Keep in mind that disco was not the only '70s musical movement.
The first piece of advice you need to hear about planning a 1970s theme party is to avoid basing your concept on what you learned by watching "That '70s Show." The 1970s offers much more than disco, wide lapels and "Star Wars." That stretch of time from when the Beatles broke up to less than a year before an assassin killed John Lennon offers limitless potential for party ideas. Does this Spark an idea?
Disco/Death to Disco
A disco party is an easy way to toss a 1970s theme night, and you can always ramp it up a bit by making it a Death to Disco party. All you need is a disco ball and lights to reflect off it. Place a sign that reads Studio 54 over the front door. To make things more realistic, you can even have a bouncer and red velvet rope. Keep in mind that only the beautiful people could actually get into Studio 54, so make it a costume party where the rule is to come dressed up a celebrities ranging from Henry Kissinger to Farrah Fawcett. Required music includes "I Will Survive," "The Hustle," "YMCA" and anything on the "Saturday Night Fever" soundtrack.
Punk Rock
The appropriate alternative to a disco party for your 1970s theme night is a punk rock party. Get out the razor blade, and slice up your faded jeans and T-shirt. Grab some Crisco from the pantry and give yourself a mohawk that will withstand the most punishing of slam dancing. As for decor, the more industrial basement, the better. Strip it down to raw essentials. Required music includes the Sex Pistols, Ramones, The Clash and X.
Fads of the '70s
One way to celebrate the entire diversity of the 1970s is to throw a theme party that focuses on the fads of the decade. The 1970s was a boom time for short-lived fads. Clothing options include hot pants, string bikinis, leisure suits, togas and the "Annie Hall" look. Fad accessories include mood rings, Pet Rocks, Happy Face buttons and Mr. Microphone. The more exhibitionist parties can also consider the importance incorporating the fad of streaking. Required music includes "Convoy," "King Tut" and "Short People."
Forgotten Celebrities of the '70s
You can make a game of a 1970s party theme that revolves around forgotten figures of the decade. Make it a costume party where you have to come dressed as someone who was a big celebrity at some point during the 1970s but we've forgotten today. Pass out a checklist card so guests can keep track of how many figures they guessed right and hand out an award to the person who guessed correctly the most. Suggested celebrities: Slim Whitman, Patty Hearst, Olga Korbut, Captain and Tennille and Mason Reese if you have a kid. Required music includes "A Fifth of Beethoven," "The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia" and "Saturday Night."
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