Totally Rad 80s Prom Gone Bad

Things you might want to incorporate into your outfit for the whole eighties appeal!

• The “Off the shoulder” look–Inspired by Flashdance

• Jellies sandals–They were plastic. They were noisy. They were hot.

• Exercise gear and leg warmers–“Let’s Get Physical” tore up the charts, and people everywhere tore off the layers in favour of spandex and sweatbands and got down with their bad selves.

• Teased hair– Perm it, fluff it, hairspray it and then adorn it with chunky clips.

• Tight acid or stonewashed jeans– Tight, and we mean tight jeans were all the rage, for both men and women. Bleach was splashed onto the denim to give it a patchy mixture of dark and light colour. Then they were ripped and safety pins added to give the desirable punk/rebel look à la Billy Idol. Throw a mullet on with those pants and you were hot stuff.

• Neon

• Shirts with a clip on the side– Oversized t-shirts were big. Clipping them up on one side with a chunky plastic clip (make it neon, even better) was even bigger.

• Shoulder Pads– For reasons we’ll never understand, the linebacker look was popular back in the day.

• Don’t Worry, Be Happy– printed on clothing

• Slap bracelets

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Find the perfect hairstyle to go with your outfit!

• Feathered, high bangs

• Asymmetrical, new wave haircut

• The side ponytail– Bubblegum pop and valley girl mallrats popularized this 80s hairstyle to epic proportions.

• Crimped hair

• The mullet– Mullets may have received a bad rap through the decades, but back in the day … oh … so dreamy.

• The rat tail or ducktail

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Click here to download a glossary of popular eighties terms
that might come in handy during your Night of Mystery

Check out the Costumes Section above!!!

CLICK HERE FOR YOUR PASSES!

PROM COURT — Make Your Own Sash!!!

Template to make a prom court sash here!!! 

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Trends of the Eighties

Jelly bracelets
High bangs
Hairspray, lots of hairspray
Leg warmers
Tight fitting pants
Torn Jeans
Hubba Bubba Chewing Gum
Purple, the more the better
Michael Jackson’s glove

Top Billboard Hits  of 1988

1) “Faith”- George Michael

2)   “Need You Tonight” — INXS

3)  “Got My Mind Set on You” —  George Harrison

4)  “Never Gonna Give You Up” — Rick Astley

5)  “Sweet Child o’ Mine” —  Guns N’ Roses

6)  “So Emotional” —  Whitney Houston

7)  “Heaven Is a Place on Earth” — Belinda Carlisle

8)  “Could’ve Been” — Tiffany

9)  “Hands to Heaven” — Breathe

10)  “Roll with It” — Steve Winwood

Top Grossing Films of 1988

1.  Rain Man

2.  Who Framed Roger Rabbit

3.  Coming to America

4.  Big

5.  Twins

6.  Crocodile Dundee II

7.  Die Hard

8.  The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!

9.  Cocktail

10.  Beetlejuice

Top 20 TV Shows of 1988

1) The Cosby Show

2) Roseanne 

3) A Different World 

4) Cheers 

5) 60 Minutes 

6) The Golden Girls 

7) Who’s the Boss? 

8) Murder, She Wrote 

9) Empty Nest 

10) Anything but Love 

11) Dear John 

12) Matlock 

13) L.A. Law 

14)  Growing Pains 

15) ALF 

16)  Monday Night Football 

17) Unsolved Mysteries 

18) In the Heat of the Night 

19) Hunter 

20) Head of the Class

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Mayhem High Senior Prom Attendees!!!

Peter Prez—Senior Class President. For the past four years, this preppie hasn’t wanted anything more than to rule the school. Peter has lobbied hard for being elected the prom king and won’t let anything stand in the way! 

Sarah Social—Senior Class Vice-President. A valley girl at heart, Sarah is responsible for, like, planning ALL the details of the prom, and making sure things go exactly according to plan—her plan! 

Debbie Taunte—Senior Class Treasurer. Spoiled to the bone, this wealthy woman has a way with money and a way of using it to get whatever she wants! 

Clerical Katie—Senior Class Secretary. Harboring more than the class records, Katie’s spaz-tastic personality will stop at nothing to make sure she does not get overlooked…again! 

Bobby Backer—Jock. As the leader of the Ravens baseball team, Bobby has made several enemies by using his influence to get what he wants! 

Sally Spirit—Cheerleader. After Sally’s recent split with Bobby, it is hard to say if she wants him back or wants revenge. 

Kevin Catcher—Baseball Player. With his grades falling and chances at college slim, many underestimate Kevin and his abilities. 

Cindy Sensational—Class Sweetheart. Cindy has captured everyone’s heart, including her boyfriend, Kevin Catcher. With such a sweet demeanor, are Cindy’s actions genuine or just an act? 

