Fast Cars and Faster Music - Rockabilly meets barbecue at this weekend's inaugural Rockabillaque festival
Charleston is no stranger to themed musical events and other niche gatherings. The world-renowned Spoleto keeps the classical crowd pretty content; the JailBreak series represents the hipster indie scene; beach music and shag festivals can be found in abundance; and the Southern Ground Music and Food Festival has the Americana craze covered.
But what about a festivus for the rest of us?
Clear your calendars for this weekend's Rockabillaque festival in Park Circle, a rockabilly music and classic car show event that combines some of the best elements of Atomic post-war American nostalgia - a 1950s fashion show, rat rods and restored cars, whiskey tastings, barbecue, and of course, classic rock n roll.
This all-day event is scheduled to last long into the night, so get your pomade and your livers ready! The classic car show kicks off at 1p and is sponsored by Nostalgia Garage and Creek Rats Kustoms. Trophies will be awarded later in the afternoon for Best of Show, Participants Choice, Longest Distance Traveled, Preservation Class, Best Rad Rod and Best Paint Job. The Exchange Factor is sponsoring a 1950s fashion show at 2pm, featuring custom designs from retro clothing line, Sabrina Michelle. Ten classic beauties will be modeling Sabrina's styles, followed by a pin-up contest at 4pm hosted by Jonny Cosmetics, which will also be providing pin-up makeovers throughout the afternoon. PBR will be on hand, giving away koozies, sweat bands, trucker hats and more, with sale proceeds benefiting The Music Initiative / This is Noteworthy. Whiskey tastings will be provided by Ivy Mountain Distillery, and The Barbecue Joint will be serving up steaming plates of their beloved Park Circle barbecue.
But let us not forget the music. Rockabillaque organizer Simon Cantlon, producer and director behind the nostalgia documentary "The Motels of Route 66", knows a thing or two about good music and hand-picked all of the bands who will be performing. Throughout the day along the street, music will be provided by DJ Greasy Gregg, Whiskey Diablo, Skunk Ruckus (Asheville) and Sean K. Preston and the Loaded Pistols (Baltimore). At 6p, the shows move inside with Pierce Edens (Asheville) playing on the patio at Madra Rua. At 8:30p, The Mad Tea: Krekel & Ami (Asheville) start things up at The Sparrow, followed by surf rockers Jason & the Juggernauts. At 9:30p, get over to The Mill to see one of the Southeast's favorite rockabilly bands, The Defilers, play their first hometown show in close to a year. The Bo-Stevens (Winston-Salem) rounds out that bill, while Carnivalesque and Sean K. Preston wrap the night at The Sparrow.
Admission to Rockabillaque is free, as are all of the daytime performances and events. There is a $10 door charge to see the four acts at The Sparrow, while The Mill and Madra Rua are free. So patch up your leather jacket, tighten those victory curls, and get ready for a solid day packed with food and booze, cool cats and cars, and lots and lots of good ol' rock n roll.
Saturday, November 16, 2013
East Montague Avenue - Park Circle
1p - 2a
DJ Greasy Gregg (aka, Worship the Sky)
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