********************************************************************** Swing News, Friday 1/8/99, Issue #28 Send submissions to XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Send addition/deletion/address-change requests to XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Send all other e-mail to XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Greetings and Happy New Year to all. I hope everyone enjoyed their holidays and got in a good amount of dancing and celebration. January brings a full calendar of swing events, including new and exciting bands, contests, and dance and lesson opportunities. Expect the next issue of Swing News in early February (target date 2/2/99). I had the good fortune of dancing at the new Gulfport Casino swing night this past Wednesday. It was a great time -- some excellent dancers, lots of floor space, beautiful hall, inexpensive ($4). At least half the dances I saw were Lindy Hop, so this may become THE place to dance, practice, and learn Lindy -- it makes sense with all the space. Dancers ranged from 3 years old to high school to us younger and older folks. It's an ongoing event, so come out Wednesday nights if you can. Details are later in this issue. I also hope to see everyone at the Sugar Palm's Birthday Bash on the 30th and at other places along the way. Just a couple of warnings before signing off: 1. Call to confirm events before going; occasionally, last-minute changes do occur. 2. The Sugar Palm dress code has recently stirred up a bit of controversy, as far as what they do and don't allow in; to be safe, check out the policy on their recorded line. Sam ---------------------------------------------------------------------- JANUARY EVENTS Tonight (Fri, Jan 8), Dan Electro and the Silvertones bring their unique brand of Jumpin' Swing and Blues back to the Sugar Palm. Doors open at 8:00pm and dancing continues to 2:30am. A beginner's lesson runs 8-9pm; an intermediate lesson, 9-10pm (in the practice room). The Sugar Palm's ballroom has a large wooden dance floor. It's nonsmoking, with adjacent rooms provided for smokers. A dress code is enforced. Cost is $8 for ages 21 and up; $10 for ages 18-20. Phone 813-248-5549 or visit www.SugarPalmClub.com for more info. Directions: Corner of Palm Ave & 15th St in Ybor City. 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. On Saturday (Jan 9), Dan Electro and the Silvertones play a second night at the Sugar Palm. Lindy Hop lessons continue on Saturday nights with instructors Roy Rydbeck and Kris van Ingen. Beginning is 7-8pm; intermediate, 8-9pm. Cost is $5 per lesson. Other swing-night details are the same as Friday's, except there's no 9-10pm intermediate lesson on Saturdays. On Sunday (Jan 10), the Boston band, Bellvue Cadillac, plays the Sugar Palm's all-ages swing night, 7-11pm. A free beginner's dance lesson runs 6-7pm. Cover is $10. The band will also be doing a promo earlier that day (3pm sharp to about 4pm) at Hooters on Hillsborough Ave, west of the Stadium. Taylor promises 2-for-1 admission to that night's show to anyone who shows up at 3pm to dance at the promo. Next Friday (Jan 15), the NYC Band, Jet Set Six, swings back to the Sugar Palm, fresh from a national tour and the release of their livin'-it-up CD. The Sugar Palm describes them as having a "happy, jazzy style" and putting on a "great stage show". Next Saturday (Jan 16), Jet Set Six plays the second of a two-night gig at the Sugar Palm. In addition, New Line Cinema is sponsoring an "Atomic Swing Thing" contest, to promote their upcoming movie, "Blast From the Past", which will contain some swing dancing. The grand prize couple will compete nationally for one of several trips to NY for the movie's premiere party. Other prizes for the top couples on Jan 16 include cash, tickets to a Brian Setzer/Bob Dillon concert, ballcaps and jackets. The contest, which will start at 11pm and be videotaped, works as follows. Couples dance to a number of songs and are tapped out. The four remaining couples compete in a swing show-off at 11:30pm, where each couple chooses a song and gets the entire dance floor for that song. A point system will