********************************************************************** Swing News, Wednesday 4/7/99, Issue #33, (Next Issue, 4/20/99) Send submissions to XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Send addition/deletion/address-change requests to XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Send all other e-mail to XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear all, Quite a weekend it was. Friday, Rocket 88 and the Mighty Blue Kings brought their swingin' styles to The Rubb. Saturday, Dan Electro and the Silvertones played for what seemed like a record audience at the Sugar Palm's closing night. And Sunday, The Love Dogs out of Boston had dancers shaking the decks over at Skipper's. I should have known. No sooner do I write an editorial than "letters to the editor" start pouring in ... or trickling in, to be more precise. Check all three of 'em out at the bottom of this issue. Be sure not to miss the two swing-band show Fri, April 16th at the Coliseum. It's the main event for these next two weeks, and in a great ballroom, as well. Sam ---------------------------------------------------------------------- THE UPCOMING TWO WEEKS On Tuesday, Apr 13, it's the sweeter side of swing at Skipper's Smokehouse, featuring Becky Palmer & The Swing Mambos. Details: * 8pm show * $5 cover * Ages 18+ (under 18 admitted if accompanied by a parent) * Outdoor concert area (aka The Skipperdome) features giant oak trees, covered tiki deck, benches, and picnic tables. Food from Skipper's restaurant (Florida/Carribean/Louisiana menu) can be brought in, as can drinks from the bar. * The main dancefloor is a piece of plywood over sand next to the stage. Other dance areas are available on the wooden decks, depending on the size of the crowd and the event. * Skipper Rd & Nebraska in North Tampa * Phone 813-971-0666 or http://mbus.com/clubs/Skippers.Smokehouse Friday, Apr 16, Denise Moore and her orchestra play the St Pete Coliseum, along with new local band, Bombed Out Cat. Details: * 8pm - Midnight * The largest and one of the best dance floors in the Bay area * Free Beginner's Swing Lesson, 7-8pm * Nonsmoking; BYOB and food; snacks also available * All ages * $10 in advance or $12 at door * 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. On Saturday, Apr 17, if you happen to be strolling by Straub Park (wherever that is), check out the Swingin' Mooks at the Mainsail Arts Festival, 2:30-3:30pm. Sherrie Gill writes: Becky Palmer is one of my favorites! I learned to swing dance to her tunes in the Harbour Club (many moons ago). Many of her swing tunes are just right for Lindy hopping -- not too fast, not too slow. And her music just fills me up so that my dancing takes on a new creative edge. Very fun. Everyone who likes her should encourage her to play in danceable venues. Robert Boileau writes: I recall Becky's monthly swing dance upstairs at the Harbor Club in Sulpher Springs (across Nebraska Ave from the Tampa Greyhound Track). That was several years ago and I don't remember who else was in her band. The hall was pretty small and had posts interspersed among the dance area, which was an upstairs wooden floor. Unfortunately, the owners were more interested in selling booze than making money at the door, so they kicked Becky and the rest of us out. As far as the dancing went, it was quite good, although not as spectacular as some of the acrobatics we have seen at the Sugar Palm and elsewhere recently; however, if I recall correctly, MOST folks were dancing to the beat provided by her band. If you danced to the Swing band at last year's Florida Folk Festival, that was Becky and a pick-up band; I thought they (and she) were GREAT!!! I think her upcoming show at Skipper's will satisfy the swing dance crowd. Bill Dudley writes: Becky's very good, but more in the acoustic swing vein, ie fiddles and guitars. Another lady who's better for swing is Denise Moore; she has a regular (not a pickup) band with two saxes, drums, keys, bass. All are excellent musicians and they can really swing. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- AFTER THAT Fri Apr 23: The Ray Gelato Giants at Gulfport Casino; 727-821-9420 Fri Apr 30: Swingin' Mooks at Station Square Park, downtown Clearwater Fri Apr 30: Swing Dance + Attire Expo at Gulfport Casino; 727-821-9420 Thu May 13: Jet Set Six at The Rubb (smoking allowed); 813-247-6234 Fri Jun 4: Swingerhead at Coliseum; 727-892-5202 Fri Jun 4: Rocket 88 & Blue Flame Combo at Skipper's; 813-971-0666 Thu Jun 17: Swingin' Mooks at Largo Cultural Center; 727-587-6793 Vince Gudzinskas writes: Just got the news from J Walter Hawkes -- Jet Set Six will be playing The Rubb on Thursday May 13. Have not heard about openers, cost, or all-ages status. Ray Gelato show, straight from www.RayGelato.com : "Close your eyes and imagine the scene: the time is the golden 1950's era of great music and great entertainment. The place is Las Vegas, Nevada. You're new in town, just driving around, checking out what's hot tonite. The sounds you hear coming out of the Desert Inn, the Sahara, the Sands, and the other casino lounges as you cruise past in the warm nite are the sounds of