Tag Archives: Summer in NYC

Summer in the City: Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governors Island is Escape Back to Roaring ‘20s

Ann Votaw shows why she was the winner of the Charleston dance contest at the Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governors Island, hosted by Michael Arenella and his Dreamland Orchestra © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

By Karen Rubin, Travel Features Syndicate, goingplacesfarandnear.com

Hop the ferry and within 10 minutes, you are transported in time and place. It’s the Gatsby era,with 1920s hot-jazz, flappers and sheiks. It’s the 19th Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governors Island. The first took place June 8-9, but if you missed it, you have another chance at this delightful escape back to the zeitgeist of the Roaring ‘20s on August 10-11.

Michael Arenella and his Dreamland Orchestra host the Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governors Island © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Michael Arenella and His Dreamland Orchestra sets the mood with music Arenella has transcribed from original recordings of the Jazz era. Arenella re-creates the role of a Big Band leader, taking on the inflection and look, and telling anecdotes about the music and the musicians as if it were happening today, when this music was all the rage and radio was a new (and dangerous) cultural phenomenon. Within moments, you are transported back to the romance and joie de vive of that time, leaving behind for these precious hours the hubbub of modern times. The only piercing of the illusion are the ubiquitous cell phones.

Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governors Island, hosted by Michael Arenella and his Dreamland Orchestra © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

The entertainment throughout the day is topnotch: Roddy Caravella & The Canarsie Wobblers  consistently wow with fanciful costumes and choreography; Queen Esther, an award-winning vocalist sets her own standard of Jazz Great while paying tribute to jazz royalty of yore with her jazz quintet The Hot Five (Queen-Esther.com); Peter Mintun, “world’s greatest piano man,” Charlie Roman Casteluzzo, specializing in hot jazz guitar from the 1930s, featuring his rare collection of popular music from the golden years of jazz, and Charlie Roman and the Glad Rags Orchestra (charlieromanjazz.com).

Roddy Caravella’s Canarsie Wobblers entertain at the Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governors Island © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

There are special attractions, as well, starting with lessons in Charleston or the Peabody by Roddy Caravella and his wife, Gretchen (who is also the costumer for the Canarsie Wobblers); dance competition (in Charleston or Peabody (this year, an actual prize of two tickets to the “Gatsby” show on Broadway!); a “High Court of Pie” contest (pre-register at [email protected]) ; Bathing Beauties and Beaus Promenade (Sundays, to enter email: [email protected]), and some Kidland carnival games.

Roddy Caravella and his wife Gretchen demonstrate the Charleston during the dance lesson that kicks off the Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governors Island © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Scores of vintage vendors add to the atmosphere – if you didn’t have your own vintage outfit, you can rent or buy, and if you didn’t have your own picnic blanket, you could purchase from the General Store. You can have your portrait taken with vintage cameras or sitting on a Paper Moon, or with a 1920s motor car.

Governors Island is transformed back to the 1920s for the jazz Age Lawn Party © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Taste France Magazine offers VIP picnic baskets and a pop-up French market, featuring Centre-Loire wines, Citadelle gin, Lactalis cheeses, and many more gastronomic delights. A selection of refreshing, ice cold cocktails is on offer from Brooklyn’s very own Social Hour – a line of canned craft cocktails founded by bartending veterans Julie Reiner and Tom Macy. 

Governors Island is transformed back to the 1920s for the jazz Age Lawn Party © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Sip on the delightfully fizzy G&T made with New York Distilling Company’s Dorothy Parker Gin, or the Pacific Spritz made with a combination of house made Italian aperitivo and Rosé wine; for whiskey lovers the fiery Whiskey Mule made with New York Distilling Company’s Ragtime Rye will be sure to please.

There are also a selection of food trucks featuring picnicking fare, sweet treats, ice cream and old-time snacks.

Ferry is Magic Carpet to Bygone Era

The enchantment begins as you board the ferry from South Street, Manhattan (next door to the Staten Island ferry terminal) or from Brooklyn for the short ride to Governors Island. You think you have stepped back to the 1920s – crowds of giddy people cram the ferry, dressed in flapper dresses and linen suits, caps and suspender, and dancing shoes, hauling elaborate picnic baskets and paraphernalia..

Corrine Hart-Rood and Carl Rood from Massapequa Park, Long Island, get into the spirit of the Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governors Island © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

We are back in the Jazz Age, and the setting is perfect, a vast lawn set off by an arbor of trees, surrounded by historic buildings and forts that date back to the War of 1812, the Civil War and World War II when Governors Island was used as a military base and prison.

