The annual Winter Dance Party started Wednesday at the Surf Ballroom and Museum in Clear Lake, the site where Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and “The Big Bopper” J-P Richardson played their final concert in February of 1959. Jeff Nicholas is the chair and president of the nonprofit that runs the Surf Ballroom and says people from all over the nation — and world — will converge on Clear Lake through this weekend to celebrate ’50s era rock-and-roll.
Nicholas says organizers of the event appreciate the people who come each year to honor the fallen rockers and that era of music.
Winter Dance Party participants this year will also be able to — for the first time — see the Surf’s new Music Experience Center next to the ballroom. Nicholas says it’s a combination of traditional museum space with displays and memorabilia, as well as an immersive visual experience.
Part of the festivities include bringing students in from across the region to learn more about the ballroom and the ’50s era rock-and-roll.
For a full list of events taking place at the Surf, head to www.surfballroom.com/wdp/.