Louis Prima & Keely Smith, Dean Martin, The Treniers, Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole. If only you could have been there, if only you could have heard that great music, felt that excitement, tasted that electric atmosphere ..." "It's time to stop dreaming and realise that in 1998 [1999 now] there is a band that recaptures that spirit, that music, that style, that performance, it's time to get hip to the hottest band on the scene today, it's time to get blown away by the explosive swinging sound of The Ray Gelato Giants." * All ages show at the Gulfport Casino * 8pm start * Free beginner's swing-dance lessons 7-8pm * $10 in advance or $12 at the door * Advance tickets are available at Gulfport Casino, Right Step Dance Studio, and Echo Antiques in Pinellas; Squaresville, La France, and Sugar Palm office in Tampa. * For more info, call 727-821-9420, 813-248-5549 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT ABOUT THIS WEEKEND? / REGULARLY SCHEDULED SWING NIGHTS The sudden closing of the Sugar Palm has left a temporary gap in the Tampa Bay swing schedule. But after this weekend, that gap will be filled by not only the above shows, but by other clubs as well. This weekend, however, here's what the local swing bands are doing: Fri Apr 9: Bombed Out Cat at University Club in Tampa, 7:30-11:30pm Fri Apr 9: Swingin' Mooks at Neptune Lounge, 10:30pm Sat Apr 10: Bombed Out Cat at Gators on Treasure Island, 5:30-9:30pm Starting April 16, a new club named "Swing" opens downstairs of the Cuban Club in Ybor City, a mere block or two from the old Sugar Palm. It'll be open Fridays and Saturdays, 8pm-2am, with an $8 cover, DJ Belinda Montgomery, and lessons 8-9pm. It's supposed to be nonsmoking on the inside with smoking on the outside patio. No bands or wooden dance floor are yet slated, but if successful, both are a possibility. Other details, taken from their flyer: * 2010 Avenida de Republica de Cuba (next to Cafe Creole) * Appropriate Dress required * Swing Boutique open during club hours * Full liquor bar available The Gulfport Casino resumes its regular Wednesday night swing tonight. The Gulfport Casino swing night is: * Every Wednesday, 8pm to midnight * All ages * Admission $4 * Smoke-free ballroom with huge dance floor * Free Beginner's Lesson 7-8pm * Door prizes * More info: E-mail James & Arleene Norman (XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX) * 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. Barb Bayliss writes: Hi Swing Dancers, As of April 11th, the Borderline will be starting their Sunday night Swing Night [to replace their Wed night swing]. They are on Waters at Dale Mabry in Tampa; phone 813-935-5339. I understand their dance floor is larger than the Sugar Palm's (about 70' x 40'). I have heard that it is a decent floor. [Smoking's allowed.] So, you may want to keep that in mind when you are just itching to get out and do some swing dancing on a Sunday evening. Other events that will be coming up through the Borderline are: - a West Coast Swing dance lesson / workshop on a Saturday in April. - a bus trip to Atlantic Dance Hall at the Disney Boardwalk in Orlando. $25 per person includes food, some drinks, bus ride, etc. Scheduled for Saturday, May 15th. Departing 6pm, Returning 3am. Of course, the Swingin' Mooks still play fairly regular weekly gigs Wednesdays at Club More and Thursdays at Storman's Palace; Bombed Out Cat, Thursdays at the Rare Olive. Plus, Tuesday is swing night at Tamiami Bar. Call all clubs to confirm and for smoking, dance floor, or other info. Know of any other regular, weekly swing nights not listed here? Send them in to XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX for our next Swing Around the Clock listings. Please include any information you might have, such as the location of the swing night and their contact phone number. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- SWING AT LARGO CULTURAL CENTER -- OPINION POLL Doug Matthews writes: The Swingin' Mooks will make their first appearance at the new Largo Cultural Center on Thursday, June 17 at 8pm. For those of you who haven't been, the Cultural Center provides a great concert atmosphere, is non-smoking and all ages. Previous shows (Johnny Cool 2x and Rocket88) have been a blast. Call the box office at 727-587-6793 for tickets. Also, I, like many, mourn the passing of the Sugar Palm with mixed feelings. But, if nothing else, the SP brought top-notch acts to the area that we probably would've missed otherwise. The Cultural Center is prepared (and I've been pushing them for over two years) to make a bigger investment in swing -- more acts, national acts, etc. -- but they want to be sure that the community is ready to make a commitment as well. One of the aspects of the new swing movement that is making things difficult for EVERYONE is swing bands pricing themselves out of the (reasonable) market. To this effect, in order to get a good out-of-town band, ticket prices may go up (from the current $10.50 to $15.50) for top-shelf shows at the Cultural Center. My question is: Are you willing (or able) to pay a little extra to get maybe one top-notch show per month? And, more importantly, would you come to the Cultural Center for the show? E-mail me at XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX (or) XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX with your thoughts/suggestions. We're planning the fall lineup over the next few months. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ANGEL TO BE FEATURED IN ST PETE TIMES Local swing dancer, performer, instructor, and aerialist Angel -- you've probably seen her flying through the air with partner Jimmy -- will be featured in a St Pete Times article on swing. The article is scheduled for Friday, April 9th, this according to the St Pete Times reporter who's been following her around for the last month. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- LESSONS & WORKSHOPS Sherrie Gill writes: Swing workshop at Swing City (813-935-7458; 7532 N Armenia Ave, between Waters and Sligh). Learn the real 40's big band retro swing and some fun and easy "tricks" to make your swing a kick! Only $15. April 17th, 1:00-3:30pm. Swing City web site -- http://members.xoom.com/dancingfever Mario Drobny writes: Bayou Dance Club will be starting its next six-week beginner/ intermediate swing course on April 21, 1999 (Wednesdays) at 7:30pm. The fee is $60.00 per person, payable in advance. No partners necessary! Deadline for registration is April 16, 1999. Register early -- classes fill up quickly!!! Located at 9101 Belcher Road (opposite The Bayou Club). Call 727-548-6511 for registration information. Ask for Mario Drobny or Paul Swaine. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- VINTAGE DINER Jaymi writes: While this isn't strictly swing, it may be of some interest to the vintage crowd. Surprisingly, the new Citrus Park Town Center mall has a great old-fashioned-diner style restaurant called Johnny Rockets. The place is very cool, decked out in the black and white, red and chrome, Coke-sign atmosphere. The food is All-American diner -- burgers, great fries, flavored cokes (I had the lemon Coke; there was actually a seed in it!), hand-dipped milkshakes, apple pie, etc. The mini-jukes on the counter and at the tables play your song for a nickel. I went there for an early supper one day and was treated to a vision of the entire short-order row, singing along with the juke to the tune of "Respect". I say put on your saddle shoes and try it out. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Robert Haberkorn writes: Hello, I just wanted to say that I received your newsletter for the first time today and I enjoyed it very much. I have only been involved in swing for about 3 weeks now. I was very saddened to hear about the closing of the Sugar Palm. I finally found something I really enjoy and a place I like to go, and it's closing down. I only hope that other places will come close to the enjoyable atmosphere the Sugar Palm provided. Thank you! Robert Haberkorn Peter Vazquez writes: I am sad to hear of the closing of the Sugar Palm. But let me be the first to complain about the smoking policy at the Sugar Palm. I don't smoke cigarettes, and I don't like the smell of them, but I do appreciate a fine cigar. I believe in smoking sections or non-smoking policies in restaurants, movie theaters, airplane cabins, etc, but I don't believe in smoking sections at clubs. The first time I went to the Sugar Palm, I noticed no signs or notices concerning the smoking policy. So I lit up my cigar at one of the tables, only to be accosted by an annoying bouncer kid ordering my girlfriend and I to put out our cigars. The same bouncer boy was tagging us throughout the night, checking to see if we were lighting up in the "non-smoking section". Not allowing smoking on the dance floor is one thing, but I don't see why there shouldn't be smoking allowed in the entire room. I don't appreciate being segregated for smoking. Besides, this isn't California. Why is there so much anti-smoking sentiment in Tampa? It's ironic considering the history of cigar-rolling in the area. Giving people too many rules (like dress codes) makes the atmosphere unpleasant. I dealt with enough rules in grade school. Furthermore, isn't it oxymoronic to create a non-smoking 40's ballroom environment? There were no such things as smoking sections in the 1940's. Sincerely, Peter Vazquez Curt writes: Just a note to say that I enjoyed reading your fine editorial in the Swing news letter. Can the Gulfport really replace the Sugar Palm? Dancing, as we all know, is more than a little bit about showing off, and I would think that that requires the proper sort of venue. The Sugar Palm was great for that. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Swing News Know any upcoming swing happenings or other news? Send them in to XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX . The deadline for each issue, which generally comes out on a Tuesday, is the prior 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 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX . Send addition/deletion/address-change requests to XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX . **********************************************************************