Archive for the ‘Sock Hops’ Category

Plan a Sock Hop Dance This Fall

Tuesday, September 7th, 2010

Hosting a 50’s style sock hop dance at your high school is a great idea. This fall you can really have a great 50’s dance event. All you have to do is a little preparation, and you will have a smash hit.

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Have fun with your decorations. You won’t have to deal with the hot sun during this time, so you will have a little more freedom with what you choose to use for your sock hop food and decorations. Things won’t melt or get ruined because of the hot sun this time.

Incorporate the 50’s theme with your decorations. Place pictures of 50’s Hollywood stars around the room, hang old records, and have an inflatable jukebox. 50’s cars are also another great decorating choice.

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Have a Sock Hop This Halloween

Tuesday, September 7th, 2010

With Halloween only a month away, it is time to start planning the ultimate holiday party. You want to have a themed party that will be fun for all of your friends. A sock hop party will do just that.
SockHop

Think of what you would like to do at your Halloween party. Incorporate the holiday and mix it with the 50’s theme. Everyone wants to dress up for Halloween, so what better way than to include all your friends in with the same type of costume ideas and styles.

For party favors you can buy inexpensive sunglasses from a dollar store. Place an orange napkin in between the folds of the sunglasses. For girls, you can add pearls on their table setting. Your guests can use these party favors as an accessory to their costume.

For the meal, include a burger and fries. Instead of serving coca cola, make homemade root beer. The dry ice can make quite an eerie decoration for the party, and you will impress your guests with your delicious homemade root beer in the process.

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50’s Traditions

Wednesday, August 25th, 2010

A traditions is defined as the handing down of statements, beliefs, legends, customs, and information from generation to generation, especially by word of mouth or by practice. Traditions are an essential part of our lives. They bring generations together.

sock hop ladiesSome traditions are old, and some are new. Some have been going strong since the 50’s. Some of these traditions include sock hops, soda fountain parties, and ice cream socials.

However, some of these traditions now go by different names. Soda fountain parties are now the same as hanging out at a fast food joint with friends; ice cream socials occur on a daily basis at places like Dairy Queen. And sock hops are now just dances.

Some more basic traditions that draw generations together are things like food, music and dancing. In fact, these are some of the strongest binding factors between generations. These specific factors are also the main ingredients of 50’s sock hops.

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Making Sock Hops Fun for Teenagers

Thursday, August 19th, 2010

sock hop studebakersIn the 50’s, sock hops were all the rage. High school kids were the biggest supporters of these dances. They were held in school gyms, which limited the footwear that could be worn to just socks, hence the name.

These dances didn’t require dates either, so most attended as singles. This would be less likely to fly among today’s youth since they are so use to dating and relationships. Encouraging dates at a modern sock hop is one way to get today’s youth more interested in attending one.

In the 50’s, these socks were a chance for students to get together and just enjoy the music and dancing. Students got together to enjoy popular music like rock and roll, songs sung by Elvis and the Beatles. Dances were also an opportunity to learn new dances such as the Jitter Bug.

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Sock Hops for High School Kids

Tuesday, August 17th, 2010

Sock hops were the most common dances in the 1950’s. They were mainly popular among high school kids, but were something that people of all ages could enjoy. They helped everyone to enjoy music and dancing more.

Although they were something that everyone could enjoy in the 50’s, times have changed since then. With every new piece of technology, the gap between generations seems to grow. Teenagers today find it hard to see how they relate to the teenagers of the 1950’s.

While it may not be easy to see, there are a lot of things that the teenagers of today owe to the original sock hop teenagers. And there are many ways in which they are similar to one another. The connections are there, you just have to look in order to see them.

When you are trying to plan a modern hop, making these connections is very helpful. Just like teenagers in the 50’s, teenagers today enjoy music, food and being social. These were the main ingredients of these dances in the 50’s, so with a few alterations, these dances can be easily geared towards modern teenagers.

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Hosting a Sock Hop for Middle Schoolers

Thursday, August 12th, 2010


When planning a sock hop, especially for middle schoolers, there are a few things to keep in mind. Simple things, such as music and refreshments, can make or break your sock hop. Here are a few simple tips for making your event a success.

The first detail to tend to is the invitations. When making the invitations for your event, it is important to keep with the 50’s theme. You can do this through the wording, the colors, and the delivery of the invitation.

The second important detail for planning a successful sock hop is the decorations. You can transform your venue into a fifties gymnasium with a few simple decorations such as brightly colored balloons and streamers on the walls, vinyl records on the tables and hanging from the ceiling, and by printing off old photographs from the fifties. You can also hang inflatable guitars from the walls or use them as centerpieces on the tables.

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Throw a Sock Hop at Your Elementary School

Tuesday, August 10th, 2010

While budget crunches are getting harder and harder to stomach for many, several schools are turning towards fundraisers to help make up the difference.  There are many different types to choose from. One fun idea to help raise some funds and to have some fun is a sock hop.

A sock hop can be a really fun way to help draw kids and their families back to the past.  It is also a very family friendly activity and can help draw them closer together.  With a few simple steps you’re school can be well on it’s way to having one of their own!

Planning is crucial for a success event.  First of all you should appoint a committee to organize this event.  In this committee you should divide into four subcommittees.  These committees will be over publicity, decorations, food, and entertainment.

jukeboxPublicity is very key for success.  If you want people to come, they need to know about it and be excited.  Fliers around school, announcements, etc. are all vital.

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Tribute to the Fifties

Friday, August 6th, 2010


Sock hops were first made popular in the 1950’s. They were a popular dance for teenagers and were held in high school gymnasiums and cafeterias. These dances were all about enjoying the music and dancing.

Because they were so popular with teenagers, most dances that were happening in the schools were sock hops. They were held in gyms with varnished floors so dancers were required to remove their shoes before dancing. This made dances such as the Twist much easier to perform.

These dances weren’t much unlike the dances held now. Young adults attended these dances to spend time together and to enjoy the music and dancing. Rock and roll music was an essential ingredient of these dances also.

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Why you need to do a sock hop this fall

Thursday, August 5th, 2010

Fall is a fun time of year for beginnings.  School starts; football and many other fun activities are marked at this time.   Why not add an annual sock hop as a new tradition to do this fall?

Taking a stroll down memory lane can be a really fun experience for you and your friends.  With a few simple things to consider and prepare you’ll be ready in no time to wow everyone with you’re great entertainment.  These include invitations, decorations, costumes, food, music and games.

There are many creative ways to invite your guests to your party. You could use black construction paper to make a record, inviting people to come for a “swinging party.”  You could cut out a picture of a clock and inviting people to come “rock around the clock” at your sock hop.  There are many possibilities.  Just put something along with your 50’s theme.

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Best Summer Car Shows

Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010

 

During the summer, car shows become a popular event, along with other old-fashioned events such as sock hops. Many people attend these shows. They occur all over the country.

But what are the traits of a good car show? Is it the location or the specific cars? Is it the music played or the old time feel created with car hops?

Some suggest that it is the money that goes into preparing for the car show that makes all the difference. Others say that clean and organized shows are best. Many agree that it is the simple things that matter: the music, the cars, and the people and community. 

car show

Some suggestions for turning normal car shows into great ones include pairing the show with a sock hop. Another option is to choose a specific theme for your car show, such as a muscle car show or a 70’s car show. You could also make your show unique by using it to raise money for those in need.

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