Lesson: Balboa Taster with Dance Champs Minn Vo & Lily Matini
2025-01-20 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Art Deco Museum and Welcome Center, 1001 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, FL, 33139, United States
[Due to weather, this event has been relocated to the Art Deco Welcome Center, 1001 Ocean Drive]
Get a taster and history of Balboa with Dance Champions Minn Vo & Lily Matini!
No partner required!
ABOUT YOUR TEACHERS

MINN VO

LILY MATINI

ABOUT THE DANCE STYLE
Balboa, also known as “Bal” is a swing dance that originated in Southern California during the 1920s and enjoyed huge popularity during the 1930s and 1940s. An 8-count danced in closed position, the earliest form (often called “Pure Balboa”) evolved in the mostly conservative dance halls of southern California where space was limited and strict codes of conduct were enforced. These dance halls usually prohibited the wild kicks of the Charleston and Lindy Hop. Pure Balboa is characterized by an upright posture with partners standing chest to chest. Step variations generally play with the rhythm or look and feel (style) from below the knee downwards and deal with changes in direction. Balboa is frequently danced to fast jazz (usually anything from 180 to 320 BPM), though many like a slower (170-190 BPM) tempo. While most dancers differentiate between pure Balboa and Bal-Swing, both are considered to be a part of the dance. Bal-Swing evolved from Balboa when original Balboa dancers experimented with fancier variations of the dance which forced the chest to chest connection to be broken. In this form of Balboa a variety of spins, turns, dips, tricks, and even air steps are introduced.1
[1 Wikipedia]

* In addition to this class, don’t miss the mini-lessons and entertainment between jazz band breaks!

The lesson will be held at the Jazz Age Stage on Lummus Park & 12th Street from 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Mike Cady
2025-01-20 13:30 - 15:00 | Art Deco Museum and Welcome Center, 1001 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, FL, 33139, United States
Michael Cady has been on the scene since 1983
A native Detroiter, he has marveled his audience with his ability to go from the jazz styling of Eddied Jefferson, to lead singer in Teddy Harris Jr’s Be Bop Society Jazz Orchestra. Just when you think you’ve heard it all, he pulls out a list of songs from the R&B past, making each song his own.
Michael’s venues range from his electrifying night club act in such places as the Oldest Jazz Club in the World Bakers Keyboard Lounge, concert halls, jazz and blues festivals in major cities such as Detroit, Cleveland, Chicago and Miami.
Michael Cady has performed with noted musicians such as Marcus Belgraves, Harold McKinney, Rudy Robinson and Marion Haden, just to name a few.
When Michael hits the stage he exudes confidence as was instilled in him by his mother, the late, great Susie Garrett, actress/singer.
His stage performances include “Great Legends and Great Music” a Dee Dee McNeil production directed by Ron Milner. His most recent project was “A Tribute to Horace Silver” of which he received an overwhelming response from Metro Times.

Don’t miss the mini swing dance lessons and entertainment between band sets!

LeNard Rutledge Jazz Ensemble
2025-01-20 15:30 - 17:00 | Art Deco Museum and Welcome Center, 1001 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, FL, 33139, United States
Captivating, soul stirring, earthy and funky— LeNard Rutledge and his jazz ensemble are Miami-based musicians who are known to entertain its listeners, and “swing the music” for dancers.
Named by the Miami New Times as the “Best Jazz Artist,” Rutledge’s elegance is often permeated by the raw passion of his church choir work. The warm exchange of give and take between his dynamic stage presence and his sidemen will bring out the love for jazz that you didn’t know you had.

Acute Inflections
2025-01-20 18:00 - 20:00 | Jazz Age Stage at Lummus Park & 12th Street
“A velvety mix of Erykah Badu & Billie Holiday paired with the cool grooves of her 007 on bass”
is how one reviewer described Acute Inflections. New York’s Jazzy R&B duo, led by a former Broadway singer, has been featured on HBO and Amazon. They can often be found entertaining their clients (United Nations, Mercedes-Benz, etc.) at high-end events across the country and abroad. They have shared the stage with Jennifer Hudson, Sting, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and other notable artists at some of these celebrations. Their albums are always favorites on the jazz charts, and their shows are both fun and enchanting. Just prepare yourself, because these sassy artists love engaging their audiences.

