SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY MUSEUM

 

                   Date:    July 5, 2012

Contact:            Jennifer Reynolds, Media Specialist • (909) 307-2669 ext. 278 • jreynolds@sbcm.sbcounty.gov

            Michele Nielsen, Curator of History • (909) 307-2669 ext. 240 • mnielsen@sbcm.sbcounty.gov

For release: Immediately

Event date: Tickets on sale now for July 21 event

Photos available: contact Jennifer Reynolds, jreynolds@sbcm.sbcounty.gov or 909-307-2669 ext. 278

 

 

Party like the Fifties at the County Museum

 

“Put your glad rags on and join me hon', we'll have some fun when the clock strikes one. We're gonna rock around the clock tonight, we're gonna rock, rock, rock till broad daylight. We're gonna rock, gonna rock, around the clock tonight,” sang Bill Haley and his Comets. The history division of the San Bernardino County Museum agrees. The San Bernardino County Museum Association invites guests to “party like the ‘50s” under the stars on Saturday evening, July 21, from 6 to 10 p.m. at “Rockin’ at the Grove.” Because space is limited, advance reservations are required. Tickets are on sale now; the cost is $20 per person for advance tickets or $25 per person at the door. Space is limited and advance tickets are strongly advised. Tickets can be purchased by telephone or at the museum front desk. A ticket order form can also be downloaded from the museum’s website, www.sbcountymuseum.org.

 

Two live bands, Retro Station and the Smokin’ Cobras, will perform hits from the fifties for listening and dancing. Disk jockeys will spin a few platters, too. Lupita Limón and her Limónades dancers will set the mood with a special showcase dance, and they’ll teach easy 1950s dance moves to early birds from 5 to 6 p.m. The ticket price includes a variety of snacks; wine, vintage soda, and Hangar 24 suds will be available for purchase. Guests can also enjoy a special exhibit, “The Fabrics of Our Past,” in the Crossroads in History gallery, featuring vintage 50s clothing.

 

“Our dance parties are a great way to learn more about different points in time through social history, and to support the history division’s programs and exhibits,” said Michele Nielsen, the museum’s curator of history. “These fun events are organized by the San Bernardino County Museum Association as part of their capital campaign and made possible by generous contributions from community partners. So get your tickets and be ready to rock!”

 

Guests are invited to come to the party dressed in 1950s threads. Enchanted Attic Costume Rental has supplied outfits for staff and volunteers and offers a generous discount to Rockin’ guests who mention the museum’s name when renting a costume. Guests can do the stroll under the traditional balloon drop at the end of the evening.

 

“The ‘fab fifties’ are often thought of as a carefree era,” said Nielsen, “and we’re planning a carefree evening filled with music and dancing. The 1950s were also a time of transformation. The Space Race, the Korean War and the Cold War, the birth of the Civil Rights movement, the Cuban Revolution, and the polio vaccine made political and social changes that affected lives on a global level. The music of artists like Chuck Berry and Elvis Presley and 1950s television shows like Ozzie and Harriet, and even clothing popular in the ‘50s like leather jackets and jeans, are still a part of pop culture today.”

 

To make reservations or for more information, call (909) 307-2669 ext. 227, visit www.sbcountymuseum.org, or inquire at the museum’s front desk. The event is supported by the San Bernardino County Museum Association with major support from the James Ramos family and by community partners including Printing and Promotion Plus, Colton; Enchanted Attic Costume Rental, San Bernardino; Party Plus Rentals; Law Office of Jeffrey S. Raynes, Redlands; Johnnie Ann Ralph of the San Bernardino County Museum Association Board of Directors; Inland Community Bank; and Pad, Redlands. Refreshments are sponsored by Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, Redlands; Redlands Old Spaghetti Factory, A’mas Tacos, Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Redlands; Stater Bros; Hanger 24; Chase Bank, and Jose’s Mexican Food.

 

The San Bernardino County Museum is at the California Street exit from Interstate 10 in Redlands. The museum is accessible to persons with disabilities. If assistive listening devices or other auxiliary aids are needed in order to participate in museum exhibits or programs, requests should be made through Museum Visitor Services at least three business days prior to your visit. Visitor Services’ telephone number is 909-307-2669 ext. 229 or (TDD) 909-792-1462.

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