Mann Elementary School fathers and their daughters will be rocking and sock-hopping Friday at the school’s first-ever “Daddy and Daughter Dance.” The dance takes place from 7 to 9 p.m. at Mann, 921 N. Kenilworth.
Rance Clouser, of Oak Park’s Supported Education Association, an Oak Park group that supports parents of special needs children, said the idea came from another school outside of the Oak Park.
The Mann dance, for third, fourth and fifth grade girls will have a 1950s theme, with the Mann gymnasium decorated in ’50s detail. The dance is open to all Mann fathers and daughters. The Mann PTO is co-sponsoring the event.
“Anytime there’s a school-sponsored activity like this, it’s a chance for all kids to come together, and it’s a chance for the kids to make friends,” said Clouser, who indicated that the idea for the dance seemed to take on a life of its own. “Several of the moms are saying they’d like to have a mother-son dance but all of the sons are like, ‘That’s a lousy idea.’ I still think it’s always good to have that type pf parent-child time.”
For the girls without a dad, another male family member will do, said Clouser.
“Our theme is ‘a dad, granddad or uncle will do, just bring someone important to you.'”
Mann dad Jim Gill saw the announcement for the dance on a school flyer and was immediately excited about it, he said.
Gill, 41, will go with his 10-year-old daughter Ella, a fourth grader at Mann.
The Oak Parker isn’t actually new to such high-steppin’ affairs. In high school, Gill and his mother attended a “mother and son” dance. They won a polka dance contest. The daddy-daughter dance will have its own dance contest, more than likely with contestants rocking to tunes from the 1950s.
“It was so long ago but now I get to experience it on the other end,” said Gill.
Gill said he thinks it’ll be a “Hand Jive” contest. Hand Jive is a dance style involving specific hand movements and claps done in sequence to the music. Gill is predicting a win for himself and his daughter Ella?#34;hands down.
“There’s no need to practice,” said a confident Gill, who’s a professional musician and songwriter for children. “I think the other fathers know that I’m a pretty good hand-jiver. I just assume that once we take the floor, they’ll all be pretty intimidated.”
Gill said he and his daughter will be decked out in vintage clothes; he’s wearing his father’s Letter-sweater from that era.
“I think it’ll be a great time for the dads,” said Gill, “but it’s also a good thing for the families in the school.”
For more information about the Daddy and Daughter Dance, call 358-1957. For additional information about the Supported Education Association, visit www.sea-oprf.org.
?#34;Terry Dean