Dance NOW! Miami with the South Beach Chamber Ensemble
2026-01-09 17:00 - 18:00 | Jazz Age Stage at Lummus Park & 12th Street
Art Deco Weekend kicks off at the Jazz Age Stage with Dance NOW! Miami with the South Beach Chamber Ensemble. Enjoy a fantastic show of dance and music inspired by the Art Deco Era.
Dance NOW! Miami’s mission is to create, promote and produce contemporary dance of the highest caliber, and through performance, arts education, community leadership and innovative programming, nurture new talents, foster artistic collaborations and make the art of dance accessible to diverse audiences locally, nationally and internationally.
The mission of the South Beach Chamber Ensemble is to promote and perform chamber music in all its diverse forms, from its origins in the distant past, to the varied cultural creations being produced today, bringing together performers, composers, and audiences to experience the beauty and intimacy of the human spirit. We envision a world where music inspires and energizes all people, creating peace, harmony, joy, and unprecedented satisfaction in being alive.

VIP Opening Night Soirée feat. Michael Arenella & His Dreamland Orchestra
2026-01-09 19:30 - 22:00 | Jazz Age Stage at Lummus Park & 12th Street
Step into the Glamour of Art Deco Weekend!
✨ VIP Night: Invitation-Only Event ✨
An exclusive celebration for MDPL Members and VIPs! Don your finest dapper attire and join us for an unforgettable night of music, dance, and timeless Art Deco style.
📍 Location: The Jazz Age Stage, Lummus Park & 12th Street
📅 Date: Friday, January 09, 2026
🕗 Time: 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM (live music begins at 8:00 PM)

🎷 Featuring Michael Arenella & His Dreamland Orchestra

Welcoming back to Miami’s Jazz Age Stage— Michael Arenella & His Dreamland Orchestra will fill the ocean air with their authentic and soulful interpretations of Early Jazz, Swing, Bossa Nova, and Brazilian Jazz. Known for sparking the revival of Jazz Age culture with their iconic Jazz Age Lawn Party in NYC, the band delivers timeless performances that blend vintage spirit with modern artistry.

💃 Award-Winning Swing Dance Entertainment
Let the rhythm move you with dazzling, high-energy performances that capture the joy and spirit of swing. Get ready to participate in a mini dance class, and swing through the night that promises to delight and inspire!
✨ Don Your Dapper Attire and Capture the Moment ✨
Smile and show off your vintage looks at the photo and video stations

Lesson: Beginner Swing w 4 x World Champion Yuval Hod & Gypsy Juls
2026-01-10 13:00 - 14:00 | Jazz Age Stage at Lummus Park & 12th Street
Learn the basic dance steps of Swing/Lindy Hop with 4 x World Champion Yuval Hod & Gypsy Juls
No partner required!
ABOUT YOUR TEACHERS

YUVAL HOD

GYPSY JULS

ABOUT THE DANCE

Lindy Hop is an American dance born in the African-American communities of Harlem, New York City, in 1928 and has evolved since then. It was very popular during the swing era of the late 1930s and early 1940s. Lindy is a fusion of many dances that preceded it or were popular during its development but is mainly based on jazz, tap, breakaway, and Charleston. It is frequently described as a jazz dance and is a member of the swing dance family.

In its development, the Lindy Hop combined elements of both partnered and solo dancing by using the movements and improvisation of African-American dances along with the formal eight-count structure of European partner dances – most clearly illustrated in the Lindy’s defining move, the swingout. In this step’s open position, each dancer is generally connected hand-to-hand; in its closed position, leads and follows are connected as though in an embrace on one side and holding hands on the other.
There was renewed interest in the dance in the 1980s from American, Swedish, and British dancers and the Lindy Hop is now represented by dancers and loosely affiliated grass-roots organizations in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania.
Lindy Hop today is danced as a social dance, as a competitive dance, as a performance dance, and in classes, workshops, and camps. Partners may dance alone or together, with improvisation a central part of social dancing and many performance and competition pieces.
Lindy Hop is sometimes referred to as a street dance, referring to its improvisational and social nature. In 1932, twelve-year-old Norma Miller did the Lindy Hop outside the Savoy Ballroom with her friends for tips. In 1935, 15,000 people danced on Bradhurst Avenue for the second of a dance series held by the Parks Department. Between 147th and 148th street, Harlem “threw itself into the Lindy Hop with abandon” as Sugar Hill residents watched from the bluffs along Edgecombe Avenue.1
[1 Wikipedia]
Put a swing in your step during Art Deco Weekend!