determine the winners, with equal weight being given to three categories: 1. Talent / Skill 2. Enthusiasm / Effort 3. Presentation / Dress Scores will be compared to contests conducted in other cities to determine which couples go to New York. Wednesday, Jan 20, Big Rude Jake plays Club More with the Swingin' Mooks opening. Admission is $6. Sean Yokes writes, "Big Rude Jake are originally from Toronto, Canada where they developed a really strong fan base. They have relocated to New York City, and Jake has hired an entirely new band in the last three weeks. I saw this new band play on New Years in Toronto and they are very solid. BRJ is classified as swing punk (he recently said that he hates the neo-swing movement because he can't play punk clubs anymore), so don't necessarily go looking to do a lot of lower-tempo dancing. Jake is crude, crass, and a great front man." Club More is located in downtown Clearwater (703 Franklin St). Smoking is allowed, but the windows and doors can be opened. Club More has a floorboard dance floor of moderate size. Phone 727-466-6673 or visit www.greenbenches.com/club.htm . Saturday, Jan 23, The Lost Continentals, an Atlanta-based rockabilly group with female vocalist, play the Sugar Palm. Friday, Jan 29, Johnny Cool and the Mobster Swing Band return to the Largo Cultural Center, with free pretzels and popcorn for all. Doug Matthews writes: "Those of you who missed our two summer shows missed a GREAT time. The Cultural Center is a state-of-the-art performing arts venue with a full-size stage and good space to dance. We probably had 150 people dancing at the Rocket 88 show in August. Call 727-587-6793 for tickets." Other details: nonsmoking, cash bar, all ages. The Largo Cultural Center is located at the corner of East Bay Drive and Missouri Ave/Seminole Blvd (Alt 19) in Largo's Central Park. Friday, Jan 29, Red Hot Kitty and the Alley Cats play the Coliseum's "Swing Thing", 8pm to midnight. The Coliseum bills them as a jump- swing band. Tickets are $9 + surcharge. The event is nonsmoking, BYOB and food. The Coliseum has the largest and one of the best dance floors in the Bay area. It's located at 535 4th Ave N in St Pete (Directions: Take I-275 to the I-375 downtown exit. It's at the bottom of the ramp where I-375 ends.) The Coliseum box office is open 10am-4pm M-F and can be reached at 727-892-5202. Friday, Jan 29, Dan Electro and the Silvertones swing the Sugar Palm. Birthday cake will be served. Saturday, Jan 30, is the Sugar Palm's First Birthday Party, featuring Dan Electro and the Silvertones, special $5 admission rate, a dance contest with $250 in prizes, a pinata, door prizes, and birthday cake for all. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- FEBRUARY AND BEYOND Fri Feb 5: Rocket 88 at Sugar Palm; 813-248-5549 Sat Feb 6: Rocket 88 at Sugar Palm; 813-248-5549 Fri Feb 12: Dan Electro & the Silvertones at Sugar Palm; 813-248-5549 Sat Feb 13: Swingerhead/ Valentine's Dance at Sugar Palm; 813-248-5549 Fri Feb 19: Dan Electro & the Silvertones at Sugar Palm; 813-248-5549 Sat Feb 20: Dan Electro & the Silvertones at Sugar Palm; 813-248-5549 Fri Feb 26: Eddie Reed Swing Band at Sugar Palm; 813-248-5549 Fri Mar 5: The Camaros at Sugar Palm; 813-248-5549 Sat Mar 6: The Camaros at Sugar Palm; 813-248-5549 Fri Mar 12: Rocket 88 at Sugar Palm; 813-248-5549 Sat Mar 13: Rocket 88 at Sugar Palm; 813-248-5549 The Sugar Palm writes of new upcoming bands: Eddie Reed Swing Band: California Clarinetist Eddie Reed has opened for Ray Charles and Tony Bennett, and was voted Best Swing Act of 1998 at the L.A. Music Awards. He's bringing his quintet all the way to Florida for an evening of great music you shouldn't miss. The Camaros: This NYC 7-piece is led by two smart gals with big pipes and great choreographed dance moves. Their 1998 disc, Evil, displays a bluesy Swing style that is our dance floor fave. