********************************************************************** Swing News, Wednesday 5/26/99, Issue #36, (Next Issue, 6/8/99) XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX - Submissions to this newsletter XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX - Addition/deletion/address-change requests XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX - All other correspondence http://www.SwingNews.com - Swing News web site ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi everyone, This issue of Swing News covers the upcoming two weekends and the surrounding days. The main event is Friday, June 4th's Coliseum dance and concert, featuring the nationally acclaimed band, Swingerhead, which hails from Orlando. If you can make only one event the next couple of weeks, make it this one. You'll not only have a great time with all your favorite swing dancers, but you'll be providing major and much needed support for future swing events at the Coliseum, one of Tampa Bay's top venues, and one of the few large enough to host big-name talent along with hundreds (to thousands) of dancers. (Since this is the last of the Coliseum's current "Swing Thing" series, they'll take a close look at attendance in deciding whether to sponsor a new series.) Because the Rocket 88 show at Skipper's has been cancelled, there are no conflicting swing events. So let's show how alive swing really is in Tampa Bay when we all get together. And please spread the word, especially to those without e-mail. I'll see you at the Coliseum! A worthy second event is this Friday's Dance & Lifestyle Expo at the Gulfport Casino. The upcoming two weeks also bring more live concerts, road trips, festivals, and even a theme ball. See below for details. To ensure swing events continue in the Bay area, we as a swing network are holding a rare business meeting, and you're invited! To make it fun and encourage participation, there will be four hours of swing dancing directly after. The meeting is Wednesday, June 2nd, 7-8pm, during the beginner's lesson at the Gulfport Casino's weekly swing night. We'll talk about our mission and goals, the roles we can each play, forming a nonprofit organization, choosing a name, and holding our first event! (Mark your calendars for Friday, June 25th at the Gulfport Casino! Details below.) To make things run smoothly and quickly, if you'd like to place an item on the agenda, e-mail it to XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX . If you'd like to get involved, even in a small capacity, just show up or e-mail XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX . See you there! Sam ---------------------------------------------------------------------- THE UPCOMING TWO WEEKS This Friday (May 28), the Gulfport Casino hosts Tampa Bay's big swing event, the Swing Dance & Lifestyle Expo. James Norman writes: "May 28 marks our second 'Last Friday' swing dance. Last month we entertained 126 guests throughout the evening. This one should be even better!" * Dance 8:00pm to 1:00am, featuring DJ Jumpin' James * Swing Lifestyle Vendors: Music CDs, Vintage Clothing, Shoes, & More * Door Prizes * Pizza from Fazio's * Beginner's Dance Lesson 7:00-8:00pm, Free with Admission * All Ages * Smoke-Free Dancing * Full bar available * Admission $6 * Phone 727-893-1070 or 727-821-9420 for more info, or e-mail XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX * Address & Directions: 5500 Shore Blvd, Gulfport. 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. This Saturday (May 29), Jannus Landing in downtown St Pete hosts "Rootenanny III", with headliners the Cigar Store Indians -- a rockabilly quartet from Atlanta, plus four other bands (Leonard Croon Band, Ronny Elliot & the Nationals, Pagan Saints, and The Thrusters). * All Ages * Casual open-air courtyard setting * Dance on the concrete, wherever you can find or make room * Admission: $10 in advance or at door * Doors open at 6:00pm. Bands start at 6:30pm. Don't get there too late or you'll miss the concert! * Full bar + Small Menu available * 16 2nd St N in St Pete (Corner of 2nd St N & 1st Ave N) * Phone 727-896-1244 Also this Saturday (May 29), some Tampa Bay swingers will be trekking over to Atlantic Dance in Orlando to dance to The Camaros, the NYC band that put on a great two-night performance at the Sugar Palm in March. If you're interested in carpooling over, the word is to meet at 8pm at I-4's Exit 8, in the Denny's parking lot. One