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Post by nycgirl on Sept 12, 2012 18:14:56 GMT
Every summer, Governor's Island, a little island just off the southern tip of Manhattan, becomes the setting for the Jazz Age Lawn Party. Flappers and dapper gents dress to the nines and hop on the free ferry to be transported to the Roaring '20s. This year, the 7th annual event, was my first time attending. When I got off the train downtown, I looked around for the line for the ferry and soon got confirmation that I had come to the right place. The line was lengthy, but I amused myself by taking photos of the period ensembles. The atmosphere on-board was bubbly. Passengers waved to their fellow partiers on the other ferries. The day was overcast, but surprisingly temperate for an August afternoon. It was a pleasant 7-minute ride with nice views. There's the good ol' Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges. We put the modern metropolis behind us... ... and disembarked on Govenor's Island, with its 18th century naval ramparts and historic officer's quarters. I just followed the crowd. It's free to roam the island (something I'll have to do another time) but I just purchased my ticket for entrance to the lawn party and went in. I quickly surmised that the event had already graduated from under-the-radar gem to wildly popular. I grabbed a refreshing and reasonably priced cocktail made with St. Germain Elderflower liqueur. I wandered around and checked out the vintage photo set... ... the vintage goods for sale... ... and the vintage smut on display. Of course, people-watching is the best part, especially when they're such a smiley and fashionable crowd. More on the way...
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Post by bjd on Sept 12, 2012 18:46:54 GMT
It looks like fun, but you're right that it's not under the radar any more.
Did you notice that the back of the black truck you took a picture of has a French licence plate?
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Post by htmb on Sept 12, 2012 18:59:24 GMT
I love your photos, nycgirl. This event looks like a lot of fun! How was the weather? Was it very hot? I'm looking forward to seeing more of your pics!
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Post by bixaorellana on Sept 12, 2012 21:46:10 GMT
Ooo! Can't wait for more ~~ twenty-three skidoo! Super pictures. That sixth one from the bottom, with the guy in the white suit & the woman in the striped hose, is right out of an even earlier era. It could have been painted by Latrec, Seurat, or maybe Leget, to bring it into the 20s. In the "smut" category, I think that second pic might be a Belloq. Overall, I think the men come out looking more authentic than the women. Maybe it's because styles don't change that much for men? Wudja wear? Wudja wear?
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Post by htmb on Sept 12, 2012 22:34:56 GMT
I love the look the girl in the middle of the first photo is wearing.
Looks like it's "Fashion Month" on AnyPort. ;D ;D ;D
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Post by nycgirl on Sept 13, 2012 2:08:34 GMT
It looks like fun, but you're right that it's not under the radar any more. Did you notice that the back of the black truck you took a picture of has a French licence plate? Yeah, I’m not cool enough to hear about something before everyone else. I didn't notice, but the truck is there to promote the St. Germain liqueur. It's only made in France, I think. How was the weather? Was it very hot? It was in the mid-70s, which is nice for August, about the best you could hope for. The only downside was that it has rained a couple of days earlier, so the ground was a little moist. The party is also held on a weekend in June, which is usually mild. That sixth one from the bottom, with the guy in the white suit & the woman in the striped hose, is right out of an even earlier era. It could have been painted by Latrec, Seurat, or maybe Leget, to bring it into the 20s. In the "smut" category, I think that second pic might be a Belloq. Overall, I think the men come out looking more authentic than the women. Maybe it's because styles don't change that much for men? Wudja wear? Wudja wear? Good observations! Yeah, it’s not really unusual to see a guy wearing a newsboy cap or straw hat with a button-down shirt. I wasn’t going to add my photo since my outfit is not very original, but since you asked...
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Post by nycgirl on Sept 13, 2012 6:05:51 GMT
More photos. Some people have really elevated picnicking to an art form. But there was food available for purchase for those slackers who didn't go through the trouble. There was a lively band and a dance floor. A group of pros put on a performance. Then the floor was opened up for the amateurs, some of whom looked like they knew what they were doing. (Sorry for the shoddy camerawork). For those of you who have always wanted to brush up on your Charleston, here's a quick tutorial. You're welcome.
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Post by nycgirl on Sept 13, 2012 13:10:13 GMT
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Post by htmb on Sept 13, 2012 13:16:43 GMT
Cute, cute, cute kids!!!!
And I think your outfit is perfect!!!!
I love your pictures, and everyone seems to be posing very cooperatively.
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Post by nycgirl on Sept 13, 2012 13:44:48 GMT
Thanks! I was going to put my hair in a chignon but I didn't have time. And next year I'm going to try to come up with something more imaginative than a tassled dress with pearls. I'm not going to haul around a table, chairs, and candlesticks, though.
