Our Tenth Year At The Art Deco Ball!
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.
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.
Back to 1945....
Our friends brought one of his old cars
It was a beautiful day and we headed for the observation lounge immediately
Time for a cocktail
Art Deco items were all over the Observation Lounge
The ship is still a maze to us
This room will be totally alive in another hour
We arrive and ready to dance
Handsome couple
Dressed to the nine's... The Martini's are flowing
Cocktails while we wait
Biggest martini glass we had ever seen
The table decorations were magnificent
Dinner was outstanding
Dean Mora kept us hopping all night
Great music to dance to all evening
It was a warm California evening and the lights were so bright!
Sunday Afternoon August 31st 2014 Tea Dance
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.
We met friends out on the Promenade Deck... Waiting to enter the dance
Miss Vicky was rootin' tootin' ready to go inside
Wine in hand... Ready for any event
Santa Ana Elks were represented
Ed and Vince were in line.... We saved the seats
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.
We are ready to go!
Black and white looks normal here
The music was outstanding
The large windows provided much needed lighting
Time for a drinky-poo!
Tea sandwiches, scones, and little desserts served at the table
Everyone else found us
"I am reaching for a tea sandwich... or something"
She must have got it
Surprise visitors
Will is having a great time
Story telling gets into high gear
Delightful snacks kept us powered up
but where is the tea???
Watch out for these two
John makes an announcement
Nancy has the right outfit
We had a great table.... Near the bar
Angela joined us today
Looking forward to next year
Enjoying the afternoon
Paul had his own nurse
Nancy and Vince are right behind us
Angie and Ed went for a spin
...and made it back to the table in once piece
Wine was flowing freely
"I am having a great time!"
Off To Sir Winston's Lounge For A Few Drinks
We headed for Sir Winstons after the dance
The Sun was setting
The Queen tooted us!
