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Swing Time Newsletter — Monday NOV 23rd 2009

This Wednesday, November 25th -- the night before Thanksgiving -- is Swing Time's annual Pre-Thanksgiving Bash at the Gulfport Casino Swing Night, featuring the dual-sax jump swingin' blues of The Steve Arvey Band!  This huge swing-dance party is always one of the biggest Wednesday Swing Nights of the year, attracting not just locals but out-of-towners who are home for the holidays.  The evening starts with a Collegiate Shag Bonus Lesson 6-7pm, followed by Swing Dance Lesson 7-8pm, and Live Music & Dancing 8-11pm.  Admission is just $10, which includes 2 Free Lessons, Live Band, and great all-around fun for all ages!  No partner is needed.  With Thanksgiving on Thursday, THE WEEKEND STARTS THIS WEDNESDAY NIGHT!  (details below)

Pre-Thanksgiving Bash! at the Gulfport Casino Swing Night -- Please Enable Images in your Email Program

NOVEMBER SPECIAL -- Tickets are now on sale for Swingin' the New Year at the spectacular St. Petersburg Coliseum!  Buy your tickets before the end of November and SAVE $1 per ticket!  (Buy 10 or more tickets at once and save $2 per ticket!)  Get yourself or your group together and purchase those tickets, the sooner the better!  This year, all tickets provide reserved seats, so get the best seats in the house, while they last!  Select your own seats right now, using our state-of-the-art online ticketing & reservation system!

BUY NEW YEAR'S TICKETS -- THIS WED 11/25 AT GULFPORT -- SAVE!
HUGE RESERVED TICKET BLOCK AVAILABLE!  (60% Already Sold! ...40% Remain)

We've reserved a big block of 120+ tickets for Swing Time regulars, with reserved seats & tables near the dance floor, and will be selling these at the Pre-Thanksgiving Bash this Wed NOV 25th ...right in time to get that November Special!  So if you'd like to hang with the Swing Time crowd, just buy any ticket this Wednesday.  If you want your group seated together, then buy all your tickets at once on Wednesday.  Last Wednesday, we sold nearly 60% of these tickets; so get your tickets this Wednesday, before this ticket block sells out!

WANT AN ALCOVE FOR YOUR PARTY?  Alcoves are your own private party within a party, and they can seat 20-28 people.  They're available online or by phone at 727-669-7830.  (Call BEFORE Wednesday, and we can bring your alcove tickets to the Casino!)

More Info / Purchase Tickets -- www.TampaBaySwing.com -or- 727-669-7830

Friday, December 4th is Swing Time! LIVE at the Gulfport Casino featuring The Venturas!  (details below)

Friday, December 18th, Tampa's best vintage dance hall swings on a weekend!  It's Swing Time! at Centro Asturiano, with Swing Dance Lesson 8-9pm and Swing Music & Dancing 9pm-1am.  Admission's just $7 and all ages are welcome!  (details below)

Thursday, December 31st is Swingin' the New Year at the spectacular St. Petersburg Coliseum!  Make plans now to attend!  Last year's Swingin' the New Year was off the charts -- the biggest swing-dance event in modern Florida history, with 1100+ people turning out for this grand celebration!  This year's promises to be a New Year's Eve celebration like no other!  Join us December 31st at the St. Petersburg Coliseum -- Reserve your tickets today!  (details below)

West-Coast Swing is the 6-7pm Bonus Lesson topic every Wednesday in December at the Gulfport Casino Swing Night, featuring special guest instructors, John Henning & Tina Castle.  (John & Tina will dance a quick demo of West-Coast Swing, 8pm at November 25th's Pre-Thanksgiving Bash!)  Bonus Lessons are followed by Swing Dance Lesson 7-8pm (taught by Sam & Carleene) and Swing Music & Dancing 8-11pm.

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Pre-Thanksgiving Bash
at the GULFPORT CASINO SWING NIGHT
featuring...  The Steve Arvey Band!
This Wednesday,  November 25th,  2009

Pre-Thanksgiving Bash! at the Gulfport Casino Swing Night -- Please Enable Images in your Email Program

With Thanksgiving on Thursday, the weekend starts Wednesday night, when Swing Time hosts a special evening of live music and swing dancing... Wednesday, November 25th, 2009, join in celebration at the Gulfport Casino Swing Night for Swing Time's Pre-Thanksgiving Bash!  This huge swing-dance party is always one of the biggest Wednesday Swing Nights of the year, attracting not just locals but out-of-towners who are home for the holidays.  The Bash features the dual-sax jump swingin' blues of The Steve Arvey Band!  It starts with a Collegiate Shag Bonus Lesson 6-7pm, followed by Swing Dance Lesson 7-8pm, then Live Music & Dancing 8-11pm.  All ages are welcome, no partner is needed, and it all happens in the spectacular waterfront ballroom of the Gulfport Casino!

