I was recently at the Rockport Art Association for the seARTS annual meeting.
As I headed back to the Art building in the back, old memories passed through my head.
Even though it was cold and rainy, the memories of warm summer nights, heading down to Rockport, to attend the RAA dances. Back then it was a great opportunity for locals to meet kids from out-of-state, who were vacationing with their parents. Some of those memories are another story.
It was amazing that they trusted us in the beautiful surroundings of all that art.
This video clip shows some of the local art today, recommend going down and taking a look, and a clip of how teenagers danced in the 60’s. If you recognize yourself in the video, you may want to keep it to yourself at least that is my intention.
Enjoy a blast from the past.
This video clip shows some of the local art today, recommend going down and taking a look, and a clip of how teenagers danced in the 60’s. If you recognize yourself in the video, you may want to keep it to yourself, at least I am.
Enjoy a blast from the past. (Note: video is from a dance at the GHS not at RAA)
Good Morning Gloucester 
I went to many Rockport Art Association dances. I was very young and spent many hours hiding in the kitchen. This is where the girls would lounge, keep sweaters and pocket books and smoke. There was a large round oak table, huge cook stove and long sink.
Louie Louid, Gloria, We gotta get outta this place would be ringing in the big hall in the back. Punch would be served from long tables in one of the rooms.
The boys I was interested in at the time would arrive late, presumably after downing some stolen liquor on the back shore or the Bass Rocks golf links. With inhibitions lifted a little, they would be more apt to dance.
The boys had to wear jackets. Madras was in fashion for a time.
Eastern Point YC dances were much like this too, but not as crowded.
I remember being picked up by my mother and sticking my head out the car window on the way home so she wouldn’t smell the cigarette smoke on me.
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Awww thats my Daddy singing! Carlo Lovasco!
sooooo cute! luv this thanks for posting.
🙂
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Carlos Thnaks for the link on your blog…
I wonder how many vintage video is out there of the dances The Kandymen performed… Please keep us informed on your evnets in Gloucester. So far I have a June 26th 2010 Boat Cruise for all the GMG readers.
MFS
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i was in this writhing mass of teen-agers, GHS Class of ’66. couldn’t dance worth spit but that never stopped me from jumping aroun to the unforgotten, great tunes of that day. like louie, louie and yesterday. she loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah. when dances were worth the price of admission, whether you danced or not
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I used to run those dances for the Art Association. I don’t remember just how it all came about, but the Curator of the RAA, Harriett Matson, knew my mother, and somehow I was asked to get involved as a DJ, or someone to book the bands; if I couldn’t get a band, I had to be the DJ. Fair enough. I remember the front door being manned by local artist John C Terelak, and the cop on duty was always Tom O’Maley. Those were fun times!
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Looks like Dale Oakes, Mark Houde, Ray Hildonen and Margie Sandler in some of those shots. Looks like most of the kids were still in the “greaser” stage….guess we could not get the Beatles Mop-tops till out of the high school dress code.
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