The Rebel Reunion
The Rebel Reunion was held July 29, 30, and 31 2010 in Reno, Nevada. It was intended to be a locals event without the blatant commercialization that has characterized Hot August Nights in recent years. There has been a great deal of controversy about the business side of HAN in Reno in the last few months, and we decided to try to demonstrate a different way to go about hosting a car culture based event.
The showcase event was Thursdays concert. Held at the A&W at Plumb and Kietzke, it attracted roughly 100 hot rods and a bunch of people there to dance and listen. The opening band was the Golden West Trio. They are a kick-ass rockabilly band from Reno, and established the mood for the rest of the night. Papa Clutch and the Shifters took up the challenge and pretty much tore up the asphalt in the parking lot with their rock and roll. The vibe was excellent and people had a good time. When the music was over, 60 cars took to the streets for a late night cruise.
The rest of the Reunion went smoothly, too, and ended Saturday night with a drive-in movie and 15 cent popcorn, courtesy of Mike & Raeleen Baker of the A&W.
The Rebel Reunion was the brainchild of Michael Babcock, and Mike and Raeleen Baker helped tremendously with burgers and pineapple smoothies, Johnny Starr provided music the whole weekend from his apparently inexhaustable record library. Mike West, Casey Evans, Bob Bartoo, Al Munger, and others worked the event and are responsible for the fact that nobody got run over.
We want to do it again next year.
Rebel Reunion 07/29/2010 People Photos by Andy
Rebel Reunion 07/29/2010 Cars Photos by Andy
Rebel Reunion 07/29/2010 People Photos by Bob
Rebel Reunion 07/29/2010 Cars Photos by Bob
Mike Bratt took photos of the Reunion.
- Thursday, 7/29, 6 PM. Free concert at the A&W at Kietzke & Plumb with opener The Golden West Trio followed by the famous, (or infamous) Papa Clutch and the Shifters. See the note below about Papa Clutch and the Shifters. Bring low back chairs & your dancing shoes. We will have a street cruise for '75 and older hot rods and customs if it isn't too late when we finish rockin' out, although Papa Clutch is swearing that they will play for 2 hours .
- Friday, 7/30 Cruise at Summit Racing cancelled (by Summit).
There will be a dance contest at the A&W at Kietzke & Plumb starting at 7PM with DJ Johnny Starr, a 9:00PM street cruise starting at the A&W for hotrods and customs '75 or older, and as a special treat, some funky home movies of the first HAN, made in 1986. - Saturday, 7/31 Poker Run starting at the A&W at Kietzke and Plumb at 12 noon. Hot Rods and Customs '75 and older, please.
- Saturday, 7/31 Car show sponsored by Steve Maitland at Rock Park. The cost for his show is $25.00.
- Saturday, 7/31 Dance contest at the A&W at Kietzke & Plumb at 7PM with prizes. DJ is Johnny Starr.
- Saturday, 7/31, 9 PM. Drive in movie at the A&W at Kietzke & Plumb: American Grafitti. No necking will be permitted! Bring your low back chair.
Schedule of Events
All driving during fun cruises must be lawful - no burnouts, exhibitions of speed, running lights, etc. We would like to be able to have this event again in years to come. Next year we will need permits from the city. Let's not give them a reason to deny us a permit.
A note for you folks who are new in the area or have been under a rock for the last 15 years: Papa Clutch and the Shifters were Renos #1 stompin rock n roll dance band for many years. They got burned out and tired of the business hassles about 3 years ago and hung up their instruments. They have come out of retirement for this gig and we are thrilled about it. Don't miss it!