Gabby Backer—Gossip. As Bobby’s twin sister, Gabby is tired of living in the shadows of her over-achieving brother. For once, Gabby is looking to make her own way at the dance!  

Larry Lefty—Outcast. Misunderstood and moody, Larry is one of the overlooked players on the baseball team—but he refuses to be ignored tonight! 

J.J. Smart—Valedictorian. A real smarty pants, J.J. has been the head of the class since first grade. With acceptance to Harvard on the line, this individual will make sure it stays that way. 

Dolly Dancer—Pompon Captain. As the cheerleader’s arch rival, Dolly has danced her way into the heart of Bobby Backer and intends to stay there. 

Ryan Rocker—Punk Rocker. As the cheerleader’s date, Ryan is attending for Sally’s support…but could his hard rocking lifestyle be too much for everyone to handle? 

Alan Algebra—Math Team Captain. As the greatest mathlete in Mayhem High history, Alan is upset that the math team is often overlooked. He has vowed to make sure it does not stay that way. 

Principal Simpson—Principal of Mayhem High. As newly appointed principal, the principal wants to set and enforce high academic and social standards – but at what cost? 

V.P. Patterson—Vice Principal. The second-in-command, V.P. has a lot to prove (and hide) if they plan to continue on in their leadership position. 

Dr. Talk—School Counselor. In charge of advising and counseling the students, Dr. Talk may have more knowledge than they let on. 

Teach Tanner—Math Teacher. As a popular teacher, Teach Tanner seems to be helping out the students a bit too much. Will their close affiliation with the student body come back to haunt them?

Coach Walters—Baseball Coach. With a chance to win a state baseball championship, Coach Walters is very motivated to make certain they meet all of their goals…at any costs! 

Roy Rivers—Alumnus. Back in town for the big dance, Roy may have more planned for the evening than he is letting on. 

*** Some characters may not be included in all versions. 

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Looking for decoration inspiration for your party? Here’s a video to help!
Click below to start!

To make the most of your TOTALLY RAD 80s PROM GONE BAD!, you will want to transform your party space into your prom. Here are a few ways to do that are both inexpensive and FUN!

• School colors! Select school colors for Mayhem High and decorate using those colors. If the party is around Halloween time, you may want to use orange and black!

• Balloons, balloons, balloons! Nothing says a high school dance more. You can have them in clusters, archways, as table centerpieces, or just scattered on the floor. Nothing will make the mood more festive.

• Don’t forget the crepe paper streamers!!! Not only are these cheap, but they go a long way in pulling together your colors and theme of your party space.

• Create a “theme” for your dance and decorate your venue according to that theme.

• Create a balloon archway for your dance floor.

• If you can, solicit a disco ball to help with the lighting.

• Have a stage with two thrones for when your prom king and queen are crowned.

• Create a dance floor with inexpensive linoleum tiles from your local home improvement store (Lowes, Home Depot, etc.)

• Make a “Mayhem High Senior Prom” Banner. You can go simple and make it from inexpensive banner paper or posterboard or go all the way and have one printed up from a professional printer!

• Create an outside archway to take pictures under, like a real high school event and then have everyone take their pictures under it. A perfect way to remember the evening. (See more under photo spot ideas.)

• Use the website YearbookYourself.com and create yearbook pictures from the 80s of each of your guests. Hang them on the wall like a reunion. On the website, you can also print pictures of student life like the cheerleading squad, football team, etc.

• Hang up 80s movie posters of some of the favorites– try to see if you can get all of the members of the brat pack! (Included with the mystery)

• Have eighties classic movies playing in the background (such as: Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink, etc.)

• Have some of your favorite 80s candy out— sweet tarts, wax lips, candy buttons, bottle caps, Big League chew, candy necklaces, Sprees, Pop Rocks, Fun Dip, etc. See more ideas in on the food suggestions.

Have a sunglasses table with all sorts of cheesy (inexpensive) 80s sunglasses. Make sure your guests take one home with them to remember the night by!

Find old cassette tapes and spray paint them.

Can use the tapes for just about anything

• Centerpieces
• Write people’s name on them and use them as placeholders
• string them and hang them for decoration
• Make a light here (pictured below)

• Go all out 80s with your decor!

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With this theme, it is easy to pick out the perfect color scheme – NEON!

To pull the color scheme through to your whole space consider the following:

• When decorating a large area or to make an area look more intimate and festive, consider draping gossamer (or another inexpensive fabric) across the ceiling, walls, and edges of the tablecloth. Combine multiple, bright colors for a fabulous appearance.

• Balloons, balloons, balloons!

• A little spray paint can go a long, long way.  Spray paint novelty items, vases, old wine bottles, etc. to help bring out the color theme and add inexpensive decoration to your party.

