. I can make it look more authentic but I think it is too casual. I can get away with wearing it in the summer here in the DC area but not at Viva. I need the real deal or something from Whirlingturban.com like Kim Bombshell mentioned on her blog.
ReplyDeleteI will more than likely stay at the Caesars or Venetian. I am a part-time travel agent (mother-in-law is my boss) and I can use my agent discount when I book my hotel. I can also use the discount when I book my rental car. The only thing to "worry about" is getting tickets for me and the man for Viva itself. I hope they are not all gone!
Erin,
ReplyDeleteThat MAC pro store is just WOW! I am a MAC Pro member so I can use my discount! The Sephora store at the Venetian is to die for too! I also love the food Vegas has to offer! I need to fast for a week before I go and when I get back, I will hit the gym big time to burn off the "damage!" lol
Viva is not sold out yet! I don't have my ticket yet, either...I better get on that!
ReplyDeleteBeware of Ebay right now, it's the beginning of the "feeding frenzy" right now for Viva. Go Etsy.
I have a Hawaiian 50's circle skirt that has an elastic waist I was going to list when I open my Etsy store. If you want me to email you pictures, I will. It is a little to small for my 30 waist and work better on a 27 or 28 inch waist. Email: Kim@thebombshells.net
I wouldn't worry too much about your wardrobe, honestly. Have fun, bring out your best, but don't stress. Enjoy the music and the people, because that's what it's all about. Like Kim said, shopping right now tends to be ridiculous, and you'll be happier if you just save your money and hit the vendors when you get there! [Not to mention the makeup! You MUST hit Inglot!]
ReplyDeleteYou're on the east coast, take advantage of Heavy Rebel Weekender in Winston Salem NC! (I did just notice that Miss Emily commented about it too, we've been there together for the last 5 years!) Its the best part of summer in my opinion. Incredible car show, TONS of bands playing at all times to choose from, vendors, burlesque, and a huge appreciation of vintage culture. And it's only a few hours south of you! http://www.heavyrebel.net/
ReplyDelete-Deepa
Have you decided yet?
ReplyDeleteMy partner and I are traveling from Australia to attend Viva for the first time this year. I'm excited but also nervous that I'll get lost!
I wanted to add that I agree about not worrying about your wardrobe. There are a few ladies that really go ALL out with AMAZING vintage attire that you know is rare. BUT, about 90% of us just wear what we have and make the best of it!! A lot of people don't even wear vintage, so definitely don't worry too much about it! :)
ReplyDeleteKim,
ReplyDeleteThat is good to know that there are still tickets available for Viva! The man is in an aircast right now due to an achilles heel injury but hopefully he will be right as rain by late April! Thanks for the heads up regarding vintage prices. I have noticed that too. Even things are starting get a little "squirrely" on Etsy but I just got a deal on an amazing 50s deadstock winter coat so I cannot complain!
Erin,
ReplyDeleteI agree that clothes are not everything but I need an excuse to refreshen my vintage wares! hee-hee! I would like a prettier, fancier party/dancing dress. I have too many repro bengaline pieces! I have never heard of Inglot! I have have to check them out! Thanks for the tidbit!!
Deepa,
ReplyDeleteI will have to check out the Heavy Rebel show for sure now! I had no idea! How cool! I need to get out of DC! Too stuffy and too many powersuits! lol! Btw, the DC Metro is now number one for worst traffic in the nation (tied with Chicago)! Whee! lol!
Cherry,
ReplyDeleteThe man and I are more than likely going but he has an injured achilles heel and is now in an aircast! As long as it heals in time for Viva, we will go! That is so cool that you are traveling from Australia! And do not worry about navigating Vegas. Once you get your bearings, it will be easy to find things. Also, if you want to visit the new part of the Strip and see other attractions in the area like Hoover Dam, I suggest renting a car if you have not done so already. Many hotels have shutttles and their is a tram but having a car gives you more flexibility to see and do more stuff.
Tara,
ReplyDeleteThat is a good philosophy. I just need an excuse to buy more clothes! However, I would like a new party/dancing dress. I have lots of good clothes already but a few pieces of bakelite and some shiny baubles for the dance floor would be good!
We did consider getting a car but im a little freaked out about driving on the opposite side of the road!
ReplyDeleteI sure hope your fella is all better soon.