********************************************************************** Swing News, Tuesday 11/17/98, Issue #24 Send submissions to XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Send addition/deletion/address-change requests to XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Send all other e-mail to XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Hey everyone, Lots of good swing this week. The Cherry Poppin' Daddies, who brought us "Zoot Suit Riot" and other modern swing hits, fly into Jannus Landing on Sunday. The last time they were in town (April), we were just starting up the Swing News, and swing was pretty hard to find in the Tampa Bay area. What a difference a few months makes! The Gulfport Casino, with the best and most beautiful ballroom in the area (It's right on the waterfront!) is experimenting with a swing night of its own, tonight and next Tuesday. The exciting thing is, if the swing night is successful (and it won't take that many people to make it so, since the Casino is non-commercial), then it could likely continue long after the commercial establishments have given up swing for more profitable forms of entertainment, whether it be the revival of breakdancing or the new Swedish-disco craze. Rocket 88, the favorite local swing band, plays the Sugar Palm Friday and Saturday. Finally, I'd like to remind everyone to confirm events by calling beforehand. If I'd taken that advice myself, I wouldn't have been disappointed to find a DJ rather than the expected swing band at the Sugar Palm last Friday. Although it turned out to be an excellent night, I would have known what to expect if I'd called. Anyway, last minute changes are inevitable, so call to confirm, or expect the unexpected. Sam ---------------------------------------------------------------------- THIS WEEK This Sunday (Nov 22), the famous Cherry Poppin' Daddies return to Jannus Landing in downtown St Pete (19 2nd St N), along with a band called the Pietasters and one other opening act. Jannus landing is an open-air courtyard with lots of concrete for dancing. Doors open at 6:30pm and the whole thing will be over by 10 or 11, so don't be too late. Also, it'll be loud, so plan accordingly. Tickets are $17.50. Phone 727-896-1244. Tonight (Nov 17) and next Tuesday (Nov 24) (James Norman writes): November swings on Tuesday nights at Gulfport Casino! The Gulfport Casino is sponsoring swing nights on Nov 17th (tonight!) and the 24th, 7:30-10:30 pm, 5550 Shore Blvd S, Gulfport. *All ages!* Live Band! No smoking! Historic Gulport Casino has a huge, unobstructed, gymnasium-size maple dance floor *plus* seating for 250. It's the best kept secret in the county! Alcoholic and soft drinks! (It's a municipal facility: they can have all ages *and* serve alcohol.) The cost is $5 per person, but Right Step Dance Studio has arranged to provide 2-for-1 admission. Get 2-for-1 vouchers at Right Step, 2319 9th St N, St Pete, in the dispensers on the front or back door. Or call us at 727-821-9420 and vouchers will be mailed to you. Gulfport Casino wants to support swing dancers in Pinellas county -- Let's support them! There's talk of a regular Swing Night starting in January -- Let's make it happen -- Come to the Casino this Tuesday! [Editor's Note: To get to the Casino, take I-275 to St Pete's 22nd Ave S exit and head west. Turn left onto Beach Blvd. (55th St will be on the right.) Head south until the street ends at the Gulfport Casino, which is located directly on the water.] This Friday and Saturday (Nov 20 & 21), Rocket 88 plays the Sugar Palm, located at the corner of Palm Ave and 15th St in Ybor City, 8:00pm-2:30am. Call 813-248-5549 to confirm. Lindy Hop lessons continue on Sat (Nov 21); beginning is 7-8pm; intermediate, 8-9pm; $5 gets you into either or both lessons. Free beginner's East-Coast Swing lessons are 8-9pm both nights. The ballroom is a nonsmoking room. This Sunday (Nov 22), the Blue Flame Combo (three guys from Rocket 88) plays the Sugar Palm's all-ages swing night, 6-10pm, with a free dance lesson 6-7pm. Phone 813-248-5549 to confirm. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- NEXT WEEK AND BEYOND 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 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- SARASOTA Pam Callender writes: SPATS Vintage Dance Float will swing its way downtown at Sarasota's holiday parade Friday, Dec 4 at 7:30pm. If you would like to march/ dance with the float, registration is free and must be in by Nov 28. Auditions for the 8 dancers on the float are Saturday Nov 21 at noon. The concept is to have four couples on the float, each representing a different swing era; roaring twenties, 50's rock 'n roll, disco's hustle, and 90's jump swing. Costumes will be provided if you don't have them. Vintage cars will surround the float and the marching dancers will accompany them. Call 941-954-8696 or come to SPATS for more info. Jump-Swing Night continues every Friday and Saturday with a contest at 10pm. Every Tuesday is Big Band Night. Special Events: Nov 18 (Wed): Dan Electro and the Silvertones Nov 25 (Wed): Thanksgiving celebration with Mo Town band, The Worx. Lessons in West Coast Swing and Hustle at 8pm, $8 for the evening, $6 after 9pm. SPATS is located at the Town and Country Plaza, corner of Fruitville and Beneva Rd, in Sullivan's Courtyard, Sarasota. It is smoke-free and alcohol-free. Phone 941-954-8696 for more info. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- SPRING SWING CRUISE James Norman writes: Big Band Cruise with the Right Step Dance Studio. You will depart from Port of Tampa on Saturday, Mar 20, 1999, with your hosts Arleene and James Norman. Seven Nights! You will sail to Grand Cayman, Yucatan, and Key West. (Other stops may be scheduled.) Two bands will play for you nightly. The Regal Empress sports three dance floors and several bars. All meals are included. We will be available throughout the cruise for periodic, free dance classes. Our special group rate is $499 per person, based on double occupancy. For more info, call 727-821-9420 or e-mail XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX . ---------------------------------------------------------------------- LINDY HOP CLASSES AT THE RIGHT STEP -- LEVELS I and II Sun, Nov 22th: James and Arleene Norman. Continuing Savoy-Style Lindy Hop, 1-4pm. Right Step Dance Studio, 2319 9th St N, St Petersburg. Phone 727-821-9420 or e-mail XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX . Prerequisite: Beginning Lindy Hop intensive. Limited to six leaders and six followers -- don't be turned away at the door. Prepayment required with registration, $35. Sun, Nov 29th: James and Arleene Norman. Beginning Savoy-Style Lindy Hop, 1-5pm. Other details same as above. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- NATHANIEL'S DANCE CLASS Nathaniel writes of lessons he's teaching: * Get in on all the fun and learn all those cool tricks and steps. Hope to see you there. * Every Friday 7:30-8:30pm at the All American Dance Factory, 11738 N Dale Mabry, Tampa. Phone 813-908-9086. * Cost is $7. Bring a partner and it's $5 for each of you. [Editor's note: You may know Nathaniel because he's performed at the Sugar Palm on many occasions.] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 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! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 . **********************************************************************