Slice of History - Dan Stewer and JPL Take Over the Dance Floor

1956’s annual Spring Dance was held on 12 May at the Pasadena Elks Club, a change in venue to accommodate the overwhelming response of a growing staff. Dan Stewer and his Society Orchestra, “whose smooth music proved so popular at the [previous] JPL Christmas Dance,” was secured to play for dancing. The Elks Club ballroom had just recently been enlarged to provide more space for dancing, which meant Stewer and his Orchestra were able to take over the dance floor alongside JPLers, as depicted in this photo.

JPL’s dances were sponsored by the JPL Employees Recreation Club (ERC), which consisted of twenty representatives at the time of this event. Tickets, which cost $1.50 each or $3 per couple, could be purchased directly from these representatives or through Personnel Services in Building 47. As Lab-Oratory says, “Come to the Spring Dance – make up a party and bring your friends. You will all have a good time – that’s for sure!” CL#23-6586

The content presented here should be viewed in the context of the time period. Our intent is to present the history of JPL in a factual manner that uses primary resources and historical context. We recognize that some information or images do not reflect the current values, policies, and mission of JPL.