Step Back in Time at the Cicada Club

Photo by the talented Katie Reihman

If you love to pull out your finest vintagey frocks, display your biggest baubles and take your fancy footwear for a twirl, you must visit Maxwell DeMille’s Cicada Club in downtown Los Angeles.  

The Cicada Club is a retro girl’s dream. From the moment you walk through the grand entryway of the 1928 art deco Oviatt Building, it feels as if you have been transported back in time. An opulent chandelier dangles over the dance floor setting the perfect ambiance of dazzle and mystery. The sweeping staircase frames the sides of the orchestra stage whisking you up to another level of drama from a time long ago. The upstairs walls are draped in a golden fabric leading you back to swank, cozy bar, smaller dance area, lush seating and a beautiful grand piano that you can imagine Louis Armstrong sitting down at to play a tune.

We had the pleasure of attending their special Swingin’ 60s Halloween Party and it was unlike anything I had experienced before. The guests were authentic to the period - from dressing in 60s attire to mimicking favorite characters from that classic era. And there was no real median age. Twenty, thirty and forty-somethings were swinging away to Dean Mora’s Orchestra on the dance floor right next to couples in their 70s and 80s - everyone dressed for the event and all appreciating the moment. It was magical.

The Cicada Club is open most Sunday evenings. Dinner reservations secure you a table around the main dance floor and near the band - usually a 40s style swing band. If you are just in the mood to sip cocktails, it’s generally a $10 cover charge with seating available on the second level.

www.cicadaclub.com

Unique Vintage Halloween Event

I'll be here today! Come by and say hello... I'll be in a bright yellow and blue Heartbreaker dress ♥

Noteworthy Retro Happenings

Haunts and happenings and sales, oh my! There are several fabulous things happening over the next few weeks that are worth marking down on your calendars. 

♥ 

And since there are so many amazing modern-retro designers, events, sales, websites and much, much more happening out there, I created a Newsletter to showcase a regular listing of these special items and occasions. If you subscribe to the new Retro Girl’s Guide Newsletter, you’ll get future listings delivered right to your inbox. And if you have a special event or a retro news nugget worth sharing, please submit it and chances are it will be included. How cool is that? Now on to a sampling of the fun... 

Bob’s Big Boy 2nd Annual Car & Bike Show 
Vintage cars, pin-up girls and Bob’s burgers! Enjoy an afternoon hosted by The Pin-Up Magazine and all of the lovelies in their pin-up pageant. 
Where: Bob’s Big Boy Broiler - Downey, CA 
When: Saturday, October 22nd 
Time: 11 am - 4 pm 
Cost: $5 entry 
Contact: The Pin-Up Magazine on Facebook 


Audrey K’s Halloween Costume Contest & Girl’s Night Out 
Show off your cute costumes for a chance to win a $25 gift card to this fabulous boutique! 
Where: Audrey K Boutique - 3414 W. Magnolia Blvd, Burbank, CA 
When: Friday, October 28th 
Time: 6 - 9 pm 
Contact: www.AudreyK.com 

Lolita Girl Clothing Extravaganza Sale 
Gorgeous clothes on sale, swingin’ tunes, munchie foods and drinks to sip... sounds like a perfect Saturday! 
Where: Lolita Girl’s Showroom - 8 Whatney, Irvine CA 
When: Saturday, October 29th 
Time: 10 am - 4 pm 
Contact: www.LolitaGirlClothing.com 


Unique Vintage Halloween Haunt
Get your vintage-inspired Halloween look with costumes from the roaring 20s through the swingin’ 60s at this event hosted by The Ellen DeGeneres Show and Good Day L.A. 
Where: Unique Vintage Boutique - 2013 W. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank CA 
When: Saturday October 29th 
Time: 1pm - 5pm 
Contact: www.Unique-Vintage.com 

Cicada Club's Swingin’ 60s Halloween Costume Party 
Come dance the night away as your favorite 60s character at the art deco Cicada Club in downtown Los Angeles. 
Where: Cicada Club - 617 South Olive Street, Los Angeles CA 
When: Sunday, October 30th 
Time: Doors open at 6:00 pm. Showtime at 8pm 
Cost: $50 a ticket presale by Sunday, October 23rd. $60 after or at the door. 
Contact: www.CicadaClub.com


PinUpGirlClothing.com’s Autumn Garage Sale 
PinUpGirlClothing.com’s gorgeous goods are deeply discounted at this one day event. Enjoy the sounds of rockin’ performers such as La Cholita and say hello to your favorite PUG beauties while shopping your glamorous little heart away! 
Where: Courtyard Marriott - 700 West Huntington Drive, Monrovia CA 
When: Saturday, November 5th 
Time: 10 - 4 pm 
Contact: PinUpGirlClothing