The Steve Arvey Band is a dual-sax-infused combo that jumps & swings the blues!  Fronted by blues great, Steve Arvey, on vocals and guitar, the band also includes two saxophonists on tenor & baritone sax, plus bass player and drummer.  The band serves up a mix of swingin' originals and covers influenced by musical styles ranging from New Orleans R&B, to 50's & 60's Rock'n'Roll, to Soul, Jazz & Blues.  At their prior Swing Time appearances, The Steve Arvey Band gave incredible performances and was a huge hit with dancers!

Steve Arvey is a master of the blues, whose musical career has spanned over three decades.  He's toured and performed all over the USA, Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, at thousands of venues, clubs, events, and festivals.  He's played prestigious blues festivals too numerous to mention, each time beating out hundreds of competing acts to secure a performance spot in the festival's lineup.  In fact, Steve holds the record for the most consecutive appearances -- 7 years in a row -- at the world-renowned Chicago Blues Festival!  A veteran of the Chicago blues scene, Steve has played with musical greats Hubert Sumlin, Eddie Clearwater, Jimmy Rogers, Homesick James, and Honeyboy Edwards, to name just a few.  In fact, Steve's music career started when he was a student at the University of Florida, where his band regularly backed none other than blues legend Bo Diddley!  Steve Arvey has recorded five CDs, his music has received airplay at blues radio stations across the USA, and he maintains a busy touring schedule across three continents!

This special event is co-sponsored by the Gulfport Casino and Swing Time.  The Gulfport Casino is one of the world's best ballrooms, offering up social dance excitement in a picturesque beachfront setting.  The Gulfport Casino is located in the St. Petersburg area at 5500 Shore Blvd. S., Gulfport FL 33707.

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

Live Music & Dancing w/ The Steve Arvey Band,  8-11pm
Swing Dance Lesson 7-8pm w/ Sam & Carleene (no partner needed)
Collegiate Shag Lesson 6-7pm w/ Forrest & Sarah (no partner needed)

*  All Ages  *  No Partner Needed  *
Huge Dance Floor -- One of World's Best!
Beautiful Retro-Era Waterfront Dance Hall

Admission $10 (includes 2 Free Lessons!)
(free passes & student specials not accepted on band nights)
Full Bar  ~  Prize Giveaways  ~  Smoke-Free  ~  Free Parking

For more info, visit www.SwingTime.info or click the links below:
[Band Bio]     [Map & Directions]     [More Info]


Swing Time!

Swing Time! at the Gulfport Casino Ballroom
Friday,  December 4th,  2009
featuring...  THE VENTURAS
Exceptional Talent w/ Hot Vocals

Friday, December 4th, 2009, is Swing Time! at the Gulfport Casino Ballroom, an exciting evening of live music and swing dancing, featuring the hot swingin' sounds of The Venturas!  Kicking off the event is a group swing-dance lesson, 8-9pm (no partner needed).  Then it's time to swing, with live music & dancing, 9:00pm-12:30am, plus a dance exhibition at intermission!

A favorite of Bay-area swingsters, The Venturas have also made a big impression on the Florida music scene, receiving rave reviews from press & fans alike, playing for tens of thousands of people, winning Best Band awards, and recording four CDs!  Each time they've played Swing Time, the band has put on a smash performance for a huge audience of fans.  And each time they've played, people have remarked that it's been an incredible night of dancing, music, and all-around fun!

Swing Time is Florida's Premier Swing Event, held the first Friday of every month in Tampa Bay at the Gulfport Casino Ballroom.  The Gulfport Casino is located in the St. Petersburg area at 5500 Shore Blvd. S., Gulfport FL 33707.

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

Live Music & Dancing w/ The Venturas,  9pm-12:30am
Swing Dance Instruction (no partner needed),  8-9pm

Dance Exhibition at Intermission

All Ages  &  Smoke-Free
Friendly Social Atmosphere
Beautiful Waterfront Ballroom
Huge Dance Floor
Prize Giveaways
Full Bar

$11 Admission includes Free Lesson; Free Parking

For more info, visit www.SwingTime.info or click the links below:
[Band Bio]     [Dance Lesson]     [Map & Directions]     [More Info]


Swingin' the New Year -- Please Enable Images in Your Email Program

Swingin' the New Year!
GRAND NEW YEAR'S EVE CELEBRATION FOR ALL AGES
Thursday, December 31st, 2009
at the  ST PETERSBURG COLISEUM

New Year's Eve -- Thursday December 31st 2009 -- Swing Time and Swing Gang present... Swingin' the New Year, a grand New Year's Eve celebration for all ages, happening at the spectacular St. Petersburg Coliseum!  The evening includes music, dancing and celebration 9pm-1am, plus an intro swing-dance lesson 8-9pm (no partner needed); doors open at 7:30pm.  The celebration features a midnight countdown & balloon drop, dance performances, a vintage fashion photo shoot & contest, party favors & chocolates, prize giveaways, free parking, and a full cash bar with champagne bottles and toasts available.  The St. Petersburg Coliseum provides historic swing-era ambiance, a smoke-free atmosphere, and an unparalleled 15,000 square foot oak dance floor!  New Year's and vintage attire are encouraged.  The St. Petersburg Coliseum is located at 535 4th Ave. N., St. Petersburg FL 33701.

