********************************************************************** Swing News, Tuesday 11/03/98, Issue #22 Send submissions to XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Send addition/deletion/address-change requests to XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Send all other e-mail to XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX ---------------------------------------------------------------------- THIS WEEKEND Royal Crown Revue, the nationally reknowned swing band, headlines this Friday Nov 6 at The Rubb, 1507 E 7th Avenue in Ybor City. If it's like past swing events at The Rubb, prepare for a huge crowd jamming the dance floor, plus a fair amount of smoke; and expect it to be LOUD. Doors open at 8pm and all ages are welcome. Tickets are $15.25 in advance through Ticketmaster (813-287-8844 or www.ticketmaster.com). For more info, phone 813-247-6234. The Sugar Palm will have a swing DJ plus the swing show-off Friday and Saturday nights, and also Sunday for the all-ages crowd. Friday, it's DJ Matt Mikas. Saturday, Lindy Hop lessons continue. Beginning Lindy is 7-8pm ($5 cost) and Intermediate Lindy is 8-9pm ($5 cost). Those who pay for the beginning lesson may stay for the intermediate at no charge. The Sugar Palm also gives free beginner's dance lessons 8-9pm on Fri and Sat. It's at the corner of Palm Ave and 15th St in Ybor City. Phone 813-248-5549. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- NEXT WEEK AND BEYOND Fri Nov 13: The Delegates (from NYC) at Sugar Palm; 813-248-5549 Sat Nov 14: The Delegates (from NYC) at Sugar Palm; 813-248-5549 Fri Nov 20: Rocket 88 at Sugar Palm; 813-248-5549 Sat Nov 21: Rocket 88 at Sugar Palm; 813-248-5549 Sun Nov 22: Cherry Poppin' Daddies at Jannus Landing; 727-896-1244 Sun Nov 22: Blue Flame Combo at Sugar Palm; 813-248-5549 Fri Nov 27: Dan Electro & the Silvertones at Sugar Palm; 813-248-5549 Sat Nov 28: Dan Electro & the Silvertones at Sugar Palm; 813-248-5549 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- SWINGFEST '98 IN MELBOURNE ... ... features The Lost Continentals, The New Morty Show, The Woody Herman Orchestra, the Melbourne Municipal "Swingtime" Band, a vintage clothing sale, and a classic car show. It's this Saturday, Nov 7, 4-11pm, at Space Coast Stadium. Tickets are $15, with discounts for students and seniors. Proceeds benefit the Children's Home Society of Brevard County. For more info, http://www.chsfl.org/Events/sf98.htm or call 407-752-3170 or 407-757-5160. Thanks to Vince and Anastasia for sending this in. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- CAROLINA SHAG WORKSHOP Walt writes: An upcoming Carolina Shag workshop will be held at the Swing City Dance Studio on Friday Dec 11, 7:00-8:30 pm. An open dance will follow. Cost is $5.00, which includes the open dance. Swing City is located at 7532 N Armenia between Waters and Sligh. Call 813-935-7458. If you need any additional information please let me know. Thanks! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- MORE LINDY HOP CLASSES AT THE SUGAR PALM On Saturday Nov 14, a new batch of Lindy Hop classes will begin at the Sugar Palm, and continue for the next few Saturdays. Roy Rydbeck and Kristine van Ingen will teach. Beginning is 7-8pm; intermediate, 8-9pm. $5 gets you into either or both lessons. Thanks to Sherrie for sending this in. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- INTENSIVE LINDY WORKSHOP AT THE RIGHT STEP STUDIO A one-day intensive workshop in Beginning Savoy-Style Lindy Hop will held Sunday, Nov 8, 1-5pm, at the Right Step Dance Studio, 2319 9th St N, in St Petersburg. Professional dance instructors James and Arleene Norman will teach. E-mail XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX or phone 821-9420 for more info. The class is limited to six leaders and six followers. Prepayment is required with registration and no walk-ons will be allowed. Cost is $35. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- BEGINNING AND INTERMEDIATE SWING CLASS Mario Drobny & Paul Swaine will teach a six-week course beginning Wednesday, Nov 4, at 7:30pm and continuing the next five Wednesdays, at the Bayou Dance Club, 9101 Belcher Road in Pinellas Park. They promise a 7-teacher staff and great music. The $60 fee must be paid in advance. Phone 727-548-6511 or e-mail XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX for more info. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- FRANK INGO SCHEDULE Frank Ingo informs us of the following regular weekly lessons he's teaching and events he's coordinating: Tuesdays: 7:30-8:30pm, Swing Lesson at Dallas Bull, 8222 US Hwy 301 in Tampa. 