Music could be heard before stepping into The Studio Saturday night, where the room was packed to the brim with people dancing, singing, laughing and having a great time.

The Johnson Center for the Arts hosted a Sock Hop featuring The Fabulous Shades as the entertainment.

“The Fabulous Shades are one of the very favorite groups of all time in Troy,” said Vicki Pritchett, director of the JCA. “We have people that grew up in the 50s, 60s and 70s that just loved good music…When the Fabulous Shades said they could come this weekend, we were ready to do it because it’s a fundraiser for the Johnson Center for the Arts, which helps us with our mission of staying admission-free for everyone in all of Pike County.”

The dance floor was hardly ever empty, and the dance floor wasn’t even needed some of the time because people would be dancing wherever they happened to be.

“It’s music that we grew up with,” said Jerry Durden, who came with his wife from Montgomery to attend the Sock Hop. “You can hear and understand the words, which makes it good. It’s people playing that our friends grew up with and was in the band with in high school. It’s real nostalgic, but it’s enjoyable. I’d like to do it more often.”

Durden said that his wife, Susan, grew up in Troy and the JCA connects her to her hometown.

“This is one of her favorite ways to give back to the community,” Durden said. “The JCA has been so gracious to provide this. It’s almost a crime not to support it.”

With a sold-out event, Pritchett was proud of the success of the Sock Hop, not only because it raised funds for the JCA, but it also promoted Downtown Troy.

“It brings good, clean fun,” Pritchett said. “We are about all the arts – dance, music, not just visual arts … And, we want to promote Downtown. Sips on The Square is providing pizzas, they are delivering them, they can buy their drinks here. We are helping other businesses. I’ve talked to some people who went to dinner on The Square and walked over to come to the dance. A lot of people don’t want to go to downtown areas because it’s not safe. Troy is one of the safest places in the world. This area is very well-lit. You can park anywhere around. No one has to fear coming to Downtown Troy.”

The Johnson Center for the Arts is open from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and until 3 p.m. on Saturday. Admission is free.

“It just inspires everybody and old friends, and we all come into the atmosphere of having a good time,” said Mert Thompson, another Sock Hop attendee. “That’s what Troy needs.”