Disco Fever 🪩
- Simon O'Donovan
- Jul 29, 2025
- 5 min read
Here's a "Disco" themed Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) activity page, designed to evoke positive memories, engage senses, and stimulate cognitive functions.
✨ Disco Fever: Sparkle & Groove! ✨
Theme: The glitz, glamour, and groovy beats of the disco era!
Welcome:
Hello wonderful people! Today, we're taking a trip back to the time of fantastic music, glittering lights, and amazing dance moves – the disco era! Let's get ready to feel the rhythm!
Factoid: HM Queen Elizabeth 11 used to get up and dance every time she heard this song. She apparently said: “I always try to dance when this song comes on, because I am the Queen, and I like to dance.”
Part 1: Setting the Scene with Music
Activity: Listen to "Dancing Queen" by ABBA
(Play the song, ensuring the volume is comfortable for all participants. Encourage gentle tapping, clapping, or humming along if they wish.)
Discussion Prompts:
* What feelings does this song bring up for you? Does it make you feel happy or energetic?
* What instruments can you hear in "Dancing Queen"? (e.g., piano, drums, bass, strings, vocals)
* Does this song remind you of any specific events or parties you attended?
* Do you remember ABBA? What other songs by them do you know?
Part 2: Exploring the World of Disco
Discussion Prompts:
* The Dance Floor: Imagine a disco dance floor! What colours would it be? What kind of lights would you see? (e.g., flashing, rotating, colourful)
* Disco Fashion: What did people wear to disco parties? Let's describe some outfits! (e.g., jumpsuits, platform shoes, sparkly tops, wide collars, bell-bottoms).
* Sensory/Visual: Show pictures of disco fashion. If you have any shiny scarves or accessories, let participants feel them.
* The Disco Ball: What is that big, shiny ball hanging from the ceiling in a disco? (The mirror ball). What does it do? How does it make you feel to see all those little lights dancing around the room?
* Why Disco? Why do you think disco music became so popular? What was special about it?
* Disco Food & Drink: If you went to a disco party, what kind of refreshments might be served? (e.g., cola, punch, simple snacks).
Part 3: Sparkle Your Mind (Gentle Cognitive Challenges)
1. Disco Word Challenge (Memory & Vocabulary):
* What words come to mind when you think of "disco"? (e.g., groove, dance, party, lights, fun, music, shiny, beat)
* Can you think of a word that rhymes with "disco"? (e.g., fiasco, go, slow)
2. Name That Tune! (Recall & Recognition):
* We heard "Dancing Queen." Do you recognise these other songs - see 'Name That Tune' activity below.
3. Disco Alphabet (Verbal Fluency):
* Let's try to think of words associated with disco that start with different letters.
* D for Dance
* I for ...? (Inspiring, incredible)
* S for ...? (Sparkle)
* C for ...? (Club, catchy)
* O for ...? (Outfits)
4. Building a Disco (Categorization/Simple Planning):
* If you had to pick three essential things for a successful disco party, what would they be? (e.g., good music, a place to dance, happy people, decorations)
Part 4: Get Your Groove On! (Movement & Creativity)
Activity: Simple Disco Moves (Seated or Standing)
* Clap to the beat: Encourage rhythmic clapping or finger-tapping.
* Arm Raises: Gently raise one arm, then the other, as if pointing to the disco ball.
* Shoulder Shrugs: Shrug shoulders up and down to the beat.
* Foot Taps: Tap toes or heels to the rhythm.
* "Reach for the Sky": Gently reach both arms upwards.
Creative Expression (Optional):
* Draw a Disco Scene: Provide paper and colourful pens/crayons. Encourage participants to draw a disco ball, a sparkly outfit, or people dancing.
* Sing Along: Encourage participants to sing along to the chorus of "Dancing Queen" or other familiar disco songs.
* Describe Your Dream Outfit: Ask participants to describe their ultimate disco outfit – what colours, what materials, what shoes?
