Viva - Saturday

Matching shirts are the best!

Saturday morning I was up bright and early to run over to the airport and pick up my old roomate.  We hurried back to the hotel and got her wristband.  We likely should have gone straight out to the car show but we hung out for a while in the hotel room and then got lunch and soon it came to be the scary hot part of the day.  Undeterred though we headed out and made our way through the vendors and eventually got to the cars.

I was wearing my new Re-mix wedges and my Whirling Turban corselette so I was feeling quite stylish and relaxed but the sun proved to be too much for us and we headed in for a break.  I was sad to miss Buzz Campbell after having seen him this summer at Cars and Guitars but the heat was just too much for this True North Gal.



My latest fav - a flat red truck!

 My friend tried to take a much needed nap and after changing and putting on more sunscreen and a hat I went back out to take some more pictures and I made sure I was there to see Big Sandy and the Fly-Rite Boys.  They were awesome despite the sun it was just too good not to enjoy.  I even got to hear the new single they have out on 45 (Don't Go to Far With the Girl at the Bar).  I then went over to the Pool to catch the couples swimwear competition which ended up starting way late but was a good shady break with a mojito and a giant glass of water.  I made it back for Duane Eddy which was fun but still really hot and then my friend and I met up and went and saw the rest of the cars and listened to the Ventures.

The Fly-Rite Guitar Men!

After that we rushed inside to get in line to see Deke Dickerson's The Guitar Geek!  Which was truly the best thing I did all day.  Riddle with surf & even more celebrity this year.  We were 3 rows from the front and saw JD McPherson up close and personal without having to fight the crowds, saw Nokie Edwards and Duane Eddy close up and all the other performers in the line up that was just truly phenomenal.  Other things I have to mention was how much I loved watching TK Smith and Ashley Kingman play together!  This is the best and the sound is awesome and then when there was already too many awesome things we got to hear charming Sandy Nelson play the drums.  Cannot say what an awesome time this was but that was far from the end of our day...

After some food we made it back out in our evening outfits mine just my stand-by black halter dress to go see a bit of Wayne Hancock which was too crowded to really enjoy and after perusing the vendors a little we set ourselves up in a good spot to watch the dancers and see JD McPherson who was like a machine playing his whole album and never missing a beat.  It was then time to walk my friend back to our room after her already 18 hour day and I decided to get changed and go catch the end of the Big 6 and the Bellfuries who's CD I bought and had autographed!  After that it was bedtime for me as Sunday was now arrived and another days activities would start before too long.

Viva 15 - Wednesday / Thursday / Friday

I left for Viva late on Wednesday and had a stop over in Vancouver.  It was hellish all the way drove the rental car the wrong direction!  I almost kissed the bed in the hotel room when I finally got there.  So, Wednesday, arrived = accomplishment.

Thursday did some errands.  Went to Trader Joe's for groceries, went to Lee's for booze (got the new Absolut Grapevine which is heavenly) and some minis for good measure.  Got my wristband and wore my jeans and ivory/silver cowboy shirt to see Justin Curtis.  Ah music at last even had a chair to relax in.  Next went back to the room and freshened up my drink and got ready to go see Big Sandy and the original Flyrite Trio.  Amazing.  I cropped this from a video clip I took of Thru Dreaming.  TK Smith smiling is one of the best parts of the show as I it seemed he might of been happier playing from back stage.  Highlights included Kaw liga cover and flask and "Flask and you shall receive."  Had many good intentions of going back but to be honest I was plain tuckered out at this pointed and decided to save my energy for the rest of the weekend.

Friday I was determined to get some vintage shopping in before Saturday's action-packed agenda.  I made my way East to Buffalo Exchange and got a awesome black tooled belt for $10 and some gold shoes $10 regular $85 never worn (or at least not enough to where away the nordstrom tag).  Then it was off to the antique mall in hunt of all that is awesome -that turned out to be very little in my price range but I did get a collection of vintage Vegas postcards which I think might frame up nicely in my new house.  Then it was a quick stop at In and Out Burger before rushing back to the hotel to see the Charles Phoenix slideshow of pools and patios.  Fabulous as always (I know you know).

After that it was time to get changed and I decided to where my atomic diamonds dress.  I did my hair pinned up and had to mix and match my navy cardigan with my black Miz Mooz shoes (bad packing).  I checked out the vendors and ended up buying a pair of Re-Mix wedges despite myself.  I saw the Blue Collar Combo (all very cute and talented) and then Ruby Dee & the Snakehandlers (wild and crazy), the Planet Rockers (Eddie Angel :) ) and then part of Si Cranstoun before retiring.  Saturday was yet to come and things were shaping up to be awesome!