Five Hours of Dancing, Five Decades of Hits at the Eureka Springs City Auditorium

Eureka Springs once packed this very room for sock hops and barefoot balls. For decades, that tradition sat dormant inside the Eureka Springs City Auditorium. The Eureka Springs Historical Museum is reviving it, and the floor needs dancers.

THE DEETS

The Dance Card

The event runs five hours inside “the Gem,” the lower level of the Eureka Springs City Auditorium, with the museum’s own director behind the DJ booth all night. Each hour belongs to a different decade: 50s at 5 PM, 60s at 6, 70s at 7, 80s at 8, and 90s at 9. Awards wrap things up at 10.

General admission gets you on the floor to dance as much or as little as you want. The Marathon Dancer ticket adds a competitive layer: a five-hour dancing competition with a grand prize on the line.

How the Competition Works

Marathon Dancers receive three 5-minute break passes and one 10-minute break pass. Beyond that, you stay upright and keep moving. Make it to the end with other dancers still standing and the judges will call a dance-off to determine the winner. The grand prize is $100 cash.

General admission ticket holders have their own competition to worry about. Costume contests run throughout the night, with one winner per decade category: best 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s looks.

Before You Head Out

No paper tickets. Your name will be on a list at the door, so bring your ID. Active ESHM members can get discounted general admission tickets. Check your email or call the museum for your member discount code. It applies to as many general admission tickets as you put in your cart. Grab your tickets at the link above.