Flashback to the 50s

I have a confession. I love to plan parties that I will likely never have the time or money to throw.

I dream of elaborate costume parties for Halloween and white-tie Christmas parties. After attending the Dinner in the Sky lift in Saskatoon Friday, I got many more unrealistic but fun and exciting party ideas.

But the one that is always reoccurring (and one I am most able to throw) is a 1950s-style sock hop.

I am not the only one with this idea.

Prince Albert Single Parents Association held their annual 50s, 60s Days dance on Saturday at the East End Hall.

It was just how I imagined the party should be. Both men and women were dressed to the nines.

Men were in jeans with the pant legs rolled up just high enough to see socks. There were cigarette packages tucked into the fold on white t-shirt sleeves and leather jackets were plentiful.

Women modeled big poodle skits with lots of bounce, finger-wave hair or teased hair kept in place with a bow, bobby socks and little canvas shoes. I don't know where everyone managed to find such great outfits.

As I arrived to take some photos for the Daily Herald, people were already posing around a 1963-and-a-half (and no one knew where the half came from) Ford Galaxy.

"Look at all these recycled teenagers," someone said to me.

It was true many of the people in attendance had managed to revive the look from their youth and they loved every minute of it.

More than 80 people spent the night dancing to music from across the two decades played by live band Danny and the Boys. Each time a song started the long tables would empty as everyone got up to dance.

"Here even the women ask the men to dance," an older gentleman confided to me quietly.

There were prizes for the best dressed and for the best jive. Both were competitions I wouldn't have wanted to judge as there were so many well dressed, great dancers.

They all moved with a grace and coordination that left me and my two left feet jealous, but I definitely enjoyed watching.

I eventually headed home, (11 p.m. is well past my bedtime) leaving the young at heart to dance into the night.

I've continued to think about it though and there is something attractive about the 1950s and 1960s.

Although there was much fear about the Cold War, I always associate that period with surfer movies, Marilyn Munroe and "I Love Lucy."

Think Audrey Hepburn in "Roman Holiday" and Grace Kelly in "To Catch a Thief." There's the movie "Gidget," with Sandra Dee, about a young girl who discovers surfing and falls in love during a summer vacation.

The light-hearted nature of the era has endured. The movie "Grease" is a great example of that - throwing back to the era. I can't think of anyone who hasn't seen that movie, or that doesn't relate to at least one character. Songs from the movie's soundtrack were preformed at many sleepovers by my friends and me. Admittedly, I know the words to several (alright more than likely all) of the songs.

In high school the "Grease Megamix" was played at least once per school dance, and now I hear it during wedding receptions.

So I dream of making all of that into a party. It would start with an old-fashioned scavenger hunt. There would be a costume requirement and music by Elvis and Buddy Holly.

However, until that becomes a reality you can find me watching Frankie and Annette movies.

Hill is a Herald reporter. ahill@paherald.sk.ca.