'Art Deco Weekend 2008' Celebrates Broadway in Miami

The 31st annual Art Deco Weekend 2008 in Miami, Florida brings Broadway tunes, celebrated music, films, lectures, parades, antiques and collectibles, and internationally recognized architecture tours to Miami Beach's famed Ocean Drive.

Art Deco Weekend 2008 begins Friday, January 18 and runs through Sunday, January 20 on Ocean Drive (between 5th and 15th St) in the historic Art Deco District, the nation's first twentieth-century National Historic District.

"The 31st annual Art Deco Weekend, sponsored by the Miami Design Preservation League (MDPL), will honor Broadway musicals from the 1930s and 1940s. This year, the annual festival's theme is Anything Goes: Art Deco Taps its Toes, and it will explore a time when Art Deco and Broadway collaborated with a full complement of lecture and films, as well as photographic exhibitions. Art Deco Weekend 2008 also will offer antiques and collectibles, art and crafts, guided tours, musical attractions, the third annual Light Up the Drive opening night parade and Arf Deco Weekend dog promenade, food vendors, as well as performances and hands-on activities for children," explain press notes.

This year's Art Deco Weekend, in addition to its famed street fair and parades, will headline Broadway greats in the festival's programs. A special discussion panel will star top Broadway producers Manny Kladitis, Leonard Soloway and Miles Wilkins. Playbill President Philip Birsh will present a lecture on Broadway history. The Light Up the Drive evening parade will feature as Grand Marshal Broadway legend Doris Eaton, the last living Ziegfeld girl at age 104!

As part of Anything Goes: Art Deco Taps its Toes, the event will celebrate when Broadway merged with Art Deco through musical performances and great cinema spectacles. The hours for the weekend festival are from 12noon-11PM on Friday, 10AM-11PM on Saturday, and 10AM-6PM on Sunday.

A complete schedule of events can be found online at www.ArtDecoWeekend.com.

FANTASY THEATRE FACTORY PRESENTS
Stilt walkers, giant puppets, strolling comic characters, and street theater will entrtain visitors while they peruse the tent-lined Ocean Drive exploring all that is Art Deco.

ART DECO WEEKEND FREE LIVE CONCERTS
The series of free concerts celebrates music of the period. The lineup of outstanding musicians will perform jazz, blues, swing, Latin jazz, and more. All concerts take place on the stage at 13th Street and Ocean Drive.

CLASSIC CARS
The Art Deco Weekend festival welcomes back for the second year, the Art Deco Classic Car Fest, sponsored by the South Florida Region of the Antique Automobile Club of America - made up of enthusiasts of antique automobiles of all makes and models of cars, trucks, and motorcycles from the early 1900's up to the year 1980. Vehicles featured will be 25 years old or older and in original or restored to factory condition. Classic antique cars will take their rightful place in the evening parade, which begins at 7:30PM, and be featured throughout the festival weekend.

FREE CLASSIC FILM SERIES
The weekend's Anything Goes: Art Deco Taps Its Toes theme is explored through a variety of Broadway shows turned into films. From George Abbotts' Too Many Girls (1940) to George Sidney's Tony Award-winning production, Kiss Me Kate (1953). Also scheduled are films such as Damn Yankees (1958), Du Barry Was Lady (1943), Anything Goes (1956) and Roberta (1935).

FREE BROADWAY LECTURE SERIES
The Art Deco Weekend lecture series will offer topics covering popular entertainments in the 1930s, both on stage and on screen. Lectures include "Art Deco On the Stage: The Early Years," "Art Deco On the Stage: The Golden Years," "Breakfast With the Stars: Tableware Designs by Clarice Cliff," and "The Broadway Theater: A Look Back." The weekend will feature two special lectures that will be presented as discussions among Broadway greats: "The Producers" and "An Afternoon With George Abbott." All lectures are approximately one hour, are free of charge, and take place at The Wolfsonian-FIU, 1001 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach, which is sponsoring the lectures.

BE A BROADWAY STAR
This first-ever interactive performance station will allow guests to stop by the Art Deco Welcome Center and perform a Broadway musical number of their choice. Guests will shine like Broadway stars as their performance is taped for a keepsake video that they can take home for their personal collection.

FOOD VENDORS
In addition to the traditional Art Deco Weekend food vendor favorites, this year's list will include local restaurants that will offer up an array of delightful treats.

EVENING PARADE
Friday, January 18, 7:30PM
Art Deco Weekend's third annual "Light Up the Drive" evening parade glides down Ocean Drive with spectacular visuals and performances for all to enjoy. Beginning in front of the Park Central Hotel, the parade will feature lively marching bands, other musical performers, dancers, street performers, antique cars, floats and much more! The evening parade is sponsored by Geico Insurance.

"ARF DECO" DOG PROMENADE
Saturday, January 19, Noon
Dogs and their owners alike are invited to dress up in honor of "Anything Goes: Art Deco Taps its Toes" for the third annual "Arf Deco" Dog Promenade on Ocean Drive. Dogs may compete in a Best In Show Contest prior to the parade. The event is free to participate.

LITTLE MISS BROADWAY DECO
Saturday, January 19, 3PM
Little aspiring Annies and Shirley Temples will vie for the title of "Little Miss Broadway Deco" at this first annual event. Celebrity judges will select the pageant winner based on various categories, including Best Broadway Dance, Best Broadway Karaoke Singer, and a question round. Judges include local media personalities and dignitaries.
The winner will receive a $250 U.S. savings bond and the title of "Little Miss Broadway Deco."

For more information and additional schedule times visit Art Deco Weekend online at www.ArtDecoWeekend.com or call 305-672-2014.