• Have a tablecloth—whether plastic or fabric – the colors of your choice or go with an 80s black and white pattern (like above).

• Accentuate your tablecloth with the alternative color by using paint pens or fabric paint to paint on decorative accents.

• Neon streamers

• Neon balloons

• Neon table cloths

• Neon plastic-ware

• Have balloons and put glow sticks inside to give them the neon-y feel

• Have a backdrop with neon paint splatters or spray paint on it

• The more NEON, the better!

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Give your guests an unforgettable souvenir by setting up a photo area where they can capture a picture of themselves in character.

A Few Suggestions:

• Pick a place where there will be good lighting.

• You can make it as elaborate or simple as you want.

• Accessories and decorations can make the difference. Have some extra props on hand that your guests can pose with.

• An easy way to create a background is to use a “scene setter”. These affordable rolls of images transform your room instantly and make for a good backdrop to your picture.

• Make sure there is enough room to fit everyone in to the frame.

• For individual shots of guests, designate someone to be in charge of pictures as your guests arrive.
  o Consider your character list and which character would fit the role of taking the picture. Ie, if you want mug shots, perhaps ask the investigator to be in charge of taking the pictures.

• For a group picture, take one just before the introduction is read or right after the solution is read (before people may start heading out).
  o These are two times when you can count on everyone being around and attentive.
  

BACKDROP IDEAS for your Reunion

• Find an 80s patterned fabric and hang it as a backdrop.

• Have a “Murder High Reunion” banner to pose under.

•  For a group picture, construct a pyramid, like the cheerleaders did in high school.

• Create an outside archway to take pictures under, like a real High School event.

• Make a pyramid like the cheerleading squad.

• Create a backdrop with a simple white sheet and splatters of neon paint or spray paint.

• Use your 80s neon speech bubble photo props – included with mystery.

• Have additional props for posing in pictures (crowns, tiaras, 80s sunglasses, neon boas, leg warmers, etc.)

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• Dig out your big belts and bangles, and whip up these updated roller-rink snacks — corn dogs, BLTs, onion rings, nachos and spiked fruit cups.
Mini Corn Dogs  >> Tempura Onion Rings  >> BLT Stuffed Tomatoes  >> Sweet Heat Nachos  >> Salty Chocolate Peanut Butter Brittle  >> Spiked Fruit Cups  >>

 • Whatever you serve, serve it with an 80s flare. Use the 80s glossary to help name your foods with a retro twist. Totally Tubular Pasta, Bodacious BBQ, Gnarly Barley (beer), Bad to the Bones (chicken wings), etc.

• An added (awesome) touch, type the names into the 80s food name plates (included with mystery) and display alongside your dishes!

• Drink Cups. Serve up your drinks in bright cups with your guests name on them (label designs included with mystery).

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Three perfect cake ideas for your party!

Or, make some totally 80s cupcakes!

Designs included in mystery!

OR, go with a totally 80s candy bar!

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Choose from any of our suggestions to add to the ambience of your totally 80’s party! Here are a few of the different types of music poular in the eighties!

80’s Pop Rock- From the first lyrics of “Video Killed the Radio Star”, the advent of music videos on MTV in the 80’s radically changed the music industry forever. Early eighties groups such as DEVO and Haircut 100 were early adopters of the medium, but pop stars such as Madonna and Michael Jackson later transformed the format into a huge business.

80’s Heavy Metal– In the mid to late 80’s Heavy Metal became the popular music genre. Artists such as Van Halen, Poison, Motley Crue, Cinderella, Quiet Riot and Guns and Roses got extensive 1980’s radio airplay. “Hair Metal Bands”, as they are affectionately called, scored top charting hits with the “power ballad” song formula. Nothing represents the decadence of the 80s more than the heavy metal bands signed from the LA Strip during that time. The song lyrics mostly embodied the “Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll” mentality of the 80’s.

House Roots In The 80’s– The Hip Hop scene has it’s roots in the 1980’s and becomes a powerful musical and dance influence. Hip hop artists like Grandmaster Flash Kurtis Blow and N.W.A. bring Hip Hop to the forefront.

80’s Hardcore Punk Movement– Out of opposition to the pop music of the 80’s evolved the Hardcore Punk movement. This angry, politically charged genre included more social awareness in it’s lyrics. The Dead Kennedys, Black Flag and Reagan Youth are popular bands of the 80s Harcore Punk scene.

Make a Mix – Here are the Top Billboard Hits of 1984 you may want to include. You can find these hits on iTunes and download songs individually without having to purchase a whole album.

For Free Music– Visit your local library for a number of compilations from the time.

Make your own mix for your guests to groove to!

