The Art Deco Ball On The Queen Mary!

The Tenth Art Deco Ball And It Only Gets Better!

Our Tenth Year At The Art Deco Ball!

Art Deco Ball 2014

The Queen Mary is arguably one of the finest examples of the art deco style. Her salons, from the original air vents to intricate woodcarvings to hand-cut marquetry mosaics, are physical examples of the aesthetic philosophy behind the art deco style—so it naturally makes sense that Her Majesty hosts the Art Deco Festival every year.

Dancing on the Queen Mary August 2014

This year, the festival will be celebrating its Tin Anniversary—not quite the precious metal one would expect for surviving any endeavor for ten years—as the Art Deco Society of Los Angeles (ADSLA)-sponsored event will welcome guests from both Long Beach and abroad.

John Thomas, President of the ADSLA and the man behind overseeing the Conservation Master Plan for the Queen Mary, said the ultimate goal is to allow those who visit to experience the ship as she was when she was in active service. This includes the event's signature re-activation of the Queen's Starlight Club, where they bring out tables and decorations from the liner's historical closet to recreate the club that didn't stop dancing until the wee-hours of the morning. And while the club may not be operating until sunrise like its famed history claims it did, it will be open until 2AM for visitors.

Dancing on the Queen Mary August 2014

Art Deco Ball 2014
Back to 1945....

Dancing on the Queen Mary August 2014

Dancing on the Queen Mary August 2014   Dancing on the Queen Mary August 2014

Dancing on the Queen Mary August 2014
Our friends brought one of his old cars

Dancing on the Queen Mary August 2014
It was a beautiful day and we headed for the observation lounge immediately

Dancing on the Queen Mary August 2014

Dancing on the Queen Mary August 2014
Time for a cocktail

Art Deco Ball 2014
Art Deco items were all over the Observation Lounge

Dancing on the Queen Mary August 2014
The ship is still a maze to us

Dancing on the Queen Mary August 2014
This room will be totally alive in another hour

Dancing on the Queen Mary August 2014

Dancing on the Queen Mary August 2014
We arrive and ready to dance

Dancing on the Queen Mary August 2014
Handsome couple

Dancing on the Queen Mary August 2014
Dressed to the nine's... The Martini's are flowing

Dancing on the Queen Mary August 2014
Cocktails while we wait

Dancing on the Queen Mary August 2014
Biggest martini glass we had ever seen

Dancing on the Queen Mary August 2014
The table decorations were magnificent

Art Deco Ball 2014
Dinner was outstanding

Dancing on the Queen Mary August 2014

Dancing on the Queen Mary August 2014
Dean Mora kept us hopping all night

Dancing on the Queen Mary August 2014
Great music to dance to all evening

Dancing on the Queen Mary August 2014
It was a warm California evening and the lights were so bright!

Dancing on the Queen Mary August 2014

Sunday Afternoon August 31st 2014 Tea Dance

Dancing on the Queen Mary August 2014

Did You Know? - A tea dance, or thé dansant (French: literally dancing tea) is a summer or autumn afternoon or early-evening dance from four to seven, sometimes preceded in the English countryside by a garden party. The function evolved from the concept of the afternoon tea, and J. Pettigrew traces its origin to the French colonization of Morocco.

Books on Victorian Era etiquette such as Party-giving on Every Scale (London, n.d. [1880]), included detailed instructions for hosting such gatherings. By 1880 it was noted "Afternoon dances are seldom given in London, but are a popular form of entertainment in the suburbs, in garrison-towns, watering-places, etc."

Tea dances were given by Royal Navy officers aboard ships at various naval stations, the expenses shared by the captain and officers, as they were shared by colonels and officers at barrack dances in mess rooms ashore.

The usual refreshments in 1880 were tea and coffee, ices, champagne-cup and claret-cup, fruit, sandwiches, cake and biscuits.  Even after the introduction of the phonograph the expected feature was a live orchestra – often referred to as a palm court orchestra – or a small band playing light classical music. The types of dances performed during tea dances included Waltzes, Tangos and, by the late 1920s, The Charleston.

Dancing on the Queen Mary August 2014
We met friends out on the Promenade Deck... Waiting to enter the dance

Dancing on the Queen Mary August 2014
Miss Vicky was rootin' tootin' ready to go inside

Dancing on the Queen Mary August 2014
Wine in hand... Ready for any event

Dancing on the Queen Mary August 2014
Santa Ana Elks were represented

Dancing on the Queen Mary August 2014
Ed and Vince were in line.... We saved the seats

Dancing on the Queen Mary August 2014
Kathy checked up on us

Did You Know? - The promenade deck is a deck found on several types of passenger ships and riverboats. It usually extends from bow to stern, on both sides, and includes areas open to the outside, resulting in a continuous outside walkway suitable for promenading, (i.e., walking) thus the name. The term is thought to be derived from the Swedish word promenaddäck.

On older passenger ships, the promenade deck was simply the top outside deck below the superstructure, and was enclosed by a railing. Lifeboats are typically kept on davits accessible from the promenade.

Dancing on the Queen Mary August 2014
We are ready to go!

Dancing on the Queen Mary August 2014
Black and white looks normal here

Dancing on the Queen Mary August 2014
The music was outstanding

Dancing on the Queen Mary August 2014
The large windows provided much needed lighting

Dancing on the Queen Mary August 2014
Time for a drinky-poo!

Art Deco Ball 2014
Tea sandwiches, scones, and little desserts served at the table

Art Deco Ball 2014
Everyone else found us

Dancing on the Queen Mary August 2014
"I am reaching for a tea sandwich... or something"

Dancing on the Queen Mary August 2014
She must have got it

Dancing on the Queen Mary August 2014
Surprise visitors

Dancing on the Queen Mary August 2014
Will is having a great time

Dancing on the Queen Mary August 2014
Story telling gets into high gear

Dancing on the Queen Mary August 2014
Delightful snacks kept us powered up

Dancing on the Queen Mary August 2014
but where is the tea???

Dancing on the Queen Mary August 2014
Watch out for these two

Dancing on the Queen Mary August 2014
John makes an announcement

Dancing on the Queen Mary August 2014
Nancy has the right outfit

Dancing on the Queen Mary August 2014

Dancing on the Queen Mary August 2014
We had a great table.... Near the bar

Dancing on the Queen Mary August 2014
Angela joined us today

Dancing on the Queen Mary August 2014
Looking forward to next year

Dancing on the Queen Mary August 2014
Enjoying the afternoon

Dancing on the Queen Mary August 2014
Paul had his own nurse

Dancing on the Queen Mary August 2014
Nancy and Vince are right behind us

Dancing on the Queen Mary August 2014
Angie and Ed went for a spin

Dancing on the Queen Mary August 2014
...and made it back to the table in once piece

Dancing on the Queen Mary August 2014
Wine was flowing freely

Dancing on the Queen Mary August 2014
"I am having a great time!"

Off To Sir Winston's Lounge For A Few Drinks

Dancing on the Queen Mary August 2014
We headed for Sir Winstons after the dance

Dancing on the Queen Mary August 2014
The Sun was setting

Dancing on the Queen Mary August 2014
The Queen tooted us!

Dancing on the Queen Mary August 2014