See PHOTOS from Last Year's Swingin' the New Year!

Music,  Dancing  &  Celebration!   9pm-1am
Swing Dance Lesson:  8-9pm (no partner needed)
Doors Open 7:30pm

Midnight Countdown & BALLOON DROP
Vintage Fashion Photo Shoot & Contest!
Dance Performances
Full Cash Bar w/ Champagne Bottles & Toasts Available
Party Favors  ~  Noisemakers  ~  Chocolates  ~  Prize Giveaways
*  All Ages  *  Smoke-Free  *  New Year's Decor  *  Free Parking  *

TICKETS:  $18/in advance -or- $22/day of event  (+ $1 Coliseum surcharge; + $1 online order surcharge);  Purchase Advance Tickets:
Securely Online at www.TampaBaySwing.com
In Person at Coliseum Box Office:  535 4th Ave N, St Petersburg (10am-4pm M-F, 727-892-5202)
In Person at these fine swing-dance events:
Gulfport Casino:  WED's  6-11pm       Centro Asturiano:  FRI 12/18  8pm-1am
Pre-Thanksgiving Bash:  WED 11/25  6-11pm       Swing Time! at the Gulfport Casino:  FRI 12/4  7:30pm-12:30

Group/VIP Reservations:  Group discounts and Reserved VIP Alcoves & Tables are available for parties of 10 or more, with complimentary deluxe chocolates included!  The Coliseum balcony, with seating for up to 150, is also available for a large group reservation or sponsorship.  Parties reserving VIP Alcoves may arrive early to custom decorate their alcove, and may contact us for custom seating arrangements (up to 28 seats per alcove), reserving multiple adjacent alcoves, etc.  For group reservations, phone 727-669-7830 or visit www.TampaBaySwing.com.

Food & Drinks:  You may bring your own food to this event, or purchase a variety of snacks from the Coliseum's snack bar (everything from popcorn to ice cream to coffee).  For drinks, the Coliseum will run a full cash bar, with beer, wine, mixed drinks, soft drinks, bottled water, and champagne.  No outside beverages are allowed into the Coliseum, and no coolers are allowed.

For more information, visit www.TampaBaySwing.com on the web, phone 727-669-7830 (Swing Time for Group Reservations -or- Order Tickets by Phone -or- Questions BEFORE Day of Event), phone 813-579-4645 (Swing Gang for Group Reservations -or- Order Tickets by Phone -or- Questions BEFORE Day of Event), phone 813-840-3715 (Event Information Recorded Hotline), or phone 727-892-5202 (Coliseum Box Office for Questions Day of Event).

[Tickets]     [Map & Directions]     [More Info]


Swing Time! at Centro Asturiano -- Please Enable Images in Your Email Program

Swing Time!  at  Centro Asturiano  in  Tampa
Friday DECEMBER 18th 2009
Swing Music & Dancing,  9pm-1am
Swing Dance Instruction,  8-9pm
Admission $7     Prize Giveaways!

ALL AGES WELCOME
Fabulous Vintage Grand Ballroom
Huge Floating-Wood Dance Floor!
Exciting Social Atmosphere


Admission includes Free Lesson
( No Partner Needed )
Free Gated Parking
Smoke-Free Events
Full Bar
Centro Asturiano

Centro Asturiano is located at 1913 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa FL 33602 (at the corner of Palm Ave. & Nebraska Ave. in Ybor City).  For more info, visit www.SwingTime.info on the web, or click the links below:

Map & Directions     Dance Lesson     More Info


Gulfport Casino Swing Night -- Please Enable Images in Your Email program

GULFPORT CASINO SWINGS! -- Every WEDNESDAY
 Exciting 2009 Format -- Bonus Lessons, Student Discounts & More! 

Every Wednesday in November, the 6pm Bonus Lesson topic will be Collegiate Shag
Every Wednesday in December, the 6pm Bonus Lesson topic will be West-Coast Swing
Bonus Lessons are yours FREE! ...with paid admission to the event.

Bonus Lesson 6-7pm
Swing Dance Lesson 7-8pm
Swing Music & Dance 8-11pm

*  All Ages  *  No Partner Needed  *
Huge Dance Floor -- One of World's Best!
Beautiful Retro-Era Waterfront Dance Hall

Admission $7 (includes 2 Free Lessons!)
Students get 2-for-1 Admission!

Full Bar  ~  Prize Giveaways  ~  Smoke-Free  ~  Free Parking
Celebrate Your Birthday at the Gulfport Casino Swing Night!

The Gulfport Casino is one of the world's best ballrooms, offering up social dance excitement in a picturesque beachfront setting.

Map & Directions     Dance Lessons     More Info


WANT TO BE ON A SWING DANCE TEAM?

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Interested in training, learning, performing, competing?  Join a Swing Time dance team!  Just click the link or photos for info -- everything you need to know, step by step, to be on a dance team -- plus photos from select past performances!


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