* In addition to this class, don’t miss the mini-lessons and entertainment between jazz band breaks!

Get ready before the weekend— watch ADW’s 2021 online dance classes for free

Lesson: Beginner Collegiate Shag w Dance Champs Nathalie & Minn
2026-01-10 14:00 - 15:00 | Jazz Age Stage at Lummus Park & 12th Street
Get a Taster of Collegiate Shag with International Dance Champions Nathalie Gomes Adams & Minn Vo!
No partner required!
ABOUT YOUR TEACHERS

NATHALIE GOMES ADAMS

MINN VO

ABOUT THE DANCE STYLES
Collegiate Shag (or “Shag”) is a partner dance done primarily to uptempo swing and pre-swing jazz music (185-250+ beats per min) belonging to the swing family of American vernacular dances that arose in the 1920s and 30s. It is believed that the dance originated within the African American community of the Carolinas in the 1920s, later spreading across the United States during the 1930s.

“Shag” itself (when used in reference to American social dances) is a very broad term used to denote a number dances that originated in the first half of the 20th century. Today, the term “collegiate shag” is often used interchangeably with “shag” to refer to a particular style of dance that was popular amongst American youth during the swing era of the 1930s and 40s. To call the dance “collegiate shag” was not as common during the swing era as it is today, but when the “collegiate” portion was tacked on, it was meant to indicate the style of the dance that was popular amongst the college crowd.1
The shag is still danced today by swing dance enthusiasts worldwide.
[1 Wikipedia]

* In addition to this class, don’t miss the mini-lessons and entertainment between jazz band breaks!

The Satchmo Five
2026-01-10 16:00 - 18:00 | Jazz Age Stage at Lummus Park & 12th Street
Troy Anderson got his first taste for music while growing up in a Bahamian family filled with musicians. At the age of 10, he began playing the trumpet and went on to perform in the Florida Sunshine Band and the Gospel Sounds before being introduced to the world of the drum and bugle corps in school. A later stint with the Florida Vanguards taught him how to be an effective lead soprano soloist while performing in front of thousands of screaming fans. Subsequent tours with the famous Bayonne Bridgemen Drum & Bugle Corps helped hone his showmanship skills.
Anderson first fell in love with the music of Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong while playing with the 2nd AD (Fwd) Jazz Band in Germany where he was stationed as a paratrooper. Following one such performance for some high-ranking officials, the Command Sergeant Major of the U.S Army asked Anderson to put together a show of nothing but Armstrong’s greatest hits. Anderson was known throughout Germany for playing like Satchmo, but singing like him was a different story. Practice, however, made perfect and he soon managed to replicate Armstrong’s trademark growl with stirring accuracy.
After a horrific accident sidelined Anderson’s career as a musician — he was told by doctors he would never be able to play trumpet again — he miraculously recovered to form the Wonderful World Tribute Band with the guidance of South Florida’s Gold Coast Jazz Society Series” Who was Louis Armstrong” teaching elements of Jazz to elementary students through which he’s brought the legendary music of Louis Armstrong to life. Anderson and his ( U.S) Wonderful World Band has made a significant mark of New Orleans flare to the South Florida area and is currently residing in Germany and touring the E.U with his Wonderful World Trio which is based out of Budapest Hungary. Anderson’s Armstrong is too natural to be called uncanny. Starting out with the look, he slips easily into the rest— the dinner jacket, the trumpet and hanky, the roly-poly voice, and above all, the contagious the joie de vivre that made Armstrong so beloved.

Don’t miss the mini swing dance lessons and entertainment between band sets!

