Rock Around The Clock - The 1950s Dance!
The late '50s and early '60s are thought of as the Golden Era of American Youth and Rock & Roll. Those who experienced these years believe it was the best time ever to be young!
The airwaves were full of new music for the young. Rock & Roll, DooWop, Rockabilly, Girl Groups and Romantic Ballads made for dreamy listening and cool dancing!
'50s Music & Dance:
We'll be playing the tunes of the time - both renowned and relatively obscure - from circa 1955-1963, selecting highly danceable songs played one at a time just like at a Sock Hop back in the day! Gentlemen will handle the action old school 20th century style, actually asking ladies to dance - as couples - out on the dance floor! (Gentlemen, "Don't Be Cruel." There will be many ladies present who are eager to dance. Do your duty!)
Dances of the late '50s include The Bop, The Jitterbug, The Stroll and The Chalypso. The early '60s brought The Twist, The Pony, The Mashed Potato and The Watusi. We'll also do our own We Make History version of The Stroll and even add in novelty dances like The Itch and The Bunny Hop. "Cutting In" was an accepted social practice at 1950s dances and we'll bring it back to help our lively crowd mix and really rip it up. The music will be an incredibly fun mix of standards as well as more obscure tunes so be ready to switch dance moves quickly as you'll never know what tune from what year might be coming next! You might enjoy using the links below to do some study and practice in advance of the dance and up your learning curve. But you don't have to be the world's greatest dancer and there will be no judgy vibe on dance skills - so just have fun! If you lived in the era then tap into your memories, do some exercising in advance, and rediscover your favourite dance moves. If you are younger, get input from your parents or grandparents, do some research and watch authentic videos of real people doing real dancing. For educational purposes we've posted links below to some great retro dance vids to get you started on a fun learning journey through the dances, music and fashions of the Late '50s & Early '60s! (More vid links still coming, so check back often. :o)
'50s Fashion:
We ask everyone to please make an effort to dress 1950s as per the theme of this dance. The fashions are amazing, with so many cool options to choose from! For Cool Chicks - Hoopskirted "Prom" Dresses, Swing Dresses, Circle Skirts with Crinolines, Poodle Skirts, Pencil Skirts, Cardigan Sweaters, Button-Up Blouses, Corsages, Neck Scarves, Pearl Necklaces, Pedal Pushers, White or Pink Gloves, White Bobby Socks, Saddle Shoes, Penny Loafers, Mary Janes, ... For Guys (Cool Cats) - Jeans with Rolled Cuffs, Black Slacks, Suits with Skinny Ties, Letter Jackets, White Sport Coats, Pink Carnations, Blazers with Bow Ties, Button-Up Shirts, Black Leather Jackets, Tee Shirts with the Sleeves Rolled Up, Motorcycle or Chauffeur Caps, Wing-Tip Shoes, Bucs, Penny Loafers, Converse All Stars... Do a little research, use some creativity (and perhaps do a little vintage clothes shopping too) and show us your best impression! What about hairstyles? Long & Curled, Ponytails or Shorter "Poodle Cuts" for the Chicks. Greased Hair, Pompadours, Flat Tops or Crew Cuts for the Guys. (Yes, we plan to have a fashion contest for the most authentic look!) Don't Be a Hound Dog. Be There or Be Square!
'50s Retro Links:
Here is a link to a great set of vids with pics showing the fashions and looks of real people in the Late '50s & Early '60s accompanied by some great music clips!
Below are links to some great retro dance vids of the Late '50s & Early '60s!
1955 Rock Around The Clock (Jitterbug!)
1956 Rip It Up (Jitterbug!)
1957 Diana (Jitterbug & Chalypso!)
1957 Jingle Bell Rock (Jitterbug!)
1957 Wake Up Little Susie (More Jitterbug!)
1958 At The Hop (The Bop & The Jitterbug!)
1958 Believe What You Say (The Bop!)
1958 Get A Job (Jitterbug!)
1958 The Stroll (The Stroll!)
1959 The Bunny Hop (The Bunny Hop!)
1960 Twistin' Bells (Some Jitterbug & Some Twist!)
1961 Let's Twist Again (The Twist!)
1961 Peppermint Twist - Twistin' USA (The Twist!)
1962 Come On Twist (The Twist!)
1963 It's My Party (Watusi, Jerk & Various!)
1963 Swingin' And A-Surfin' (Watusi!)
This little demo clip also shows several of the dance styles of the times.
'50s Talk:
Cats = Dudes
Dreamboat = A Very Cute Guy, as in "Ricky Nelson is a real Dreamboat."
Chicks = Girls, as in "Forget it man. That chick is outta your league."
