Let’s Do the Twist on New Year’s Eve

Is it really New Year’s Eve?

From the back of the photo, I know who is dancing (Bill and Ginny) and where (at Chris and Charlie’s house in Valley Stream), but not when.  New Year’s Eve is a good guess, though, since the Christmas decorations are still up and all the celebrants wear party hats. 

What year? I have to guess here too, but I’m going to say around 1962.  Chubby Checker’s version of “The Twist” came out in 1960 and became a smash hit that stuck around for years. By 1962, everyone was doing the twist, including Jackie Kennedy. Although it’s hard to see the shape of the twisting woman’s dress, the length speaks to the early sixties, also.

And don’t you think this exuberance was fueled by champagne?  I know that I’ll be toasting the New Year tonight, even if I don’t get up to dance.

Happy New Year!

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5 Responses to Let’s Do the Twist on New Year’s Eve

  1. Rock ‘n’ roll (though I wonder if this crew was listening to Chubby Checker) into the New Year! I think that what’s around the door is a ribbon to which Christmas cards are attached. The variation on this theme in my household was to tape them to the railing on the stairs leading to the second floor. Enjoy your champagne. This looks more like a daiquiri, Manhattan crew to me.

  2. JS says:

    “And don’t you think this exuberance was fueled by champagne?”

    Probably. I’m a mid-range Baby Boomer who never did recreational drugs unless you consider alcohol a major drug. It’s taken decades for me to realize that so many images of enthusiasm I’ve admired were “fueled” by alcohol or drugs. (Not to go all Reefer Madness on anyone. 🙂 )

    I’m sort of sorry I missed my chance. YOLO.

    Tonight, I will be having Champagne (note the capital “c”) and pizza.

    Happy New Year!

    Your blog is a highlight of my (often misspent) time on the Web.

  3. Black Tulip says:

    Happy New Year to you too!

  4. Lizzie says:

    I want to go to that party!

    And a Happy New Year to you too!

  5. Nann says:

    Love the photo! And the details — that kitchen chair pulled out to the hallway, the three chimes hanging from the doorbell, the wallpaper. And of course Bill (that vest!) and Ginny dressed up to go to the neighbors’.

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