Winter Dance Party Schedule

Wednesday, February 1  2023 Event Schedule

Winter Dance Party Kids Show - 9:00am, 10:30am, 12:30pm

Surf Ballroom Dance Floor
Each year, youth from area schools are invited to learn about Surf Ballroom & Winter Dance Party history in their classrooms and at the Surf Ballroom. The lessons culminate in a field trip to the Surf Ballroom where kids from grades TK-5th grade are treated to a live musical performance.
Admission: Private Event by Invitation Only

A Hard Days Night Tribute - 6:30-7:30pm; 7:45-9:00pm

Legacy Grill, 619 Buddy Holly Place, Clear Lake
Admission: FREE, open to the General Public

Thursday, February 2  2023 Event Schedule

Dance Lessons - 9:30am

Surf Ballroom Dance Floor
Fifties style dance lessons hosted by instructors Amy Eckard, Margaret Majerczyk and friends - for singles and couples alike.
Admission: FREE, open to the General Public

Rockin' n Boppin' Record Show - 10:00am-6:00pm

Best Western Holiday Lodge Opal Room, 2023  7th Ave N, Clear Lake
Admission: FREE, open to the General Public

Guided Tours of Carl J Fox Home - 1:00-3:00pm

449 N Shore Dr, Clear Lake
Located across the street from the Surf Ballroom stands a lovingly restored vintage home built in 1948 by Carl J. Fox, original owner/creator of the Surf Ballroom. The home features many unique furnishings and characteristics. Much like the Surf, it is as though time stood still in the home - many artifacts having remained in the Fox family home through the years, giving visitors a glimpse of life in the 1940s and 1950s.
Admission: FREE, open to the General Public

Narrated Memorial Site Tour - 2:00pm

Take a narrated tour to the farm field north of Clear Lake, Iowa where the ill-fated airplane came to rest. Tour departs from the Surf Ballroom lobby, please arrive 15 minutes prior to tour. Visitors are encouraged to dress in warm layers - a 1/4 mile walk is required. Limited space available; advance reservations encouraged (sign up in the Surf Ballroom box office).
Admission: $8.00/person

LP & The 45s - 4:00-6:00pm

Legacy Grill, 619 Buddy Holly Place, Clear Lake
Admission: FREE, open to the General Public

Winter Dance Party Concert featuring John Mueller's Winter Dance Party; and, Holy Rocka Rollaz

Surf Ballroom, 460 N Shore Dr, Clear Lake
Doors open: 7:00pm
Admission: $40 advance; $45 door (tickets available for purchase by calling the Surf Ballroom at (641) 357-6151 or ordering online at www.surfballroom.com)

LP & The 45s - 9:00-11:00pm

Legacy Grill, 619 Buddy Holly Place, Clear Lake
Admission: FREE, open to the General Public

Friday, February 3  2023 Event Schedule

Rockin' n Boppin' Record Show - 8:30am-6:00pm

Best Western Holiday Lodge Opal Room, 2023  7th Ave N, Clear Lake
Admission: FREE, open to the General Public

Guided Tours of Carl J Fox Home - 10:00am-12:00pm

449 N Shore Dr, Clear Lake
Located across the street from the Surf Ballroom stands a lovingly restored vintage home built in 1948 by Carl J. Fox, original owner/creator of the Surf Ballroom. The home features many unique furnishings and characteristics. Much like the Surf, it is as though time stood still in the home  - many artifacts having remained in the Fox family home through the years, giving visitors a glimpse of life in the 1940s and 1950s.
Admission: FREE, open to the General Public

The Legends Lunch - 11:00am

Best Western Holiday Lodge Diamond Ballroom, 2023-7th Ave N, Clear Lake
Previously known as the British Buddy Holly Society Luncheon, the Legends Lunch carries on all of the fun of this nearly 40 year old tradition!
Admission: $35/person includes lunch and live entertainment. Email: thelegendslunch@gmail.com to purchase tickets (tickets are non-refundable)
Advance reservations are required!

Richie Lee & The Fabulous Fifties - 1:00-3:00pm

Legacy Grill, 619 Buddy Holly Place, Clear Lake
Admission: FREE, open to the General Public

Rockin' Art of the 50's and 60's Tour - 1:30pm

Charles H. MacNider Art Museum, 303-2nd Street SE, Mason City
While the 1950’s were marked by overall conservatism and conformity in an attempt to return to post-war normalcy, the art scene, much like the music scene, began to blossom with emerging artists.  The focus of the art world shifted from Paris, where it had been centered for centuries, to New York City.  This new American – centric vision of art was supported by art movements such as the development of Abstract Expressionism.  Artists like Jackson Pollack developed new painting techniques, for example - the splatter technique, that were a far reach from earlier traditional American artists such as Grant Wood and his traditional rolling hills.  The Museum holds a variety of work from these ground breaking artists including Robert Rauschenberg, Jasper Johns, Lee Krasner, Helen Frankenthaler, Jim Dine, and Andy Warhol. Visit www.macniderart.org for additional information about the Museum.
Admission: Free, Open to the General Public

Wedding/Vow Renewal Ceremony - 2:00pm

Surf Ballroom Dance Floor
Rock and roll fans may get married or renew their vows at the Surf Ballroom. Contact Denni Sue at ericksn1@cltel.net to register!