Doll = A Cute, Nice Girl, as in "Holly is such a Doll."
Living Doll = A Very Cute, Nice Girl, as in "You think Holly's a Doll? I'd say she's more of a Living Doll!"
Queen = A Girl who is tops in looks, popularity or a particular talent or situation, as in "That Amanda can sure dance. She is queen of the hop!"
Knock-Out = A Very Good Looking Girl
Classy Chassis = A Nice Figure, as in "Now Marilyn Monroe, that's one classy chassis."
Dreamy = Romantic Feeling, Song or Attractive Person
A Living Dream = A Very Attractive Person
Hep Cat = A Cool Dude
Daddy-O = A Form of Address to a Cool Dude, as in "Hey Daddy-O, gonna make the scene tonight?"
The Ginchiest = A Cool, Admirable or Amazing Person or Someone who did or accomplished something very cool, as in "Wow, when Conrad dances, he is the ginchiest!"
Wheel = A Big Shot, A Very Popular or Socially Dominant Person as in "That's Charlie. He's a real wheel around here."
Lollipop = Boyfriend, Girlfriend, Significant Other, Crush
Goon(s), Goon Squad = Sketch Guy(s), The term could be used either jokingly or seriously as in "Who are the goons over by the juke box?" "Oh, that Goon Squad? They're friends of James. They're not as bad as they look."
Nifty = Nice, Useful, Cool as in "That's a nifty gadget you got there."
Keen = Interested, Enthusiastic - either in an activity or toward a person
Peachy Keen = Just Right, Likeable, Cute
Swell = Likeable, Enjoyable, Good as in, "I like to be with you... and I think you're swell."
You Send Me = You send me into a dreamy or romantic flurry as in "You really send me, baby."
Cool = Cool
Real Gone = Very Cool
The Living End = A Very, Very Cool Event, Situation or Person, as in "You should have been at the dance last night. It was the living end!"
The Most (or Utmost) = An Exclamation of Approval, of Coolness, as in "That car is the most!", "That record is the most!", "You are the most!"
Make The Scene = Arrive At / Participate In a Cool Event or Situation
Square = An Uncool Person
Squaresville = An Uncool or Boring Place or Situation
Let's Split = Let's Leave, as in "This scene is Squaresville man, let's split."
Cut Out = To Leave
Mind Your Own Beeswax = Stop Asking Questions and Mind Your Own Business
Are You Writing A Book? = Something to be said to someone who is overly inquisitive, asking too many questions.
Tune Out = To Ignore, Stop Liking Someone/Something, Remove Someone/Something from your Radar as in "She wouldn't mind her own beeswax so I tuned her out. Like, man, was she writing a book or something?"
Hop = A Dance or Ball
Sock Hop = A Dance where it is Ok to go without shoes.
Bop = A Specific Style of Dance, but also Dancing in General, as in "Dance the Bop" or "Let's Bop" or "All the kids were Boppin'."
Cutting In = Tapping out one person in a dancing couple and taking their place, as in "I finally got a dance with Emily, but then some cat cut in on me." (This was completely socially acceptable at the time!)
Kick(s) = Thrill(s), as in "Let's get some kicks at the hop tonight."
Big Tickle = Something Really Funny or Fun as in, "You should have seen Henry, dancing on his crutches at the sock hop. It was a big tickle."
Having a Ball = Having a Good Time, as in "We were having a ball, and even though it was past midnight, nobody wanted to split."
Blast = A Good Time, as in "Emily's party was a blast! Everyone had a ball!"
Dig That Crazy... (Chick, Beat, Cat, etc.) = To Focus On and Enjoy Something Cool or Attractive
Go Ape = To get Overexcited about Something
Made In The Shade = To Seem to Be Favored, Have It Easy, Things Going Very Well as in "That Peggy Sue is a Knock-Out. She's got it made in the shade."
What's The Haps? = What's Up?, What's Happening?
What's Shakin'? = What's Going On?
Ain't Nothin' Shakin' But The Leaves On The Trees = Nothing Is Happening, Bored
Take A Picture - It'll Last Longer = Stop Staring as in, "That square keeps staring at you. Tell him to take a picture - it'll last longer."
Meanwhile, Back At The Ranch = Stop with the endless chatter and get to the point.
Wheels = A Car
Shades = Sunglasses
Dungarees = Jeans
Bobby Socks = White Socks, Turned Down to Make a Cuff - Worn By Ladies (See Ladies on left in 2nd pic from top of page.)
Pedal Pushers = Snug, Calf-Length Ladies' Pants
Poodle Skirt = A Round Skirt with a Poodle, other Animal, Symbol, School Letters (or just about anything) Appliqued or Embroidered on it.