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- GULFPORT CASINO SWING NIGHT James and Arleene Norman write: The Gulfport Casino and Right Step Dance Studio are co-sponsoring a weekly swing dance at the Gulfport Casino, Wednesdays from 8:00pm to midnight, beginning Jan 6. Details: * All ages * Second largest dance floor on the west coast Dance-floor capacity 600, seating 400! * Free East Coast Swing lesson at 7:00pm * Door prizes * Smoke-free * Bar serves coffee, soda, beer, wine, and canned mixed drinks * DJ (Jumpin' James) and occasional bands * $4 for DJ nights (more for band nights) Help to make this dance a success -- when swing is no longer commercially viable, the Casino will still host a dance -- let's show them we mean it! See You There! Directions: If you're coming from the north, take I-275 south to St Pete's 22nd Ave S exit. (From the south, take I-275 north to the 26th Ave S exit and find your way to 22nd Ave S.) Head west. Turn left onto Beach Blvd. (55th St will be on the right.) Head south until the street ends at the Gulfport Casino, located directly on the water. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- SWINGIN' MOOKS JANUARY SCHEDULE Fri Jan 9: Neptune Lounge, 10:30pm Fri Jan 15: Carlie's, 9:30pm Fri Jan 29: Gasoline Alley, 11:00pm Every Wednesday: Club More, 10:00pm Every Thursday: Storman's Palace, 9:30pm Every Saturday: Gators, 5:00pm Every Saturday: Planet 9 Ball, 11:30pm Web site: http://md24.com/swinginmooks.htm E-mail: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX ---------------------------------------------------------------------- BIG BAND BALLROOM SERIES AT COLISEUM The St Pete Coliseum is hosting a series of big-band nights this winter. Admission is $11 in advance and $12 at the door (plus service charge). All dances begin at 8pm on the following Saturday nights, with $1 dance lessons at 6:30pm: Jan 9: A Tribute to Harry James & The Andrew Sisters Jan 23: A Salute to the Music of Glenn Miller Jan 30: Russ Morgan Orchestra Feb 13: Valentine's Dance with Music of Your Life Orchestra Feb 27: The Swing Sounds of Ray Anthony & Count Basie Mar 6: Best of the Big Bands featuring the Charly Raymond Orchestra Mar 20: A Tribute to Dorsey and Goodman Apr 3: "April Stars" with the Charly Raymond Orchestra Expect a variety of ballroom dances in addition to swing. See earlier in the newsletter for Coliseum info. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- TAMPA BAY BEACH BOPPERS Nan Harrison writes that the Beach Boppers dance every Sunday at "Harpo's on North Dale Mabry Hwy in Tampa. In addition, we are currently scheduled for club dances on 1/30/99, 3/27/99, and 5/1/99 at Zendah Grotto, 4109 Lauber Way N in Tampa. Boogie By the Bay is 8/26-28/99 at the St Pete Hilton. For information, contact Nan Harrison, 1999 Prez-elect, Tampa Bay Beach Boppers, at 813-264-5617. Thanks for your help!" ---------------------------------------------------------------------- LINDY HOP WORKSHOPS ... ... at the Right Step Dance Studio in St Pete. Instructors James and Arleene Norman. LINDY Basic: 1:35-5:35pm on Feb 6, Mar 13, Mar 21, or May 8; Cost $35 Continuing: 1:35-4:35pm on Jan 16, Feb 13, Apr 10, or May 15; Cost $30 Charleston Variations: 1:35-4:35 on Jan 9, Mar 6, Apr 17, or May 22; Cost $30 Advance Registration is Required. Maximum 6 leaders and 6 followers per class. Call 727-821-9420 or e-mail XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX . ---------------------------------------------------------------------- BEGINNING AND INTERMEDIATE SWING LESSONS Mario Drobny writes: Bayou Dance Club is starting a new six-week swing course. Dates are Wednesdays at 7:30pm on Jan 13, 20 and 27; Feb 3, 10, and 17. We're opening two parallel courses -- Beginners and Intermediate. Price is $60 for six 45-minute sessions. Private tutoring is available upon appointment. !!! No Partner Necessary !!! Registration deadline is on Jan 10. Call 548-6511. Bayou Dance Club is located at 9101 Belcher Rd in new shopping strip: Bayou Center, 1 mile north of Park Blvd, 1 mile south of Bryan Dairy Rd. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Swing News Know any upcoming swing happenings or other news? Send them in to XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX . The deadline for each Tuesday issue is Sunday at 5pm. 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 . 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