PTO Family Dance Night: Boogie Down!

The 1970s were flashy, funky, fun, and memorably tacky, and that would definitely describe the family dance night held March 2011 at Julia Randall Elementary in Payson, Ariz. That’s when PTO leaders transformed the school’s gym into a hopping disco reminiscent of New York’s once-famous dance club, Studio 54, disco ball and all. Some 250 attendees packed the event, which brought together the seemingly perfect blend of polyester and parent group ingenuity.

According to PTO copresident Sue Becker, whose team picks a new theme each year, the spring 2011 family dance was inspired by current fashion trends. “I knew peace signs were popular on so many clothes now, so my copresident, Denise McGuire, and I decided to do ’70s disco to capture both the hippie side and the disco side,” Becker says. “I figured it would be great for adults because they grew up during that era, too.”

The event was held on a Friday, but there were plenty of people fired up with Saturday night fever. Thanks to a spirited DJ whose retro collection ranged from the Bee Gees to Donna Summer, students, siblings, and parents “Hustled” and more on the floor—several teachers, too. “A few of [the teachers] also taught their students some disco dances previous to the event, and then came to the dance to lead their students,” Becker notes. The family night also featured its traditional limbo contest, which Becker says lasted much too long because the kids were so flexible. “We need to lower the bar faster!” she says.

A crew of 10 volunteers, including both parents and teachers, helped make the annual family dance night a success. The volunteers handled food sales and were greeters at the door, mainly to make sure parents accompanied their children to the event (no drop-offs allowed). Admission was free; the PTO sold popcorn, candy, and refreshments, and a local ice-cream shop set up a cart to sell ice-cream cones. Before the dance, there was a record-decorating contest; teachers and students artfully incorporated ’70s themes and motifs onto oversize record cutouts.

Becker says the highlight of the night for her was seeing all the kids and parents show up in costumes. “Some went all out,” she says. While sparkly spandex outfits reigned supreme, there was the occasional sighting of a dad in a leisure suit, and a few moms followed the silky head scarf fashions of onetime celebrity model Twiggy. Admittedly, Becker’s own wardrobe was ’70s-challenged. “I was very proud of the fact that I had to borrow disco clothes and had none in my closet,” she says. She sported a pair of high platform shoes, wide-leg pants, a sequined jacket—all borrowed from her sister—and a sequined hat loaned by her 14-year-old daughter.

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The most memorable aspect for parents who attended the 1970s-theme family night? It had to be the fact that their outfits were, for once, fashionable and relevant in the eyes of their children. As for the young hearts who ran free on the dance floor, “I really think the kids enjoyed the dancing,” Becker says. “And, of course, hanging out with their friends.”

Julia Randall Elementary PTO

Payson, Ariz.
450 students, grades preK-5
$15,000 annual budget

Family Disco Night
Students and parents don their finest polyester, spandex, and other period clothing for a night of ’70s music in the school gym

Psychedelically affordable: The Julia Randall PTO spent just $300 for the DJ, decorations, and food at its disco family night. Leaders also secured some donations of refreshments from local grocery stores.

Groovy photo op: PTO leaders offered families the option to have their pictures taken in front of a colorful disco-theme backdrop; 4x6 souvenir photos were available for a small fee. A parent who is a professional photographer handled the poses and processing with help from her husband.

Make it funky: Dressing up is half the fun at a ’70s night; encourage families to borrow from friends or shop at thrift/vintage stores for their wardrobes. Additionally, a local community theater or dance studio might consider loaning costume items for a small donation, or perhaps for free.