********************************************************************** Swing News, Tuesday 3/28/00, Issue #56, (Next Issue, 4/11/00) XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX - Submissions to this newsletter XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX - Addition/deletion/address-change requests XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX - All other correspondence http://www.SwingNews.com - Swing News web site ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Hey folks, A lot of good events are coming up. Don't miss next Friday's (Apr 7th) benefit at the Centro Asturiano for Mark & Ally of Bombed Out Cat, featuring live music by the All Star Swing Show, and Duelin' DJs -- the area's best will put on a spectacular swing show! We finally have an address for people who'd like to mail donations. Make checks payable to "Bombed Out Cat" and write on your check "Burn Relief for Ally & Mark". Send to: Bombed Out Cat PO Box 271551 Tampa, FL 33688 Finally, mark your calendars for Sunday, April 30th, when Jet Set Six (from New York City) plays the Italian Club! Sam ---------------------------------------------------------------------- THE UPCOMING TWO WEEKS This Friday (Mar 31), Lounge Cat plays the Gulfport Casino. James & Arleene write: "This contemporary band plays authentic swing, in varied tempos & genres, including your favorite Jazz, Jump Blues, Lounge, Jive, and R&B standards. Lounge Cat is the Bay area's most Lindyable band!" - Dance Lesson, 8-9pm, with James & Arleene from Right Step - Dance to Lounge Cat, 9pm-1am - DJ Jumpin' James fills in between sets - $8 in advance; $10 day of show - 1999 "Best Place to Swing" Weekly Planet Reader's Choice Award - Gulfport Casino, 5500 Shore Blvd S, Gulfport (Pinellas Co) FL http://rightstepdance.digitalchainsaw.com/casino.htm - 727-893-1070 (Casino); 727-821-9420 (Right Step Dance Studio) Also this Friday (Mar 31), the Cigar Store Indians from Atlanta and the Midnight Bowlers League from Tampa give a concert at the Orpheum in Ybor City. Doors open at 9pm, admission is $8, smoking is allowed, it's all ages, and there's a mid-size wooden dance floor. DJ Paul spins between sets. The Orpheum's located at 1902 Republica de Cuba (corner of 8th Ave & 14th St) in Ybor City. Phone 813-248-9500. For band info, see www.cigarstoreindians.com or www.angelfire.com/nf/mbl . This Saturday (Apr 1), it's Lindy Hop Night III at the Pinellas Park Auditorium, with instructors Devin & Alfredo from Gainesville and DJ "Savoy Roy" Rydbeck. This is the final episode in the Lindy Hop Night trilogy, until the series resumes later this fall. Details: - 6:30-7:30pm: Lesson: Beginner's Lindy Hop: Swing Out & Basics - 7:45-9:45pm: Workshop: Lindy Hop Variations: New & interesting variations on the circle & swing out; transitions between steps; footwork patterns; and sequences of moves. Prerequisite: Know the Lindy Hop basics or take the 6:30pm Lesson. - 10pm-1:00am: Open Dancing; All Lindy-Hop Music - No Partner required - All Ages Welcome - 2500 square feet of Wooden Dance Floor - Smoke-Free & Alcohol-Free Event - Admission: $10 before 7:30 (Beginner's Lesson, Workshop, & Dance), $8 before 9:30 (Workshop & Dance), or $5 after 9:30 (Dance Only) - More Info: members.aol.com/swingsum99 or e-mail XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX About the Instructors: Devin & Alfredo are specialists in Lindy Hop, Balboa, and Collegiate Shag. They've taught classes and workshops all over the state. Honors include 1st in Atlantic Dance & Rat Pack's Swing Dance Contests in Orlando, performing with the Boca Pops Symphony, and Alfredo's recent 1st Place in the Jack & Jill division of the 2000 Intercollegiate Swing Dance Competition in Washington DC. Now Gainesville residents, Devin & Alfredo are training to compete in the American Lindy Hop Championships. Address & Directions: 7690 59th St N, Pinellas Park. From I-275, take Exit 15. Go west on Gandy/Park Blvd. Cross the railroad tracks. Turn right onto 59th St N. Cross tracks again. Auditorium is on left. Next Friday (Apr 7), the Suncoast Swing Gang and Strictly Swing Entertainment present a benefit dance at the Centro Asturiano for Mark & Ally of Bombed Out Cat. The night features live music by the All Star Swing Show and a huge variety of music by four of Tampa Bay's hottest swing DJs -- all this in the historic Centro's fabulous ballroom. This will be a great time for a great cause, plus a chance to check out an excellent new location -- if you like it, you could be seeing more swing events here in the future. Details: * Free Dance Lesson 8:00-8:30pm by James & Arleene of Right Step * Live Music by the All Star Swing Show, 9-10pm * Duelin' DJs, 8:30pm-Midnight: Jumpin' James, Paul Mallett, Dan Parshall, & Johnny Retro * All Ages * Nonsmoking 3rd Floor Ballroom; Downstairs Cantina for smokers * Full Bar: Bottled Water, Juice, Beer, Mixed & Soft Drinks, Snacks * Sliding Scale Admission. Pay $5 to $10, based on how much you can afford to donate to the benefit. Additional donations are welcome! Proceeds go directly to Mark & Ally's benefit fund. Everyone is volunteering