People come and set out sprawling picnics – some with elaborate fixings like candelabras and crystal wine glasses.

Dancing to Michael Arenella and his Dreamland Orchestra at the Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governors Island © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

The atmosphere is infectious. Fellows seem more civilized. Gals seem more sassy. And the good feeling just percolates to the beat from Michael Arenella’s Dreamland Orchestra, as this fantastical community defying time forms.

Dancing to Michael Arenella and his Dreamland Orchestra at the Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governors Island © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

The unquestioned star of the day long festival is Michael Arenella and His Dreamland Orchestra, one of the world’s great Jazz Age dance bands, specializing in the Hot-Jazz of the 1920s. “Conductor, composer, musician and singer Michael Arenella presents a personally transcribed songbook for your listening and dancing pleasure.” (Michael Arenalla also can be heard at the Clover Club, Smith Street in Brooklyn and at the Red Room, 85 E 4th St, NYC, see www.dreamlandorchestra.com)

Queen Esther performs her  own standard of Jazz Great while paying tribute to jazz royalty of yore with her jazz quintet The Hot Five at the Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governors Island © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Arenella sits in with his trombone with Queen Esther, and with the really excellent Charlie Roman and the Glad Rags Orchestra, playing at a second dance floor

Michael Arenella sits in with Charlie Roman and the Glad Rags Orchestra at the Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governors Island © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

It isn’t hard to believe you have returned to the Jazz Age because of the authenticity and attention to detail. Arenella “transcribes by hand their entire repertoire from period recordings. Their delivery, as well as their instruments, attire, and equipment — are faithfully accurate. Arenella’s strong yet vulnerable baritone lacks pretense or sarcasm. He treasures each lyric, and has faith in the songs he sings. Even the most optimistic Tin Pan Alley tune has a disarming quality in his hands.”

Dancing to Charlie Roman and the Glad Rags Orchestra at the Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governors Island © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Now in its 19th year (there is a gofundme project to raise money for a 20th anniversary book), the Jazz Age Lawn Party has built a history of its own. It started in 2005 as a small gathering of about 50 friends and fans of Michael Arenella and his Dreamland Orchestra and their version of prohibition-era music and fun. Not too many years after, it was drawing thousands of fans who revel in the music and zeitgeist of the 1920s and 1930s and has become what is arguably the world’s largest outdoor musical celebration of the Jazz Age, but is undoubtedly one of the highlights in a crammed calendar of summer happenings in New York City.

Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governors Island, hosted by Michael Arenella and his Dreamland Orchestra © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

There are also plans for a week-long transatlantic cruise from Southampton to NYC on Cunard’s Queen Mary 2, Sept 25, 2025  with Michael Arenella & His Dreamland Orchestra, with1920s and 30s village dress, dance, danceclasses,and a pre-voyage trip to the birthplace ofArt Deco, Paris, hosted bytheArt Deco Society of Paris; Ahoy Vintage Cruises, www.ahoyvintagecruises.com, 214-761-1968.)

Dancing to Michael Arenella and his Dreamland Orchestra at the Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governors Island © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

If you missed the June 8 & 9 event, there’s still time to purchase tickets for August 10 and 11.

Ticket sales are live at https://jazzagelawnparty.com and available exclusively through Fever, a global live-entertainment discovery platform. (Book your ferry ticket, https://www.govisland.com/plan-your-visit/ferry)

For more information, visit: JazzAgeLawnParty.com.

Here are more photo highlights:

The Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governors Island has become a family affair © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
Enthusiastic participation in the Charleston dance lesson at the Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governors Island © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
The Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governors Island has become a family affair © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
Getting into the spirit of the Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governors Island, hosted by Michael Arenella and his Dreamland Orchestra © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
The Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governors Island has become a family affair © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
Dancing to Michael Arenella and his Dreamland Orchestra at the Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governors Island © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
Michael Arenella revives the music and spirit of the Roaring 20s at the 19th Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governors Island © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
Roddy Caravella judges the Charleston contest at the Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governors Island © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
Enthusiastic participation in the Charleston dance lesson at the Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governors Island © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
Posing for a portrait on a Paper Moon at the Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governors Island © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
Votes for Women! at the Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governors Island © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
Queen Esther poses with her band at the Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governors Island © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

See also:

GOVERNORS ISLAND: A DESTINATION, A GETAWAY, A RETREAT FROM/IN NEW YORK CITY

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