********************************************************************** Swing News, Tuesday 7/27/99, Issue #40, (Next Issue, 8/10/99) XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX - Submissions to this newsletter XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX - Addition/deletion/address-change requests XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX - All other correspondence http://www.SwingNews.com - Swing News web site ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear everyone, Be sure to make the Gulfport Casino this Friday for the next event in the Swing Dance & Lifestyle Expo series. It features the jumpin' band, Dan Electro & the Silvertones. If you missed the last Dance & Expo, it was an exceptionally good time for the over 400 people who attended. This Friday, all your favorite swing people will once again be at the Casino. If you can make a second event during these upcoming two weeks, be sure to check out NYC band, Set 'Em Up Joe, at L'Unione Italiana in Ybor City. Sandy, the organizer, has agreed to give a discount on advanced tickets to Swing News subscribers. A few weeks ago, the local swing calendar was looking a bit sparse. But now it's jammed full of events between now and Labor Day. See you Friday at Gulfport! Sam ---------------------------------------------------------------------- THE UPCOMING TWO WEEKS This Friday (Jul 30), Dan Electro & the Silvertones play the Gulfport Casino's Swing Dance & Lifestyle Expo. The band are veterans of the Florida swing scene, having appeared at Atlantic Dance in Orlando recently, numerous times at the Sugar Palm Club, and all over Sarasota, Tampa Bay, and the rest of the state. The band's high-energy swing features horn section, bass, drums, guitar, and "Dan Electro" himself on vocals. The band's mix of swing classics and originals is featured on the two CDs they've recorded. Event Details: * All Ages * Dancing 8pm - 1am, featuring Dan Electro & the Silvertones, plus DJ Paul Mallett during the breaks * Free Beginner's Swing Dance Lesson 7-8pm by Right Step Studio * Swing Lifestyle Expo & Sale: CDs, Vintage Wear, Shoes & Accessories * Smoke-Free Atmosphere * Full Bar Available * Admission $10 (pay at the door) * Gulfport Casino: a huge, beautiful, historic, waterfront ballroom, with spacious wooden dance floor. (Despite the name, "Casino", it hasn't seen any gambling since the 1920's.) * Phone 727-893-1070 for more info * 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 Sunday (Aug 1), the Brian Setzer Orchestra and BR5-49 play the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. Both are excellent bands; BR5-49 has previously played in Tampa at the Round Up. But if you're looking for a dance floor, you'll just have to resist the urge (either that or see the show the night before in Orlando). The Tampa show's at 8pm and tickets are $29.50 or $35. Phone 813-229-7827 for tickets or details. Next Wednesday (Aug 4), NYC swing band, Set 'Em Up Joe, returns to Tampa Bay for a one-time concert at the Italian Club in Ybor City. (Last year, the band played three nights at Sugar Palm and Skipper's.) This five-piece outfit describes themselves as "the missing link between the Rat Pack and Rock & Roll" and is known for putting on a great live show. Band member, Greg Mangus, writes: "We do swing with a bluesy/jump sort of feel, but there's no denying the influence of early rockers and jazz on our sound." The band's hitting the road on a multi-state tour and have released a debut CD, available at Border's Bookstore, on amazon.com, and from Sandy, the event's organizer. Check out www.setemupjoe.com for more info on the band. The Italian Club (L'Unione Italiana), 1731 E 7th Ave in Ybor City, hosts this event in their 2nd-floor "Theater", an impressive facility with lofty ceiling and 5000 sq ft hardwood dance floor. This historic, 100-year-old building was recently renovated. Check out a picture of the Theater at www.Italian-Club.org/tour0.htm . The Theater is smoke-free, while the Cantina on the 1st Floor allows smoking. * All Ages * Doors open at 7pm * A blues band warms up 7-8pm * Set 'Em Up Joe plays 8pm - Midnight * Proper dress required (no cutoffs or shorts; jeans are ok) * Tickets are $15 at the door * Tickets are $10 in advance IF you say you saw it in the Swing News. * For tickets or info, e-mail XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX or call the band's hotline at 813-643-0681 and leave a message. * You can park directly on 7th Ave on a Wednesday night Thanks to Traci Wheeler for sending in much of the above info. Next Friday (Aug 6), the