There is always something special about DJing at The Willows at Raleigh, and this recent sock hop was no exception. From the moment the music started, the room was full of energy, laughter, and people ready to dance the afternoon away.
A Fun Afternoon at The Willows
The event took place from 2:30 to 5:00 in the afternoon and carried everyone right up to dinner time. I have been fortunate to DJ at The Willows many times over the years, and the residents are always incredibly engaged and ready to have a good time.
Many of the residents fully embraced the sock hop theme, dressing in poodle skirts, sweaters, and varsity-style jackets that looked like something straight out of the era. Seeing everyone dressed for the occasion added even more to the atmosphere.
Classic Sock Hop Music and Dancing
For this event, we kept the music focused on the classic sock hop sound, with plenty of 50s and 60s rock and pop favorites filling the room throughout the afternoon.
The dance floor stayed active with residents singing along, dancing with friends, and enjoying songs that many of them knew immediately.
Ending the Afternoon with 80s Favorites
Even as dinner time started getting closer and some people began heading out, the fun was not over yet. Toward the end of the event, a few residents asked to switch things up a bit and bring in some 80s favorites.
Before long, songs like Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” had everyone smiling and dancing all over again. It was the perfect way to close out an already fun afternoon.
That late switch from sock hop classics to 80s favorites was a perfect example of why I enjoy returning to The Willows. Every event takes on a personality of its own, and I am already looking forward to the next one.
