| | Published June 20th, 2012
| Great Turnout at Downtown 'Sock Hop'
| | By Cathy Tyson |  | | Photo Doug Kohen
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Residents were partying like it's 1959. Young and old alike were 'Rockin' around the Clock' enjoying great tunes and perfect weather at the inaugural Summer Series event at the Plaza Park. Happy dogs were chillin' on the grass, people of all ages were dancing, some youth were tossing around a ball, grown-ups were able to enjoy an adult beverage while reclining on lawn chairs. Who knew all the elements of a fantastic free block party could come together smack dab in the middle of town?
This is the place to be in Lafayette every Friday through August - call it a Municipal Endless Summer. The Summer Series was off to a great start with a '50s Sock Hop featuring the band Hot Rod Jukebox. The little park that could at the corner of Mt. Diablo Boulevard and Moraga Road is ground zero for all the fun. June is dancing month starting with the Sock Hop. Next Friday, June 22 is a square dance with a world class "caller." Bust out the bell bottoms and tie dye for an evening of 1970s disco on June 29. Look for movies at the same location every Friday in July at sunset, then "Rock the Plaza" wraps up the Summer Series on August 10, 17 and 24, with happy hour music and dancing starting at 6 p.m.
Folks flocked to the checkerboard dance floor when the band, dolled up in red aloha shirts with cheetah insets, played "Johnny Be Good." Crowd pleasing songs like "Unchain My Heart" and "Stand By Me" set the tone for the relaxed vibe of the evening. Not too many poodle skirts in sight, but there was one young fellow who looked barely old enough to drive in an Acalanes jacket. Two charming kindergarten-age young ladies were impressive in frothy sparkly powder blue princess dresses.
Geane and husband Bill Simpson were tearing up the dance floor; they've been dancing together for 55 years. Geane's advice? "Keep dancing."
Maybe it's a millennial thing, but a cluster of Lafayette 'tweens had never heard of the classic song "Johnny Be Good," although they did enjoy sharing a shave ice cone. Eliza Cleaver said, "This is fun, I will drag my friends next week - we love square dancing." Some of the kids quipped they were there to avoid their parents.
Adding to the '50s theme, management from Lafayette Auto Body had a line-up of classic cars parked in front of Squirrels. Who couldn't appreciate a tricked-out turquoise hot rod with the license plate WHACKED29?
"I'm having so much fun, I'm going to invite everyone back to my backyard bomb shelter after the party," joked event co-host Jay Lifson, Executive Director of the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce. Attendees can thank the City of Lafayette and the Chamber, along with sponsors like Whole Foods, itrim and Mechanics Bank for putting together the three month line up of entertaining, free events. For more information go to www.lafayettechamber.org or give them a call at (925) 284-7404.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA