Tuesday, April 6, 2010

How to Host a 50's Theme Costume Party

The 50's is the Era of Rock n' Roll, Poodle Skirts and Greasers!

Hosting a 50's party with leather clad boyz and big haired girlz is a fantastic year round idea for all ages! Who would you be... Fonzie, Kinickie, Pinkie Tuscadoro or Sandy?

Fifties Diner


Invitations...

- Write your invitations on 45's (records) using permanent gel pens, stickers and labels.
- Include an accessory like hair ribbons, bobby socks, fake sideburns, a black comb or sunglasses .- Cut out small silhouettes using stiff cardboard or heavy cardstock; guitar, music notes, 57' Chevy car or sexy Pin-Up girls.

How to Decorate...

- 50's memorabilia and nostalgic items.
- Party at Big Al's Diner; counter, chrome swivel stools, booths with red upholstery, tile floors.
- Choose your colors; black and white paired with bright pink, yellow, turqoise, red and chrome.
- Full size silhouettes of movie stars like Elvis or Marilyn, a jukebox, records.
- Use colored paper squares to create checkered backgrounds on walls & doors, then add to it.
- Pictures of ice cream cones, sundaes, hamburgers and french fries.
- Signs such as Rydell High, Go Team, Big Al's, Diner and Soda Pop.    
- Fuzzy dice, red checkered table clothes, streamers and balloons.


What to wear...

- Dress up in costume as your favorite 50's character from the movies like a T-Bird from Grease or a Greaser or Socs' from The Outsiders ...Danny Zuko, Sandy, Rizzo, Kenickie, Doody, Sonny, Putzie, Frenchy, Fonzi, Richie, Potsie, Ralph Malph, Cha Chi, Joanie, Jennie Picalo, Al, Leather Tuscadero, Laverne, Shirley, Lenny, Squiggy, Mrs. C, Howard, Ponyboy, Johny, Sodapop, Dary, Elvis or Marilyn! 
- Leather jacket, white t-shirt with a deck of smokes in the sleeve, sunglasses, lettermens sweater, slacks, jeans with rolled up bottoms, sneakers, black boots, slicked back hair, deck of smokes in the sleeve, black comb in pocket. Saddle shoes, flats or spikes, big bouffant hair, pigtails or pony tails, poodle skirts, neck scarf, tight leggings, bobby socks. Sexy 50's glam or pin up costumes are hot!


What to eat and drink...

- Simplicity speaks at this 50's party! Get out the BBQ or grill and whip up some hot dogs, hamburgers, corn dogs to serve with meatloaf sandwiches, pizza, french fries, onion rings and baked macaroni with cheese. 
- Cold salads such as tossed, Caesar, potato, coleslaw or macaroni salad.
- Vegie tray with chunks of brocoli, cauliflower, carrots, cucumber and radishes served with creamy dip such as Ranch or spinach!
- Cheese tray with assorted slices or cubes of mild, medium and old cheddar, marbled cheddar and white cheddar.
- Cold cuts such as honey ham, chicken or turkey breast, salami, bologna, smoked meats, loaf meats like mock chicken or the one with aphabets in it (eww, but good for the time period), Spam
- Vanilla, chocolate and strawberry milkshakes, soda pop from the good ole' soda fountain, root beer floats, iced tea, lemonade, tea, coffee and juice. Alcoholic drinks such as beer, punch and wine.
- Cakes, tarts, squares, cupcakes, brownies, ice cream sundaes, old fashioned candies, lollipops, bubble gum (lots of it!)


What to do...

- Have drag races using the sac race concept
- Dance contest or sock hop
- Play with Slinkies, YoYo's, Silly Putty
- Karaoke version of American Bandstand
- Set up a 'Drive In' using a project in the backyard or watch movies like Grease or Rebel without a  Cause with James Dean
- Play 50's trivia
- Bubble gum bubble blowing contest
- Car hop tray races
- Kissing booth at Inspiration Point
- Hoola hoops and skipping contests
- Go rollerskating!


What to Listen to...

Music from the 50's such as The Platters, The Coasters, Frankie Avalon, Elvis Presley, The Everly Brothers, Jerry Lee Lewis, Nat King Cole, Buddy Holly, Rickie Valens, Chuck Berry, Little Richard,  Fats Domino and the Grease Soundtrack of course!

Grease - Frankie Valli
Summer Nights - Danny, Sandy, Pink Ladies and the T-Birds
Look at Me, I'm Sandra Dee - Rizzo and the Pink Ladies
Hopelessly Devoted to You - Sandy
Greased Lightning - Danny and the T-Birds
You're the One That I Want - Danny and Sandy
Sandy - Danny
Beauty School Dropout - Frankie Avalon and the Angels
It's Raining on Prom Night - Radio
Blue Moon - Johnny
Rock n' Roll is Here to Stay - Johnny
Those Magic Changes - Johnny and Danny
Hound Dog - Johnny
Born to Hand Jive - Johnny and Cast
Tears on My Pillow - Johnny
Mooning - Jan and Roger
Freddy, My Love - Marty
Rock n' Roll Party Queen - Radio
There Are Worse Things I Could Do - Rizzo
Look at Me I'm Sandra Dee - Sandy
We Go Together - Danny, Sandy, Rizzo, Kenickie, Marty, Sonny, Jan, Putzie, Doody, Frenchy, Eugene, Patty, Miss Mcgee, Mr Lynch and Coach

Summer Nights from the Movie Grease - Music Video





Elvis Presley does Jailhouse Rock! - Music Video





Stay Gold by Stevie Wonder - The Outsiders movie - Music Video

  

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