Art Deco Miami fest was fun, albeit a litte disappointing. It was raining all weekend and the crowds were small and damp. I was going to get out my silver dancing pumps with the ankle straps and my deco print skirt by Maxx studio, and put finger waves in my hair, but rain turns my hair into frizz and boots were better suited for puddles. So jeans and boots it was.
We started with a free tour given by the author of a book on South Beach Deco. We roamed around back neighborhoods and Lincold Rd., learning all about Mediteranian, Universal, Streamline and other influences in Deco style. We also learned that the style here in Miami is unique compared to the rest of the country, he called it Miami Tropical Deco.
We escaped the tour (it was really dragging, plus we live here and there are always Deco tours!!) and went to South Beach's Ocean Drive, which as closed to traffic. This is the part of town where most folks associate Miami Deco with, when really it is everwhere, influencing even today's huge condos going up.
It was a small festival this year. Lots of vendors selling food and junk. I read that the MDPL (Miami Design Preservation League) was really screening the vendors to make sure they had something to offer for fans of Deco, but when we got there, I was surprised to see lots of non-Deco related vendors, particularly one fellow smack dab in the middle of everyone with a obnoxiously sprawling display of neon painted "This way to Margarittaville" signs. WTF!
There were a few vintage clothing vendors, hat sellers, and one great vendor named Vintage Eyeware. If you wear glasses and you want some kickass vintage frames, look these folks up. Their website is at http://www.vintage-eyeware.com/, but when you go there you find some horoscope site. Their phone# is 917-721-6546, maybe they have catalogs.
We watched a theater troupe perform the music from Thoroughly Modern Millie (I love you Julie A!). They're looking for adult performers and since I can carry a tune I might join. Most of the photos I posted are from this troupe.
There was music, but not a heck of a lot! We missed the Glen Miller band on Sunday because we had to meet our landlord then, but the music we did see was soft jazz. Soft jazz?? At a Deco fest?? Was Kenny G. around in the 20's? Oh well.
I really wish there was more going on here. They could have used more street performers playing hot jazz, more skits and period dressers, and perhaps more vendors with deco furniture. It might have been the rain or something else, I don't know.
I'm joining the MDPL, maybe I can help next year. The MDPL has saved many of these buildings here, which can be difficult because these are technically "modern" buildings, not easily protected as historic like in other parts of the country. They have a big job to do because small hotels and buildings are being torn down in favor and massive condo skyscrapers.
It's so nice to live here!
We started with a free tour given by the author of a book on South Beach Deco. We roamed around back neighborhoods and Lincold Rd., learning all about Mediteranian, Universal, Streamline and other influences in Deco style. We also learned that the style here in Miami is unique compared to the rest of the country, he called it Miami Tropical Deco.
We escaped the tour (it was really dragging, plus we live here and there are always Deco tours!!) and went to South Beach's Ocean Drive, which as closed to traffic. This is the part of town where most folks associate Miami Deco with, when really it is everwhere, influencing even today's huge condos going up.
It was a small festival this year. Lots of vendors selling food and junk. I read that the MDPL (Miami Design Preservation League) was really screening the vendors to make sure they had something to offer for fans of Deco, but when we got there, I was surprised to see lots of non-Deco related vendors, particularly one fellow smack dab in the middle of everyone with a obnoxiously sprawling display of neon painted "This way to Margarittaville" signs. WTF!
There were a few vintage clothing vendors, hat sellers, and one great vendor named Vintage Eyeware. If you wear glasses and you want some kickass vintage frames, look these folks up. Their website is at http://www.vintage-eyeware.com/, but when you go there you find some horoscope site. Their phone# is 917-721-6546, maybe they have catalogs.
We watched a theater troupe perform the music from Thoroughly Modern Millie (I love you Julie A!). They're looking for adult performers and since I can carry a tune I might join. Most of the photos I posted are from this troupe.
There was music, but not a heck of a lot! We missed the Glen Miller band on Sunday because we had to meet our landlord then, but the music we did see was soft jazz. Soft jazz?? At a Deco fest?? Was Kenny G. around in the 20's? Oh well.
I really wish there was more going on here. They could have used more street performers playing hot jazz, more skits and period dressers, and perhaps more vendors with deco furniture. It might have been the rain or something else, I don't know.
I'm joining the MDPL, maybe I can help next year. The MDPL has saved many of these buildings here, which can be difficult because these are technically "modern" buildings, not easily protected as historic like in other parts of the country. They have a big job to do because small hotels and buildings are being torn down in favor and massive condo skyscrapers.
It's so nice to live here!
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I hope you take lots of photos to post, Minimalism, of the NY conf. THAT is going to be a blast. If I come into some $$ maybe we'll go as well.
And thanks Totovader, my regards!! Hope you are well!