﻿

Michael Arenella & His Dreamland Orchestra
2026-01-10 20:00 - 22:00 | Jazz Age Stage at Lummus Park & 12th Street
While making a living busking in the subway upon his arrival to NYC in 1998, Michael Arenella made a name immersing himself in the virginal Jazz of the 1920s. This immersion went on to give birth to a cultural phenomenon, a good decade before it became hot in popular culture: the rebirth of the Jazz Age. As tens of thousands began pouring through the gates of his now famous Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governors Island in NYC, a restlessness started to beckon to him. The pandemic of 2020 galvanized this. A year without a place to be, a sense of purpose indefinitely suspended – gave him the opportunity to reunite after 15 years with his first and natural voice: the trombone. With this, the desire to tear down the gates and evolve became an urgent need.
Though Arenella is now focused on expression untethered to an era, a sense of swing and soul remain his timeless imprimatur. Today, Michael and his band are among the world’s most sought after interpreters of Early Jazz, Swing, Bossa Nova and Brazilian Jazz.

Lesson: 20's Charleston w Swing Dance Champ Minn Vo & Juls
2026-01-11 12:00 - 13:00 | Jazz Age Stage at Lummus Park & 12th Street
Learn the basic dance steps of 20’s Charleston with international Swing Dance Champion Minn Vo & Juls Slavikas
No partner required!
ABOUT YOUR TEACHERS

MINN VO

JULS SLAVIKAS

ABOUT THE DANCE

20’s Charleston is a dance named after the harbor city of Charleston, South Carolina. The rhythm was popularized in mainstream dance music in the United States by a 1923 tune called “The Charleston” by composer/pianist James P. Johnson, which originated in the Broadway show Runnin’ Wild and became one of the most popular hits of the decade. The peak year for the Charleston as a dance by the public was mid-1926 to 1927.[1] It’s known as “the father of swing,” as it evolved to Lindy Hop.
[ 1 Defenition pulled from Wikipedia]
Put a hop in your step during Art Deco Weekend!

* In addition to this class, don’t miss the mini-lessons and entertainment between jazz band breaks!

Get ready before the weekend— watch ADW’s 2021 online dance classes for free!

The lesson will be held at the Jazz Age Stage on Lummus Park & 12th Street from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Mighty Flea Circus
2026-01-11 13:30 - 15:00 | Jazz Age Stage at Lummus Park & 12th Street
The Mighty Flea Circus is a nationally acclaimed Rockabilly and Swing band known for “Soul Shakin’ Swingabilly” — an energetic blend of vintage rock and modern flair. Winners of top industry awards and celebrated for electrifying live shows, they deliver dynamic performances at venues of all sizes. With roots in classic icons and a forward-thinking sound, The Mighty Flea Circus continues to build hype with new music and high-octane gigs. Don’t miss the chance to experience their infectious excitement live!

Don’t miss the mini swing dance lessons and entertainment between band sets!

Michael Arenella & His Dreamland Orchestra
2026-01-11 15:30 - 17:00 | Jazz Age Stage at Lummus Park & 12th Street
While making a living busking in the subway upon his arrival to NYC in 1998, Michael Arenella made a name immersing himself in the virginal Jazz of the 1920s. This immersion went on to give birth to a cultural phenomenon, a good decade before it became hot in popular culture: the rebirth of the Jazz Age. As tens of thousands began pouring through the gates of his now famous Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governors Island in NYC, a restlessness started to beckon to him. The pandemic of 2020 galvanized this. A year without a place to be, a sense of purpose indefinitely suspended— gave him the opportunity to reunite after 15 years with his first and natural voice: the trombone. With this, the desire to tear down the gates and evolve became an urgent need.
Though Arenella is now focused on expression untethered to an era, a sense of swing and soul remain his timeless imprimatur. Today, Michael and his band are among the world’s most sought after interpreters of Early Jazz, Swing, Bossa Nova and Brazilian Jazz.

Don’t miss the mini swing dance lessons and dance entertainment between the band sets!

The Allyson Briggs Jazz Ensemble
2026-01-11 18:00 - 20:00 | Jazz Age Stage at Lummus Park & 12th Street
Allyson Briggs, “The Glamour Girl of Jazz,” leads a Gatsby-style orchestra that brings the glittering swing and sophistication of the 1920s–40s to life with vintage charm and Old Hollywood flair. For Art Deco Weekend 2026, her lush big band sound and timeless standards will transform Ocean Drive into a roaring Jazz Age ballroom, perfect for lindy hoppers, cocktail-sippers, and classic Miami Beach glamour.
