"In this sticky web that we're all in, behaving decently is no small task." -- Novelist Stacey D'Erasmo

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

It's the 1940s Again

     I've mentioned before that B and I take ballroom dancing lessons. We go to an adult education class at a local middle school one evening a week during the school session. We also occasionally go to a dance held at an American Legion hall, or at a dance school, or very occasionally at a bar/restaurant that features a live band.

     Last weekend we went to a 1940s dance, sponsored every year by an army surplus store and held at a recreation center a few towns to the north of us.
 

     This is the third year we've gone to this dance. Each year commemorates a 70th anniversary. So last year the theme looked back to D-Day. This year the focus was on 1945 and the end of the war.

 

     After a buffet-style dinner the dance started out with the band playing The Star Spangled Banner. Then there was a moment of silence to honor those who served and to commemorate those who never came back. It seemed especially poignant this year because of the events in Paris just a few days ago. It makes you wonder, what are we dealing with now?


     Many of the people came to the dance in period costume -- which included a lot of military-type gear, since the dance was sponsored by an army-navy store. There were also some actual vets who arrived in real uniform.


     The band played hits from the 1940s, and everyone began to dance. As you might imagine, this event appeals mostly to an older crowd. As far as I could tell, there was no one at the dance who'd served in World War II -- they would, after all, be in their 90s. But one of the men in our party was born on V J Day, August 15, 1945.

     Most of us are rank amateurs; but a few really knew how to cut the rug.


      But the majority of people just came to have a good time, including the fellow in the kilt.


     I remember, when I was younger, I was almost always the last to leave a party. But B and I left early, because now we always leave early. Come 10 p.m., and it's our bedtime!

11 comments:

Barbara said...

What a wonderful way to spend an evening together. I guess I missed the earlier posts about the dance lessons. Sounds like a great time.

Anonymous said...

David and I used to take ballroom dance classes at a local school. Lots of fun!

DJan said...

That sure looks like fun. I have just finished watching the PBS series called "Home Fires" set in the early 1940s. That period of time was so long ago, but very near in my heart. Makes me think of my parents. :-)

Wisewebwoman said...

That would have tremendous appeal for me, well done for finding these kinds of dances :)

XO
WWW

Dick Klade said...

Great post. Very entertaining account of your recent entertainment.

Janis said...

That really looks like a lot of fun! I envy the big, uncrowded dance floor you had. My husband and I enjoy dancing - especially to music from that period. We, too, would have headed home around ten, but what a great bit of exercise and enjoyment we would have had up until then.

Heidrun Khokhar, KleinsteMotte said...

You sure do seek out some interesting spots to spend your time. Bedrime with us varies as we have no set time to start our days.

Dr. Kathy McCoy said...

Sounds like a great time! The forties -- the war experience and the music are so ingrained in us, even though few of us really have vivid memories of that time (I was born a little over a week before the war in Europe ended). That was the music our parents played when we were little and the scars of war experiences played out in so many ways in our homes.

Olga said...

I have been to fifties and sixties themed dances, but a forties era dance is an interesting idea. Close to getting into a time machine maybe.

joared said...

That's great you go to dances! A couple I knew danced through their eighties -- often went to dances where young people were also interested in ballroom dancing. The girls wanted to dance with the elder husband and the guys with his wife. All reportedly had a wonderful time. Wish they had a dancing group for older singles here but seems to be all couples here.

Anonymous said...

I don't do parties and haven't for years. We make an effort to stay up until 10 and that means I make an effort. David is asleep long before that. He's like a cat and asleep more than he's awake. Meanwhile I've learned to entertain myself with solitary pursuits.