how about black and white to life?

since all the movies and photos of the age were in black and white, we have a lot of reference material for everything but the real color of things...

and the sounds, and the tastes, which are my favorite part of listening to the grownups- my grandmother talking about being a teenager in the 'teens' and a young woman during Prohibition were mesmerizing (the Great Gatsby only had money- nanna had a mind of her own!)

and it might be nice to remember the days when folks still wore hats and bothered being polite about things...

and, best of all- most of the music from that era's now out on CD, so you don't have to try and find a new needle for the phonograph!

China Cat: Your idea of listening to stories gives me an idea. Maybe "Story Hour" would be a good theme. Now about centerpieces, hall decorations, etc. mmmm! We could have each of the 80 + -yr-olds be prepared to tell a story about an event in his/her lifetime that would interest the guests.

Maybe a theme of "The Faces of Time". You could make big clock faces to hang on the walls-and in the center of each one-enlarged photos of faces of people at the diferent 'times' in their lives. Such as:
Baby's smiling face
Toddler blowing out a birthday candle
Child's 1st day of school
Graduation
Wedding
Grandparent w/grandchild
An elderly person-in a rocking chair or on a Harley!

Table deco could be clock faces (both sides)..with a saying in the center.

I was the chair for a dance for a senior citizens center. Everyone seemed to love the trivia test. I asked relatives and researched on the internet for questions and answers. We had a tables of people (8-10) compete against other tables. It helped them to reminisce. We had questions about movie stars and singers and bands. The prize was nominal - a certificate, but seemed very appreciated. Not sure how many people will attend - we made paper corsages and boutonnieres, which were very well received.

Thank you all for your suggestions. It looks like I'll be able to take a little bit from here and a little bit from there and come up with a fun evening. Thanks, again.

Does someone play the piano--have a guitar. Maybe some songs of old---poems, remember when--taking turns. What you did without TV--radio etc
Farm life, city life etc.