Ideas for 50s Dance Party Theme
Following the conclusion of World War II, people had the money and the inclination to enjoy themselves. Fashion, dining and entertainment became fun in a whole new way. The 1950s provide the perfect elements for a fabulous theme party: unforgettable music, distinctive fashion and original dances.
Fashion
Pull out the acrylic sweaters and polyester apparel from the closets. Women wore bright costume jewelry and billowing skirts with cinched waists. Find the famed sack dress (known today as the chemise or shift dress) in which the waistline is forgotten. Slip on tasteful gloves, a pillbox hat and thin stiletto heels for the perfect middle-class ensemble. Don't forget the essential party attire of a poodle skirt and saddle shoes.
Men often dressed for parties as they did for the office. Don a dark three-button suit with a white button-down shirt and narrow tie. Finish the suit off with a fedora or snap-brim hat. Or, go casual in plain-front trousers with a straight, slim fit. Rock the classic rebel style in a leather jacket and denim jeans.
Music
The revolution of the 1950s culture exploded in the form of rock 'n' roll. White musicians and singers transformed rhythm and blues into a sound with mass appeal starting with Bill Haley's take on Big Joe Turner's "Crazy Man Crazy." Color no longer was an obstacle to the music as Chuck Berry was as popular as Jerry Lee Lewis.
Get the party rocking with your favorites from Elvis Presley, who rose to stardom during the 50s. For slow dances, toss on pop top 40 songs infused with sentimentality like Johnnie Ray's "Cry" or Teresa Brewer's "Let Me Go, Lover." Warm up the crowd with the clean-cut counterpart to Elvis--Pat Boone and his ballad, "Love Letters in the Sand." Drop a few doo-wop diamonds such as "Only You" by the Platters. Create a romantic mood in the background with Frank Chacksfield and His Orchestra. Relax the room with the West Coast and cool sound of jazz.
Dances
The driving, infectious rhythm of rock 'n' roll in the 1950s demanded young listeners to dance. The music made kids hop, which inspired the popular sock hop. Ask your guests to kick off their shoes at the door.
Get the vintage group dances going by forming two lines with the dancers facing each other. Throw on "The Stroll" by the Diamonds and guide your guests to proceed between the two rows showing their favorite moves.
The Hand Jive shows how much fun people can have just dancing with their arms and hands. Invite a guest to call out a series of dances with the Madison. Introduce some Latin-inspired dances to the party with the mambo and the cha-cha. Jumpstart the swing dancing with the Jitterbug. Keep the swing theme going with the Lindy Hop and the Shag. The Bunny Hop, Walkin' the Dog and the Hokey Pokey will even make people with two left feet enjoy themselves on the dance floor.
Food and Drinks
During the 1950s fast-food became a staple as women worked more outside of the home. The gas grill hit the market, and barbecue dishes took their place at the dining table. For some classic 50s fare, fire up the grill and serve burgers, French fries and Coca-Cola.
Have fun with prepared foods, canned goods and frozen dinners, which thrived during the 50s. Satisfy the sweet tooth in the crowd with the sugarcoated cereals that surged following the end of sugar rationing after World War II.
Your diet-conscious guests will be happy to know sugarless products were also introduced during the decade, so offer some sugar-free soda as well. Try working the popular 1950s powdered beverages into the mix such as Lipton Instant Tea and Tang.
Cocktails filled the glasses of social gatherings during the 50s more than beer. The martini reigned as the status drink, while Manhattans, gimlets and old-fashioneds satisfied the rest of the cocktail hour.
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