FREE rockabilly concerts at the OC Market Place

The Orange County Market Place is holding a rockabilly competition this weekend and it looks like fun. It’s one of the events this mega-swap-meet has going on this summer that promises some decent entertainment. And, hey, you can get some tube socks while you’re there as well.

Click here for a printable coupon for FREE admission to the Orange County Market Place

You can also get in FREE with a canned donation for the Orange County Food Bank.

Here’s the information on the Rockabilly Showdown:

A competition pitting unsigned rockabilly bands and the first in a series of Sunday concerts will get jump started this weekend at the Orange County Market Place, the weekend swap meet at the O.C. Fair and Event Center, Costa Mesa.

The West Coast Rockabilly Showdown was inaugurated on Saturday, May 1 at noon with the first round of competition. The last Showdown is the 29th with three different bands competing. The winner of each date goes to the finals on Saturday, June 5, also held at the Market Place at noon.

The top four bands will be vying for the first place cash award of $1,000 and the opportunity to open for James Intveld, a rockabilly music veteran on Sunday, June 20. The second place finisher wins $750, third place wins $500 and third place $250.

The semi-finalists were selected via electronic audition submittals and include bands primarily from Southern California, though the lead vocalist in one of the competitors is coming from Nashville, Tennessee.

Judging is done by an audience voice meter and conducted at the end after all bands have performed for the day. Daniel Castillo aka DJ WINE-O will host the Showdown events.

Click here for a printable flyer on the spring concert series

Here is the line-up:

Saturday, May 29

Noon Blue Collar Combo (Santa Clarita/Lancaster)

1 p.m. Becky and the Blacktones (Orange County)

2 p.m. 454’s (Los Angeles and Orange County)

In addition to the Showdown performers a variety of classic cars and specialty vendors will be situated in the stage area, all of which is adjacent to the regular swap meet activity.

June 5th line up is TBD as they will be the winners of each day...so check the above link for more info. I am sure the 5th will be awesome with best competing against the best!!