Oh Boy! What a Winter Dance Party

“Oh Boy!” The Surf Ballroom hosted another fantastic three day Winter Dance Party.

Rock and roll fans from throughout the country and overseas descended on the Surf last week and enjoyed a full slate of local events, as well as music, music and more music.

The Winter Dance Party Sock Hop held on Wednesday continues to grow.  The event was added a few years ago as a way to allow even more people to get in on the fun.  Admission to the sock hop is separate from the three-day Winter Dance Party ticket and is a small fraction of the price.

Tom Comer, who was dancing with his daughter, Sara, said he was initially hesitant to take the dance floor, but was glad he did.

“Her friends were going to be here with their parents and we decided to give in.  I had forgotten how much fun this type of thing is.”

Many of the Dance Party events are free or only have a nominal fee, including just spending time looking at the many musical artifacts on display in the Surf Lounge.

Jason Dennis, a new resident of Clear Lake, spent some time at the Surf Friday with his Beaumont, Texas, family. The Texans were surprised and pleased to see the music of their native son,  J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson, being remembered and celebrated.

“There’s a lot of names on the memory wall (at the Surf) that I haven’t thought about for quite a while,” said Lela Gilchrist.  “Back then it seemed so easy to get up and dance along with the music.  Now I have to think about it, but it still makes me want to,” she laughed.

The three nights of music were a virtual sell-out, as always, according to Surf Executive Director Laurie Lietz.

The commitment to bringing 50s era recording stars, as well as others who promote the music of the times, was well received.

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Bill Hampton, from Denver, Colo., made the trip with friends to hear music from his younger days, especially Brenda Lee, who headlined the Saturday lineup along with Bobby Rydell, Albert Lee, Linda Gail Lewis and Danny B Harvey and Annie Marie Lewis.  “I’m Sorry”  and “All Alone Am I” were among Hampton’s favorites, but her 1957 hit “Dynamite” brought back some memories, as well.

Jay Siegel, an original member of The Tokens, was performing at the Surf for the first time Thursday night.  “I’m glad I made it here.  I’ve heard from others about this event and it is just as awesome as they promised.  I loved it,” said Siegel.

Austin Allsup was also part of the Thursday night event, keeping the memory and music of his father, Tommy, very much in the forefront of music fans.  Austin attended the 2017 Winter Dance Party soon after his father, who played guitar on the 1959 Winter Dance Party tour, passed away.  Like Siegel, Allsup said he loves Clear Lake and those who make sure the music never dies.

The 2018 event also included tributes to Surf Ballroom owner, Dean Snyder, who passed away in January, and Darryl Hensley, better known as The Mad Hatter, who is credited with starting the Buddy Holly Tribute which has grown into today’s Winter Dance Party.

Saturday night all eyes went to the Surf’s ceiling, as a new star representing Dean Snyder, joined those of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P Richardson.

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