Narrated Memorial Site Tour - 2:30pm

Take a narrated tour to the farm field north of Clear Lake, Iowa where the ill-fated airplane came to rest. Tour departs from the Surf Ballroom lobby, please arrive 15 minutes prior to tour. Visitors are encouraged to dress in warm layers - a 1/4 mile walk is required. Limited space available; advance reservations encouraged (sign up in the Surf Ballroom box office).
Admission: $8.00/person

DJ Randy Chesterman - 3:00-4:00pm

Legacy Grill, 619 Buddy Holly Place, Clear Lake
Admission: FREE, open to the General Public

Richie Lee & The Fabulous Fifties - 4:00-6:00pm

Legacy Grill, 619 Buddy Holly Place, Clear Lake
Admission: FREE, open to the General Public

Winter Dance Party Concert featuring Shake Baby Shake; The Lovettes; Bill Haley Jr & The Comets; and, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

Surf Ballroom, 460 N Shore Dr, Clear Lake
Doors open: 7:00pm
Admission: $50 advance; $55 door (tickets available for purchase by calling the Surf Ballroom at (641) 357-6151 or ordering online at www.surfballroom.com)
Attendees are encouraged to dress in their best period clothing/costumes as we take a trip back in time when malt shops were the hangout and sock hops were all the rage. The best costumes will be featured on our big screens between bands. Don't forget to bring your saddle shoes! Our traditional dance contest will be held during intermission. Sign up to participate at our information booth in the lobby. Prizes for the top 3 winners!

Saturday, February 4  2023 Event Schedule

Rockin' n Boppin' Record Show - 8:30am-close

Best Western Holiday Lodge Opal Room, 2023  7th Ave N, Clear Lake
Admission: FREE, open to the General Public

Ritchie Valens Family Luncheon - 11:00am

Best Western Holiday Lodge Diamond Ballroom, 2023-7th Ave N, Clear Lake
Admission: $29.00 includes lunch (burger basket with french fries & cole slaw) and live entertainment by Mogan's Heroes
Enjoy lunch with members of the Valens family and great live music. Ritchie Valens memorabilia will be on display and merchandise will be available for purchase. Advance reservations are required!

Split Second Band - 1:00-3:00pm

Legacy Grill, 619 Buddy Holly Place, Clear Lake
Admission: FREE, open to the General Public

Guided Tours of Carl J Fox Home - 1:00-3:00pm

449 N Shore Dr, Clear Lake
Located across the street from the Surf Ballroom stands a lovingly restored vintage home built in 1948 by Carl J. Fox, original owner/creator of the Surf Ballroom. The home features many unique furnishings and characteristics. Much like the Surf, it is as though time stood still in the home  - many artifacts having remained in the Fox family home through the years, giving visitors a glimpse of life in the 1940s and 1950s.
Admission: FREE, open to the General Public

The Day the Music Died/American Pie (2022) - 1:00pm Showing

Lake Theatre, 4 N 4th St, Clear Lake
50 years after its release, Don McLean shares the secrets behind his iconic song American Pie. The documentary aired on Paramount+ and in select theaters last year. Enjoy this special presentation sponsored by Lake Theatre and the Surf Ballroom!
Admission: FREE, open to the General Public

Bopper & Me Movie Showing - 2:30pm (90 minutes)

Clear Lake Arts Center Sukup Performing Arts Wing, 17 S 4th St, Clear Lake
Admission: FREE, open to the General Public

Split Second Band - 4:00-6:00pm

Legacy Grill, 619 Buddy Holly Place, Clear Lake
Admission: FREE, open to the General Public

Self Guided Memorial Site Tour

Take a self-guided tour to the farm field north of Clear Lake, Iowa where the ill-fated airplane came to rest. Visitors are encouraged to dress in warm layers - a 1/4 mile walk is required. This outdoor memorial is located just under 1/2 mile from the road along the fence row in a field north of Clear Lake. There is a large pair of black rimmed glasses marking the trail head on Gull Avenue.
Admission: FREE, open to the General Public

Winter Dance Party Concert featuring Slim Jim Phantom Trio featuring Jennie Vee with Special Guests Albert Lee, Chris Montez & Hayden Thompson; and, Kenny Vance & The Planotones; Gary U.S. Bonds; Austin Allsup

Surf Ballroom, 460 N Shore Dr, Clear Lake
Doors open: 7:00pm
Admission: $60 advance; $65 door (tickets available for purchase by calling the Surf Ballroom at (641) 357-6151 or ordering online at www.surfballroom.com)

Sunday, February 5  2023 Event Schedule

Rock 'n Roll Champagne Brunch - 10:00am-2:00pm

The Legacy Grill, 619 Buddy Holly Pl, Clear Lake
Admission: $25.00 includes brunch and live music
Brunch will be held from 10am-2pm and includes a full brunch buffet, one champagne/mimosa/bloody mary (must be 21 or older) and music by Richie Lee.
Advance reservations are recommended!

The Day the Music Died/American Pie (2022) - 1:00pm Showing

Lake Theatre, 4 N 4th St, Clear Lake
50 years after its release, Don McLean shares the secrets behind his iconic song American Pie. The documentary aired on Paramount+ and in select theaters last year. Enjoy this special presentation sponsored by Lake Theatre and the Surf Ballroom!
Admission: FREE, open to the General Public

Self Guided Memorial Site Tour

Take a self-guided tour to the farm field north of Clear Lake, Iowa where the ill-fated airplane came to rest. Visitors are encouraged to dress in warm layers - a 1/4 mile walk is required. This outdoor memorial is located just under 1/2 mile from the road along the fence row in a field north of Clear Lake. There is a large pair of black rimmed glasses marking the trail head on Gull Avenue.
Admission: FREE, open to the General Public