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Great Gatsby Party — it conjures up the sights and sounds of the Roaring 20s, the Jazz Age, Flappers, Art Deco, Speakeasies, and Vintage everything!
For the last 15 or so years, we’ve been entertaining at a wonderful annual Great Gatsby Party in Atherton, CA. Thank you to Kyle Chesser, of Hands On Photography, for the beautiful photo at one of these recent parties. If you like this picture, . "Pin It")
As you can see, this one was a pretty casual affair, as these events tend to go. No Charleston contests, 1920s fashion shows, or gangster raids. Instead, a strictly low-key cocktail party, hosted by a major venture capital firm that invited about 80 of the busiest “movers and shakers” in Silicon Valley to socialize with their colleagues.
Everyone enjoyed a wonderful evening in a gorgeous prize-winning garden. Wine, appetizers, a spectacular dinner, and our music kept spirits high and conversations flowing.
At any Great Gatsby Party we customarily confine our music to hits of the 1920s (Irving Berlin, George Gershwin, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and all the rest). So at a “theme party” like this, it’s an easy matter to plan what songs to prepare, as well as when and where to feature the band.
This Great Gatsby Party was more casual than most, and we included several bossa novas, tangos, and waltzes. We even played a few requested Beatles tunes.
This elegant party has always been a major auction prize at the annual Vintage Affaire, a spectacular event benefiting the Vista Center (formerly the Peninsula Center for the Blind).
All the ladies serving the party’s guests volunteer their time and energy, and you could tell they enjoyed the party just as much as their guests did. Everyone enjoyed our music, so we had a wonderful time, as well.
How about YOU? Have you ever hosted a Great Gatsby Party? How did you plan the party’s music?
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How can I help you? Call 408-245-9120 or use Robbie@MagnoliaJazz.com. Planning a celebration? Ask about our availability.
How much fun would this be? Especially since Leonardo Di Caprio is appearing in a new version of the movie this year.
Sue Bock
http://couragetoadventurecoaching.wordpress.com
Hi Sue, Thanks — glad you liked this post. Actually we’ve been entertaining at Great Gatsby parties long before this year’s movie comes out. I’ll be looking to see how they handle music at THEIR parties.
-Robbie
It sounds like a wonderful evening. I would have liked the flapper contests though too. Thanks for sharing this themed event.
Julieanne CaseAlways from the heart!Reconnecting you to your Original Blueprint, Your Essence, Your Joy| Healing you from the Inside Out |Reconnective Healing | The Reconnection| Reconnective Art |http://thereconnectivehighway.com
Hi Julieanne, Thanks — glad you liked this post. Flapper contest, eh? One of these days…
Meanwhile, tell me about the next little Gatsby party you plan.
-Robbie
I love all the old standards. I guess a lot of interest in Gatsby will be stirred up with the coming release of the movie. Your band is so classy!
Hi Maureena, Thanks — glad you liked this post. I’m with you 100% about the old standards. They’re exquisite and timeless, and there’s a good reason they’re called “standards”.
I’m looking forward to 1) seeing the movie later this year, and 2) meeting you at a party one of these days. What’s your favorite song?
-Robbie
Dang, Boy, You run a tight marketing ship! My hat’s off to ya’! Just what were the ladies ‘serving’? Hummmm? No men ‘serving’? what a shame.
Hi Rowena, Thanks — glad you liked this post. And thanks for liking what I do. Back atcha!
Well, all the servers were volunteers. A few men were serving cocktails and trays of sushi, but most of the servers, and all the cooks, were women. Before the dinner buffet was displayed, they served cocktails and fancy hors d’oeuvres.
I bet you would have loved it! What do YOU like to serve at your parties?
-Robbie
Love the Great Gatsby era. Beautfiul, graceful and care free. What a fun party this would have been. How lucky that you get to be part of it and make it happen!
Hi Cheryl, Thanks — glad you like this post. I’m with you about admiring the era. I like to tell people I make a living going to parties like this. Well, that’s sorta true, and it’s wonderful, but it doesn’t just happen by itself, you know. I suppose being a professional artist might be similar, right?
I loved the book The Great Gatsby, so I find the idea of a Great Gatsby party quite enticing. It’s very nice that that was part of a charitable event – makes it all the more fun. Probably not something I’ll ever plan, but maybe if I’m lucky, I’ll get to join one one day.
Thanks, Judy. Glad you like this post, and I hope you’ll have an opportunity to enjoy a Great Gatsby party one of these days. Whether attending as a guest or as the hostess, let your imagination run wild, and get into the swing of things there. I find THAT’S the secret for making a party memorable.
Thanks, Judy. Glad you like this post. Yes, it was fun for everyone there, partly because some of us dressed to suit the party’s theme. We always do, to help create the perfect atmosphere for celebrating! Even though in this case the guests dressed casual, that special touch helped set the festive mood. At other occasions, we might wear jacket & tie, or Hawaiian shirts, or lively red vests, …
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