Hours earlier than promenade evening at Payson Excessive Faculty in Utah, actor Kevin Bacon returned to the campus, which was the place 1984’s Footloose was filmed.
“It’s been a very long time – 40 years – that simply blows my thoughts, . Issues look a little bit completely different round right here. I’d say the factor that appears essentially the most completely different is me,” Bacon, 65, quipped when he took the stage on the soccer area on Saturday, April 20.
The coed physique campaigned to convey Bacon again to the college earlier than they’re relocated to a brand new facility subsequent fall, however they didn’t simply need to give Bacon an honorary diploma. They determined to volunteer for his charity, Six Levels, hours earlier than promenade. They held an activation to construct 5,000 kits stuffed with necessities to assist these in want.
In response to Six Levels, the occasion pulled collectively over $865,000 value of product distribution, totaling 121,900 objects. 4 organizations will obtain the care kits, which embody hygiene objects, socks, journals, reusable water bottles, shelf-stable items and a proposal for 3 months of free counseling.
“Once I first heard about this #BaconToPayson factor, I used to be like ‘Wow, that is loopy.’ However you had been all simply tireless, unrelenting in your want to have me return. And also you talked me into it!” Bacon instructed the group. “I feel it’s nice to see that type of dedication to something. I additionally assume that it’s superb the ability that this film has needed to simply type of convey individuals collectively, and join on the fundamental concepts there are behind the film – , standing as much as authority generally, and to being forgiving to people who find themselves not precisely the identical as you, and for standing up to your personal freedoms and your proper to specific your self, and for having compassion for different individuals.”
He concluded, “And that’s what all of you’ve got proven right here, by turning what may very well be only a film star coming again to get a pat on the again, into one thing actually optimistic. And that’s what we’re going to do immediately after we construct these kits. So thanks, thanks a lot. And thanks a lot particularly to your dedication to giving again to your group and to the individuals you’re sharing this planet with, and I’m thrilled that we’re going to be working right here collectively immediately.”
Along with volunteering for the nonprofit, Bacon obtained an honorary diploma for his “timeless efficiency and perpetually inspiration left at Payson Excessive Faculty.” He remarked that it’s the one time he’s seen his title on a diploma. The scholars additionally introduced him together with his very personal varsity jacket that learn “Footloose 1984” on the again.
Footloose hit theaters February 1984 and adopted teenager Ren McCormack (Bacon) as he moved from Chicago to a small city the place dancing and rock music are unlawful after a neighborhood tragedy. Ren is set to assist get the regulation overturned. The movie earned $80 million on the field workplace, practically 10 occasions its manufacturing price range.
Within the 40 years since Footloose hit theaters, it has been tailored as a stage musical and was even remade in 2011 with Kenny Wormald and Julianne Hough main the forged.
Whereas the soundtrack is iconic, with Kenny Loggins‘ “Footloose” and Deniece Williams’ “Let’s Hear It for the Boy” nominated for Oscars, Bacon has admitted that he tries to keep away from the songs.
“I am going to the disc jockey and hand him $20 and say, ‘Please don’t play that tune,’” Bacon stated throughout a Conan look in 2013. “A marriage is admittedly not about me, it’s concerning the bride and groom, and it’s embarrassing.”