********************************************************************** Swing News, Tuesday 8/24/99, Issue #42, (Next Issue, 9/7/99) 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, The rockabilly mania of the last few weeks has now subsided, but I must say it was pretty exciting. Ybor Square's Rockabilly Rumble attracted hundreds who braved the outdoor heat & humidity to dance to the six bands. It was truly the grunge side of swing, with no shortage of greasers, tattoos, t-shirts, cans of Pabst Blue Ribbon, sweat, sweat, and more sweat. Despite the grunge (or maybe because of it), it was an enjoyable evening, even as the rain came down to finish off the fourth band's (Vipers') set around midnight. All then rushed indoors to hear the final two bands. Last Saturday, a large crowd of dancers and other fans packed Club More to hear the Cigar Store Indians. (Note: All readers are invited to review events -- if you want to review one of these or any swing event, send your short writeup to XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX .) The next couple of weeks bring a return to the more traditional swing, starting with Friday's Swing Dance & Lifestyle Expo at the Gulfport Casino with Bombed Out Cat. This is an excellent event and I recommend it to everyone, including those who haven't yet tried it. The prior couple of Swing Dance & Lifestyle Expo's have been some of the best swing events of the year. Saturday, it's road trip time once again, so get your tickets for the magic bus trip to Atlantic Dance if you haven't already. After that comes the big road trip to Atlanta for the Labor Day swing weekend. Whether you go or not, have a happy Labor Day (don't work too hard!), and I hope to see everyone at the Gulfport Casino this Friday. Sam ---------------------------------------------------------------------- THE UPCOMING TWO WEEKS This Friday (Aug 27), The Gulfport Casino hosts the next Swing Dance & Lifestyle Expo. Headlining is local swing band, Bombed Out Cat, fresh from a multi-week engagement in Las Vegas. James Norman writes: "Don't miss this special event. Bombed Out Cat has a new drummer, new tunes, and a Lindy-friendly tempo. Come check them out." Details: * All Ages * Dancing 8pm - 1am to the Live Music of Bombed Out Cat * DJ Jumpin' James spins Between Sets * Free Swing Lesson 7-8pm, by Right Step Dance Studio * Lifestyle Expo & Sale: Vintage Clothing, CDs, and Dance Shoes * Door Prizes * Smoke-Free Atmosphere * Huge Wooden Dance Floor in Historic Waterfront Ballroom * Full Bar Available * Admission $10 (pay at the door) * 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 Saturday (Aug 28) is the bus trip to Atlantic Dance in Orlando, to see NYC swing band, Hi Fi Honey (formerly Bim Bam Baby). Carson writes: "They are one of the few swing bands that are totally entertaining, and you can dance to everything they play. Saturday at Atlantic Dance and the Disney Boardwalk is very festive, high energy, and lots of fun. The Boardwalk is alive until all hours of the night. The club has a capacity of over 1200, so there will be plenty of room. * One Air-Conditioned First-Class Road Coach will be picking up ticket holders at 6:30pm in Pinellas at the corner of Park Blvd & US 19 (Parkside Mall parking lot). Then it will pick up Tampa folks at 7:15pm at the corner of Dale Mabry & Waters (BorderLine parking lot). If you're running late, call BorderLine at 813-935-5339. At 1:30am, the bus will reboard from The Boardwalk Hotel at Atlantic Dance and return to Borderline at 3:00am; Parkside Mall, 3:30am. * Tickets are only $25 and include: Free admission to Atlantic Dance, Free Party Platters from Subway, Free Beer/Wine/Soft Drinks/Mixers/ Vodka/Rum/Tequila on board, and Free Food & Drinks on the way home. If you want something more, you're welcome to bring it. (Alcohol not allowed for under 21 - valid ID required - must be 18 to go.) * There are fewer than 20 seats remaining and tickets can be paid by credit card by just calling 813-936-0933, OR you can go to the Gulfport Casino Wednesday night. Not only do Arleene & Jamie have tickets, but they will be giving one away that night. * If you went on the last bus trip, you would know how much fun it is. There is a magic about going on a road trip with a group, especially this group. The Tampa Bay group has a strong, fun Spirit Of Swing. Bring your friends and make new ones. I hope you don't miss out on the Swingin'est Party On The Planet! Dance and party with your friends all night, then wind down and relax on the way home in the comfort of a First Class Coach. * Call me at 813-936-0933 for reservations or questions! If you have friends who don't already know about it, please forward this to them. I am looking forward to this bus trip. Let's go!" Next Fri-Sun (Sep 3-5) is the Atlanta Swing Dance Weekend, featuring three nights of dancing and two full days of classes in all styles of swing. Headliners are the Count Basie Orchestra, Frankie Manning, and other big-name instructors and performers. You can check it out at http://www.everybodydances.com or get info by calling 1-877-SWINGDA . Many people from Tampa Bay and all over will be going to this one! If you're staying home for Labor Day weekend, you can check out the Swingin' Mooks, Friday (Sep 3) at Skipper's Smokehouse. It's an 8pm show, costs $5, and is open to ages 18 and up (under 18 admitted if accompanied by parent). Like all Skipper's shows, it's outdoors in the "Skipperdome" and you can dance wherever you want. Skipper's is located at Skipper Rd & Nebraska in North Tampa. Phone 813-971-0666. