In January, the Art Deco Society of Los Angeles holds an annual meeting to update members on the organization’s activities in the previous year. We combine this (approximately) 30 minute business update with a lecture.

The 2021 meeting will be held virtually. Current members will be sent free registration information. To participate, you must register on Zoom. A link will be sent to you after you register. Your registration is valid for one device.

To join the Art Deco Society of Los Angeles, click here.

The Art Deco Society of Los Angeles begins each year with an annual members meeting. To make it fun, we pair it with a program. This year our program involves a bandleader who entertained at the Cocoanut Grove and an ice skater and glamour girl who partook of Los Angeles' Art Deco era nightlife! These two histories are told my family members who will share personal memorabilia!

Only current members will receive a link to participate in this program, so JOIN or RENEW today! Memberships start at only $25. Scroll down to find out about our annual meeting program Our Famous Families: Los Angeles Nightclubs, the Hollywood Ice Review and to register to attend.

About the Program

We asked our members if they would share a picture or a memento as a prompt for stories about their families in the early 20th century. Out of that, emerged two family histories that are high in glitz and glamour, so we’ve asked these descendants to share them as the program for our annual meeting on January 23. We will also take a look back at the Art Deco Society of Los Angeles’ own history, with two long-time members, Suzanne Henderson and Frank Cooper, who will share a bit of history about the origins of ADSLA.

These programs will follow our 30 minute business meeting and there will be time for socializing after the presentations. Please bring your own “shares” if you’ve recently heard about or done something you would like to recommend to the group.

There is no fee to attend, but you must be an Art Deco Society of Los Angeles member.

Abe Lyman, Bandleader at the Cocoanut Grove

ADSLA member Steve Simon will present on his Great Uncle, Abe Lyman who was a famous band leader and composer in the late 20’s through 40’s deco era. His band, Abe Lyman and the Ambassador Orchestra, was one of the first headlining dance orchestras at the Cocoanut Grove when it opened and performed there for several years. He is also credited with increasing the popularity of dance orchestras which evolved into the “swing” era. He made numerous recordings, as well as film and radio performances. The presentation will include the history of Abe Lyman, illustrated by Steve's personal collection of memorabilia, original early recordings and film clips. Steve previously presented on his famous relative Fanchon and Marco.

Glamour on the Ice and at the Earl Carroll Theatre

Anne Schnoebelen tells us, “My mother, Clarice Evans, lived a very glamorous life in the '30s and '40s, touring with the Sonja Henie Hollywood Ice Revue as well as skating in several of the Sonja Henie movies, including "Sun Valley Serenade" (1941). During World War II she toured with a small company which produced ice shows at military bases. Our family has a collection of professional movie and ice show stills and other images from her active and exciting social and professional life. When I learned that the ADSLA was working on preservation of the Earl Carroll Theater, I was prompted to send the photo of my mother at a table with other couples--including two servicemen--at that venue in the '40s. We also have great fashion shots of my mother and her friends in beautiful deco garb, behind-the-scenes candid shots of movie sets, and the beautiful graphics of the Sonja Henie skating programs. And Clarice with her fashionable wire hair terrier Letty, also with a famous movie connection! I am grateful to the ADSLA for inviting me to share some of this collection.”

For the last thirty years, Anne Schnoebelen has been advocating for the preservation of the Art Deco artworks remaining on Treasure Island from the Golden Gate International Exposition, 1939-1940.

Schedule:

Saturday, January 23, 2021

1:00 PM Annual Meeting of ADSLA

1:30 PM Origins of ADSLA

1:45 PM Bandleader Abe Lyman

2:20 PM Clarice Evans – Ice Skater & Los Angeles Glamour Girl