Ascarate Park will be electrified with Sun City in two weeks, but before EDM ramps the electric bill the grounds will be home to The Great American Rockabilly Riot this weekend, Aug. 27.
Rockabilly, most easily described as Johnny Cash and early Elvis styled rock’n’roll, carries more weight than a genre of music, however. The culture that surrounds the music includes the cuffed jeans and leather boots, slicked pompadours and pin-up girls, all grooving to the syncopated rhythm that takes its roots in country and swing.
The day-long festival will feature a Pin-Up girl pageant, food vendors, and a custom car and motorcycle show alongside a nonstop lineup of rockabilly music and dancing. Most notable are The Paladins, a band that spawned from the rockabilly craze of the 80s and has been playing since, and The Reverend Horton Heat, at various times described as the godfather of rockabilly and, more recently, a band featured in the Guitar Hero franchise.
Going into its fifth year, Rockabilly Riot is moving locations to accommodate its growing popularity. “We used to have it at the Great American Land and Cattle Company,” festival organizer Michael John said. “But we grew out of it. This is our first time really expanding for a bigger crowd, we’re excited for it.”
Park doors open at 11 a.m. Tickets range from $20-$30 and can be purchased online or at locations listed on the website, rockabillyrioteptx.com.