Swingin' Mooks return to Skipper's Smokehouse to give an outdoor concert. The show's at 8pm and costs $5. Skipper's provides a great description of the Mooks: They "take a rock'n'roll approach to swing with an emphasis on fun & high energy. With an irreverent look at the past, they attack songs with heavy guitars, poppin' bass & R&B-style vocals, producing hard-biting swing. Strong musicianship is augmented with xylophone, bongos, harmonica and saxophones." Skipper's has a new and improved dance floor, plus the usual wooden decks. The show's open to ages 18 & up (under 18 admitted if accompanied by parent). Skipper's is located at Skipper Rd & Nebraska in North Tampa. Phone 813-971-0666 for more info. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- AFTER THAT Fri Aug 13: Rockabilly Rumble in Ybor Square, featuring the Vipers, Blue Moon Boys, Belmont Playboys, Skirt Lifters, Thrusters, and Skinny MacGee & His Mayhem Makers Sat Aug 14: Blue Moon Boys at Blues Ship; 813-248-6097 Sat Aug 14: Belmont Playboys at Yeoman's Pub; 813-251-2748 Sat Aug 21: Cigar Store Indians at Club More; 727-466-6673 Sun Aug 22: Harry Connick Jr at TBPAC; 813-229-7827 Fri Aug 27: Swing Dance & Lifestyle Expo at Casino; 727-893-1070 Sat Aug 28: Bus Trip to Atlantic Dance in Orlando to see Bim Bam Baby; Phone 813-936-0933 or e-mail XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Fri Sep 3: Swing Weekend in Atlanta; Sep 3-5; 1-877-SWINGDANCE or www.everybodydances.com Fri Sep 17: WMNF Birthday Bash at Coliseum, featuring Dan Electro & the Silvertones and two other bands; 727-892-5202 Sat Sep 25: Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys at Skipper's; 813-971-0666 Fri Oct 8: Swingerhead at Coliseum; 727-892-5202 Sat Oct 16: Bellevue Cadillac at Clearwater Jazz Holiday; 727-461-5200 Fri Oct 29: Swingin' Mooks at Skipper's Freaker's Ball; 813-971-0666 Sat Nov 6: Southeast Savoy Swing Dance Competition in Sarasota, featuring Frankie Manning & the Visual Impact swing band; 941-954-8696 or XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Details are in on Friday the 13th's Rockabilly Rumble (formerly the Black Cat Ball), to be held outdoors in Ybor Square. Doors open at 7pm and the show starts at 8pm. Admission is $8. The evening features six bands, plus music between sets spun by Skinny of The Mayhem Makers and Vincent Vega. (Thanks to Vince for sending in the above info.) You may have seen some of the bands before: The Vipers consist of three Rocket 88 band members (bass player, drummer, and old lead singer). The Blue Moon boys, from Indiana, put on a couple of great shows earlier this year at the Sugar Palm and Skipper's. The Belmont Playboys and the Thrusters played this year's WMNF Tropical Heatwave. Finally, Skinny MacGee & His Mayhem Makers and the Skirt Lifters were recent acts at the Fortunate One's Saturday swing night. Another bus trip to Atlantic Dance in Orlando is in the works, for Saturday Aug 28, to see the band, Bim Bam Baby. The total cost of $25 includes round-trip bus transportation from Tampa or St Pete, admission to Atlantic Dance, plus drinks and more. For information, tickets, or if you'd like to help organizing this trip, contact Carson at 813-936-0933 or XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX . The Atlanta swing dance weekend is coming up Labor Day, and lots of Tampa Bay people are planning to go. It features three nights of dancing (including Saturday night to the Count Basie Orchestra). It also provides two full days of workshops, beginning to advanced level, in Lindy Hop, East & West Coast Swing, Carolina Shag, and 14 other styles. Many famous teachers and performers will be there, including Frankie Manning, and the Rhythm Hot Shots from Sweden. Total cost is $125 if received by 7/30; $10 extra after 7/30. For full information or to register, see www.everybodydances.com or call 1-877-SWINGDANCE. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- WEEKLY SWING NIGHTS Tue: Dancelovers in Clearwater; 727-582-9499; Nonsmoking; All Ages Tue: Swing Jam at Sand Bar in Tierra Verde; 727-867-2688; Open-Air 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 Fri: Swing City Dance Studio in Tampa; 813-935-7458; Nonsmoking Fri: Luna Lounge in Ybor City; 813-248-3460; Smoking Sat: Fortunate One in Ybor City; 813-241-CLUB; Smoking Frank Ingo writes: "The owner of Majestik is planning some repairs and is involved in another Ybor project, so swing at the Majestik is being rainchecked until fall." Look for a weekly Saturday swing night at the Blues Ship in Ybor City, starting August 14th. