Blast into vintage past as the 1940s Ball returns to Boulder's airport for year 15

Jun. 17—Have any of Grandma's old clothes laying around? Not sure what to do with that shirtwaist dress and petticoat in the year 2023? Then, the 1940s Ball, returning to Boulder this weekend, may be just the occasion to bust it out.

The popular Boulder event marks its 15th year running as a full-scale, all-out vintage-themed bash set in World War II-era America. On Saturday, the team behind the 1940s Ball will transform the Boulder Municipal Airport, 3327 Airport Road, into what feels like a seaside naval base during the height of World War II — minus the threat of being hit with a missile mid-party.

The idea for the festival was hatched by Naropa and CU Leeds School of Business alum Khyentse George, who was inspired to throw the event after taking flying lessons at the Boulder Municipal Airport.

After a wildly popular ball debut in 2008, George decided to make the occasion an annual event. In fact, the summer ball in Boulder became so popular that George launched a 1940s-themed winter ball in Denver just to keep up with the demand.

Aside from stunning vintage props, the music will vibe with the era, too. Performing will be the world-famous 16-piece Glenn Miller Orchestra, Chicago retro vocalist Tammi Savoy will perform with Denver-based eight-piece swing band Joe Smith and the Spicy Pickles, New York jazz band Dandy Wellington, dance-orchestra band The Hot Tomatoes, Denver's Queen City Jazz Band and a Los Angeles-based pin-up army The Satin Dollz.

We caught up with George to see what it takes to handle a guest list in the thousands, what exciting things are in store for this year's ball, and why nostalgia makes some people want to get down and boogie.

Q: How did you get the idea for the 1940s Ball, and what inspired you to make it into the massive, full-scale event that it is today?

A: I had been organizing these concerts and music festivals in Chicago and, since my grandparents were radio performers in the 1940s, I had always wanted to do a 1940s event. While taking flying lessons at Boulder Airport, I began meeting folks who had WWII vintage aircraft. They introduced me to their friends, who had WWII-era tanks, and Jeeps, and were active in the Living History and reenacting communities. Little by little, all the pieces started coming together and that's how the first 1940s Ball came to be.

It was only meant to be a one-time affair, but after we had a great turnout that first year, I felt compelled to keep going. People really seemed enthused by it. I didn't have a budget at first so it was pretty much all street marketing, pounding pavements, posting flyers and whatever free PR I could get. It's just grown organically a little bit over the years — we like to try and introduce some new things to keep it fresh, but we still have a blast with traditions that have been built over the past 15 years.

Q: Why do you think the 1940s Ball is so popular, especially now, more than 80 years after the decade has passed?

A: Technology has increased the means and volume of communication. Although we're technically more connected, paradoxically, people might feel more isolated. Couple that with more independent lifestyles, and the hectic pace of contemporary life, people yearn for a comforting slice of a "simpler" time.

When I was young, I'd see my grandparents dance together all the time; they genuinely enjoyed themselves so much. Couples dancing is such a playful, fun and classy way for humans to connect.

The Ball provides a sense of escapism; a way to temporarily immerse ourselves in the music, culture, glamor and warmth of that special era. It's a way to experience that period that is so much more than just reading a book or looking at an old photograph. It's truly like jumping in a time machine. I think for many people, there's a vicarious joy to experiencing a time when there was deep sentimentality, romance, national pride, sacrifice and where everyone felt a part of something bigger than themselves. I have an enormous amount of respect for the folks who lived through this era — they were invested in each other and had an attitude to "make do/can do" and enjoy life, despite it being a very difficult time.

People attend the Ball for many different reasons, but the music and dancing are probably the biggest and most universal. It was like no other time in our history, and it really helped bring us together. The nation as a whole loved the same jazzy, brassy, romantic rhythms that inspired us with hope, promise and prosperity. It's so wonderful to see how happy folks are out on the dance floor, enjoying the bands, the nostalgia and each other, regardless of their age or skill level.

Q: Can you tell us a bit more about the theme, Sailing the South Seas? What exciting things can readers look forward to at this year's ball?

A: We're going to have South Seas-themed sets, decor and performances. The Kalama Polynesian Dancers will perform their "Tour of the Islands" and will greet attendees as they arrive with flower leis and live Ukulele music. There will be a South Seas-themed food and boat dock. We'll even have a South Pacific USO show with Bob Hope, the Satin Dollz, and local theater director Kelly Van Oosbree, whose team will perform classic numbers from South Pacific.

Some of the other fun things we have planned for this year are: Denver's Forney Museum of Transportation will be joining us with one of their 1940s cars. We're going to have a WWII veterans tribute to eight WWII veterans in attendance where they will receive flower leis from Polynesian dancers. There will be a real 1940s drive-in movie theater with 1940s cars and real 1940s concessions.

On top of that, there will be dance lessons all night, a best-dressed contest and a vintage fair. We even have a vintage RV camp decked out 1940s style with a campfire attendees can sit around. Our hangar will be a recreation of Rick's Café from the movie "Casablanca," complete with movie set lights/props, and even a roulette table attendees can play. We'll have over 22 WWII-era planes (weather permitting) and to top it all off, we'll have an exhilarating flyover by a WWII P51 Mustang and a 1940s-style paratrooper jump.

For tickets, information, and to learn more about the 1940's Ball, visit 1940sball.org.