Poodle Cut = Shorter Hairstyle for Ladies (See Lady on left in 2nd pic from top of page.)
Pompadour = A Men's Hairstyle with the bangs long and swept upward with a pomade, gel or "grease." (See man in first pic at top of page.)
Flat Top = A Short Men's Hairstyle with the top hairs standing up and cut to a length so as to appear level. (See man in white sport coat in 11th pic from top of page.)
Two Way to Say Good Bye, Followed by Responses:
1) "See You Later Alligator." - "After A While Crocodile."
2) "See You Later." - "Not If I See You First."
Rock Around The Clock: The 1950s Dance
When: The evening of Saturday, February 8th, 2025 there will be social time beginning at 6:30 with the dance from 7 to approximately 10:30.
Where: The Gym of Mesa Baptist Church at 2425 S. Alma School Rd. in Mesa. This is the southeast corner of Alma School Rd. & Medina Ave. (Medina Ave. is halfway between Baseline & Guadalupe.)
Who: We Make History Dances are designed for the families of the homeschool community. Homeschool families & friends, parents, young adults, teens, and even middle schoolers all enjoy friendly, joyful, multigenerational We Make History dances! It is not at all necessary to be an experienced dancer or even a "good" dancer. We Make History dances aren't performance dances. They are friendly, engaging social dances for real, everyday people. Novices and first-timers are encouraged and very welcome to join in the fun.
Expect a room full of smiles!
Come & Welcome: Admission is open to a limited number of well mannered persons of grace and respect. We attract a very joyful and gracious group of people who know how to properly conduct themselves according to our House Standards. Since admission is limited, please do act quickly to secure your place! We are occasionally asked if persons can come without paying admission just to sit and watch. The answer is no. Everyone attending must have a paid admission and all attending are expected to actually participate as our dances are family oriented and it is a joyful experience to have parents and their young people smiling, laughing and enjoying an evening of social dancing together. :o)
Families: We Make History events are clean, family oriented and family friendly. Our Historic Balls and Themed Dances are fun, uplifting, educational and multigenerational, with parents, young adults, teens and all ages from middle schoolers to senior citizens enjoying their time together on the dance floor! We welcome families to bring all members of sufficient social and physical maturity to enjoy the occasion. (Be aware though that the dances do require being attentive, listening to and understanding instructions as well as physical coordination and "sticking with it" throughout the length of a dance. Well disciplined, attentive and respectful young people are typically ready (and tall enough) for the social dances at some point from ages 8 to 12. Please do not bring children under the age of eight or children or young people of any age who are not of adequate social maturity or self discipline, who have a bad attitude, who are disrespectful, who don't want to dance or who simply don't want to be there. Every person attending does need a paid admission and we do require that all children be attended by adults. We do not offer childcare or babysitting.
Reservations: Since admission is limited, please do act quickly to secure your place! In advance we ask only $19 each through February 5th or $30 each at the door. For advance registrations you may use the link below or may send a check with your name, email address and the number attending to We Make History, P.O. Box 1776, Queen Creek, Arizona 85142. Admissions are paperless, so there are no printed tickets. All who make advance reservations will have their name and the number of reservations made on a list at the door. (Advance reservations must be received by Wednesday, February 5th.) We do not offer refunds.
Filming & Photography: Nonprofessional photography of friends and family is welcome. We ask please - no filming or videotaping (other than our house videographer) as some attending are not comfortable with being filmed and potentially dispersed on social media or elsewhere. Please respect everyone's privacy so that all may dance and enjoy the experience. Thank you for your understanding. (Some house media might or might not be posted at our next web update.)
Special Notes regarding Safety & Personal Responsibility: 1) Dancing is an inherently vigorous physical activity that carries the possibility of trips, strains, slips, falls and other hazards. Please note that by attending Rock Around The Clock: The 1950s Dance (or any We Make History event), you voluntarily assume all risks, including personal risks, property risks and risks related to exposure to Covid-19. Persons attending do so at their own risk. 2) Covid, Colds, Flu? We ask that safety and respect be coupled with personal liberty and responsibility. It is our desire that all be safe and that all participating respect the safety and be gracious toward the comfort levels of all others attending. Therefore we ask (a) that each person/family attending please bring your own hand sanitizer and also that all consider wearing gloves, both for good hygiene and because they are historically correct for a Ball! (b) We will not be offering refreshments. Please bring a personal water bottle, Hydroflask or Stanley Cup type container. There is a drinking fountain with a water bottle filler. (c) We ask any who have recently (within the past two weeks) had fever, cold or flu symptoms themselves or who have been near someone with such symptoms to please stay home and gift a friend with your admission.
Please also read our House Standards for all attending!