their time for this benefit. * Free Parking! Fenced-in lot with security guard on duty * Take I-4 to Exit 1. Go south a few blocks, then right on Palm Ave. Proceed until street ends at Nebraska. The Centro Asturiano will be on your left (at the corner of Palm & Nebraska). Turn left onto Nebraska and take an immediate left into the wrought-iron fenced lot. Park for Free. Enter at the front sweeping staircase and take the elevator or stairs to the 3rd-floor Ballroom. * Volunteers Still Needed! Contact XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX . Robin Moore writes: "The Centro Austuriano, built in 1914, features a gorgeous & grandiose ballroom with a 4,000 sq ft suspended wood floor. The elegance and ambiance of the Big Band Era emanates from its wonderfully preserved interior. This is sure to be a venue that all dancers will enjoy." ---------------------------------------------------------------------- AFTER THAT Sat Apr 15: USF Swing Dance @ Marshall Center Ballroom Fri Apr 28: Rocket 88 @ Gulfport Casino; 727-893-1070 Sat Apr 29: Lounge Cat @ Skipper's Smokehouse; 813-971-0666 Sun Apr 30: Jet Set Six at Italian Club; 813-248-3316 Tue May 2: Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra w/ Wynton Marsalis @ Mahaffey Theater in St Pete; 727-892-5767 Fri May 5 - Sun May 7: Steven Mitchell in Tampa Bay Sat May 6: Bus Trip to Atlantic Dance; 813-936-0933 Fri May 26: Frantic Flattops & Midnight Bowlers League @ Skipper's; 813-971-0666 Fri Oct 13 - Sun Oct 15: Frankie Manning in Tampa Bay James & Arleene Norman write: We were just informed that Right Step / Strictly Swing have been chosen as the Bay area representatives for the upcoming Wynton Marsalis / Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra event on May 2. We'll be distributing discounted tickets to hard-core Lindy dancers only. We and others from the Bay area have been chosen to assist Paolo & Janice in a massive Lindy class. This will be a great event in a killer- diller Lindy week! Let us come to you with the details! Carson writes: Saturday, May 6th, the Magic Bus will be going to Atlantic Dance on the Disney Boardwalk to see and dance our collective legs off to Johnny Angel & The Swingin Demons. (Robin Moore told me about this group. She saw them at the Mardi Gras a few weeks ago.) Tickets are available by calling 813-936-0933. The bus sells out, so if you want to put your tickets on credit card, we can do that. The price is $25 per ticket and seats are limited. The ticket gets you round-trip, food (sandwiches from Subway), and drinks on board, including some fine vodka, whiskey, beer and wine. There will be soft drinks provided: soda, orange juice, bottled water & grapefruit juice. The ticket also gets you free admission to Atlantic Dance. The bus has reclining seats, a VCR, and a CD player, so if you have some kewl swing music, bring it. Disney's Boardwalk is an awesome place and Atlantic Dance is pure swing. If you haven't yet been there, this is the way to go! Pick up in Pinellas: Loads at 6:45pm and departs at 7:00pm from parking lot of Parkside Mall, US 19 & Park Ave in Pinellas Park. Pick up in Hillsborough: Loads at 7:30pm and departs at 7:45pm from parking lot of BorderLine, Dale Mabry & Waters in Tampa, behind Albertsons. Phone 813-935-5339. Reboarding from Atlantic Dance: Loads at 1:20am & departs at 1:30. Returns to BorderLine at 2:45 & Parkside Mall at 3:30, rested & happy. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- LOCAL SWING NIGHTS Weekly Swing Nights: Sun: Italian Club in Ybor City; 813-248-3316; Nonsmoking; All Ages Tue: Cadillac Jack's on Treasure Island; Smoking; 727-360-2099 Wed: Gulfport Casino; 727-893-1070; Nonsmoking; All Ages Wed: Club More in downtown Clearwater; 727-466-6673; Smoking Thu: Orpheum in Ybor City; 813-248-9500; Smoking Thu: Storman's Palace in Clearwater; 727-571-2222; Smoking Fri: Swing City Dance Studio in Tampa; 813-935-7458; Nonsmoking Outgoing: Beth Eldridge writes: "With full 'gusto,' Johnny Yates’ Bayside Productions, Right Step Studio, and friends sprang into the year 2000 starting a 'Saturday Swing' night with flyers declaring that 'dances will continue every Saturday until time stops.' Danceland was a little hard to find on my first visit, but once I was inside, it was an obvious haven for dedicated dancers. The spacious nonsmoking, (mostly) alcohol-free ballroom was always decorated for the holiday of the month, right down to the paper penguins which lined the DJ booth, and colored streamers along the polls. The benches along the wall gave it the innocence of a high-school dance hall, as one of our Tampa friends remarked. Yet, walking around the room became an easy way to get to know fellow dancers better, and it was fun to watch people congregate, moving from one wall to another throughout the night, between dances. We got to know the personality of the DJ better too, as he tried to cater to the dancers’ tastes, preferring Lindy, but including tunes for great local street swingers too, as well as inserting his own humor into his sometimes themed sets of music. In its brief history, Danceland was enjoyed