Let's Throw a 1950s Rock and Roll Party

Do you feel like dancing to the Bop Shu Bob Shu Bop! ? Get out your old 45's crank up the turntable and let's throw a shindig. All you'll need is a stack of records, your dancing shoes and a snack to keep you going.

We've listed some handy sites to find popular music from the 50's, dance crazes (including how to sites that'll show you the steps) and a list of popular drinks and snacks from that swing era. Put them all together and you have a rockin' 50's party.

Know why they called it a Sock Hop ? Story is they made the kids take off their shoes so they wouldn't scuff the gym floors at dances. I think it's just so they could swing the popular dances of the day like the Hully Gully and the Stroll. Here's some sites that show you the steps and will get you out on the dance floor.

Group Dances of the 50's at http://www.jitterbuzz.com/dance50.html

This site has written out instructions, pictures and videos on how to do "The Stroll", the classic line dance of the 1950s.

50s Dance Moves at http://dance.lovetoknow.com/dance-instruction/50s-...

has written out instructions for the Stroll, Hand Jive and Cha Cha

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeaZHaIR2ns

Learn how to Jive and Dance to 1950s style Rock n Roll with Kav Kavanagh. He has a series of videos that help to break the steps down slowly so it's easy to learn.

Whether you want to jump and jive to Bill Haley and His Comets or slow dance with your baby you need to know the popular tunes of the times.

1950s Top Twenty Dance Hall Songs: (from Pop Culture Madness)

1. Rock Around The Clock - Bill Haley and His Comets

2. Rock and Roll is Here To Stay - Danny & the Juniors

3. Blueberry Hill - Fats Domino

4. At The Hop - Danny and the Juniors

5. Little Bitty Pretty One - Thurston Harris

6. The ABC's Of Love - Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers

7. All Shook Up - Elvis Presley

8. Little Darlin' - The Diamonds

9. Come Go With Me - Dell-Vikings

10. Kansas City - Wilbert Harrison

11. Love Is Strange - Mickey and Sylvia

12. Be-Bop-A-Lula - Gene Vincent

13. I'm Walkin' - Fats Domino

14. Peggy Sue - Buddy Holly

15. School Day - Chuck Berry

16. What'd I Say - Ray Charles

17. The Stroll - The Diamonds

18. Goody Goody - Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers

19. Stood Up - Ricky Nelson

20. Chantilly Lace - Big Bopper

More lists of 50's love songs, party rock and novelty songs can be found at

http://www.popculturemadness.com/Entertainment/Dec...

Hear the top 100 songs from the golden years of popular music - plus more of our musical heritage at Free Oldies Music. Just click on the year you want to hear.

http://www.tropicalglen.com/

OK, you've been dancing to beat the band at the Sock Hop and maybe want to take a break or even liven up the party with some ice breakers. Here's some cute girl and boy party games that will get giggles going.

Limbo, Hula Hoop Contest, 50's Name That Tune, Bubble Gum Blowing Contest, Musical Chairs and Mad Libs

More Ideas at http://www.dinnerandamurder.com/themes/50s.htm

50's Trivia Contests are fun. This web site is a great source for information http://www.fiftiesweb.com/ so you can whip up your own quiz.

You can't go long on empty. Fuel up with these quick party snacks then get back out there and dance ! Serve with Coke or Tang - the popular 50's "space" drink.

1950s Ting-a-Lings (courtesy of Makingfriends.com)

Ingredients:

2 6-ounce packages

semisweet chocolate pieces

4 cups Wheaties, Cheerios or Kix

Melt chocolate over hot water. Cool at room temperature. Gently stir in cereal until well coated. Drop with tablespoons

onto waxed paper. Place in refrigerator until chocolate is set, dry and hard, about 2 hours. 3-3 1/2 dozen.

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Chex Mix - the original 1950s recipe

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter

2 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp. seasoned salt

1 tsp. garlic salt

1/2 tsp. onion powder

3 cups corn chex cereal

2 cups wheat chex cereal

1-1/2 cups mixed nuts

1 cup small pretzels

1 cup garlic flavored bagel chips

1 cup pretzel rods

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Melt butter in large roasting pan in oven (5 minutes). Stir in seasonings. Add remaining ingredients and mix until coated. Bake at 250 degrees for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Spread on paper towels to cool, and store in airtight container.

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This site has ideas about decorating and food with a 50's theme. http://www.reasontoparty.com/sock_hop.htm

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Here's a complete list from soup to nuts of all the foods that were popular and served in the 50's

http://www.foodtimeline.org/fooddecades.html#1950s

Put your look together with a little help from Hey Viv !

You can find Hey Viv ! 50s retro style costumes brand products at:

HeyViv.com

HeyVivBonanzleStore.com

HeyViv.etsy.com

on Amazon - search for the Hey Viv Brand

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