This time last week I went for my first time to Brisbane’s Greazefest – and had way too much fun!
I love the rockabilly style, fashion, music, colour and aesthetic and it was all on show for two days this weekend. I went down just after lunch on the Saturday to check out the demonstrations, exhibits and stalls while the sun was out shining.
Stunning tattooed ladies were abound as were many denim-clad slick, cool guys. The stalls were bursting with dresses, clothes, accessories, moustache wax, headscarves, dancing shoes, homewares, art, Hawaiian shirts, stickers, cut throat barbers, tikis, memorabilia. I found a swatch of bicycle printed cloth (to make a bandanna later on) and headscarf with Vintage bicycles prints on it…. a full-length 1950s bicycle print dress was elusive on the day, though.
These stalls circled the outer perimeter of an oval, os you could literary ‘walk around’ to see everything. In the middle of the oval were where the vintage cars and motorbikes from across the 1950s (group into category) were on display – and they were a sight to behold in and of themselves.
Greazefest -1950s bicycles on display
Most thrilling for me to find in amongst these machines were three lonely and humble, but proud 1950s bicycles that stood in their own category. These three bicycles were resplendent in that they were unique – encapsulating a real snapshot in time as represented by their design, shape, colour and model. I was delighted to see bicycles being included this event. Greazefest and Grezers per say are well known for their American cars – but as the designs and styles of the 1950s were particularly memorable this style reached to bicycle models as well. Personally, I’ve always held a soft spot in my heart for the 1953/1954 Schwinn Panthers (see below).
After drooling over the bikes, I spent the rest of the afternoon and well into the evening enjoying the fantastically entertaining bands. I especially like the US band the Rhythm Shakers – wow!! It was awesome watching the crowd throw their dancing partners (and myself – thanks for taking a chance with me Terry!) across the floor in a happy rock ‘n’ roll boogie and jive style that was a memorable blur of colour, smiles, rocking tunes and fun.
I got a few photos on the day of the three bicycles mentioned, but I used a friend’s camera to get the shots, so I am waiting to get them back to upload. It could be a while! Until next year my Rockabilly brothers and sisters – stay cool!
See you @ Greazefest next year!!!