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- AFTER THAT Fri Sep 10: Lounge Cat at Skipper's Smokehouse; 813-971-0666 Fri Sep 17: Dan Electro & the Silvertones and two other bands at WMNF Birthday Bash at Coliseum; 727-892-5202 Fri Sep 24: Swing Dance & Expo at Gulfport Casino w/ DJ Paul Mallett; 727-893-1070 Fri Sep 24: Rocket 88 at Skipper's Smokehouse; 813-971-0666 Sat Sep 25: Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys and Vipers at Skipper's; 813-971-0666 Sun Sep 26: Jive Aces & Ex-Benny-Goodman-Alumni Allstars at Swingfest; Clearwater's Coachman Park; 727-445-4355 Wed Sep 29: Jive Aces at Gulfport Casino; 727-893-1070 Fri Oct 8: Swingerhead at Coliseum; 727-892-5202 Fri Oct 15: Swing Dance & Expo at Gulfport Casino; All Star Swing DJs; 727-893-1070 Sat Oct 16: Lindy Hop Night at Pinellas Park Auditorium; 727-799-7096 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 Fri Nov 5: Frankie Manning Workshop & Dance at Casino; 727-893-1070 Sat Nov 6: Southeast Savoy Swing Dance Competition in Sarasota, featuring Frankie Manning & the Visual Impact swing band; 941-954-8696 or XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Fri Dec 17: Swing Dance & Expo at Gulfport Casino; 727-893-1070 James Norman writes of the upcoming (Wed, Sep 29) Jive Aces concert at the Gulfport Casino: Very Special Wednesday: This will be the first (and maybe ONLY) time we will have a headline band on a Wednesday. If you loved the Ray Gelato Giants, you will love the Jive Aces. They combine elements of 1930's jazz, 1940's jump blues, 1950's rockabilly, Louis-Prima-lounge style with a big, brassy, contemporary sound. Whether you like to East Coast, Lindy or Fox Trot, you will love the Jive Aces. Other Details: * All ages admitted * Beginning East-Coast Swing Dance Lesson 7-8pm * Dance 8pm to Midnight * $10 per person in advance; $15 day of show * Phone 727-821-9420 (Right Step) for more info * Don't miss this special event! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- LINDY HOP NIGHT & LESSONS Frankie Manning's coming to town, to the Gulfport Casino on Fri Nov 5 and to Sarasota on Sat Nov 6. While details are yet to be finalized, many are wasting no time in improving their Lindy hopping. Local organizers and teachers are providing unprecedented opportunities to dance, practice, and learn the Savoy-Style Lindy Hop. Saturday, Oct 16, is Lindy Hop Night at the Pinellas Park Auditorium -- an entire evening of music, instruction, & dancing devoted to the Lindy Hop. The evening runs 7:30pm - 1:00am and details are: * 7:30-9:30pm: Lindy Workshop: Front-To-Back Charleston & Variations. Taught by Roy Rydbeck & partner. No prior experience or partner needed for this workshop. * 9:30pm-1:00am: Open Dancing. All types of swing dancing are allowed, but all tunes will be Lindy-Hoppable, with appropriate tempos and styles. * 2500 square feet of Wooden Dance Floor * Smoke-Free Event; Free Water or BYO; Free & Ample Parking * Admission: $3 for Dance Only; $8 for Workshop & Dance * For more info, visit http://members.aol.com/swingsum99/lindyhop.htm Those planning on seeing Bellevue Cadillac that day at the Clearwater Jazz Holiday can easily make both events. The band plays 5:45-7:00pm. Several opportunities exist for learning the basic steps: * Roy & Angel are teaching an introductory workshop on Saturday afternoon, 9/18, at Dancer's Rendezvous in Clearwater. Phone 727-799-7096, e-mail XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, or visit http://members.aol.com/swingsum99/saturday.htm * James & Arleene of Right Step are giving workshops at their St Pete Studio pretty much every weekend. Phone 727-821-9420, e-mail XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX; http://rightstepdance.digitalchainsaw.com * Spats in Sarasota and Atlantic Dance in Orlando give Lindy lessons. Spats: 941-954-8696; http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Loft/3445 Atlantic Dance: 407-939-2444; http://www.atlanticdance.com * If you know of other group lessons or workshops, mail complete details to XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX for the next issue. