*************************************************************************** Swing News, Mon 4/27/98, Issue #2 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear swing friends, Our first issue received much positive feedback. We appreciate that. But now we must not rest on our laurels, and move onward. I don't know about you, but I'm really looking forward to the White Springs Florida Folk Festival. We went last year and there was much dancing to be had. I know I saw several of you out there last year. This year they are advertising swing, as well as many other traditional dances. It's a great weekend to enjoy the fresh air and natural setting. They had some decent dance floors last year, and this year they are advertising that they are even better. Sounds good for the dancers. And the music! Don't get me started. It would take a year to review it all. (PS. Sam. Can you write issue #6? I'll be cruisin' the Suwannee in White Springs, and I won't have my laptop.) Anyway, back to business. As you know the purpose of this newsletter is to get dancers motivated and out there so we can all dance! Tell a friend. If they don't have e-mail, give them a call. Track them down if necessary! Spread the word!!! The list is growing. Keep the swing movement alive!!! As we promised, we will be having guests hosts submit the opening letter for select issues of the Swing News. And, as yet to be named, but very much still an issue, is the naming of this swing soiree. You, can claim the distinction of having named our swing society. Of course it will be a democratic vote, so put in your entries! This is the last chance. The rules of the name game are that all submissions must be received by Sunday, May 3rd, 1998. All submissions received at this time will attain runner up status, allowing them to be in the runoff election. Depending on the turnout (e.g. a three way tie), of the runoff election (one vote per person), YOU, have the opportunity to claim the honor of being our society's Benefactor of the Moniker, a proud distinction and exalted position be held by you and you alone. We will announce the actual prize at the next issue. (Swing News reserves the right to provide nothing, as we have nothing, except a name which we will probably get sued for using. We need our own name, Dammit!!!!) We will also try to send a mission statement to new users when we receive them, but we are on a non-UNIX system so processing these e-mails is an enormous task (Being a UNIX bigot). The mission statement is still new, so amendments may be necessary. Don't forget to get out there and dance! Thanks for letting me serve you and Keep on swingin'!!! Bob --------------------------------------------------------------------------- THIS WEEK'S EVENTS --------> ... THIS FRIDAY AT THE SUGAR PALM This Friday night, the Sugar Palm will feature the band "Denise Moore and Then Some". The band plays the traditional big-band style of swing and mixes in some Latin as well as a few blues numbers and fox-trots. Swing DJ Matt Mikas will spin tunes when the band's on break. Also happening that night: Free Dance Lesson around 9:30pm in the side room Dance Contest Continues: Dance for 3 songs and the top 2 couples advance to the May 29 finals. Finals winners receive bar tabs and have their names immortalized on the glitterball trophy. Dancers Showcase: "Open Mic"; up to four couples get to pick a song and show their stuff to the audience. Sign up at the DJ booth. Where: The Sugar Palm, corner of Palm Ave & 15th St in Ybor City, upstairs in the Ballroom. For more info, call 248-5549. When: Fri, May 1. Doors open at 9pm. Band starts 9:30ish. Cost: $5 Details: The Ballroom is a nonsmoking area; adjacent rooms are provided for smokers. Huge beautiful wooden dance floor. Directions: Take I-4 to Exit 1. Go south a couple of blocks to Palm Ave. Take a right. Go a few blocks to 15th St. The Sugar Palm is on the left. Turn left and pay to park or turn right and look for street parking. SWING DANCING AT THE DALI FEATURING THE WORKS OF ANDY WARHOL It's not too late to RSVP for what will be the most talked about Party of the year! Come celebrate the opening of "Andy Warhol at the Dali". Friday, May 1st 9:00pm -1:30am at the Salvador Dali Museum. This will not be a typical art reception. Get dressed up (think New Years Eve meets Halloween), SWING with Dan Electro and the Silvertones, sip on a bottomless glass of champagne, munch on celebrity foods, relax on retro furniture while you try to decide who is the best Andy Warhol look alike, view a retrospective of Warhol's work, and don't forget the Dali collection; Michelle Gilbert will even give you a private tour if you ask. All this and more for $40 per person and remember, it's a fundraiser for the museum. Call 823-3767 ext 3039 to RSVP. Tickets can be purchased