About Dance Week

The week begins on Monday, with a sign-in & welcome Tea Party at 2:30 in the Verandah Grill of the Queen Mary. There will also be a costume swap-n-sell in the same room, organized by Regina Whitcomb, so free free to bring those few extra outfits that don't fit, and be prepared to get even better stuff for the coming events. Recommend 1920s-1940s daytime 'tea wear.'

Full class days begin Tuesday morning and will be offered on 'absolute beginner' as well as more advanced tracks, allowing participants to attain proficiency in new material and venture into new areas, as well as refresh memories in others. Mid- and late 19th Century dances, such as waltz, polka, mazurka, galop, redowa, and schottische will be offered. Ragtime era tango, one-step, hesitation waltz, animal dances, Cakewalk and other dances are popular choices, plus dances of the 1920s and 1930s: Charleston, foxtrot and more. A schedule of classes should be available by the end of April.

Unlike our other dance weeks, this one has all events--classes, lectures, dances, dinners--in wonderful authentic vintage locations. Many of our attendees enjoy 'dressing the era,' so vintage style daywear of the Art Deco era (1920s-1940s) is encouraged, but of course, not required. In all our classes, we encourage comfortable clothes ("beach pajamas" are a great choice for ladies dressing vintage), and always dance appropriate shoes. Clothing recommendations for the evening events are listed with the evening ball descriptions, but should always be "dressy" at the minimum (and never miniskirts).

Queen Mary Observation Bar

The Queen Mary Hotel is one of the ultimate vintage dance experiences. The former 1930s luxury oceanliner, permanently berthed in Long Beach Harbor, retains its classic Art Deco ambience, offering several ballrooms, each one a unique delight. We will be dancing in several of these ballrooms during the week. The air-conditioned Queen Mary is near the Catalina Island ferry. The closest airport is Long Beach, but the Queen Mary is convenient to both John Wayne and LAX airports.

Other Southern California Events
Formally scheduled events for our dance week end with the last ball on Thursday night. If you're still wanting more fantastic vintage events after you check out of the Queen Mary on Friday morning, there are events you might try in the Long Beach/Los Angeles area. The Lively Arts History Association has a terrific listing of events at http://www.lahacal.org/calendar.html, including an English Country Dance in Monrovia on June 12, and the wonderful Victorian Ball in Pasadena sponsored by the Social Daunce Irregulars on June 13: http://www.victoriandance.org/ . And if you spend the night in Pasadena after the Ball, you can enjoy a fabulous tea and tour at the famous Huntington Library on Sunday (reservations a must: http://www.huntington.org/Information/tearoom.html ). And now the fun just keeps on coming: Sunday, June 14, in downtown Los Angeles (only 30 min from the Huntington Library) is a special evening at the fabulous vintage Cicada Club. Dining, dancing and vintage style entertainment a la 1940s nightclub---a truly fabulous evening. Info and limited tickets (advance purchase only) now available: http://clubcicada.com/dollz_tickets.asp .