by Robin CohenOkay, Who Got In Without A Password?
On Valentine's Day, the lower level of Andiamo Italia West in Bloomfield Hills was transformed into a 1920s speakeasy called "Tony's Place" for the DAADS Annual Dinner meeting. A whispered password was needed to gain entry, and your favorite spirits were served to you in a teacup. Gentlemen received a carnation boutonniere, while the ladies each received a rose for Valentine's Day. Even the eastside gang (the Rusinows) showed up.
Members received a wonderful invitation announcing the event, complete with bullet holes. With the smiling mugs of Cagney and Bogart, it announced that the DAADS family was "gettin' together" for a roaring 20s-style evening and a little "family business".
Terrific displays with photos and gangster props were provided by Bob & Kathy King and Ron & Lucy Ortiz.A virtual fashion show played out as guests arrived, with guys in double-breasted gangster attire of the day, and their dolls in vintage flapper or Gatsby dress. There were prizes awarded at the end of the evening to "best gangster," John Henke, and "best doll," Lynn Iacobelli. All enjoyed a delicious Italian family-style dinner of Chicken Siciliano and Roast Sirloin.
Susann Spilkin finds something interesting in the silent auction.
Many wonderful deco objects were donated.The evening included a silent auction consisting of over 20 items such as cocktail shakers, beaded handbags, cigarette cases, a piece of deco fabric from the original Fisher Theater, an original tile from the Guardian Building, Tiger tickets at the new Comerica Park, Czechoslovakian art glass and many other wonderful items. Guests checked their bids throughout the evening, with the winning bids announced at the end of the evening. The total profit of $3,600 from this event was donated to the Brodhead Armory WPA Art Restoration Project.
A short business meeting included a 1999 Annual Report from President, Robin Cohen (see President's Notes at the beginning of this issue), an Annual Treasurer's Report from Treasurer, Frank Edwards, and a Membership Report from Membership Chairman, Carl Cohen.
Jacques Caussin, Robin Cohen and Bob King practice their "gangster-speak" prior to the meeting.Bob and Kathy King and Lucy and Ron Ortiz brought atmosphere to the room with gangster photos decorating the tables and walls, and the sounds of 20s jazz and big bands, which helped make this night another very successful DAADS event.
If you would like to learn more about the gangsters in movies, there is a book out by a local author called "Pump'Em Full of Lead—A Look at Gangsters on Film" by Marilyn Yaquinto. Marilyn is an author and a writing instructor at the University of Michigan. The book is available through Borders, Barnes & Noble or through her web site: www.gangsterinc.com Photography by Carl Cohen
