Arts & Entertainment

Embrace Your Inner Twister

By Jamie Laughlin 

There’s really no point in listening to the oldies station while driving; seatbelt laws inhibit your Twist and bucket seats make it impossible to do the Pony. It’s an atrocity that so much of the danceable music from the ´50s through the ´70s has been confined to either the car radio or grocery store PA systems (dance in the frozen food section and people think you’re nuts). Jammin’ Jon Sommers agrees.

Ever since he packed up his rock ´n´ roll stockpile and fled from the liver-spotted clutches of oldies radio, Sommers has been taking the music directly to the people with live DJ dance parties. This Friday he’s kickin´ it up a notch by joining forces with the Pelican Grand Beach Resort (2000 N. Ocean Blvd., Fort Lauderdale) for the ultimate “Jukebox Friday Night.”

One low admission price ($30, pay at the door) gets you full access to this starlit poolside party, as well as dinner (a gourmet buffet), two drinks, and lots of dancing. Savor the ocean view as you dine, then make new friends during the music trivia and dance contests. And go ahead, try to stump Sommers with your requests; he’s promised to bring thousands of rock ´n´ roll, disco, and doo-wop hits, enough to appease any music craving. When you finally surrender and kick off your dancing shoes, you’ll wonder how you were ever content listening to this stuff while trapped behind the wheel. This event begins at 7 p.m. Call 954-568-9431, or email Jon at southfloridajukebox@yahoo.com. In case of rain, the party will be moved to August 24.
Fri., Aug. 24, 7 p.m.