America’s favorite contemporary little big band, the award-winning retro swing ensemble Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, is set to release a new album, entitled How Big Can You Get (Big Bad/Vanguard Records), on April 21, 2009. The 11-song CD is a tribute to Cab Calloway, the legendary big band leader and jazz singer, and was recorded in honor of what would have been Cab’s 100th Birthday. How Big Can You Get is a career milestone for Big Bad Voodoo Daddy -- and not only as an illuminating revival of Calloway’s often hilarious (and just as often pointed) songbook, in the most ...
Pin-up icon Bettie Page died on December 11, 2008, at the ripe old age of 85. Although millions of fans recognize Bettie as Queen of the Pin-Ups since the mid-20th Century, few know the other facets of her life, from her many failed marriages to her time in a sanitarium to her love for the island of Haiti. Here, pop culture connoisseur and author Bruce Lewis details the fascinating story of America's favorite pin-up. Forever Bettie Page By Bruce Lewis Bondage queen. Sex goddess. Pin-up icon. All of these words could be used to describe Bettie Page, and all would be good choices, ...
BACK TO THE RETRO FUTURE: PART 2 Yesteryear's Movies of Tomorrow By Will "The Thrill" Viharo In this second installment of our three-part series, B-movie conoisseur Will Viharo ventures into the vaults of vintage sci-fi cinema to highlight the best in classic spaceship celluloid. This isn’t just a lesson in cinematic history, it’s a look deep into the collective American psyche in the mid-20th century. Ready for more? Then pour yourself a refreshing glass of traggle nectar, lean back, and enjoy the continuing journey into uncharted realms known only to diehard science fiction fans. “PIE PLATES OF PERIL”: EARTH VS. THE FLYING SAUCERS (1956) Fear of ...
BACK TO THE RETRO FUTURE: PART 1 Yesteryear's Movies of Tomorrow By Will "The Thrill" Viharo In the first of this three-part series, B-movie conoisseur Will Viharo ventures into the vaults of vintage sci-fi cinema to highlight the best in classic spaceship celluloid . This isn't just a lesson in cinematic history, it's a look deep into the collective American psyche in the mid-20th century. So, pour yourself a tumbler of rocket fuel, kick back, and get ready to blast off into uncharted realms known only to diehard science fiction fans. Many of us poor Earthlings stuck here in the dawn of the terror-stricken, economically ...
Jul 5th, 2008
Love the look of classic pin-ups from the 1930s, ’40s and ’50s? Ever wondered what makeup tricks they use to get that perfectly flawless finish, those sultry bedroom eyes and those ruby red lips? Learn to do it yourself in this quick video tutorial from ItsJudyTime, and you can look like a retro pin-up model, too! [youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxwvGeZsWNA]
Jul 5th, 2008
Love big band music, hot jazz and ragtime? Are you a lindy hopper looking to get your groove on? Then check out the upcoming installment of Swing House, a monthly vintage dance party, happening on July 26th at Public Assembly (the erstwhile Galapagos Art Space) in Brooklyn, NY. Suzie Q to not one but two live big bands, plus DJs spinning retro beats, then marvel at the spectacle of burlesque, aerial and fire-spinning performances in store.
Jun 10th, 2008
The Timeless Appeal of Retro Red Lipstick By Jodi McNarland Some staples to a woman’s wardrobe simply cannot be ignored. A little black dress may catch a fella’s eye, and strappy heels may turn a gentleman’s head, but nothing puts the shine on the apple like luscious red lips. Briefest history? Babylonians used ground jewel [...]
Jun 9th, 2008
Here’s the situation: It’s your turn to play host. You want the gang to be impressed, and you’ve done your best with the decor. It’s OK. But you want more than OK. You want a focal point. You want that one, wonderful object that will leave them gasping. You want a Moss lamp.
Once seen, a Moss lamp is never forgotten. These plexiglas marvels of the 1940s and ’50s not only invite attention, they demand it.
Jun 4th, 2008
Want to recreate the classic matte makeup look Angelina Jolie is wearing on the cover of the July issue of Vanity Fair? Those arched eyebrows and cherry red lips are emblematic of 1950s pin-up style. And while you may not be a silver screen vixen like Jolie or Sophia Loren, you can recreate this look at home, and enhance your own natural beauty with fabulous retro flair by following this simple video tutorial.
Jun 1st, 2008
Get ready to cut a rug, cats and kittens, because we’ve got some swanky sounds coming your way. Our industrious intern is in the process of re-uploading four years’ worth of music reviews into our newly renovated Website. And, of course, we’ll be adding new tunes, soon. What’s in store? From Rockabilly to Big Band, [...]
This site brought to you by freelance writer Leslie J. Thompson, and her husband Craig Thompson, author and speaker in the field of gastric bypass surgery recovery and support. Thompson is also the frontman for Dallas Band Big-T & the Bada-Bings.