A Very Retro Halloween

Halloween is fast approaching and it's the perfect time to play up the retro by recreating a favorite character from an iconic era. Here is a list of fun and flirty retro costume ideas to bring forth your vintage vixen. If you have more ideas to add to the list, leave your comments below. ♥

• Marilyn Monroe:  Of course I have to start with Marilyn! Instead of going for the common 7 Year Itch dress, why not grab your BFF and go as the gal pals from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes? Couple’s Tip: Have your guy dress as JFK or Joe DiMaggio.
• Ginger Grant: The sultry movie star from Giligan’s Island is the ultimate TV bombshell. A red wig, a slinky dress and a life preserver and you're all set. Couple’s Tip: Have your first mate dress as Gilligan or the Professor.
• MaryAnn: You know the ol’ question... Are you a Ginger or a MaryAnn? If your sweet n’ sexy, this other castaway is the costume for you! Here’s an adorable, checkered romper by Bernie Dexter to channel your inner “good girl.” Couple’s Tip: See Ginger.
• Bewitched: A retro miniskirt and a long, blonde flipped ‘do is just the trick to magically transform you into the sexiest witch of the 60s - Samantha Stevens.  Couple’s Tip: Have your guy dress as hubby Darren (you choose the version)  Family Tip: If you have little sweetie like I do, she’d make the perfect Tabitha.
• Lucy Ricardo: We all love Lucy. And while funny lady Lucille Ball, kept us laughing, we often forget what a gorgeous bombshell she truly was. Here’s the perfect polka dotted dress from Daddy O’s designed by Stop Starring. Couple’s Tip: Ricky! Don't forget the bongos.
• Morticia Addams: The ultimate goth queen is truly a fabulous bombshell in her long, velvet wiggle dress. Couple’s Tip: Let your guy romance the night away as the loving Gomez Addams. Family Tip: Pugsley and Wednesday!

• Pan Am Stewardess: The new television show on ABC is launching next week and so are the cute costumes like this sexy flight attendant to go along with it! Don't forget the best part... Handbags! Couple’s Tip: Have your guy dress as a pilot. Gal Pal Tip: Gather up the BFFs and go as a group. Fasten your seat belts!
• 60’s Star Trek Babe: Go-go boots and a sexy, long sleeved mini dress will beam you up as an intergalactic goddess. Couple’s Tip: Give your guy some pointy ears and transform him into Mr. Spock or ladies man, Captain Kirk.
• Vintage Sailor Girl: Last year I went as a vintage sailor girl with a dress purchased from PinUpGirlClothing. It was my favorite costume so far - especially because my handsome hubby and adorable daughter dressed up too!
• Jessica Rabbit: No other cartoon bombshell can compare to this racy Rabbit! Here's a gorgeous, red mermaid gown found at Unique-Vintage designed by Stop Starring that puts the voom in va-va-voom! (Thank you to FB fan, Ashley, for this suggestion!) Couple’s Tip: Have your date dress as a 1940s detective.
• Cigarette Girls: Vintage cigarette girls dolled up any formal event, and now you can be a doll for a night too! Check out MrsBellasDolls.com to see how real life Cigarette Girls work their magic. Bella creates all of her costumes and she is the perfect source for glamour inspiration (to learn more about Bella and her fabulous dolls, click here). Couple’s Tip: Have your date dress as an vintage usher or bell hop.
• Tiki/Hawaiian Girl: If you love a good luau, why not be a Hawaiian inspired goddess for Halloween? Hula, tiki, flowered sundress... Don’t forge your lei! Couple’s Tip: Dress your date white shorts and a Hawaiian shirt for a Blue Hawaii Elvis. Don’t forget the ukulele.

• Liz Taylor’s Cleopatra: I recently had the pleasure of experiencing Elizabeth Taylor’s version of Cleopatra on the big screen and seeing her glorious costumes come to life in vibrant technicolor. The drama and beauty of her ensembles are fit for a queen! Check out this wonderful blog Digs, Frocks & Books for images and inspiration. Couple’s Tip: dress your Richard Burton as Cleo’s love, Mark Antony. 
• Bettie Page: We all love Bettie. How about recreating one of her iconic looks and pulling out the 6” stilettos this Halloween? Couple’s Tip: The queen of pinup needs a photographer. Arm your guy with a vintage camera!
• Playboy Bunny: Take inspiration from the new television show, The Playboy Club, and wiggle your tail as a glamorous 60s bunny. Couple’s Tip: Get a smoking jacket and some silk jammies for your Hugh Heffner.