With the nice warm weather upon us, New Yorkers are finding any and all excuses to play outside: the 8th Annual Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governors Island was the best occasion for that!

Michael Arenella and His Dreamland Orchestra took over Govenors Island for the weekend and turned it into a 1920s theme summer party. Guests mingled and laid out in the sun with their own picnics, and everyone dressed the part.

The band played throughout the day while dancers took the stage. Amateur and pro dancers alike came to the dance floor and showed off their best moves. Professional dance troupes showed us the ways of the jazz era: The Dreamland Follies and Roddy Caravella and the Canarsie Wobblers performed special numbers in dazzling costumes. Other performers also included Gelber & Manning feuding vaudevillian lovebirds, vocalist Queen Esther, Peter Mintun on the piano, and the tap dancing Minsky Sisters.

For those who forgot to dress up for the occasion, or who wanted to add even more flair into their wardrobe, tons of vintage vendors showcased apparel, shoes, hats, headbands, fascinators, gloves, jewelry, and all sorts of accessories.

Vintage cars were on display, giving people a chance to pose next to them with era-appropriate (fake) machine guns.

If you missed out on the festivities this time, don’t you fret: the Jazz Age Lawn Party will be back again in August!

Save the dates for Saturday, August 17th and Sunday, August 18th, and get your general admission tickets in advance.