Tickets and Tables went on sale starting October 15 at 1:00 PM PST for members of the Art Deco Society of Los Angeles.
Let us set the scene…
“Catalina Casino, the world's most distinctive and magnificent pleasure palace tops Avalon Bay as its crowning jewel. Here dancing and music hold sway. It is a veritable fairyland palace where each night is one of romance and enchantment. Under a canopy of rainbow lights to the music of the El Patio Catalina Orchestra, directed by Maurice Menge, 3000 couples may dance on a floor floated on cork, one of the largest dance floors in America. All the joys of vacation time are in full sway on the play isle of the Pacific.” -- Los Angeles Times, June 26, 1929
This elegant signature event was founded in 2002 by Walter Nelson, who eventually handed it off to the Art Deco Society of Los Angeles. One of the high points of the evening is when Walter leads a snaking Conga line several hundred dancers strong!
photo: Chris Launi
The Avalon Ball™ is a fantastic journey into the past when Big Bands played for huge audiences and were broadcast to the nation from the Art Deco/Mediterranean Revival Casino Ballroom. The Avalon Casino Ballroom, located on Catalina Island (just off the coast of Southern Los Angeles) in the city of Avalon, opened its doors on May 29, 1929. The Art Deco Society of Los Angeles’ Avalon Ball™ takes place annually in the Ballroom’s anniversary month and attracts 700 vintage dance and music enthusiasts from all over the world, who dress to the nines to immerse in glorious Art Deco opulence as they glide across the 10,000 square foot dance floor (one of the last to exist!) - surrounded by romantic ocean views.
I found my love in Avalon…
“I found my love in Avalon beside the bay. I left my love in Avalon and I sailed away. I dream of her in Avalon from dusk till dawn. So I think I'll travel on to Avalon.” --"Avalon," 1920, sung by Al Jolson
This magical night features an evening of dancing to music from the 1920s and 30s performed by Dean Mora & the Avalon Ball Dance Orchestra
The completely restored ballroom retains its original romantic style--a lavish medley of rose-hued walls, an arching, fifty-foot ceiling with five Tiffany chandeliers, an elevated stage, raised seating areas around the dance floor, and the vintage, full-service Marine Bar. No gaming here. The word “casino” is used as it is in Italian, to mean, a gathering place.
photo: Jared Cowan
The Avalon Casino was built under the direction of chewing gum magnate William Wrigley Jr., by Sumner A. Spaulding and Walter Webber as the world’s largest circular ballroom without supporting pillars. The acoustics in the round structure were so fine, Radio City Music Hall engineers studied them! The building includes a gorgeous movie theatre decorated with Art Deco murals by John Gabriel Beckman. It is here that the annual Catalina Island Silent Film Festival usually takes place in the afternoon on the Saturday of the Ball. This year the festival will take place at the Catalina Island Museum on Friday and Saturday evenings. There is no matinee screening at the Avalon Movie Theatre.
photo: Jared Cowan
A specially chartered 11:00 pm boat on Catalina Express will ferry dancers back to the mainland if they choose to just come over for the night. However, there is plenty to see and do for those wish to spend the weekend on the “Magic Isle.” Over the years, official Art Deco Society of Los Angeles events have been added on Friday and Sunday of the Avalon Ball Weekend, that may lure you to arrange to stay overnight on the island to mingle, show off your vintage or vintage inspired ensembles and to take in more sights of the island.
Some past events have included a social gathering at the historic Catalina Island Country Club, a vintage bus island tour, silent film events with the Catalina Island Museum, Friday night cocktails in town and vintage beachwear gatherings. Catalina can be a little chilly or event rainy in May, so we plan accordingly.
Attending solo? Feel free to post on our event page on Facebook if you are looking to find a roommate or want to ferry over with other people. You do not need a dance partner to attend!
CATALINA ISLAND MUSEUM EVENTS:
Many Avalon Ball attendees look forward to coming to Catalina for the whole weekend or at least the day, in order to attend the silent film programs hosted by the Catalina Island Museum. All details and ticketing is through the Museum’s website.
LODGING:
We highly recommend reserving lodging by February 2024 if you plan to stay on the island. Rooms sell out quickly. The Catalina Island Company website is a good place to begin your search for a cottage or hotel room.
View photos from past Avalon Ball ™ events, and be sure to send us your photos too!