Friday, May 23, 2014 2013 People’s choice pinup Razor Rose
R
Kustom Kulture festivalgoers enjoy a performance by the Three Bad Jacks, below, at the 2013 festival. Contributed
Kustom
Continued from page 2 Prizes are given out for impressive cars and bikes. The fest also includes a vintage fashion show — a competition with winners awarded — a poker run, and nightly parties in the casino’s Beach Rock Lounge with live music. Live music is also a constant feature on an outside stage. A total of 19 bands will take the stage over the course of two days. “As far as Kustom Kulture goes, there is such a broad range (of music),” Mitchell said. “You can have a rockabilly band, a psychobilly band, and you can get into outlaw country. “We have several parties. And during the day there’s bands. Between the bands there are pinup girls on stage, and they are introduced, and they change outfits throughout the day,” he said. PINUP PAGEANT The pinup pageant is another attraction of the festival. In fact, it was the original inspiration for the festival, which now has two: a local pageant featuring models from the area, and a VIP pageant. The VIP pageant is held during Saturday’s VIP party on the casino’s lawn. It features pinup models from all over the country, some of whom fly in for the event. The local pageant runs continuously over the two days. Contestants grace the stage between bands, but are also touring the grounds vying for votes. “In addition to being on stage, they are roaming
around the event, posing with cars. And they create their own marketing gimmicks, like passing out lollipops,” Mitchell said. “They are promoting themselves and encouraging people to vote for them.” Attendees vote for their favorite pinup model, across a range of categories, during the festival, and at the end of the two days, the winners are announced. Several crowns are awarded, including tattooed beauty, two runners-up, and the coveted people’s choice award for the pinup who garners the most votes. Contestants have been featured on the festival’s Facebook page during the weeks leading up to the event, www.facebook.com/ KustomKultureFestival, as
well as the bands. Photos of past festivals can also be found on the Facebook page, in addition to other information such as the event schedule. Information can also be found on the festival’s website, www.kustomcon.com. The RockIt Roost is also online at www.rockitroost. com.
On the cover Hot rods from previous Kustom Kulture festivals and, from left, Sara Bianka and Angel Nicole Olsen. Pinup photography by Hanah Reed. Reed specializes in pinup photography at the RockIt Roost in Bremerton. Cover design by John Rodriguez, North Kitsap Herald
azor Rose, aka Alison Hanford, took top prize at the 2013 Kustom Kulture Fest’s Pinup Pageant: the People’s Choice crown. “If it’s something you’ve never looked into, this festival is not to be missed,” she said. “The number of bands they get, the vendors and the amount of work the pinups put into this. They prepare for months for this. People are amazed that something this fun can exist on our side of the water.” The Kingston resident, mother of two, and coowner of Poulsbo’s Eye Candy Salon initially went to the festival to promote her business, but has since become “hooked” on Kustom Kulture and the pinup scene. Since getting involved in the scene, Razor Rose has been published, and she has worked with charities such as pinups against cancer. As pageant royalty, she now has a few words of wisdom. Kitsap Week: What was it like winning the People’s Choice crown? Razor Rose: It was really special. At the very end they bring up the girls on stage, we get our crowns, they put on the final band and people
dance. It is really hard to dance with a large crown on your head. KW: What is the crown like? RR: I would compare mine to something Glenda the Good Witch in “Wizard of Oz” would wear. It is big and sparkly. My daughter loves it. KW: What is the experience like, competing for the crown? RR: There’s a lot of more work that goes into it than you would expect, but you have a blast. I competed three different years, and every year I promised myself I wouldn’t do anyone else’s hair, but that didn’t work out; I’m a cosmetologist. There’s at least three costume changes, but you can do more. We do classic pinup, something formal, and something that fits within our theme as well. We spend the day wandering around the crowd. I did the best
kitsapweek
page 3
to promote my sponsors as much as possible. There’s a lot of posing with cars; there’s a lot of photographers at the event. KW: How do you like pinup work? RR: One thing I didn’t understand until the first year I started doing pinup, is there is a creative side. I’ve been published, and I’ve done a lot of charity work. It’s fun having an outlet. It’s like being in the theater but you’re silent and still when you are acting. KW: Any advice for current pinup pageant competitors at the fest? RR: My biggest piece of advice is, don’t take the competition side of it too seriously, and bring a pair of backup shoes. Use good etiquette when posing with people’s cars; you don’t want to scratch someone’s car. KW: What is the Kustom Kulture scene like in Kitsap? RR: It’s incredible how much it’s grown. It amazes me how many opportunities there are to hear rockabilly bands. Chuck and Hanah at the RockIt Roost have started quite a snowball effect, getting the community to grow. Photo by Deanna Dusbabek, hair and makeup by Alison Hanford.
NOW OPEN! NEW OWNERSHIP! CENTRAL VALLEY ANIMAL HOSPITAL
10310 Central Valley Rd NW • Poulsbo, WA 98370 360-930-5142 www.centralvalleyanimal.com UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP; LOCALLY/FAMILY OWNED Stop by anytime to say “hi” to our wonderful staff: • Dr. Verna Waters • Shannon Ivers • Lisa O’Donnell
• Dr. Carol Morris • Andrea Nelson • Crissi Williams
Quality modern medicine...delivered with old-fashioned TLC! • We provide personalized, AFFORDABLE medical care for your furry family members! • State-of-the-art medical, dental, laboratory and surgical center • In most cases, you will receive lab and x-ray results while you wait!
Call Now to Schedule Your Appointment. Drive by and look for the copper roof! Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-6pm; Sat 8-12