I had the first disco theme party out of my whole class in 1981. Granted, most of the music was from the 1970's (including some Silver Convention and Abba's "Arrival"), but the memories are pure eighties.  

Before the party, Dad spent time trying to rig up a sound and light system. He borrowed this kind of early version of a Karaoke machine from work. I remember thinking how exciting it was to have a microphone even though we only had one tape to sing along with - 1981 Over the Top. The lighting was a bit problematic. Dad made a circular disc of different coloured cellophane, and tried to stick it somehow on the front of a desk lamp. Behind the desk lamp, he placed our fan, angled as much as the old fan would allow. The plan was to have a spinning, coloured light, but somehow, in placing this whole contraption on top of the filing cabinet to get the best effect, Dad busted the fan. Mum was really pissed off, and I started to stress out because, just hours before the party was to begin, I had no authentic disco lighting. Thankfully, we had a back up orange globe for the main light in the living room, which I thought was pretty cool at the time 

(I was probably using that Brady Bunch episode where Greg moves into the den and makes it "groovy" as a benchmark). 

Just before the party, I slipped into my navy blue, corduroy knickerboker suit. It had 

a gold braid edge and was the height of fashion for nine year olds. Mum wove some 

ribbons in a french braid type arrangement at the front of my hair, and I was set. 

From memory, the party was an awesome success. The highlight being when Russell 

stood on the brown vinyl poof and sung Billy Fields "Standing on the Outside" into the microhone like a rock star. At the end of his performance he had everyone in stitches by saying "thanks fans and airconditioners" (a true eighties joke) All the guests flocked around like groupies and I danced so much that I regrettably had to take my hot, cord bomber jacket off.