Elmhurst History Museum gets disco fever this summer

The Elmhurst History Museum is prescribing a cure for the summertime blues with a new monthly program series designed to make summer anything but boring.

The Summer Family Fun Series offers families an opportunity to mix learning with fun connected to themes explored in the museum's new exhibit, "Disco Demolition: The Night Disco Died," including the musical history and culture of the late 1970s.

These monthly family programs take place from 10:30 a.m. until noon in the Elmhurst History Museum's Education Center, 120 E. Park Ave.

The programs are geared for participants ages 5 through 12 accompanied by a parent or caregiver with a limit of 40 participants per session. The cost is $5 for members of the Elmhurst Heritage Foundation and $7 for nonmembers (no charge for adults). Reservations may be made online at www.elmhursthistory.org (in the Family Program section) or by calling (630) 833-1457.

Here's a look at the programs:

• June 28: The Art of Rock and Disco: Record Album Art.

No matter what style of music kids like - from disco to classic rock - there was an art to how music was promoted in the 1970s. Album covers were an important way for the artists to express themselves and for the record companies to market the music.

DJ Oliver will be on hand to share samples of these different kinds of music, and families will work together to make their own album art.

July 26: Disco Culture and Style.

Participants will learn about the culture and style trends of the late '70s by re-creating a disco club in the EHM Education Center. How would people who liked disco music have dressed or decorated in this era? What music would they have listened to and how did they dance?

Families will end the program by learning some dance moves of the Disco Era like "The Hustle" and others.

• Aug. 9: Wacky Sports Promotions.

Participants will learn how Disco Demolition Night was one of many promotions that have attracted and entertained audiences at sports events for years, including promotions that worked - and those that didn't. Kids will plan their own crazy promotional event and design their own T-shirt and buttons.

Register for one or all three programs online at www.elmhursthistory.org.