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Post by nycgirl on Sept 13, 2012 13:48:18 GMT
Who needs a dancefloor to dance? Not these two. All too soon, it was time to leave and take the time machine/ferry back to the 21st century. On the way to the dock, I could see that the new WTC buildings are progressing nicely. Heading back home. An instantly recognizable icon looms in the distance. And that's it, til next time.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 13, 2012 16:44:19 GMT
Great report. Most of the men had it easy in the clothing department if you all really need are khaki pleated trousers and some suspenders for minimum service
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Post by nycgirl on Sept 13, 2012 18:34:11 GMT
I just noticed that one of the first guys I took a picture of made the faux pas of wearing suspenders and a belt. He must be really worried about his pants falling.
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Post by komsomol on Sept 13, 2012 20:59:52 GMT
Interesting to see all that. Is it a charity event?
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Post by nycgirl on Sept 13, 2012 21:23:20 GMT
I don't think so. I imagine the profits go toward maintaining the island.
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Post by lola on Sept 14, 2012 0:50:40 GMT
Wonderful, nycg. Thank you so much. So like being there.
You and your friend looked adorable.
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Post by sojoh on Sept 14, 2012 7:17:12 GMT
Great photos, nycgirl! Hope you didn't drink too much "giggle water" at the "juice joint". You look gorgeous in your dress. I'm sure that everyone thought that you were the "bee's knees"! Can you tell that I'm trying to get in the spirit of the day by using slang from the 1920's that I found online? My daughter, who lives in Boston, was at the Jazz Age Lawn Party. I kept hoping that I would see a glimpse of her as I scrolled through your pictures. She's going to Sunset Sundays at Gallow Green at The McKittrick Hotel this weekend. The band (Michael Arenella and His Dreamland Orchestra) that was at the Jazz Party is going to be there. Plus, it's another occasion for her to dress in vintage clothes! Here's the link: sociallysuperlative.com/2012/09/13/sunset-sundays-with-michael-arenella-and-his-dreamland-orchestra/
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Post by sojoh on Sept 14, 2012 7:27:22 GMT
nycgirl, Can you recommend the name of a blog about NYC? I searched your old threads because I thought that you had mentioned that you read one. The reason that I'm asking is because a woman who reads my blog sent an email asking if I know of someone who blogs about interesting things to do in NYC because she's going there on vacation for a month. Thanks!
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Post by bixaorellana on Sept 14, 2012 17:12:36 GMT
I imagine your friend would be interested in this thread, Sojoh. It is about NYC in mid-winter, but much of the information applies to other times of the year: anyportinastorm.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=usa&action=display&thread=5538&page=1NYCGirl ~~ just splendiferous! It was a wonderful thread before, but the additional photos made it even more of a joy. Some of those people look as though they'd stepped directly out of the past and all of them were obviously having a great time. You & your tardy friend are adorable! Oh yeah ...... the woman in yellow, far right, 4th pic down, Reply #6 ~~ I know her!!!
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Post by htmb on Sept 14, 2012 19:13:01 GMT
I'm very curious about this, bixa. Do you often spot people you know in photos?
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Post by bixaorellana on Sept 15, 2012 6:52:38 GMT
You mean in random photos taken by other people? Of course not! I've magnified the page & believe that to be a women I know who is from Los Angeles, who used to live in Oaxaca, and who moved to NYC.
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Post by htmb on Sept 15, 2012 12:12:22 GMT
Ah, bixa, that is just too funny. Amazing that this person was in nycgirl's photos, and very astute of you to have noticed.
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Post by nycgirl on Sept 17, 2012 1:08:31 GMT
Thanks, everyone! Sojoh, I'm glad you saw this! I was going to let you know that you I went, since I remember you telling me about it last year. It would have been so cool if I had happened to take a photo of your daughter while I was there. Do you know if she went to the one in June or August? My favorite NY blog is Scouting NY, by a film scout who explores the hidden nooks and crannies of NYC. He doesn't cover the tourist hotspots, but the blog should be interesting to your friend since she has plenty of time to see both the main sights and the little-known stuff. Here is a list of his own favorite posts. If your friend likes history, she may like Forgotten NY, which, as the title implies, explores NYC's forgotten history. I particularly liked the post on Lower Manhattan and borrowed heavily from it to put together my thread on the Financial District. For events, I like to check the Village Voice's calendar. Hoe this helps!
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Post by nycgirl on Sept 17, 2012 1:36:42 GMT
Bixa, that is such a neat coincidence that I stumbled upon your friend! What are the odds? And you have such a good eye!
She and her party looked very stylish and seemed to be having a grand ol' time.
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Post by sojoh on Sept 19, 2012 16:03:04 GMT
@bixa, Thanks for suggesting the thread about NY. There's definitely lots of helpful information on Any Port and great photos.
It's incredible that you recognize someone at the garden party. Every once in awhile, I'll bump into a person I know at a remote airport and am amazed that we're both in the same spot on earth at the same time.
@nycgirl, Thank you for giving me the names of the NYC blogs that you read. I'm sure that they will be much appreciated as the group of women prepare for their extended vacation.
My daughter went to the Jazz Party in June.
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