1. Madonna – Borderline
2. The J. Geils Band – Freeze Frame
3. Culture Club – I’ll Tumble 4 Ya
4. Cyndi Lauper – Girls Just Want to Have Fun
5. Tears for Fears – Everybody Wants to Rule the World
6. Devo – Whip It
7. Dexy’s Midnight Runners – Come On Eileen
8. Starship – Sara
9. The Cars – Drive
10. Rick Astley – Never Gonna Give You Up
11. REO Speedwagon – Can’t Fight This Feeling
12. Go-Go’s – We Got the Beat
13. Toto – Rosanna
14. The Bangles – Manic Monday
15. Hall & Oates – Maneater
16. Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine – Bad Boy
17. The Human League – Don’t You Want Me
18. Prince – Little Red Corvette
19. Whispers – Rock Steady
20. The Pretenders – Back on the Chain Gang

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A few things you can do to go with the theme of the night and the guests coming!!!

Give your guest their own Prom Ticket.

You can send these along to your guests with their character description once they have rsvp’d to the party. Ticket designs included with the mystery.

Run your own Prom Court Election.

Make a ballot box and have your guests vote who they would elect for the king and queen. Ballots are included with mystery. (Not necessary, but added fun.)

Print out some Hall Passes for your Hall Monitor to pass out!!! 

CLICK HERE FOR YOUR PASSES!

 Crown Your Queen and King!

At one point in the party, the PromQueen and King will be announced. Have crowns on hand and/or sashes for the winners! Directions and templates included with purchase of the mystery.

Create a Photo Spot!

What Prom would be complete without a posed photo to remember the night by. See directions and examples on  tab below on how to create the perfect backdrop!

Throwing a Last Minute Party?

Provide an assortment of accessories to help your guests “get into character” including: bow ties, costume jewelry, pom pons, crowns, sunglasses, etc.

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Give your guests an unforgettable souvenir by setting up a photo area where they can capture a picture of themselves in character.

A Few Suggestions:

• Pick a place where there will be good lighting.

• You can make it as elaborate or simple as you want.

• Accessories and decorations can make the difference. Have some extra props on hand that your guests can pose with.

• An easy way to create a background is to use a “scene setter”. These affordable rolls of images transform your room instantly and make for a good backdrop to your picture.

• Make sure there is enough room to fit everyone in to the frame.

• For individual shots of guests, designate someone to be in charge of pictures as your guests arrive.
  o Consider your character list and which character would fit the role of taking the picture. Ie, if you want mug shots, perhaps ask the investigator to be in charge of taking the pictures.

• For a group picture, take one just before the introduction is read or right after the solution is read (before people may start heading out).
  o These are two times when you can count on everyone being around and attentive.
  

BACKDROP IDEAS for your Reunion

• Find an 80s patterned fabric and hang it as a backdrop.

• Have a “Murder High Reunion” banner to pose under.

•  For a group picture, construct a pyramid, like the cheerleaders did in high school.

• Create an outside archway to take pictures under, like a real High School event.

• Make a pyramid like the cheerleading squad.

• Create a backdrop with a simple white sheet and splatters of neon paint or spray paint.

• Use your 80s neon speech bubble photo props – included with mystery.

• Have additional props for posing in pictures (crowns, tiaras, 80s sunglasses, neon boas, leg warmers, etc.)

<< CHECK THE TABS TO THE LEFT FOR MORE IDEAS!!!  <<

With this mystery theme, you we have included a number of ideas and designs to help enhance your party with easy-to-make decorations and props.

Included is:

• Investigator Notebook Designs

• Cup Label Designs

• Photo Props

• Prom Queen and Prom King sash templates

• How to make a Crown

• 80s Movie Poster Designs

• Food Tent Designs

• Cupcake Topper Designs

And more…

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Each month we highlight one of our customers who has posted on our blog and award them a FREE party!

To get your $5 coupon AND be entered in the Party Of the Month contest for a chance to win a FREE party, please email nompartyofthemonth@gmail.com

Don’t forget to add all the important details and party highlights that made your party one to remember! We love to hear about all of the hard work you, as host, put into your party. From the decor, to the food, costumes, whatever. As well as how you and your guests acted (and reacted!) throughout the night! Everything that made your party one your guests will never forget — tell us about it! And be sure to attach some pictures!!!

Upon submitting, we will email you back a coupon to use for $5 off your next party AND enter you in our “Party of the Month” contest, where you could win a FREE party! Once submitted, you will not have to resubmit, but will be entered EVERY MONTH until your party wins!

Check out some of our past winners here! Night of Mystery POM Blogs

Thanks again for hosting with Night of Mystery and we can’t wait to hear all about your party!!!

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Click on the image to get to our Spotify Playlist for this party!