c5cf4ad8d34122e33d42d2b1f4b0290f.jpg

Einstein Enjoys Sock Hop Despite Aversion to Socks

By Diane Hasili
Einstein, who hated socks saying could not concentrate, loved the YWCA Princeton’s "No Sock" Sock Hop. The event was just one of many in the area to celebrate March 14th which happens to be both the number pi (3.14) and Einstein’s birthday.
Children not only became part of local history but learned about it as well. Geek Freak Weekend began last year as a tribute to Princeton’s famous past resident. The popularity of the weekend exploded exponentially as the YWCA Princeton and numerous merchants joined together to make this year’s event an overwhelming success.
Young and old came out to enjoy numerous events but it was the YWCA’s sock hop that latterly had them jumping. Not only did generations dance to whimsical math and science tunes such as “She Blinded Me with Science” and the “Electric Slide Ruler”, but they competed in several dance competitions including a crazy hair dance, “Whip My Hair”, and the sock limbo. Amanda Lerner of Skillman was named winner of the Weird Scientist Dance Contest earning her an iTunes gift card.
"The kids really enjoyed the sock hop. It was a wonderful recognition to the genius in all of us and that math and science can be fun," said Diane Hasili, YWCA Princeton Chief Marketing Officer. There was a very long 250’ banner wrapping the dance hall displaying hundreds of numbers of pi providing an opportunity to see that the digital representation of pi never ends or repeats.
The sock hop was a throwback to bygone days when dancers went shoeless to sock hops so as to not damage the gym floors with their shoes. Everyone loved the hundreds of socks strung on “pi clotheslines”. Old 33rpm and 45rpm vinyl records were on display courtesy of Princeton Record Exchange in Princeton. “Some children were insistent upon taking home a vinyl record as they had never seen one and wanted to show their friends,” stated Hasili. “We were happy to oblige.”
To learn about additional upcoming events for children and/or adults at the YWCA Princeton or to view additional photos from the sock hop, visit www.ywcaprinceton.org.