of the organizers of this road trip, London, just so happens to be celebrating her 21st birthday that night; so if you see her, wish her a happy birthday! Next Friday (Jun 4), the band, Swingerhead, from Orlando makes a long- awaited return to Tampa Bay to play the Coliseum in St Pete. Hundreds of swing dancers had a great time at the last "Swing Thing" in April, so don't miss out on this one, the last in the Coliseum's current "Swing Thing" series of events. James Norman adds: "This may be the last swing dance at the Coliseum for some time to come -- if you'd like these events to continue, please be there!" Details: * Swingerhead, a 9-piece outfit, considered by many to be the best swing band/orchestra in Florida. Praised by Rolling Stone Magazine as among the best in the nation. Visit http://www.swingerhead.com * The largest and one of the finest dance floors in the Bay area. The historic Coliseum was built in 1924 but has been extensively renovated since. It features thousands of square feet of fine oak dance floor, plus extensive seating and a balcony. If you haven't yet been to the Coliseum, you have to see this place! * All Ages Welcome * 8pm - Midnight (Doors open at 6:45pm) * Free Beginner's Dance Lesson by James & Arleene, 7-8pm * Nonsmoking * BYOB; BYO Food if you want!; Snacks also available * Intermission music by DJ Jumpin' James * $10 in advance or $12 at door. Advance tickets are on sale now. * The Coliseum box office is open 10am-4pm M-F and can be reached at 727-892-5202. * 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.) Next Saturday afternoon (Jun 5), the Swingin' Mooks play at 2pm at Dunedin's Centennial celebration, held in Edgewater Park, Dunedin. Next Saturday night (Jun 5), New Directions will hold its annual Ball By the Bay, complete this year with swing theme and band. Craig Davis writes: "Zoot up cool cats of Tampa Bay! Have you heard about Ball By The Bay? New Directions, a young-professionals fund-raising committee of the American Cancer Society will present its 12th annual Ball with theme, Gangsters & Swingers. Dress is Creative Black-Tie. [So be creative!] See you at the Ball!" * 8:00pm - 1:00am * Tampa Convention Center in Downtown Tampa * Entertainment by Bombed Out Cat * Chance Drawings, Food, Cash Bar * Tickets include a free breakfast at Jackson's directly after Ball * Proceeds benefit cancer research, education, advocacy, and service * Tickets are $30 in advance or $35 at the door. Limited VIP Tables are $500, each seating 10 persons. * To purchase tickets, call 813-254-3630 ext 316. Other ticket info numbers are 727-593-5820 and 813-962-0397. * More info: http://testserver.cfr.usf.edu/ddruyor/ball/home.htm ---------------------------------------------------------------------- AFTER THAT Sun Jun 13: Dan Electro & the Silvertones at Skipper's; 813-971-0666 Thu Jun 17: Swingin' Mooks at Largo Cultural Center; 727-587-6793 Fri Jun 25: Swing Dance & Lifestyle Expo at Gulfport Casino; Fundraiser for Swing News & Tampa Bay's Swing Network; 727-821-9420 Sat Jun 26: Bombed Out Cat at Skipper's; 813-971-0666 Sun Jun 27: Swingin' Mooks at Pier 60 Pavilion on Clearwater Beach Sat Jul 3: Swingin' Mooks at Skipper's; 813-971-0666 Sun Jul 4: Bombed Out Cat at Straub Park Sat Jul 10: Dan Electro & the Silvertones at Gulfport Casino; 727-893-1070 Sun Aug 1: Brian Setzer Orchestra at Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center 813-229-7827 Sat Oct 16: Bellevue Cadillac at Clearwater Jazz Holiday; 727-461-5200 Coming up Friday, June 25th, James & Arleene have asked us, Tampa Bay's swing network, to host the Swing Dance & Lifestyle Expo at the Gulfport Casino (while they're away at Lindy Camp). This will be a fundraiser for the Swing News and for Tampa Bay swing in general. Proceeds will go directly to our nonprofit swing network, and will be used primarily to fill any gaps in the swing calendar with bigger and better events, with live music down the road. Our June 25th event will continue the fine series of last-Friday- of-the-month Dances/Expos at the Casino. Our all-star, all-volunteer program includes music by DJ Paul Mallett; free swing dance lessons; swing vendors of vintage fashions, music, and more; plus lots of dance fun and excitement for all. More details in the next issue, but for now, mark your calendars for Friday, June 25th at the Casino! If you'd like to get involved in putting on this event, we can still use a few good people; e-mail XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX . Otherwise, we'd appreciate everyone's help in spreading the word about what promises to be the first in a series of great swing events. Vince from Skipper's Smokehouse writes: Hi, Sorry to pass on the news that the Rocket 88 / Blue Flame show scheduled for June 4 at Skipper's has been cancelled. Unfortunately, Rocket 88 has broken up. Dan Electro & the Silvertones will play here for the Suncoast Blues Society Birthday Party June 13th. The Swingin' Mooks will be here on July 3rd. Liz Krebs writes: At Dan Electro's Sarasota record release party, he told us they'll be playing Skipper's on June 13th. The new album is great, especially 'Sugar Palm Nights', which croons about 'Taylor-made fun' and mentions dancers we know by name. Check it out! Tickets have now gone on sale for the Aug 1 Brian Setzer Orchestra concert at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. Tickets run $29.75 to $35.00. It will unfortunately be a sit-down event with no dance floor. Phone the box office at 813-229-7827 for tickets or other details. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- REGULARLY SCHEDULED SWING NIGHTS: LATEST UPDATES Since last issue, three swing nights have called it quits, but five new ones are giving it a try. Here's what's current: Wed: Gulfport Casino; 727-893-1070; Nonsmoking; All Ages Wed: Club More in downtown Clearwater; 727-466-6673; Smoking Thu: Storman's Palace in Clearwater; 727-571-2222; Smoking Thu: The Castle in Ybor City; 813-248-3053; Smoking Thu: The Rare Olive in Ybor City; 813-248-2333; Smoking Fri: Swing City Dance Studio in Tampa; 813-935-7458; Nonsmoking Fri: Luna Lounge in Ybor City; 813-248-3460; Smoking Fri: The Rare Olive in Ybor City; 813-248-2333; Smoking Sat: Fortunate One in Ybor City; 813-241-CLUB; Smoking Sat: Majestic Dance Club on Clearwater Beach; 727-443-2890; Smoking Tue: Dancelovers Ballroom in Clearwater; 727-582-9499; Nonsmoking; All Ages James Norman writes regarding the regular Wednesday Swing Night at the Gulfport Casino: "If you haven't been yet, or you haven't been in a while -- you've been missing something. This is simply the best weekly swing night anywhere in the area. The Casino has the best dance floor in Florida. The sound system is full, and broad without being overpowering. (One can converse during a dance at the Casino.) DJ Jumpin' James is sensitive to what dancers want, and Right Step Studio offers the most understandable, comprehensive beginning swing lessons anywhere. You gotta go! Details: Every Wednesday, $5, Gulfport Casino, 5550 Shore Blvd, Gulfport. 727-893-1070. Lesson 7-8pm. Dance 8pm to Midnight. Door Prizes (free passes for another Wednesday Night), Bar, Free & Safe Street Parking, Smoke-Free. Bring the kids!" E-mail XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX for more info. Paul Mallett writes: "Hello all. Just want to say a quick thank you to everyone who responded to my letter, and to remind everyone that the Fortunate One is still having swing nights. Hope to see you out there! Take care, Paul" A new addition to the local swing scene is the Luna Lounge's Friday swing night with DJ Matt Mikas. It has a medium-size wooden dance floor which allows smoking. It's located in Ybor City, 1802 E 7th Ave, upstairs from Carmine's. Phone 813-248-3460. Kaerrie Simons writes: "Start the summer with a hot time at the coolest dance spot on the beach: The Majestic Dance Club, 470 Mandalay Ave, Clearwater Beach (2 blocks N of Rt 60 across from Eckerd Drug), 727-443-2890. Music by The Bombed Out Cats starting at 10pm. Dance lessons by Frankie Ingo: Beginning 8-9pm and Intermediate 9-10pm. Free parking, large dance floor, outside patio cafe." Smoking allowed. On Sundays, starting June 6th, The Majestic Dance Club on Clearwater Beach will host a teen swing night. Coming soon, look for a new night of swing, dance, and entertainment at the Platinum Vault in downtown St Pete, Sunday nights. On Tuesday nights, starting June 1st, the Dancelovers Ballroom in Clearwater will host a swing night, with an 8:00-8:30pm lesson by the Right Step Dance Studio and an 8:30-11:30pm dance. The Ballroom features a large wooden dance floor and is nonsmoking. It's at the corner of Clearwater-Largo Road & Ponce De Leon in the Belaire Place Shopping Center. Admission is $6 and it's all ages. Bring your own beverages. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- BECKY PALMER & A TOUCH OF THE BLUES * Swingin' at The Groove, 1327 E 7th Ave, Ybor City * Tuesday nights, 7:30-10:30pm, May 4th - June 8th * With Guitarist, Mike Cripe; Percussionist, Alvon Griffin; and Violinist, Virgil Leedham Thanks to Becky for providing the above info. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- SWINGIN' MOOKS JUNE CALENDAR 3 Storman's Palace, 9:30pm, Clearwater 4 Club More, 10:00pm, Clearwater 5 Dunedin Centennial, 2:00pm, Edgewater Park 9 Club More, 10:00pm, Clearwater 10 Storman's Palace, 9:30pm, Clearwater 12 Gators, 5:00pm, Treasure Island 12 Planet 9 Ball, 11:30pm, Tampa 16 Club More, 10:00pm, Clearwater 17 Largo Cultural Center, 8pm, Largo 18 Neptune Lounge, 10:30pm, Tarpon Springs 19 Gators, 5:00pm, Treasure Island 19 Planet 9 Ball, 11:30pm, Tampa 21 Gators, 5:00pm, Treasure Island 23 Club More, 10:00pm, Clearwater 24 Storman's Palace, 9:30pm, Clearwater 25 Gasoline Alley, 11:30pm, Clearwater 26 Gators, 5:00pm, Treasure Island 26 Planet 9 Ball, 11:30pm, Tampa 27 Pier 60, 5:00pm, Clearwater Beach 30 Club More, 10:00pm, Clearwater The Mooks will be on vacation 5/23 - 6/1. Please contact clubs to confirm and for info on smoking, dance floor, etc. For the latest on the Mooks: Web site: http://md24.com/swinginmooks.htm E-mail: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX ---------------------------------------------------------------------- BOMBED OUT CAT JUNE CALENDAR Tue 1 Cadillac Jacks, Treasure Island, 9:00pm-1:30am Thu 3 The Rare Olive, Ybor City, 9:00pm-1:30am Fri 4 The Rare Olive, Ybor City, 10:00pm-2:30am Sat 5 Ball By the Bay, Tampa Convention Center, 8:00pm-1:00am Sun 6 Jimmy B's, St Pete Beach, 6:30-10:30pm Thu 10 The Rare Olive, Ybor City, 9:00pm-1:30am Fri 11 The Rare Olive, Ybor City, 10:00pm-2:30am Sat 12 Club Majestic, Clearwater Beach, 10:00pm-1:30am Tue 15 Cadillac Jacks, Treasure Island, 9:00pm-1:30am Thu 17 The Rare Olive, Ybor City, 9:00pm-1:30am Fri 18 Midtown Sundries, St Pete, 10:00pm-1:30am Sat 19 The Yellow Rose, Tampa, 10:00pm-2:00am Thu 24 The Rare Olive, Ybor City, 9:00pm-1:30am Sat 26 Skipper's Smokehouse, Tampa, 8:00pm-Midnight Tue 29 Cadillac Jacks, Treasure Island, 9:00pm-1:30am Contact clubs to confirm or for more info. Billy writes: Many thanks to everyone who showed up at The Cuban Club this past Saturday [May 8]. You made it a great success! It looks like we're headed to Las Vegas for a three week stint at The Luxor starting July 11th; we'll be leaving July 8th, so come out and support us before we go, and don't forget July 4th in Straub Park. Once again, thanks for the support and hope to see ya soon. Keep swingin', Billy ---------------------------------------------------------------------- THE FLORIDA FOLK FESTIVAL ... ... gets underway this Memorial Day Weekend in White Springs, with tons 'o music and outdoor dancing. Swing-wise, Saturday night's dance floor features at 10pm "a vintage Texas Swing Dance" with an "all-star band including veteran players from the early days of Western Swing", including musicians Vassar Clements, Kayton Roberts, and George Custer. A half-hour before the dance, Marietta Massey teaches a workshop in western swing. For details, phone 850-488-1673 or visit http://www.flheritage.com/folkfest . ---------------------------------------------------------------------- HELP WANTED WITH CHEERLEADING SWING CHOREOGRAPHY Tammy Gordon writes: I am the cheerleading coach at Boca Ciega High School in Gulfport and am looking for help in choreographing the dance portion of our competition routine. I have chosen swing/jive music (don't have the name of the song -- CD's at home and I'm at work) and could use some help in coming up with something exciting and different?? Any ideas? We're an all-girl squad with 21 members. Thanks for your help. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- SWING ARTICLE APPEARS IN ST PETE TIMES WEEKEND Last Friday's St Pete Times Weekend section (Pinellas County edition) featured a cover story by Christina Headrick on Tampa Bay swing. If you haven't yet seen it, you can check it out at http://www.sptimes.com/News/52199/Alive/The_ups_and_downs_of_.shtml . ---------------------------------------------------------------------- MIDWEST LINDY-HOP WEEKEND The Midwest Swing-Fest, A Lindy-Hop Convention, will be held June 12 & 13 in Cincinnati. For details, visit http://www.MidwestSwingFest.com , e-mail XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX , or phone 513-984-0261. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ATLANTA SWING DANCE WEEKEND TO BE HELD OVER LABOR DAY Roy Rydbeck writes: "This looks like it will be very good. When the Rhythm Hot Shots are at an event performing and instructing, it is worth the trip." We'd like to announce a Big Swing Dance Celebration and Invite You to attend "A Natural Ball", to be held in Atlanta Sep 3-5 in a 50,000 square foot hall, with the legendary, 85 year-old, original Lindy Hopper, Frankie Manning, as headliner. All styles of swing will be represented by a big line-up of the world's celebrity dancers, for learning, watching, and pure enjoying! ALL Ages are Welcome. The talented performers will represent every age decade from pre-teen through the 80's! There will be workshops in all the styles, configured so that tracks in one, two, or an elective sampling of the styles can be followed each day Saturday and Sunday. For the early birds, especially the folks from other countries and continents who need to give jet lag some lead time, we'll venture to a local dance spot on Thursday night to sample the Atlanta air. An electrified Welcome Party on Friday Night will open the event -- we promise this will be a night to remember with the chance to meet, party, and start wearing your socks off with dancers from all over the world. Saturday Night, we'll have A Natural Ball! Frankie starts the evening with a lesson for everybody. Then the Count Basie Orchestra will strike up the music for general dancing. About 10pm, we'll have a show, an hour-long theatrically presented series of dance numbers performed by Frankie and all the different style representatives. These numbers will aim to have you bangin' on the floor and bringin' down the house! Sunday Night (more live music) provides the opportunity for everybody to let it rip. Performing groups of four or more are invited to show us their stuff with exhibitions throughout the evening. The first 20 groups to sign up are the ones we'll get to see and enjoy. And if anyone's still standing at midnight, we'll have the most unusual Jack `n Jill ever [a contest with random pairings of couples and random choices of music]. Many accommodations are available. Transportation to and from the Hall is provided by free shuttles all hours of the day and night. We're also working on bringing you air travelers in from the airport and returning you via privately commissioned buses in order to make this transportation cost a nominal fee. Hall capacity is limited to 3600. Tickets will be sold as Full Event Weekend Passes, Workshop Day Passes, Single Workshop Tickets, and separate Friday, Saturday, and Sunday Night Dance Tickets. Registration forms, flyers and frequent information updates will be available on our web site: http://www.awebspinner.com/everybodydances/ or via e-mail request to XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX . The site is still building; bear with us, please. But mark your calendars and plan to get your tickets early -- they'll be available in May. From all of us on the Natural Ball staff, the Swing Dance Clubs in Atlanta, and Everybody Dances, Inc., we look forward to seeing you at the Ball! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- CORRECTIONS A couple of corrections to the last newsletter: Squaresville is located in Hyde Park, not Ybor City. (Thanks to Angel for catching this.) And Jet Set Six did manage to sneak into town, not at the Rubb, but at Storman's. Although the band's web site said they were playing Storman's, the club would not confirm this when called. The guy on the phone said that either "Rocket 88 or the Swingin' Mooks" would be playing, no doubt part of some bizarre marketing strategy. This week, the Mooks say they're taking a break, but the club (called just before presstime) says the Mooks are performing. Normally, we advise people to call clubs to confirm events, but in the case of Storman's, you'll either have to get your information from the bands, the grapevine, or just show up and see what you get. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Swing News Know any upcoming swing happenings or other news? Send them in to XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX . 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 Swing News! Send additions/deletions/address-changes to XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX . Check out our companion website at http://www.SwingNews.com . **********************************************************************