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- WEEKLY SWING NIGHTS Tue: Dancelovers in Clearwater; 727-582-9499; Nonsmoking; All Ages 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 Sat: South Beach Grille on St Pete Beach; 727-363-7623; Smoking In the wild world of weekly swing nights, the Fortunate One is now back to Saturday nights, the Blues Ship decided to make theirs a one-time rather than a weekly event, and South Beach Grille, a restaurant & club on St Pete Beach, is the new kid on the block. South Beach Grille is divided into smoking and nonsmoking sections, with dance floor in between. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX writes: "South Beach Grille (727-363-7623) in St Pete Beach is beginning a swing night, each and every Saturday night starting in September. Kicking it off will be the All Star Swing Band, September 4, 8pm-12am. Hopefully, some local support will make this night a success." ---------------------------------------------------------------------- DANCE WORKSHOPS & LESSONS: SAM'S SWING SERIES Sam Mahfoud writes: I wanted to let everyone know about the new swing/dance workshops & lessons I'm organizing & teaching. First are the Saturday Specials, 2.5 hour workshops every Saturday afternoon, Sep 11 - Oct 30: Aerials, Lindy Hop, Kicks, Turns, Beginning Swing, Cajun/Zydeco, Slow Dances for Swing & Blues, and Contra. Besides myself, I've lined up a fine cast of a dozen instructors, some of the best instructors available. Next are the Thursday night swing lessons at Highland Rec in Largo. The summer series will soon be replaced by a new one that runs to the end of 1999: Beginners at 6:30pm; Intermediate & Advanced at 8:00pm. For full details on everything: * See http://members.aol.com/swingsum99 * Or e-mail XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX James & Arleene Norman write (6/8/99): Howdy Swingers! Last week, Miss Arleene and I attended Swingin' Sam's swing dance class at the Highland Recreation Center in Largo. If you're looking for moves, moves, and more moves, Swingin' Sam has them for you. The evening we attended, Sam's celebrity guest instructor was the fabulous London, one of the finest street swingers in town. Their workshop was called Pretzels & Tunnels. We found Swingin' Sam's teaching style to be academic, rich in detail, highly personalized, and very up beat. Right Step Dance Studio offers its highest kudos to Sam for a great job. We recommend Swingin' Sam's Highland Rec Center swing dance classes to everyone! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- USF SWING CLUB: ST PETE BRANCH Beth Eldridge writes: Beth and Desiree' are starting a St Pete branch of the USF swing club. Interested folks should contact Beth at XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX or Desiree' at XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX . Act now, and we may still have openings for club officers! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- GET YOUR SWING ATTIRE Sherry King writes: Hey, I just learned about your great newsletter, and a member/ subscriber suggested I let everyone know that my store has a good selection of swingin' clothes. Check us out! Sherry's YesterDaze, 1908 S MacDill Ave, Tampa. Mention seeing this in the "Swing News" and get 10% off your purchase over $10. Open Tue-Sat 10-6 & Sun 12-6. Hope ta see ya -- Sherry ---------------------------------------------------------------------- MORE ON YBOR SAFETY Merideth Norris writes: In response to Sean, who wrote a very thoughtful and appropriate warning about safety in Ybor, thank you for this caution! And I'm sorry to hear about your run-in; I hope you weren't hurt! However, the warning of "having two males with you" may not be the most effective safety measure. True, a group full of large guys may create a less enticing target, but it may also create a false sense of security on the part of the entourage; the presence of males does not make you invincible and, as a former karate instructor and kickboxer, I can tell you that I would probably make a more formidable opponent than most of the men I dance with. Security measures I would encourage do include travel in packs, but also other measures: noisemakers like sirens or alarms (rather than weapons, which might get used on YOU); vigilance on the part of ALL members of the group; and remaining as sober as possible in order to foster alertness. And don't carry anything on you that's so important you might be tempted to fight over keeping it. Thanks for your time! Keep swingin'! --Merideth ---------------------------------------------------------------------- SWING TRIVIA: THE ANSWER J. Wells writes: I found the answer to my question, "Who was the 'King of Swing' in the 1930's?" The answer is Benny Goodman. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 . **********************************************************************