It might seeem like we exist in the age of computers, iPhones and reality television, but aboard the RMS Queen Mary you could be transported back to the 1930s for a weekend of travel, art and culture that will leave you transformed.
Labor Day weekend, the 8th Annual Art Deco Festival will grace Long Beach with its presence aboard one of the greatest ships in history. The Queen Mary and the Art Deco Society of Los Angeles extend the invitation to all interested.
The three-day festival has drawn its inspiration from the Art Deco period, which formed in Paris in the early 1920s. The period celebrates a modern approach to traditional form and has a heavy influence in contemporary art and architecture, according to John Thomas, the Historic Resources Advisor for the Queen Mary and the president of the Los Angeles Art Deco Society.
However, this festival is not your average art event. The weekend will kick off with a swingin’ welcome reception. The cocktail event will host guest in their finest wear to the tunes of Jim Ziegler and the Swingstations. The evening will then proceed to “Bon Voyage Pajama Party” complete with vintage P.J.s, deck games and more. Even Gatsby’s party will not compare to what’s in store.
On the weekend agenda are various activities that will engage guests in the culture of this time period including an Art Deco exhibit hall, a walking tour of the Queen Mary, an Art Deco Afternoon Tea Dance, a vintage car exhibit and the highly anticipated Art Deco Reception and Ball where attendees will adorn their finest 1930s gowns and top hats for an unforgettable night.
Throughout the weekend, there will also be a wide variety of lectures. From “A Brilliant Match: Cartier and the Art Deco Style” to “Felonious Flappers,” there is a lecture for everyone onboard. This carefully created schedule reflects the overall mission of the society to “educate and entertain.”
Thomas wholeheartedly supports this mission. In his position, which he referred to as a “dream come true,” John Thomas strongly believes in the preservation of Art Deco. The popularity of this festival proves that many others agree with his sentiment and Art Deco is indeed alive and well in 2012.
It is not too late to get tickets for any of these events. Tickets for the entire weekend or a la carte events will be available until Aug. 31. For those excited to experience the a larger portion of the weekend, book the day-cruise passport, which includes the welcome reception, pajama party, six lectures, the Queen Mary Art Deco Guided Walking Tour, the Grand Art Deco, Sunday Afternoon Tea Dance, the Art Deco Bazaar and the vintage car display for $200.
If you are planning the weekend with a special someone, ask about their weekend packages. The Grand Art Deco Passport for 2 package includes a two-night stay for two in one of their deluxe cabins, the welcome reception, pajama party, six lectures, The Queen Mary Art Deco Guided Walking Tour, Grand Art Deco Ball, Sunday Afternoon Tea Dance, the Art Deco Bazaar and the vintage car display for a total of $650.
Events are also sold independently of each other, some for as little as $15.
