What two weeks ago was beach traffic with cars bumper to bumper with kids in bathing suits, cradling towels or plastic buckets, is now school traffic filled with gaudy yellow buses and overstuffed backpacks. There are still a few weeks to enjoy the sun, but every day it seems to get just a bit chillier, and before we know it, it will soon be fall.
Isabella and Jacques learning to swing dance. Photo by Wayne Fitzpatrick of New England Nomad.
It’s not only children going back to school, as most colleges are starting up classes again and students are settling into their dorm rooms—many parents without them for the first time. It is important, however, in this chaotic and often stressful time of year, to get out and enjoy what’s left of the warmth and sun.
Last Sunday, Salem Common Neighborhood Association hosted their second annual Vintage Lawn party, where guests flocked in all sorts of historically-inspired clothing, spanning from the 1970s, and as far back as the 1770s (though I’m not fully convinced that one attendant wasn’t in fact, Marie Antoinette herself). People played badminton, corn-hole, and croquet—and when it came to croquet, it seemed like Isabella and I were not the only ones who didn’t know the rules of the game, which left the lawn to look more like a poorly organized miniature golf course than a well regarded British pastime. Nevertheless, everyone, ourselves included, enjoyed the day.
Perhaps the main draw of entertainment for the lawn party was the almost hour-long swing dance lesson taught by North Shore Swing Dance. This was one of the reasons why Isabella and myself attended the event, along with the chance to wear vintage-inspired clothing, which we can never pass up. The lesson filled the little wooden dance stage, with some people even having to dance half-way on the grass—but no one minded the threat of a twisted ankle (which thankfully didn’t happen), because we were all too caught up in the fun of following along to the steps. Dancers of all levels swayed, mingled, and bumped into each other, and although Isabella and I were certainly not the most coordinated pair in the mix, we never felt anything but encouragement from people who clearly care a whole lot about teaching others to dance. After the dance lesson, we enjoyed live music performed by Dan Gabel’s High Society Orchestra—and with the basic moves we had just acquired, were able to casually dance along.
Isabella wore an “Alice in Wonderland” inspired getup to the event, and related to Alice even more in the fact that she, too, struggled to play croquet.
Adding to the festivities, there were a lovely array of tables and booths where small shops and pop-ups sold vintage clothing, accessories, and antiques. Isabella ended up getting a beautiful true-vintage 1950s shirtwaist dress from Mayflower Vintage that she’s so excited to share. We even got a picture taken together by Krzystyna Caldarone of Vintage Girl Studios with a self-developing camera, an art form that’s hard to come by nowadays—and as amateur photographers, was a true delight to experience. There was something for everyone, and we had a blast.
Now, if you missed the lawn party, don’t fret, it happens every year, so keep an eye out and in twelve months you too can swing in old clothes, and have a blast doing it. If however, you don’t want to wait for next year, get out and see what’s happening in the area. There are plenty of other events to attend! For example, the Salem Athenaeum is hosting the Salem Literary Festival from September 20-22 that Isabella and I will be attending. And even if you’re not on the north-shore of Massachusetts like us, engage with things in your area, see what events are coming up, and enjoy the tail end of the summer while you can!
Dan Gabel’s High Society Orchestra topped off the event with their sweet swing tunes.