John’s 60th Birthday

Eithne Barton texted me in September. A friend had recommended me, and she was planning a party for her husband John, who was turning 60. John loves to dance, so she wanted to keep it simple and make the whole night about the dancing, with a mix of disco, house, EDM and dance pop. Her plan was to be on the dance floor all night long.

Two days later she had the room at the Washoe County Golf Club in Reno, and she was going to ask everyone to dress disco style. The week of the party, John and Eithne sat down together and wrote his own song list, from Stayin’ Alive by the Bee Gees and Boogie Wonderland by Earth, Wind & Fire to Virtual Insanity by Jamiroquai and Hello by Martin Solveig and Dragonette.

Guests trickled in around 7 to a taco bar and an open bar, dressed in wigs, sequins, captain hats and headbands. Got To Be Real by Cheryl Lynn started John’s list, and then came Love Hangover by Diana Ross, Best of My Love by The Emotions, Don’t Bring Me Down by Electric Light Orchestra, Le Freak by Chic, Show Me Love by Robin S and Don’t Leave Me This Way by Thelma Houston.

By 8:30 the fog was rolling and the floor was full. Funkytown by Lipps Inc., I Feel Love by Donna Summer, Disco Inferno by The Trammps, Car Wash by Rose Royce, He’s the Greatest Dancer by Sister Sledge and I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor kept everyone out there, then We Are Family by Sister Sledge and Good Times by Chic.

After 9 came Night Fever by the Bee Gees, Thriller by Michael Jackson, Lady Marmalade from Moulin Rouge, Stayin’ Alive, Brick House by the Commodores, Last Dance by Donna Summer and Dancing Queen by ABBA, with You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real) by Sylvester right behind them.

Ring My Bell by Anita Ward came on at 9:35. You Should Be Dancing by the Bee Gees, The Power of Love by Huey Lewis and the News, Into the Groove by Madonna and Ghostbusters by Ray Parker Jr. took the party to 10.