MICMS students to get taste of the 1950s

The eighth-grade class is studying everything from the Cold War and suburbia to Elvis Presley and "big cars," Eder said. "The kids really liked that stuff."

Eder said the students were so enamored with the decade, he decided to organize a '50s-era sock hop dance, which will take place from 7 to 10 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 14, at Mackle Park.

In keeping with the '50s theme, Eder said a disc jockey will play tunes such as Fats Domino's Blueberry Hill and The Crew-Cuts' Earth Angel, as well as "whatever the kids are listening to these days."

Also, Elvis aficionado Bobby Lee Miller will perform a few songs karaoke-style for the crowd.

Students who attend the sock hop in '50s-style costumes will pay a reduced admission, and Eder said he expects to see poodle skirts, fuzzy sweaters, black leather and saddle oxfords at the event. He encouraged his students to wear costumes, but, he said, "We're not going to be real strict on what that is."

The school's art department is making posters with images from the 1950s to dress up Mackle Park, and the school's PTO has been recruiting volunteers to help with the dance.

"We have a ton of parental involvement," Eder said. "It's just tremendous on this whole event."

In addition, professional photographer Nancy Dowdall will be on hand to take pictures of the students in their costumes.

Sixth- through eighth-graders attending the dance will only have to pay $5 if they wear '50s attire; those students not dressing up will have to pay $10. Students can purchase pizza and soda during the dance.

Profits from the dance will first go toward expenses, and Eber said he does not yet know what he will do with the leftover money.

"I know that we're going to generate a lot of money," he said. "I'll look to the administration and the PTO for direction."

Eder said his students have been buzzing with excitement over the dance for several days.

"I think they're getting really into it," he said.