Destinations: The 6th Annual Jazz Age Lawn Party at Governors Island - June 25th and 26th

Loungerati recommends the following lovely weekend event that is a must attend for any vintage aficionado worth their straw boater. Michael Arenella, one of the hardest working bandleaders I know (I actually know many!), hosts the 6th Annual Jazz Age Lawn Party on New York's Governors Island. The party goes on for two days so really there are excuses short of a weekend wash out. See you there swells!

THE 6TH BI-ANNUAL
JAZZ AGE LAWN PARTY
ON GOVERNORS ISLAND
SATURDAY & SUNDAY, June 25TH & 26TH
11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Admission $7/advance (available here),$10/door (Children Under 12 Free)

Michael Arenella and His Dreamland Orchestra invites you to join us on this hidden gem just off the southeastern tip of Manhattan, nestled in the heart of majestic New York Harbor.

Under a shady grove of centuries-old trees, caressed by fresh sea air, a sprawling green surrounded by historic officers' quarters and 18th century naval ramparts becomes the setting for a true Gatsby affair. A recession-friendly $7 advance admission gives you access to one of the Summer's most magnificent celebrations.

Widely anticipated by flappers, sporting gents and tiny tots alike, this event has been featured and reviewed consistently by The New York Times, who selected the Jazz Age Lawn Party as one of the most memorable parties of 2009 and 2010.


A wide array of music, food & drink, and activities are open for all ages to enjoy:

*Featuring special guests Gelber & Manning!
*Beautiful, real-wood '50 x '50 dance floor set up right on the lawn!
*A delightful variety of refreshing cocktails will be served by St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur and beer provided by Brooklyn Brewery.
*Gourmet entrees, sandwiches, salads and more will be for sale. Vegetarian dishes, too!
*Soda, juice, water, and other beverages available.
*Tasty desserts, old-fashioned ice cream cones and ices!
*Picnicking welcomed! (just leave the hooch at home, it's prohibited by regulations except as sold by our approved vendor at event.)
*Performances by '20s tapping sensations The Minsky Sisters
*Authentic '78 records from the 1920s played on antique phonographs by Michael Cumella of WFMU's Antique Phonograph Music Program.
*Charleston lessons by dance legend Roddy Caravella
*Vintage portraits by Tsirkus Fotografika
*1920s Motorcar Exhibition - take a spin around the island in a genuine rumble-seat; hold on to your hat!
*Vintage clothing dealers and boutique milliners Ellen Christine Millinery, Fine and Dandy Shop, Noble Savage Vintage, Zelda Magazine, & More! - They will all be peddling wares, so be sure to tuck some cash in your garter.
*Live dance performances
*Bathing Beauties & Beaus Promenade
*Tug O' War
*Parade Of Hats
*Pie Recipe Contest
**If you'd like to sign up for the pie contest, you must pre-register by emailing Sarah Liston at govislandpie@gmail.com. Bakers can sign up until midnight Fri. June 24th.

AND EVEN MORE ATTRACTIONS TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON!

Destinations: The Mermaid Parade 2011 - June 18th

Forever blowing bubbles at the Mermaid Parade

Celebrate summer a few days early! Get your fishtails out, your rubber crab claws, glittery pasties, and vintage cabanda wear, and celebrate Summer at the 28th Annual Coney Island Mermaid Parade!

The Skinny from Coney Island USA

The Mermaid Parade celebrates the sand, the sea, the salt air and the beginning of summer, as well as the history and mythology of Coney Island, Coney Island pride, and artistic self-expression. The Parade is characterized by participants dressed in hand-made costumes as Mermaids, Neptunes, various sea creatures, the occasional wandering lighthouse, Coney Island post card or amusement ride, as well as antique cars, marching bands, drill teams, and the odd yacht pulled on flatbed. 

 

Each year, a different celebrity King Neptune and Queen Mermaid rule over the proceedings, riding in the Parade and assisting in the opening of the Ocean for the summer swimming season by marching down the Beach from the Boardwalk, cutting through Ribbons representing the seasons, and tossing fruit into the Atlantic to appease the Sea Gods. In the past, David Byrne, Queen Latifah, Ron Kuby, Curtis Sliwa, Moby, David Johansen and Harvey Keitel have graced our shores, presiding over the assembled masses. This year's King Neptune, Brooklyn native Adam Richman from the Travel Channel's Man V. Food and Queen Mermaid, Cat Greenleaf from the New York Emmy Award winning television show, Talk Stoop with Cat Greenleaf!

The Parade is followed by the 9th Annual Mermaid Parade Ball at the New York Aquarium, a post-parade gathering where costumed parade participants can get together with each other and parade spectators to listen to live music, purchase raffle tickets, and watch burlesque and sideshow acts performed by some of New York City's hottest burlesque stars.

In addition to the parade festivities and Ball, we also suggest the following after party:

Yehoodi "Brooklyn Bombshell" Mermaid party at Flatbush Farms in Park Slope. 5pm. That's at 76 Saint Marks Ave at Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn.

 

(photo credit: Acid Cow)

Viva La Musica: Otto's Shrunken Head for Mr. Ho's Orchestrocita

It isn't everyday you can see a band devoted to the exotica lounge music of Esquivel, Martin Denny, and Les Baxter. Brian O'Neill (aka Mr. Ho) leads a vibraphone infused orchestra that keeps true to the original exotica style. The party is also a record release for  Third River Rangoon!
The event is at the legendary Otto's Shrunken Head tiki bar. That means potent tropical cocktails to take the edge off the pre-summer heatwave. Not convinced yet? Mr. Ho ups the ante with the wild sounds of Primativa in Hi-Fi's DJs Jack Fetterman and Gina of the Jungle!  So brush off the leopard print fez and head on over to Otto's.

The skinny from Mr. Ho:

Otto's is tiny; don't wait for the door to get your tickets for our Third River Rangoon CD release party featuring exotica DJs Gina of the Jungle and Jack Fetterman. Not sure what you are in for? Lucid Culture recently posted a great review about the new album: Third River Rangoon.

...Vibraphonist/bandleader Brian O'Neill AKA Mr. Ho's new album Third River Rangoon, by his shapeshifting ensemble Mr. Ho's Orchestrotica may have been inspired by that subgenre, but it?s considerably more magical. It leaves far more to the imagination, a lushly nocturnal collection whose most impressive feat of sorcery is getting a simple lineup of vibraphone, bass flute, bass and percussion to create the sweep of a hundred-piece orchestra...

-Lucid Culture

Doors open with DJ music at 830pm; live music starts at 9pm. Tickets: $15/adv, $20/door. CDs: Just $5 day of the show. LIMITED AVAILABILITY OF TICKETS - Otto's is quite small! (see below to buy tickets on this page). You must arrive by 9pm or your seat will not be guaranteed. 
RSVP on the Facebook event page

Buy Tickets ($15 via PayPal)

Buy tickets from this page.

Otto's Shrunken Head
538 W.14th Street
NYC