********************************************************************** Swing News, Tuesday 9/7/99, Issue #43, (Next Issue, 9/21/99) XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX - Submissions to this newsletter XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX - Addition/deletion/address-change requests XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX - All other correspondence http://www.SwingNews.com - Swing News web site ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear Swingers, Just got back from the swing dance weekend in Atlanta, and it was a great experience. Tampa Bay and Orlando were well represented -- several dozen of us drove and flew in to join the contingent of roughly 2000 dancers. Just about every style of swing was danced, taught, and performed -- Lindy Hop (Savoy & Hollywood styles), East & West Coast Swing, Carolina & St Louis Shag, Balboa & Collegiate Shag, Boogie Woogie, Tap, Aerials, and more. Dozens of the best performers from around the world came to teach and perform each of their specialties, and many of the performances were spectacular! The event did have more than its share of problems (sound problems, sticky floors, spotty shuttle service from hotels, excessively long shows interrupting the dancing, etc). But the number and the high quality of dancers who attended made it a very fun and worthwhile weekend. Hopefully, others who went will send in their experiences, but until then, it's onward to present and future events, including your choice among three this Friday. Sam ---------------------------------------------------------------------- THE UPCOMING TWO WEEKS This Friday (Sep 10), the Gulfport Casino hosts a "No Frills" Swing Dance, with music by DJ Vince and free beginner's lesson by James & Arleene of Right Step Studio. Details: * 7-8pm Lesson; 8pm-1am Dance * All Ages * $7 Admission * Smoke-Free / Door Prizes / Huge Wooden Floor / Full Bar Available * 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. Also this Friday (Sep 10), the USF Swing Club holds its first dance of the school year. Dan Parshall writes: "Attention All USF Area Swingsters! The USF Swing Club will have their first dance on Friday, 8pm-midnight. DJing will be provided by Tampa's own hepcat, DJ Abdel. All are welcome. The cover is just $2 and includes food and drinks (no alcohol allowed). The dance will be held at Crosswinds Church on Sycamore Drive (by the intramural fields on the east side of campus). Hope to see you all there! Dan Parshall, President, USF Swing Club" Still this Friday (Sep 10), Lounge Cat, a local swing & lounge band that played this year's Tropical Heatwave festival, headlines at Skipper's Smokehouse. The show's at 8pm and costs $5. It's open to ages 18 and up (under 18 admitted if accompanied by parent), and will be held outdoors in the "Skipperdome". Dance on the wooden decks, the dance floor, or in the sand. Skipper's is located at Skipper Rd & Nebraska in North Tampa. This Saturday (Sep 11), the Garden Crest Presbyterian Church continues its monthly swing night. The dance runs 7-10+ pm, costs $3/person or $5/couple, and includes a 7-8pm beginner's swing dance lesson by James & Arleene. DJ Jumpin' James provides the music. This all-ages event is smoke- and alcohol-free, plus refreshments will be served. Garden Crest is located at 5901 9th Av N in St Pete. Phone 727-381-7498. Next Friday (Sep 17), WMNF community radio station holds its 20th Birthday Bash at the St Pete Coliseum. Three bands take the stage: Dan Electro & the Silvertones (jump blues & swing), The Blazers (L.A./ Latin roots, rock, blues & cumbias), and Gumbo Ortiz & the Mango Project (Afro-Cuban). The party also includes cake and vendors of clothing, art, and jewelry. BYOB & snacks. The evening starts at 8pm and admission is $16 in advance; $21 at the door. Other details: * All Ages * Nonsmoking * The Coliseum has the largest and one of the finest dance floors in the Bay area. * Box office open 10am-4pm M-F (Phone 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.) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- AFTER THAT 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 at Swingfest II in Clearwater's Coachman Park; 727-445-4366 Wed Sep 29: Jive Aces at Gulfport Casino; 727-893-1070; $15 at door; Save $5 if you buy your ticket in advance 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 Sat Nov 13: Coliseum's 75th Anniversary Gala w/ 4 Bands; 727-892-5202 Fri Dec 17: Swing Dance & Expo at Gulfport Casino; 727-893-1070 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- WEEKLY SWING NIGHTS: THE LATEST 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 Sat: Fortunate One in Ybor City; 813-241-CLUB; Smoking Sat: South Beach Grille on St Pete Beach; 727-363-7623; Smoking ---------------------------------------------------------------------- LINDY HOP WORKSHOP Roy Rydbeck writes: Saturday, Sep 18, 1:30-4:00pm, at Dancer's Rendezvous (4445 East Bay Drive in Clearwater), Roy and Angel will be giving a 2 1/2 hour Savoy Style Lindy Hop workshop. We will cover all the fundamentals: Swing Out, Lindy Circle, Charleston, Front & Back Kicks, Traveling Charleston, and Swing Out from Closed Position. We will emphasize technique as well as footwork. The cost will be $20 per person at the door; $5 less in advance. You do not need to bring a partner; we will rotate frequently throughout the workshop. For questions, call Roy at 813-234-8441 or e-mail XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX . To register in advance or for more info, visit http://members.aol.com/swingsum99/saturday.htm . ---------------------------------------------------------------------- NATIONAL POW/MIA RECOGNITION EVENT Dori Summers writes: Hiya, fellow Swing Kids! I'll be wearing my zoot suit and performing songs from the Big Band era at 7pm at the National POW/MIA Recognition Day being held Saturday, Sep 18, at the Brooksville Airport. Plenty of room to dance, plus it commemorates some really brave folks, so hope to see you there! Here's the scoop: * A national day of recognition set by Congress in remembrance of POWs, MIAs, and their families from WWII, Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf, and Bosnia * Noon until dusk at the Brooksville Airport on Rt 41, north