Wrap-Up:
Fantastic work everyone! We've had a wonderful time getting our "Disco Fever" on today. Thank you for sharing your memories, your ideas, and your fantastic energy. You're all dancing queens and kings!
Do You Recognise These Disco Divas
Answers:
Donna Summer, 'Queen Of Disco'
Gloria Gaynor
Sister Sledge
Michael Jackson
The Bee Gees
Boney M
Village People
ABBA
Hot Chocolate
Diana Ross
Pan's People
Video Break
Here are a couple of related comedy clips ...
'Airplane' -
'The Office' -
Name That Tune - "Disco Hits"
Play short clips and ask members to shout out if they know the name of the song and/or the artist/group.
You could also ask members to put their hands up (like John Travolta) if they want to hear a longer clip because they like the song so much.
You could print these images out for the tables for members to hold up when they recognise a song, or you could print out all of the images as provided by way of a handout for members to call out & tick off.
Obviously, play the songs randomly from the Spotify playlist below.
Spotify Playlist
Some more info about Disco
Disco is a cultural phenomenon that emerged in the 1970s, encompassing music, fashion, dance, and a vibrant nightlife. Here are some key things associated with disco:
Music Characteristics:
* Four-on-the-floor beat: A steady, prominent bass drum beat on every quarter note, forming the rhythmic backbone.
* Syncopated basslines: Catchy, rhythmic bass lines, often played on electric bass or synthesizers.
* Orchestral elements: Lush string sections, brass, and horns for a full, rich sound.
* Electric pianos and synthesizers: Contributing to the melodic and atmospheric textures.
* Electric rhythm guitars: Often playing "chicken-scratch" patterns.
* Repetitive, often reverberated vocals: Lyrics typically focused on themes of love, dancing, and empowerment.
* Extended dance remixes: Longer versions of songs designed for continuous dancing in clubs.
* Up-tempo BPM: Generally around 120 beats per minute.
Fashion and Style:
* Sparkle and shine: Glitter, sequins, metallic fabrics, lamé.
* Form-fitting clothing: Jumpsuits, wrap dresses, tight shirts.
* Platform shoes: High-heeled shoes for both men and women.
* Bell-bottoms/Flare pants: Wide-legged trousers.
* Polyester suits: Often brightly colored, especially white, famously seen in "Saturday Night Fever."
* Bold patterns and colors: Vibrant and eye-catching designs.
* Big hair: Afros, feathered hair, and elaborate styles.
* Gold chains and medallions: Common accessories for men.
Dance and Nightlife:
* Discotheques/Clubs: Dedicated venues for dancing to disco music, often featuring elaborate lighting and sound systems.
* Disco ball (Mirror ball): The iconic symbol, reflecting light across the dance floor.
* Light-up dance floors: Often with synchronized lights responding to the music.
* The Hustle: A popular partner dance.
* Freestyle dancing: Emphasis on individual expression and movement.
* DJs: Central figures who curated the music and energized the crowd.
* Studio 54: One of the most famous and exclusive disco clubs in New York City.
* Sexual liberation and freedom: Disco clubs were often spaces for open attitudes towards sexuality.
Cultural and Social Aspects:
* Inclusivity: Disco emerged from and provided a space for marginalized communities, including Black, LGBTQ+, and Latino individuals.
* Escapism: Offering a vibrant, celebratory escape from everyday life.
* "Saturday Night Fever" (1977): The movie and its soundtrack became a massive mainstream phenomenon, further popularizing disco.
* Backlash: Disco faced significant cultural backlash, culminating in events like "Disco Demolition Night."
* Influence: Despite the backlash, disco laid the groundwork for many future dance music genres like house, techno, and electronic dance music (EDM).
Hope you liked this one. Please do let me know if the new format, with CST activity outlines, is an improvement. And most especially, please let me know how the session works in practice.
Likes, comments and shares would be great.
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