********************************************************************** Swing News, Tuesday 7/7/98, Issue #11 Send submissions to XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Send addition/deletion/address-change requests to XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Send all other e-mail to XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi everyone, The upcoming weekend brings a triple dose of Dan Electro, plus a major swing event at the Largo Cultural Center. Be sure to check out this newsletter's monster-size section on Orlando. Also, our very own Sherrie Gill, fresh back from swing camp in Boston, encourages everyone to learn some Lindy. But you don't have to travel to Beantown to get your Lindy moves; your chance is coming up Friday. --Sam Sherrie writes: Hey guys, I just got back from Beantown Lindy Summer Camp. It was my second year and I highly recommend it to all of you who want to get back to the roots of swing and the cutting edge as well. First, Lindy Hop is the dance that came before swing as we know it. It is named after Lindbergh, who made the first nonstop flight over the Atlantic. It was developed in the late 1920's in the ballrooms of Harlem with the Big Band music. It's not quite like anything I've ever seen, and the more I get to know it, the more enchanted I get. So I want all of you to discover its magic as well. All over the world, this dance is making a comeback (along with the music that created it), so why not come on down to the Sugar Palm this Friday and see what the big fuss is about. There will be a workshop at 8pm by Lee Holton (from Swing City ... She is also starting a class of same on the very next day!). You too can be on your way to learning a Lindy circle, Swing-out (an important move that gives the follower a chance to shine), the suzy-Q, etc. You won't be sorry. And then next year we can have a bigger delegation from Florida to the Beantown camp (with leading teachers from Germany, Sweden, and the U.S.). See ya on the dance floor. -- Sherrie Gill P.S. Check out the web sight for Beantown camp at http://www.HopToTheBeat.com/camp/ Michelle writes: The SwinGang organizers would like to thank Sam Slater for his contribution. It will go towards postage and copying costs for mailings to those who don't yet have e-mail. And just a reminder, for those of you who know someone on the list without e-mail, please encourage them to get their own address at their public library for FREE. Thanks, -- Michelle. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- THIS FRIDAY (July 10) AT THE SUGAR PALM * Dan Electro and the Silvertones * Lindy Hop Introductory Workshop 8-10pm by Lee Holton "The REAL Big Band Swing"; Info: 935-7458 or 933-0946 * Dance Contest at 11pm; winners advance to July 31 finals; prizes include a limo ride in the club's 1948 Chevy to a Tampa restaurant with dinner for four, and a nameplate on the glitterball trophy. * Swing DJ during breaks * Free Beginner's Dance Lessons at 9:30pm and 10:00pm * Admission $7 ($8 if taking workshop) * Doors Open at 9pm (8pm if taking workshop) The Sugar Palm Ballroom has a large floating-wood dance floor, is nonsmoking (with adjacent rooms provided for smokers), and is located at the corner of Palm Ave and 15th St in Ybor City. Phone 248-5549. Directions: Take I-4 to Exit 1, go south about 2 blocks, turn right on Palm Ave, and go to 15th St. The Sugar Palm's on the left. Turn left and pay to park or turn right and park on the street. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ALSO THIS WEEK Friday (July 10), Johnny Cool and The Mobster Swing Band make their Tampa Bay debut at the Largo Cultural Center. This 12-piece jump-blues and swing band hails from Orlando. The evening starts at 7pm with a reception (free food, cash bar) and a 1-hour beginner's swing-dance lesson by Arleene and James Norman. The show starts at 8:30pm. The Cultural Center has a huge stage, cabaret seating (limited to 250), and plenty of room to dance (linoleum dance floor). The event is nonsmoking. Tickets are $10.50. The Cultural Center is located at 105 Central Park Drive in Largo Central Park, just southeast of the Seminole and East Bay intersection. Call 587-6793 for tickets or info. Or e-mail Doug at XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX . Saturday (July 11), Dan