11th Annual Art Deco Festival Returns to the Queen Mary

The Art Deco movement embraced technology; a distinct comparison to the earlier Art Nouveau school and its focus on the organic. Art Deco combines traditional craft motifs with Machine Age imagery and materials; these and other design platforms were abundant as the John Brown shipyard made ready what would become the world's most advanced ocean liner.

It is no wonder that the Art Deco Society of Los Angeles makes an annual return to the Queen Mary to host a weekend festival to celebrate the vibrance of design and the merging of technological innovation with bold artistic demonstration. The Art Deco movement began after WWI and peaked as the world exited WWII; the Queen Mary's launch and sea-going presence on the world stage coincided with the movement's brash embrace of the new while reminiscing about the grandeur of the past. Arguably, the Queen Mary remains the world's greatest example of mobile Art Deco design.

The 11th Annual Art Deco Festival, in association with the Art Deco Society of Los Angeles, returns to the Queen Mary September 4 -7. The festival brings the 1920s through 1940s into the 21st century with elaborate parties, musical entertainment, vintage dress experiences, food and beverage tastings, Queen Mary Art Deco example tours, lectures and more.

The weekend's activities span all aspects of Art Deco and its influence on everything from fashion, music, and cuisine to art and culture. Festivalgoers can explore the tastes of the age at the popular Prohibition Mixology Tastings or the all-new Chef's Tastings of the Times, a cooking demonstration and sampling of 1930s comfort foods. For the collectibles enthusiast, the Golden Era Travel Showcase features vintage cars while a new lounge area displays antiques and old-fashioned games. A colorful Bazaar offers guests take home keepsakes with an array of hard-to-find goods and even a pop-up hair salon for the complete vintage look.

The soundtrack of the times goes live at the Gatsby Daze Garden Party - an afternoon of dancing to 20s chart toppers with the 11-piece Crazy Rhythm Hot Society Orchestra. Grammy-winning Ian Whitcomb & His Bungalow Boys will waltz and foxtrot through Sunday's Tea Dance while the Dean Mora Orchestra performs at the most glamorous event of the weekend, the Grand Art Deco Ball. From the cabaret dancers at the Bootlegger's Bash or the Satin Dollz at the Martini Bar, abundant live entertainment brings the era to life. Classic cocktails, and moonshine accompany jazz, swing, and big band music weekend-long.

Daily lectures cover various Art Deco topics and walking tours examine the Queen Mary's design elements, artworks and carvings - a living art history collection built at the peak of the movement. “The weekend turns back time onboard and allows Art Deco lovers to appreciate the elegance of the glittering past with the Queen Mary as the perfect setting, ” says John Thomas, President of the Art Deco Society of Los Angeles and Queen Mary Historic Consultant. “Annually increasing festival attendance and enthusiastic participation is confirmation that Art Deco is still relevant today and has inspired us to deliver a festival that is better than ever,” adds John Thomas.

Day Passes start at $29 and an all-inclusive Art Deco Grand Passport is $399. Art Deco aficionados can stay onboard for the weekend's duration with a variety of packages. For complete schedule of activities, pricing, tickets and more information, visit: https://queenmary.com/events/art-deco-festival/