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ORLANDO HIGHLIGHTS Sat Jul 31: Brian Setzer Orchestra & BR5-49 at House of Blues, 8:30pm, All Ages, $32.50, 407-934-2222. Sun Aug 1: Swing Day at Atlantic Dance featuring Set 'Em Up Joe; 407-939-2444; http://www.atlanticdance.com Correction: Three Orlando shows listed in the last issue of Swing News are not happening. These were listed as Royal Crown Review on Jul 29 & 30, and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy on Aug 12. Explanations below: Vince Gudzinskas writes: "The shows you listed for RCR (7/29) and BBVD (8/4) are not taking place in Orlando. They are live webcasts of the bands from other locales that are being carried by the HOB website." [Thanks also to Patrick Robbins for catching this.] According to the Orlando Swing web site (www.neoSwing.com/orlando), "The Warped Tour at the Central Florida Fairgrounds on Friday, July 30th will feature the Atomic Fireballs and possibly Swingerhead (on the local stage). Unfortunately, Royal Crown Revue will not be playing as previously announced. Tickets on sale at Ticketmaster." The Ticketmaster web site lists six acts (plus the catchall category "more"); none of the listed acts are swing. Jeff writes: Join the Orlando locals for Swing Day on Sunday, August 1, 1999 at Atlantic Dance. I have put together a website for the club at www.atlanticdance.com and you can check out the club, read up on Swing Day, or get directions if you're coming from out of town. I am going to invite all the media organizations I can think of, so we will hopefully get some good press for the swing scene. --DJ Jeff Rob Shrewsbury writes: I'd like to invite everyone to show their support for the swing scene by attending "Swing Day" at Atlantic Dance in Orlando, dressed in their best swing attire. Spread the word! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- MAMBO SWING CLASS & SWING VIDEO Frank Ingo writes: I am starting a 4 week, 2 hour Latin swing workshop (Mambo Swing, Ricky Martin video moves and the like) at Brucie Klay's Dance Center, 3601 Manhattan in Tampa, starting July 13th. It's $20 per session in advance. Info at 813-835-5804. Also, my swing instructional video is available at Storman's or through e-mail. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- SWING BANDS & DANCERS WANTED FOR 1940'S EVENT Swing bands and dance groups wanted for 1940's (WW II) living history event at Heritage Village (county historical park) in Largo, on Feb 12, 2000. Must have own sound system. No pay, but it's a great opportunity to make contacts for future paid events. You may also pass the hat or put out a donation box. Thousands of spectators are expected. For more information, call Les Dailey at 727-532-9676 or Ken Ford (Heritage Village Park Manager) at 727-582-2123. Also, you can see our FL WW-II Reenactor Living History web site and find this event in the "Events Section" of the main menu. The site is: http://www.rhickox.simplenet.com/ww2home.htm . Thank you very much, Ron G Hickox, Veterans Memorial Museum Curator, Tampa and Reenactor Coordinator for FL WW-II Living History ---------------------------------------------------------------------- BOMBED OUT CAT IN VEGAS Local band, Bombed Out Cat, has had their Las Vegas show extended for another week, to July 31st. Check out the Cat's hotline for up-to-date information on their return gigs (813-960-1426). Congratulations to the band! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- GULFPORT GABBER COVERS CASINO EVENT The July 15-21 issue of Gulfport's newspaper, "The Gabber", features coverage of our June 25th Dance & Expo at the Casino. On the cover is a picture of Maelyn dancing with an unidentified, but well-dressed, gent. The article includes tall tales from an interview with Swing News webmaster, Bob Sutter, and also talks about how popular swing has become at the Casino. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Swing News Know any upcoming swing happenings or other news? Send them in to XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX . 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 Suncoast Swing Gang, publisher of Swing News, is a network of swing dancers and other enthusiasts, committed to promoting events in places with large, smoke-free or open-air dance areas; to encouraging great music & instruction; and to building a united swing community! Send additions/deletions/address-changes to XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX . Check out our companion website at http://www.SwingNews.com . **********************************************************************