REDLANDS- The San Bernadino County Museum’s Gatsby at the Grove is definitely a party you will not want to miss out on next year.  I arrived a few minutes after the doors opened and the entire museum was already packed.  Girls donned in flapper apparel lined the hallways gawking at the vintage 1920s attire in glass cases on display in the foyer.  I too stopped and stared at the ornate handbags as I pictured Roxy Hart look-a-likes strutting through jazz clubs on a  starry night in New York.  It was then that I heard the music playing. 

Nannette & her Hotsy-Totsy Boys filled the corridors with their rendition of Chicago’s All That Jazz and guests were simultaneously transported to an era long ago but not in the least forgotten. 

Upon entering the paper lantern filled garden the scent of delicious food (provided by Eureka Burger) greeted me, and I joined the other guests in line.  I watched ladies and gentlemen dance to the music as I waited patiently, it almost didn’t feel like I was waiting at all. 

Right after I snagged a seat (it took quite a bit of time to find an available one) the program started.  Introductions were made as professional dancers stumbled onto the dance floor to put on a little show and demonstrate the Prohibition style of dance.  After their hilarious routine they invited everyone (from the youngest to the oldest of guests) to dance with them. 

Right about the time everybody was wandering back to their seats in order to catch their breath a Vaudevillian act took over the stage.  Clowns, contortionists, an adagio routine, and a juggler captivated all of us before being taken over once more by the live band.  It was exciting and thrilling. 

Every moment spent at the event was exciting and interesting.  All of the guests even got to show off their “fashion statements.”  It was truly what I imagined the Roaring Twenties would be like.  Everyone was laughing, talking, dancing, and having an excellent time.  None of us wanted to leave when the party came to a close, but we all were looking forward to coming back next year.