Dear Decophiles:

I am glad that many ADSC members will be coming to the upcoming Yosemite Heritage Holidays at The Awhahnee, March 2-4, 2008. THE EVENT IS SOLD OUT! For those who have made your reservations, here are some tips to answer all your questions – I hope!

Arrival is Sunday (March 2), major programs are on Monday and Tuesday (March 3-4), and departure is Wednesday (March 5).
For more event information, take a look at the ‘official’ Yosemite site: http://www.yosemitepark.com/heritage
(The latest Program Schedule is on the Yosemite site. There will be a printed schedule in your check-in package. We have so many great programs, morning night and noon. Plan to attend ALL of them!)

GETTING THERE: I strongly recommend the Highway 140 route. This is the safest and least likely to have snow or other weather-related problems this time of year. Wally and I usually just take 580 East, 5 South, and 140 East all the way into the Park. Please make sure your car is in good condition; check your brakes, belts, and fluids, before going. USE ANTIFREEZE. CARRY CHAINS. You probably won't need them (especially if you take Highway 140!), but they are required this time of year.

CLOTHES: You'll need at least one each of daywear, cocktail, and evening attire in the style of the 20s, 30s OR 40s. (Last year we did a fun Western theme, but this year we are back to Elegant Art Deco Era.) The theme is Winter In Yosemite – ladies, this is the year for FURS! Gents, how about those vintage ski sweaters? Clothes don't necessarily have to be 'real vintage' – just look like it! It will probably be chilly, so bring a nice jacket, coat and/or wrap for indoors. For outdoors, bring boots or sturdy walking shoes, and a warm coat, hat and gloves. If you’re not staying at The Ahwahnee, you might want to bring your 'good' shoes etc. in a bag, and change there.

SUNDAY NIGHT: There will be a special Welcome Reception at the Ahwahnee at 5:30 Sunday night, to which you are invited. Plan come dressed in cocktail or evening attire to add to the ambience. After that, we’ll all wander over to the Speakeasy to enjoy Janet Klein and Her Parlor Boys until 10pm.

GALA DINNER MONDAY NIGHT. Heritage Holiday Package guests only will be partaking of a special Art Deco Dinner in the Ahwahnee Dining Room at 6:30 on Monday night. This is a good night to wear your most spectacular evening ensembles. Make sure you get your dinner tickets at the Concierge Desk before noon on Monday to ensure that management knows you are dining with us.

TUESDAY NIGHT. The Gala Ball starts at 8, Deco Belles performance starts at 9. Wear your favorite dance shoes and dance-friendly evening wear. Even if it’s chilly, you’ll probably warm up once you start dancing!

SPECIAL NOTICE: NEW EVENT PROGRAM! ICE FROLICS – an Art Deco style skating party! For Heritage Holiday Package Guests only. We will have total, exclusive use of the Camp Curry Skating Rink. This NEW event is included in the Heritage Holidays event package, no additional fees will be required.
Folks should come at 12:30 to get fitted for rental skates.
Skating goes from 1 to 2:30, including a short demo and lesson by Gayle Delaney (ADSC member and Gold Level figure skater), followed by an hour of free skating to Deco-era music.
There might be cameras / videos there (in-house, for later promo use); dress warm but dress Deco if you can! Bring wrist guards and padded hats to deal with the most common new-skater ouchies.
The Tea Dance starts (back at the Ahwahnee) at 3.

NEXT YEAR: Next year’s dates have already been finalized, and there will be TWO sessions in 2009: March 1-3, and March 4-5. Look for flyers at this year’s event, and remember – the earlier you order, the less expensive the price – AND the more likely you’ll get in! THIS YEAR’S EVENT SOLD OUT IN NOVEMBER – DON’T GET LEFT OUT!

This is a wonderful opportunity to interest people in ADSC and Art Deco preservation. It’s a great event to wear your best vintage outfits… but please, do not criticize anyone’s costuming. Such comments have created an unfortunate stereotype of ADSC members as snobbish and unfriendly. For some people, this is their first ‘living history’ event. They should be congratulated for trying!

It is so wonderful to see the elegance of the Art Deco Era return to The Ahwahnee. You will be helping the Art Deco Society in a very important outreach effort – and, I hope, having a good time doing it!

Art Deco Love,
Cherie Oliver
"Madame X"
February 22, 2008

Yosemite Heritage Holidays at The Ahwahnee -- March 2-4, 2008

Join your Art Deco friends for a Gala Event at the Historic Ahwahnee in Yosemite, featuring

Don Neely’s ROYAL SOCIETY JAZZ ORCHESTRA with Singer Carla Normand
The Deco Belles
Janet Klein and Her Parlor Boys
Ann Gibson * Frederick Hodges * Sara Klotz de Aguilar
including Gala Ball – Gala Dinner – Tea Dance – Speakeasy – Lectures – Fashion Show

This Year's Theme: Yosemite In Winter

SHADES OF THE AHWAHNEE: The Royal Society Jazz Orchestra's new CD is entitled, "Deja Vu." It features songs that the RSJO has played to great appreciation at many recent events including an evening concert under the coastal redwoods, and a Grand Ball at the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite, for the Heritage Holidays, (Fabulous annual three-day event which celebrated vintage western style in music, clothing, art, and architecture). Two songs among my personal favorites are the poignant "Redwood," and the rousing "Hetch Hetchy." The latter has inspired audiences to spontaneously break out in eccentric "nature" conga lines! And all the songs were written by Don Neely! Tom Bopp, our "Music Man Of The Mountains," sings four songs including the spirited "Hetch Hetchy." (Tom plays piano and sings at the Wawona Hotel in Yosemite). You will also hear Frederick Hodges, Don Neely, and Carla Normand sing these wonderful new songs, or as Don describes them, "new old standards."

YOSEMITE HERITAGE HOLIDAYS – FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

PREVIOUS YEARS: See information for 2007 2006 2005

DRESS. The style is Art Deco. The Dinner and Gala Ball are Formal Art Deco. In general, you'll need at least one each of daywear, cocktail, and evening attire in the style of the 20s, 30s and/or 40s. Note they don't have to be 'real vintage' – just look like it! It will probably be chilly, so bring a warm jacket and/or wrap for indoors. For outdoors, bring boots or sturdy walking shoes, and a warm coat. Warm hats and gloves are also good. You might want to bring your dance shoes, and change into them at The Ahwahnee. For more about vintage dress, visit our Vintage Fashion Salon.

WEBSITES: See the official site: www.yosemitepark.com/heritage