Electro and the Silvertones return to the Sugar Palm. Phone 248-5549. Sunday (July 12), Dan Electro and the Silvertones play at Jackson's Bistro on Harbor Island (Tampa), 8-12pm. Smooth, non-wood dance floor. Smoking probably allowed. Phone (813) 277-0339. -- Lori Whittle ---------------------------------------------------------------------- NEXT WEEK AND BEYOND Thu Jul 16: New Morty Show at State Theater; 895-3045 Fri Jul 17: 42nd St Big Band at Sugar Palm; 248-5549 Fancy Turns & Spins Workshop 8-10pm, Instructor TBA. Sat Jul 18: 42nd St Big Band at Sugar Palm; 248-5549 Fri Jul 24: The Sevilles (U92 Oldies Sock Hop) at Coliseum; 892-5202 Sat Jul 25: Abe Guard with "Music of Your Life" Orchestra at Coliseum 892-5202; Part of Summer Swing Series Wed Jul 29: Dan Electro and the Silvertones at Old Hyde Park Village Fri Aug 7: Dan Electro and the Silvertones at Heritage; 823-6382 Fri Aug 21: Rocket 88 at Largo Cultural Center; 587-6793 Sat Aug 29: Charly Raymond Orchestra at Coliseum; 892-5202 Part of Summer Swing Series Sat Sep 26: Abe Guard with "Music of Your Life" Orchestra at Coliseum 892-5202; Part of Summer Swing Series The New Morty Show is actually on Thursday, July 16, not Friday the 17th as reported in the last newsletter. Thanks to Stephanie Ford for the correction. Stephanie also tells us that the Swingin' Mooks will be opening. Also upcoming, on Friday Aug 7, the Heritage Holiday Inn, 234 3rd Ave N in St Pete, will hold the second of their "first Friday swing" events with Dan Electro and the Silvertones. The show runs about 8-11pm. Other details: parquet floor, nonsmoking, friendly management. Phone (813) 822-4814. Thanks to Lori Whittle for sending this in. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ORLANDO Tue Jul 28: The Brian Seltzer Orchestra at House of Blues Fri Aug 7: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy at Pleasure Island Sat Aug 8: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy at Pleasure Island Thanks very much for the wide range of responses for info on Orlando swing happenings. Perhaps a road trip is in order, to the Atlantic Dance Club some Sunday or to Pleasure Island on the 8th to see BBVD. If anyone wants to coordinate carpooling and similar details for a roadtrip, let us know at XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX and we'll have interested people contact you. --Sam Pam Callender writes: Sunday night (6/28), The Sarasota Swing Express travelled to Disney. The Atlantic Dance Club on the Boardwalk has swing dance every Sunday and Monday night. Free admission, and Swingerhead played to another great crowd of very good dancers. The room is beautiful. A balcony with four bars, huge stage, very deco, probably seats 300-400 people. The dance floor is about 2000 sq' actual dance space and it was jumpin. I spoke to a few people and passed on the word about the Sugar Palm. Hopefully, they will drop by some weekend to add a little more flavor. Check out Orlando's web site. I'm not sure of the address, but you can get to it through Vince's Daddy-O site: [ http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Stadium/3409 ] See you soon. --Pam Andrew writes: You guys have to check out the Alantic Dance Hall in Orlando! It is on the Disney Boardwalk and it is beautiful inside! Admission is always free and it is 21 and up on Sunday and 18 and up on Monday. Water is also free all night. The place is owned by Disney so you know it's going to be nice ... the crowd is really nice (although a little touristy, but not great dancers, but good) and there is a lot of west-coast-style swing there. Take I-4 to exit 26B and follow the signs to the boardwalk. It swings! --Andrew Dara DeHart writes: From what I have heard, there is going to be a swing club opening at Pleasure Island. They have closed down the country bar and I am assuming that's where it's going to be, but don't take my word for it. Anthony Casale writes: I called Pleasure Island last week to ask where Big Bad Voodoo Daddy would be performing. The bad news is that they won't be in the jazz club; they'll be on the West End Stage. To anyone not familiar with PI, this stage is one of two outdoor stages (so pray it's not a humid night). The good news is that there's no additional cover -- $20 will get you all the PI and BBVD you can stand! I'm told they'll