toronto rockabilly Archives

I’m not only an avid Lindy hopper but I”m also a big fan of Rockabilly and I’m very lucky to live in a city that has so many awesome bands not only for swing but also for Rockabilly. This coming Friday a night of live music starts again with it’s “Sweet 16th” installment of the Rock-A-Billy Shake-Up, one night only at the Junction’s – 3030 (3030 Dundas St. West).

This event has been a really fun way to showcase the amazing musical talent we have not only in Toronto in the Rockabilly scene but also Canada and even the US, and it is ALWAYS a great show. I’m also really excited because the Toronto Vintage Society has organized a meetup event to the show and I just love meeting other TVS members.

Now I know that many of you that read my blog are not from Toronto and won’t be able to make it on Friday but I really wanted to share a bit of something I love with you and who knows maybe if you visit Toronto you could catch a show.

The first band playing are “The Hi-Tones” from London, Ontario and I have never personally heard them but from what I have checked out on good old YouTube, their sound is really great.

The event page states that: The group have developed a strong repertoire, including original material and drawing inspiration from artists such as Janis Martin, Wanda Jackson, Brian Setzer, and Tarantino film soundtracks. The Hi-Tones studio singles, “Rocco Perri” and “Long Gone Daddy”, have received strong play on college radio, and the group are gearing up to record a full-length original album in 2014.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AxxlqhspM4&w=420&h=315]

The second band is a real personal favorite of mine and should be yours too – “Tennessee Voodoo Coupe“. I LOVE this band and I just love dancing to them as well. Their shows are always so much fun and it was really exciting to have been able to see them perform at “Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend” last year.

The event page states that: TVC’s 4-piece road crew are well-versed in traditional rockabilly, hillbilly, and swing-flavoured sounds, spiked with a punk rock energy. Jump shouter Big Rude Jake is at the wheel, with Steve Good on the doghouse bass, guest picker Johnny Gallagher providing the sizzling leads, and standup drummer Don Dekouchay completing the crew.

Little taste of the band 🙂

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0655nvkPP48&w=560&h=315]

Here are a couple of images of VIVA last year at the TVS Show

Image courtesy of Dean Villafuerte

The Toronto gang at the show

Image courtesy of Dean Villafuerte

Me dancing up a storm with my friend Dean

Lastly the event also has superb music in between with DJ Rockin’ Dave Faris who will be spinning frantic rockabilly and unruly rock ‘n’ roll cuts all night long. Dave is also the original organizer of this event.

So I hope to see you there if you live in Toronto or maybe another time. I will also see if I can get some good photos of the evening to share with you later.

Liz 🙂

Continuation of “What I did this Summer” posts

The next event that I attended this summer was called “Bop n Bowl” and it was a Rockabilly weekender right here in Toronto, this past July.

The first night started at the Press Club with Canada’s favorite wild man “Bloodshot Bill”

Bloodshot Bill (all photos courtesy of Dean Villafuerte)

Thank goodness for my friend Dean and his camera because I only ever saw the top of Bloodshot Bills head during his set.

It was a good crowd for the first night.

My friends were all having a good time..I think lol (there is me in the back in the green accidentally photo bombing the pic)

There are two things I like to do when I go out to a Rockabilly night: 1. Dance 2. Have a drink or two. Clearly I’m at my max.

Day 2

Day 2 had some really great Vintage and Reproduction vendors, rock n roll dance classes and even a on-site barber set up during the day at Lee Palace’s. I did not purchase any dresses (dang budget) but I got a very cute hair piece for VIVA next year, woo hoo!

The Evening consisted of a night of amazing music from three outstanding bands.

First band to play is a personal favorite Toronto band of mine called the “Swingin Blackjacks“. If you are ever in Toronto I recommend you seeking out one of their shows, you will not be disappointed and if you like to dance they are perfect for dancing.

Next up was another Favorite Toronto Band- “The Millwinders“.

They are really really good (and such a good Rockabilly dance band too) and have performed at VIVA Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekender 2 years ago and have been asked back for 2014 as well. Can’t WAIT to see them perform there.

The only female member of the band “Sarah” is insanely beautiful and super talented. She sings, plays the bass and rocks the best vintage/reproduction fashions I have ever seen. She has some wicked style that I could only hope will one day rub off on me along with one of her many awesome Bakelite bracelets 🙂

After the Millwinders, we were treated to a really cool musician in the form of “Jittery Jack with “Miss Amy“.

The Review of the headerliner….Jittery Jack was OUTSTANDING! OMG…why have I not seen this guy before? Like seriously, what is wrong with me? lol. Go see this man if you can, you will not be disappointed! Such a good show and Miss Amy was really good as well. Totally an amazing way to end the music portion of the event.

For the evening I wore my brand new “Glamour Bunny Sarong Dress” that I had been drooling over for like a year online. I finally was able to purchase it when the new store “Rosie the Rebel” brought it in just for me! Umm not quite but since it fit me like a glove I like to think it was just for me.

Once again here is another “Liz drinking pic” and once again I’m clearly already at my 1 or 2 drink max here 😉

Here are some dancing pictures from the evening. I danced a lot and my poor feet were hurting by the time the evening ended. Always a good sign I think!

Day 3-The Bowling portion of the event

You were probably wondering when I was going to get to the “Bowl” portion of this weekend. Well do not fear it is here but first I will share a picture of the Car Show we had outside of the bowling alley.

Bowling time! This was such a fun way to end the weekend, everyone in our group had such a blast, as you can see below.

Seriously though we had a really good time playing the game and playing it very badly I might add, but I partially blame the bad bowling on the broken lanes. Do you see a problem below? lol

As we got into the game we noticed that some of us had some very good form.

and some of us had no form, like me!

But we cheered everyone on no matter what and I think everyone was a winner, expect maybe me and my husband and that guy further down the lane…

Photo Courtesy of Sue Shadoff

Sadly though all good things must come to an end and we headed home but I am really looking forward to next year and hope that the awesome Alissa (see below) decides to run this event again. Thanks for a good weekend!

Liz 🙂

Tag: toronto rockabilly

Toronto’s “Rock-A-Billy Shake-Up!” March 14th, 2014

Toronto’s first Rockabilly “Bop n Bowl” Weekender Event