of Tampa * Just a $1 suggested donation per carload * The day's activities include displays, parachute jumps, fly-bys, a SWAT team helicopter rappel, food, speakers, Vietnam and WWII reinactors, all kinds of live music, plus me! I'll be singing tunes from Glenn Miller, Harry James, Andrews Sisters & other cool folks! * Want more info? Contact Dori at XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX ---------------------------------------------------------------------- LOCAL BANDS IN SEPTEMBER Swingin' Mooks: 8 Club More, 10:00pm 9 Storman's Palace, 9:30pm 10 Atlantic Dance at the Disney Boardwalk in Orlando, 9:00pm 11 Atlantic Dance at the Disney Boardwalk in Orlando, 9:00pm 15 Club More, 10:00pm 16 Storman's Palace, 9:30pm 17 Gasoline Alley, 11:30pm 18 Gator's, 5:00pm 18 Planet 9 Ball, 11:30pm 22 Club More, 10:00pm 23 Storman's Palace, 9:30pm 24 Neptune Lounge, 10:30pm 26 CityJazz at the Universal Studios CityWalk in Orlando, 8:30pm 30 Storman's Palace, 9:30pm Bombed Out Cat: Billy writes: "Here it is, your update for the week. Tuesday 7th: Cadillac Jacks, Treasure Island 9:00-1:30; Thursday 9th: Rare Olive, Ybor City 9:30-1:30; Friday & Saturday 10th & 11th: Daqueri Deck, Madeira Beach 9:30-1:30 (Jim Webb from WFLA TV will be videotaping on Friday night); Saturday 11th: Gators, John's Pass Village 5:00-9:00. The City of Clearwater also just let me know that on our future dates at Pier 60 on Clearwater Beach, they will be moving us into the Skating Rink so all you dancers will have plenty of room to SWING!! We'll be back there Sunday the 19th from 5:00-8:00. Hope everybody had a great Labor Day Weekend & see 'ya soon. --Billy" ---------------------------------------------------------------------- DANCE ETIQUETTE: AVOIDING INJURY As part of our occasional series on swing (and, in general, dance) etiquette, Michael Ingbar from NYC writes the following: Since November, I have been compiling a flyer to be used here in NYC, in dance schools, some clubs and other venues for the new swing dancer. The president of the New York Swing Dance Society, Margaret Battichuk, has worked with me very closely in getting this project to where it is today. This list takes into account lists done by Alan Sugarman, the zootsuitswank.com website, and over 60 New York City dancers' and instructors' comments to surveys done on the subject. I know this is a long post, but please take the time to read this and comment or make suggestions, preferably via e-mail. Please recognize that this is not intended for all the manners there probably should be on the dance floor, but just for those that will prevent injury. If you like this list and feel you can use it or parts of it in your area, feel free to copy it if you wish. Edit it if you wish. There is no copyright. I just ask that you send me a copy of the version you use. (Please send any questions or suggestions to XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, refer in the Subject to Trial Version 1.3, 5/4/99) Here in NY, dances are sometimes very crowded, and in some clubs one almost expects to leave with bruises. I don't expect this list to cure everything that goes wrong; drunks who watch others on the floor will try Charleston's for the first time, waiters will walk through dance floors, and we will all still get kicked now and then. My hope is to help the situation, even if just a bit. NOTE: The purpose of this list is to inform newcomers what is considered safe swing. 1. Smoke or drink as far from the dance floor as you can. Burns hurt people, liquids can cause dancers to slip, and broken glass can cause bleeding. 2. Walk around the dance floor, not through the dancers. When not dancing, stand clear of the dance floor. The dance floor is for dancing. Good dancers are usually skilled at avoiding other dancers, but unnecessary obstacles are annoying and take up space. 3. If you are too drunk to drive, don't dance. You will just run into others, get others angry, and of course, look stupid. And of course, get someone else to drive. 4. Try not to wear any sharp or protruding rings, bracelets, hair decorations or sharp keys in pockets. Stiletto heels can be sharp enough to pierce a foot; cowboy boots and steel-toed army boots can sure hurt. On a dance floor, these all become weapons. 5. If you are teaching, learning, or practicing moves, try to do it on the side and not on the main dance floor. When you practice, it is more difficult to watch out for those around you. The dance floor is for social dancing, not for teaching or learning routines. 6. If the dance floor is very crowded; (A) Don't take up excessive space or move around from area to area. (B) Do NOT do Charleston's. (C) Look behind you and around you so you don't crash or step on others. Make it easy for other dancers to predict where you and your feet will be in order to avoid collisions and getting kicked. When people get kicked, crashed into or poked, it can injure and even put a dancer out of commission 7. Air steps (or aerials), drops and slides are for jam sessions, competitions, and performances. These moves are not done on the social dance floor. Also, it is not good manners to throw or lift someone without their permission! You risk injuring others and yourself. Besides, many venues and studios don't permit these moves at all! 8. Your best moves come from creative avoidance of collisions. Check for space and all the infinitesimal permutations of where other heads may wind up before dipping or letting yourself be dipped. Don't push others. Apologize for any stepping on or kicking or crashes, and be more careful and aware of those around you. Like driving, good dancing includes the skill of dancing with everyone on the dance floor, not just your partner. Collisions are not acceptable behavior. Don't make others mad at you. 9. If you see anyone doing any of the above and cannot nicely ask them to stop their potentially dangerous behavior, tell the club manager to do something, especially if it poses a very dangerous situation, such as: drunk dancers; glass on floor, etc. We all need to be responsible for others, but don't get into fights or arguments with others. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 . **********************************************************************