at the door. STILL MORE FROM OUR GOOD FRIENDS FROM SARASOTA. What: Swing Dancing Who: Dan Electro and the Silvertones w/horns Where: Blue Lagoon, Palm Ave. Downtown Sarasota. When: Wednesday's from 8-11 pm. (No phone # provided) Submitted by Lori Whittle and her cacti (XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX) : She says "If a north-of-the-bay group wants to come down some Wednesday, let me know so that I can contact the south-of-the-bay group to show up." LET'S NOT FORGET CLEARWATER. THE SWINGIN' MOOKS this week performing at: THE RITZ (Downtown Clearwater - alt.19 between Cleveland & Drew) Phone # 813-446-4000 4/29 Wednesday 8:30 - 12:30 5/01 Friday 9:00 - 1:00 Other friends of swing: Club More 466-6673. LAST WEEK EVENTS REVIEW Last Friday, I went to the "Swing Thing" or DJ night at the Sugar Palm. Like at most clubs, the evening started pretty slow. But after a little while, a dance lesson started for beginners, and a few other brave souls ventured onto the dance floor. By 11pm or so, everyone got out there and the place was swinging. Right after midnight, a dance contest began and the floor was packed with talent, dancing for three songs, competing for the chance to get their names on the mighty glitterball trophy. In the end, Alan and London took the coveted prize. The best part of the evening, the dancers showcase, followed. Rob and Angel took the floor first and, as the crowd cheered them on, did a dance to their favorite song. Contest winners London and Alan went next, further energizing the audience with a fine combination of dancing and aerial maneuvers. Then everyone took back the floor for the final hours of swing. - Sam Swingin Mooks at the Ritz in Clearwater If you're itching to Swing midweek, check out the Swingin' Mooks at the Ritz this Wednesday. I saw them two weeks ago and they were a lot of fun. There was plenty of room to dance as the crowd was sparse. The Mooks play high energy swing with a sense of humor. The band is led by Ronnie Dee, son of Joey Dee (and the Starlights). They do mostly covers, but mix in a couple of originals. The band starts promptly at 8:30pm. For more information and to confirm, call the Ritz at 813-446-4000 after 5pm. Michelle U92 Sock hop at the St. Petersburg Coliseum This was a great event. Beautiful dance floor! The Sevilles played several hits from the sixties, often taking requests. Many of the songs were very danceable. I still can't remember the first band's name (Too much wine). We felt they were actually better than the Sevilles. I only missed a few dances while relaxing my thighs. This was a great family event. Several people were dressed in 50's style. Girls in their poodle skirts. Boys greased up. At one point, two young boys slid on their knees toward three teenage girls who were already dancing, and began dancing with them. It was a real scene. I even tried it one time, but I was never really that good on my knees, anyway. They will be having another one in July, and we're planning on going and having a picnic. They allow food and BYOB. Hope to see you there! Really cool. 5 dancers. - Bob Some suggested names for the swing group [1] Swingin [2] international swing association [3] southern swing [4] done swung [5] bay swing [6] sun coast swing club [7] friends of florida swing [8] still swinging [9] swing as you are [10] swing ass. [11] swing soiree ** [12] S. W. inc. [13] swing inc. [14] the playground swingers [15] swang inc. [16] swing me baby club [17] swingtime [18] cigar city swingers [19] sigar sity swingers [20] swing for your life! [21] sink or swing [22] swing low sweet chariot [23] SwingNet [24] Phil [25] The Swing [26] Tampa Bay Swing Society [27] Southside swing [28] Central Florida swing society [29] Bay Area Swing Society Please submit your entries for the runoff by this next Sunday, 5/3/98. Thanks. Don't forget to come on down to dance this weekend!!! It's important. It's healthful, it's invigorating, and it's fun!!!! The Swing news will come up with a standard disclaimer by the next issue. Please verify with all venues listed above to verify correct time schedules. Thanks. If you have any special anecdote, or other literary contribution related to dancing, and want, as a guest writer, to contribute to the success of the swing news and the dance craze that has overtaken us all, please send us your submissions prior to next Sunday, May 3, 1998 for inclusion into ISSUE #3! The executive committee has the right to censor/edit any material received. This can include any offensive language or other similar behavior deemed inappropriate or exhibiting merited criticism. All submitted works become the property of the swing news. Thanks and have a good day. Keep on dancing! See you this weekend! ____________________________________________________________________