813-985-6877. Wednesdays: 8-12pm, Ingo's Starborn / Showcase Night Club at Bourbon St, 2471 McMullen Booth in Clearwater. 727-571-2202. Thursdays: 8-9pm, Swing Lesson at Storman's Palace, 2675 Ulmerton Rd in Clearwater. 727-797-1366. Saturdays: 9:30-10:30pm, Swing Lesson at Bourbon St, 2471 McMullen Booth in Clearwater. 727-571-2202. Sundays (last of each month): 7:30-9:30pm, Swing and Latin workshops at ABC Lounge, 6943 W Hillsborough in Tampa, 813-884-3792. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- SWING ETIQUETTE: ANOTHER ARTICLE IN OUR ONGOING SERIES Merideth writes: There is a definite shortage of men who can partner well in the Tampa Bay swing community, but most of us have managed to scope out a pretty good handful of old reliables with whom to cut a rug during an evening out. This gets sticky, however, when one of these reliables inevitably gets a regular partner, or a new girlfriend, or a regular partner who's also a new girlfriend. Now your dance floor buddy is constantly tied up, and all of a sudden, you're playing the wallflower more frequently than you'd like. You don't want to seem like some kind of predator or cause problems with the new woman, but you don't want to wait forever for her to go to the ladies' room or get a drink so you can have a turn as well. What's a girl to do? As the partner and girlfriend of our beloved editor, who among his other skills gives great lead and is consequently in high demand, I have consulted with other women in "the scene" who have popular partners, as well as with Emily Post's Book of Etiquette. So that we can all continue to enjoy our community and not step on any toes, here are a few do's and don'ts for cut-in etiquette. (Reverse genders as appropriate; there are some busy women out there too.) .... DO feel free to cut in between songs, particularly if it looks like man and date don't plan on taking a break any time soon. Cutting in is normal, polite, and part of the game, and really, fellas, if a woman gets up enough nerve to ask you to dance, it's not going to kill you to spend one song with her. As per Ms. Post, not only is it socially acceptable to cut in on a couple, but it is virtually forbidden for either member of the couple to refuse the request. Also per Ms. Post, if you turn down someone's offer to dance (whether you're with a date or alone), you don't get to accept someone else's offer to dance the same song. To get out of dancing with someone, you have to sit out that dance entirely. DON'T assume that if he decides to be rude and not dance with you, it's a reflection on you. It's not you. Maybe they're having an argument or working on a new step, or maybe she's actually the possessive little witch you think she is. DO communicate with BOTH MEMBERS of the couple. I mean, yeah, it's his decision to dance with you or not, but it's she who'll have to sit out, so it's nice manners to run it by both of them. It doesn't have to be a big formal deal -- make it light, eg, "Hey, Myrtle, ok if I steal Harold for this next one?" I mean, if you were at a party and saw two people talking, you wouldn't walk up and start a conversation with only one of them, would you? Unless you're some kind of bird dog. On a similar note, DON'T only ask the partner! It's equally rude to negotiate like you're trying to buy sheep at an auction. I've known guys to ask other guys, "Can I dance with your girlfriend?" and next thing the woman knows, she's out on the floor with some stranger, without having been consulted. If you're the steady partner ... DO keep a flexible attitude, even if other women descend on your partner like a pack of cawing, screeching harpies (which they probably won't). Ultimately, what he does is not your decision. DON'T make matters more awkward by being more territorial. It's you he's going home with. Keep smiling! No reason to make enemies. For everyone... DO be friendly and welcoming to ALL newcomers of BOTH genders. The best way to keep a pool of good dance partners is to share what you know and keep it fun for everyone. At some point, we've all been lousy at something. Remember what that feels like and try to help out and not intimidate people, even if they don't dance so well right now. Ok, enough soapbox. Have a great week and I'll see you on the dance floor! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 . **********************************************************************