Page 61 - Issue 45

DEEP ELLUM is an amazing link to is an amazing link to
Dallas history. Originally established
as a ‘freedmen’s town’ of emancipated
slaves just after the Juneteenth.
Twenty years later the area became
“The INVASION” car show takes place every Labor Day weekend in railroads lines. Henry Ford opened a
an industrial bazaar of cotton gins and
the streets of downtown Dallas. The show is held in an area called
Model T assembly plant in 1914, which
Deep Ellum, known for awesome murals, amazing bars and
produced vehicles for decades. Pawn
incredible music venues. The roads are closed so hundreds of
Shop Row once held ten large pawn
pre-’64 cars and trucks can bask in the hot summer sun.
shops separated by speakeasies and
jazz clubs. For almost a hundred years
You can count on a 100-degree day with live music
outside and thousands of spectators braving the heat
sacrilegious music has poured out of
sacrilegious music has poured out of
places like the Gypsy Tea Room and
places like the Gypsy Tea Room and
The Sons of Herman Hall. Blind Lemon
for the ‘hottest car show in Dallas’.
Jefferson and Leadbelly Ledbetter,
who wrote the original “Black Betty”
and “Gallows Pole” among other hits,
were legendary local bluesmen of
Deep Ellum. The traditional car show
is a perfect link to the history of Old
East Dallas, and helps the current
businesses survive during the hottest
month of the year.
The ninth INVASION was a real
humdinger! Local band ‘From Parts
Unknown’ murdered the outdoor set in
the middle of the blistering heat to stir
up a sweaty crowd. Around 400 rods
and runners crammed into every lot
and alcove after Elm Street itself fi lled
up. Countless spectators partied in the
blocked off streets and funky bars like
the Anvil Pub and Serious Pizza. Later
a pin up pageant was held before the
awards were announced inside Trees
(a killer AIR-CONDITIONED venue).
Reverend Horton Heat wrapped
the evening up with a show of epic
intensity with 300 of my closest
friends.
So, if you fi nd yourself in Big D on
Labor Day weekend, come on down to
the old part of town. Cross the tracks
to where the cool kids hang out. Be
careful though, rubber tends to burn
on these hot streets.

RATRODMAGAZINE.COM RAT ROD MAGAZINE 61

60x63 Pork Report.indd 61 8/1/17 9:12 PM