Vintage Roadside to debut all-new presentation at Modernism Week 2012!

We've got exciting news to share here at Vintage Roadside - we'll be giving an official Modernism Week 2012 presentation on February 24th, 2012! We're debuting an all-new presentation called "Mid-Century Mermaids: A History" in which we share the stories and people behind a true 1960s phenomenon - the Live Mermaid show. Tickets are now available here!

Oh, did we mention that we'll have a live mermaid performing in the Ace Hotel pool? That's right, the world famous Marina the Fire Eating Mermaid will be joining us for our presentation with a one-of-a-kind performance in the hotel pool - a true Modernism Week first! So, for all of you who wished you could make it to Florida to see Marina we proudly present the opportunity to see her in the desert for the first time ever.

Some of what you'll see in our all-new presentation includes vintage home movies from defunct mermaid attractions, archival photos from numerous sources not seen in decades, first-hand accounts from several former mermaids & performers, a selection of vintage mermaid tails, swimsuits and costumes (many of which were assumed to have been lost), a selection of current mermaid tails, and much more!

We'll also take you back to the days of the assorted aquatic shows that paved the way for the mermaid attraction of the 1960s. We've got Aquacades, Aqua Spectaculars, Aqua Follies, Aqua Frolics, stories of a famous movie star swimming around without his suit, and more.

We'll cover the 1950s which saw the heyday of the Porthole Lounge in some of the swankiest hotels in the country. Places like the Wreck Lounge, the Mermaid Room, the Jules Verne Room, Davy Jones Locker & more. 

The 1960s were the high point of the mermaid attraction. We'll highlight Weeki Wachee in Florida, Aquarama in Missouri, Aquarena Springs in Texas as well as places like Marineland and even Disneyland which featured mermaids to bring in the guests. And for those looking for a little adult history we'll let you in on the secret of which hotel featured topless midnight mermaid performances.

Before moving outside for our live mermaid performance we'll wrap things up with a list of places you can still catch a mermaid show such as a 1960s motor lodge in Montana.

We've been working for years to put all this together and can't wait to share what we've discovered...looking forward to seeing you in Palm Springs!

Don't forget to pick up your tickets here.

You can also learn more by clicking the "Events" tab at our Facebook page here. 

Jeff & Kelly

Vintage Roadside

Vintage Airstream and Trailer Show - Modernism Week 2010

We were excited to be asked to be a part of Modernism Week's first-ever Vintage Airstream and Trailer show held at the Ace Hotel in Palm Springs. And while we were there as vendors, we did manage to sneak out of our booth for a few photos. Here's a little of what we saw out there.

The shot of the Ace Hotel below is intended to be used as photographic proof that there are places where the sun is actually visible to the naked eye in the month of February. We also wanted to say thank you to the staff of the Ace - we had a wonderful stay and everyone we worked with went above and beyond. Thanks again for everything!


We were pleased to have the opportunity to spend some time over the weekend talking with John and Steven from Funky Junk Farms. They have an amazing collection of just about everything we love (old signs, vintage cars, vintage appliances, etc.) and one of the finest collections of vintage travel trailers out there. Below is John's 1948 Westcraft.


A perfect 1952 Silver Streak owned by Better Shelter.


The Ace provided a great setting for this vintage Airstream.


One of the highlights of the weekend was meeting John from Scoot Palm Springs. We had noticed people zipping around town on scooters and thought that seemed like the perfect way to see the area. John's company rents scooters for half days, full days, and weekends. You can pick your scooter up at the Ace Hotel or for an additional charge they'll even bring them to you.

In addition to friendly scooter rentals, John possesses mad modeling skills. Below you'll see John in our Chi Chi t-shirt. (Thanks, John!)


A detail shot of Steven of Funky Junk Farm's 1954 Spartan Royal Manor.


Here's the Spartan Royal Manor in all its glory.


We had a fantastic time and want to say thank you to everyone that stopped by our booth to pick up t-shirts, say hello, and offer tips on things to see in the area. We're already counting the days until Modernism Week 2011!

Jeff & Kelly
Vintage Roadside

Vintage Roadside and Modernism Week

It's February in Oregon. While we've had a mild winter we've still had our share of rain, gray skies, and temperatures that won't have us grabbing the scissors and making that first pair of cut-offs for 2010 anytime soon.

So...let's load up the car and head someplace warm!

Point B on this road trip will be Palm Springs, California. We're headed down to Modernism Week to host a Charles Phoenix book signing and to be a part of the first Vintage Airstream & Travel Trailer Show at the Ace Hotel.

And away we go.

One of our favorite stops along the way was an antique store and collection located in Kramer Junction, California. The shop features an amazing collection of gas, highway and other random signs along with several vintage vehicles. The shop is located east of Boron at the junction of Highways 58 & 395.


Before we settled in we wanted to see a couple things in Rancho Mirage. First up was the amazing Rancho Super Car Wash. Once part of the Elephant Car Wash chain that stretched throughout Washington, Oregon and California the elephant is one of the few remaining vintage neon signs in the area.


Our next stop was the former Chart House Restaurant. Built in 1978, this was one of several Chart House buildings designed by Kendrick Bangs Kellogg who also designed the Doolittle residence in Joshua Tree.


The restaurant is currently closed but there are signs stating that a new establishment will be "opening soon".


We were able to get down to the area a day early and had the pleasure of spending an afternoon and evening with friends.

Below you'll see both Stinky and Mini Jake enjoying the late afternoon sun on our day off.


Fast forward a day and here we are all set up for the Charles Phoenix book signing on Friday night. We'd like to thank Jorg and the rest of the engineering staff at the Ace Hotel for setting us up with the great lighting.

Charles had a packed house for his slide show and we'd like to thank everyone who stopped by after the show to pick up t-shirts, books and to say hello. We had a great time!


We'll have our day at the vintage travel trailer show in our next entry.

See you soon,

Jeff & Kelly
Vintage Roadside

Vintage Roadside + Charles Phoenix = Modernism Week fun!

We're thrilled to announce we'll be spending the evening of February 19th at the Ace Hotel & Swim Club in Palm Springs as part of Modernism Week. What's going on at the Ace you may ask? An evening with the one-and-only Charles Phoenix! "But wait there's more!", as they say on TV. You'll also be the first to see two brand-new Vintage Roadside t-shirts we're launching as part of Modernism Week. We'll be offering a selection of Charles' books at the Vintage Roadside booth and hosting a book signing by Charles after his performance. We've seen a number of Charles' performances and can guarantee you'll not want to miss this!

• Where: The Ace Hotel. 701 E Palm Canyon Dr. Palm Springs, CA
• When: February 19th - 6:30 pm
• How Much: $20.00

We hope to see you there - it should be a great evening!

Jeff & Kelly
Vintage Roadside