Ararat

Saturday started with a casual stroll in perfect sunshine up and down the sealed off main street, giving us the opportunity of viewing a sparkling display of "hot rod" cars in all their glory. The constant background music of an Elvis impersonator, live bands and dancing on a temporary dance floor in the middle of the street all added to the flavour of the day.

In the afternoon it was time to observe those fabulous 'hot rods" being put to the ultimate test at the "go to whoa" event which was attended by many enthusiasts watching the entrants burn rubber and billow smoke off those very expensive tyres.

An afternoon jam session and warm up dance in the local McDonald Centre also attracted the familiar faces again. It was great to hear "The Rockin' Daddy's" and other groups like "Cruisers" performing together at such a small, casual venue.

Rosie and I enjoyed sharing the outdoor dance floor in the main street of Ararat with AandA and many, many young children(!) who seemed to appreciate the sounds of the The Cruisers as much as us. A great way to work up a sweat and get a bonus sun tan. The jam session was a buzz, particularly seeing one band after another playing in a fairly impromptu way to a very appreciative audience. (The session was recorded and will be available on CD.)

The Rockin Daddys gave a great performance at the “Moovin ‘n’ Groovin Ball” on Saturday night. And the dance comp provided the opportunity to watch some really talented dancers participating in a well organised comp. I agree with AandA that the lifts heats were special. It was a great night.

Well!! We are now very, very slowly recovering from "Jailhouse Rock", our first experience of a true-blue country town Rock and Roll festival. Ararat buzzed with action packed entertainment all weekend starting on Friday night with a dance in the Town Hall at which "Crash and The Fender Benders" performed excellent fast dance music. The pleasure of coming face to face with Mel & Joy, Little Maria and other rockers from the "Waltzy" sure added to the overall enjoyment of the evening. It really was a “mini Wintersun”. Rock and Roll with a definite country feel. The Town Hall (aka the Ararat Performing Arts Centre) has a great dance floor. I agree that it was good to see the familiar faces from Melbourne supporting the event. (Could any R&R festival be complete without the presence of Little Maria in iridescent purple hair and her trademark Mickey and Minne Mouse outfits?) Also enjoyed meeting and admiring dancers from all over Victoria, including a number of Swing dancers who put on a floorshow at the Friday night dance.




			Saturday started with a casual stroll in perfect sunshine up and down the sealed off main street, giving us the opportunity of viewing a sparkling display of "hot rod" cars in all their glory. The constant background music of an Elvis impersonator, live bands and dancing on a temporary dance floor in the middle of the street all added to the flavour of the day. In the afternoon it was time to observe those fabulous 'hot rods" being put to the ultimate test at the "go to whoa" event which was attended by many enthusiasts watching the entrants burn rubber and billow smoke off those very expensive tyres. An afternoon jam session and warm up dance in the local McDonald Centre also attracted the familiar faces again. It was great to hear "The Rockin' Daddy's" and other groups like "Cruisers" performing together at such a small, casual venue. Rosie and I enjoyed sharing the outdoor dance floor in the main street of Ararat with AandA and many, many young children(!) who seemed to appreciate the sounds of the The Cruisers as much as us. A great way to work up a sweat and get a bonus sun tan. The jam session was a buzz, particularly seeing one band after another playing in a fairly impromptu way to a very appreciative audience. (The session was recorded and will be available on CD.) The Rockin Daddys gave a great performance at the “Moovin ‘n’ Groovin Ball” on Saturday night. And the dance comp provided the opportunity to watch some really talented dancers participating in a well organised comp. I agree with AandA that the lifts heats were special. It was a great night.






After a very necessary sleep in on Sunday morning we once again wearily trudged into the Alexandra Oval for more dancing at the "Rock Extravaganza" in the huge marquee and stroll around an even bigger display of highly polished hot rods, classic vehicles and motorbikes. An added bonus was becoming impromptu guests for a "live" rock 'n roll wedding. It's hard to believe there are so many crazy keen Rock n'Rollers out there just like us !!! Rosie and I enjoyed seeing Slap N The Cats play again on Sunday, but I’m sorry to hear that they intend to disband in May. The highlight of the day for us was the wedding that AandA mentioned. It was billed as “Australia’s first Rock and Roll Wedding”, and had the bride in full white wedding dress, the celebrant in a jacket edged with sequins, and Elvis singing “You Were Always on my Mind” (wasn’t that a song of regret at a broken relationship. . . ?). Like the other main events at the festival, the wedding was recorded for a “Coxy on Tour” television show that is to be shown on channel 7(?) on 25 April at 5.30pm. It was a memorable Tenth Jailhouse Rock Festival AandA. Rosie and I are now looking forward to sharing our first Wintersun experience in June with you two (and apparently with just about every other rocker from the SE suburbs).