Paige Vanderbeck
Our prime location at the epicenter of the automotive industry has fused the sounds of summer with the roar of a classic engine cruising by . It ’ s not unheard of to be enjoying a burger and cherry shake at the local drive-in and see a ’ 58 Cadillac Coupe De Ville pull in with the twang of a rock ‘ n ’ roll guitar . With an explorer ’ s attitude and the perfect pair of shades , you and I are going to embark on the ultimate rockabilly summer .
First you ’ ll need the look . For men , the number one hair style is a pompadour with the right amount of curl . Think Elvis Presley . The style for women is one you ’ ve seen a lot of lately - the “ Bettie Bangs ” made popular by ’ 40s icon Bettie Page . Visit Dana at Rad Betty ’ s Salon on Dougall Ave . downtown to get the perfect retro do , and stop at Au Natural Day Spa around the corner to pick up some bright
Getting ready for a bout with the Border City Brawlers !
red lipstick and the darkest black eyeliner you can find .
After you ’ ve got your hair greased and your lips painted , head to Full Circle Vintage on University Ave . to scope out some threads . The owner , Sara , has everything from bowling shirts to pencil skirts , and maybe even that perfect leather jacket .
I ’ ve said it before and I ’ ll say it again – some of the best music in the world comes from Windsor and Detroit . Although most people think Motown , one of the greatest rock and roll guitarists in
In 2000 , an International Rock-A-Billy Hall of Fame Museum was established in Jackson , TN
the world , Jack Scott , is a Windsor native and current Michigan resident . If you ’ re looking for something a little more modern , visit Villains Beastro on Pelissier , the regular venue for touring rockabilly musicians . Pay special attention to The Matadors from London , and The Brains from Montreal .
You might not be able to cruise in your own hot rod this summer , but there are plenty around for you to see . Visit The
Canadian Transportation Museum on Arner Townline in Kingsville every Thursday night to grab a bite at their ’ 50s diner and take in the sites of the weekly cruise-in . If you ’ re able to hop the border , the annual Woodward Dream Cruise in Michigan on August 17 , 2013 is the largest one-day celebration of classic car culture in the world .
Now it ’ s time to strut your stuff . Find a special guy or gal and head out to the Dairy Freeze in Northridge and get the real drive-in experience . You can sit in style while your burgers , fries and , of course , the cherry shake are delivered right to your window . From there make your way to the Leamington Marina on August 10 for a movie under the stars to rub knuckles in the popcorn bowl with your one and only .
Sports fans should check out Windsor ’ s newest retro phenomenon instead – the roller derby track . Roller derby rose to prominence in the ’ 70s and is the perfect mix of rockabilly , feminism and fishnets . The Border City Brawlers , Windsor ’ s resident derby girls , are having a championship bout at Adie Knox Arena on August 24 and they ’ re always looking for fresh meat .
No matter how hot the sun , you ’ ll be the coolest cat around this summer .
Do you have your own rockabilly summer hotspot ? Use the # exploringmatters tag on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram to let Paige know , and on 8tracks . com to find her Rockabilly Windsor playlist .
8 The HUB - August 2013