How to Gatsby 2022: A Get-Ready Guide to an Elegant Art Deco Afternoon

A get-ready guide for the Gatsby Summer Afternoon with presentations about getting in and around, dressing the part, and planning perfect picnics as well as Charleston lessons, a vintage vendor bazaar, a fashion show, and no-host refreshments.

About this event

We are thrilled to be hosting our annual pre-Gatsby How-To event at a new-to-us location, the Lakeside Park Garden Center. The Garden Center is set in a beautiful garden on the edge of Lake Merritt in Oakland and is located at 666 Bellevue Ave. Come early and picnic in the park before joining us for socializing, shopping, and perhaps a lecture or two.

We recognize that dressing up in vintage styles and packing a perfect picnic can be intimidating, especially for first-timers, so we will be hosting a series of short lectures and a fashion show with great tips for pulling together a stylish, comfortable, vintage-inspired ensemble. We'll also have information on getting to the Dunsmuir Estate (and getting around once you arrive), and a couple of display picnics for inspiration. In addition, we are delighted to announce something new for this year: mini Charleston lessons with Angie Major!

Throughout the event, our vendor bazaar will be open for shopping for vintage clothing, jewelry, accessories, and picnic items... and, of course, more socializing! We're proud to be hosting some fabulous local vendors this year: All Things Vintage, My Lili Marlene, Cloche Call Designs, and Relic Vintage. We are very grateful to these vendors for their continued support! If you are a vintage seller interested in vending at this event, please email sametler@gmail.com for more information.

The event will begin at 2 pm on Sunday, August 14, with a no-host cocktail hour, which we hope will be an opportunity to connect and reconnect while enjoying delicious alcoholic and alcohol-free libations and perusing the wares of our fabulous vintage marketplace. Lectures, dance lessons, and our fabulous fashion show will be taking place throughout the venue from 3-5 pm (exact times to be announced closer to the date). The event will conclude at 6 pm.

Parking Info

There is paid ($5/day) parking along Bellevue Avenue right in front of the venue. Use the Fairyland Parking entrance off of Grand Avenue. Arrive early and picnic in the park to secure the best spots!

Public Transportation Info

BART to 12th St/Oakland, then take the AC Transit 12 Westbrae from Broadway & 12th St to Grand Ave. & Bellevue Ave.