be performing two sets, one at 8:15pm and one at 10:00pm. Wouldn't it be cool if THEY ring in the "New Year"? Incidentally, they told me the dates are the 7th and 8th, and NOT the 8th and 9th as listed in the last 3 Swing News issues. I asked the lady on the phone if she was SURE it was the 7th and 8th and not the 8th and 9th and she said yes. I'll be there the 8th. Hope to see you all there! Esther writes: The New Morty Show will be at the Pleasure Island Jazz Company on Pleasure Island at Walt Disney World. I've had mixed experiences at this club. Because they sell cigars at the club, it can be very stinky. I've also been there when it's been o.k. It depends on the crowd when you go. [Editor's note: This club is the one with no dance floor that Lori pointed out last week. When's the show?] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- LESSONS AND WORKSHOPS Sun, Jul 12th: Frank Ingo, Beginners 6:45-7:30pm, Intermediate/Advanced 7:30-9:30pm, South Tampa, 3601 S. Manhatten, $8 or $25 for 4 lessons, 835-5804. Beginners can practice or watch after their class; advanced dancers can practice at 6:45. Also Aug 9 & Sep 13. Tue at 6:45pm: Abdul Mohammed, Beginning/Intermediate, North Tampa, Rhapsody Ballroom, 12101 N 56th St (just N. of Fowler), $5, 985-6570. Beginners at 6:45; Intermediate at 7:30. Thu at 7:00pm: James & Arleene Norman, Beginning, St Pete, Right Step Dance Studio, 2319 9th St N, St Petersburg, $30 for 4 classes, 821-9420. This series of 4 lessons starts July 9. Prerequisite: none, but makes a nice style review for more advanced dancers. 1 hour. Thu at 8:00pm: James & Arleene Norman, Beginning Lindy Hop, St Pete, Right Step Dance Studio, 2319 9th St N, St Petersburg, $30 for 4 classes, 821-9420. This series of 4 lessons starts July 9. Prerequisite: some prior partner-dancing experience. The 1st of 6 lindy levels! 1 hour. Thu at 8:00pm: Connie Gee, Beginning/Intermed, Ybor City, Sugar Palm, Corner of Palm Ave & 15th St, $8, 248-5549. 1 hour. Fri at 8:00pm: Connie Gee, Beginning/Intermed, Ybor City, Sugar Palm, Corner of Palm Ave & 15th St, $5, 248-5549. 1 hour. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- MOOK SCHEDULE The Swingin' Mooks write: We'll be at: GATORS every Tuesday in JULY from 9-1 THE BEACH at Trop field 5-7 before Yankees vs. Rays game CLUB MORE Friday 7/10 9:30 - 1:30 ( Room to dance) BOURBON STREET Saturday 7/11 10:30 - 1:30 ( A lot of room to dance) We are also working on a CD to be released by the end of July. Thanks for Your Support!! [ Ed: Call clubs for details, including times and smoking info. ] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- DAN ELECTRO DOES FLORIDA Tuesdays, July 14,21,28 at Downunder Jazz Club in Sarasota, 9pm-12am, 941-488-1456 Wednesday July 22 at Ozio's in Melbourne, 9:30pm-12:30am, 407-953-8001 Friday July 24 at Sharkey's on the Pier in Venice, 8pm-12am, 941-488-1456 Sunday July 26 at Otter's in Sanford, 2pm-6pm, 407-323-3991 Friday July 31 at Oasis Lounge in Holly Hill, 10pm-2am, 904-238-3090 Web site: www.cyfox.com/DanElectro [ Ed: Thanks to Michelle Gilbert for the above info. Call clubs for details, including times and smoking info. ] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- SWING WEB SITES Check out http://simon.cs.cornell.edu/home/aswin/SwingDancing/swing_dancing.html If anyone knows of other good sites, send them to XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX . ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Swing News Submissions are not only welcome, but required to keep this newsletter going. Send them to XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX . The deadline for each Tuesday issue is Sunday at 2pm. Editors reserve the right to edit submissions or to select based on relevance. Be sure to call and confirm events before going! The SwinGang is a network of swing dancers and other swingsters, committed to promoting swing events in places with large, smoke-free or open-air dance areas; to encouraging great music & instruction; to building a united swing community; and to publishing this newsletter! E-mail XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX . Send addition/deletion/address-change requests to XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX . **********************************************************************