by some very memorable Lindy Hoppers. In addition to the great Lindy Hoppers of the Tampa Bay area, this site drew folks from all over the state, including Gainesville and the east coast. She also hosted great dancers from Virginia, as well as London-based members of the Jiving Lindy Hoppers, one of the dance companies which breathed new life into swing dancing in the 1980’s. After dancing in a variety of styles, leading an impromptu 'intro to shim sham' workshop, and relishing the shag she danced with Tim, Carolene (of the JLH) affectionately declared our little Saturday night spot 'a modern Savoy ballroom.' Although these Lindy-friendly Saturday night dances in Pinellas Park have come to a close, the organizers should be proud of what they have contributed to the scene. They have brought new faces together, encouraged a friendly environment, and fostered the growth of Lindy, Shag, and Shim Sham in our community, in addition to East Coast Swing. There is no doubt in my mind that 'dances will continue every Saturday until time stops,' and I thank all who tried to make this happen at Danceland. Are current venues in danger of facing the same threat as this one? I wonder what we could do differently to help other new venues in the future: volunteer to distribute flyers, publicize by word of mouth, organize carpools across the Bay, suggest 'feature' events that could be cosponsored...? Event organizers should go to http://tampa.swing.listbot.com/ (for local events) or http://florida.swing.listbot.com/ (for state-wide events) to join the new list servers created to keep planners in touch, encouraging collaboration over competition. Maybe this Saturday Swing night was just a little ahead of its time for St Pete? Maybe a place which also appealed to more not-yet dancers could be more successful? I know we are a growing community, but for now, I will miss the presence of regular swing dancing at this cozy dancer’s land. And I hope we will seize upon new opportunities in Pinellas soon, especially as our only other nonsmoking site, the Gulfport Casino, will be locking us out (temporarily) for renovations in July. Dance activists unite!" Incoming: The Jive at Five, an all-Lindy-Hop session hosted by Roy Rydbeck, starts Sunday Apr 2, 5-8pm, at Swing City dance studio in Tampa. People will be able to dance or work on Lindy Hop for the entire time. Cost is $3. The next one will be April 16, and after that it's slated to become a weekly event. Swing City is located at 7532 N Armenia Ave, between Waters & Sligh, in Tampa. (Phone 813-935-7458.) For more info, e-mail XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX . ---------------------------------------------------------------------- BOMBED OUT CAT UPDATE Billy writes on 3/21/00: Hey Kids, Well, It's a fine day in the world of Bombed Out Cat. Ally is doing well & we look forward to having her back with us in the next couple of weeks. I had a great visit with Mark yesterday. He's in great spirits and is anxious to start playing again. He was quick to demonstrate the dexterity in his hands. He should be out of ICU in about two weeks and in his own room. Don't get me wrong, they both have a long road ahead of them and need all your support & prayers, but it's very comforting for me to see that their inner strength & will has not been dampened. A Bombed Out Cat does have nine lives! Next Week: Tue Mar 28: Cadillac Jacks, Treasure Island, 9:00pm-1:30am Thu Mar 30: Mojo's, Palm Harbor, 7-11pm Sat Apr 1: Gators, Johns Pass Village, 5-9pm See 'ya soon & once again, thanks for all your support! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ITALIAN CLUB UPDATE Swing Sundays at the Italian Club are going stronger than ever, thanks to your support. In addition to the weekly DJed dances, the past few weeks brought an excellent concert by Dan Electro & the Silvertones, plus a great Lindy Hop workshop and dance with talented instructors, Joel Domoe & Melanie Myers, visiting from out-of-state. The best, however, is yet to come. While surprises are in store for each week, special events and theme nights are also in the works. On Sunday, April 16, the Suncoast Swing Gang will celebrate its 2nd Birthday, complete with birthday cake & snacks, decor & festivities. Everyone's invited. Those who have volunteered and helped the group get where it is today are especially encouraged to be there! On Sunday, April 30th, we're looking at a live dance and concert with NYC band, Jet Set Six! -- one of the best bands there is. Stay tuned for details! In the past, the 7-8pm beginner's lesson has featured a different instructor each week. On April 2nd, Connie & Sharath will teach. (Connie was the instructor at the old Sugar Palm Club.) Starting April 9th and continuing through April 30th, Jim & Angel will teach each week. The very basics will be taught every time, but new moves will be covered at the end of each week's lesson, so that someone attending all four weeks will learn a couple of new moves each time. Swing Sundays at the Italian Club: * 7-8pm: Free Beginner's Swing Dance Lesson * 8pm-Midnight: Swing Music & Dancing * Beautiful Ballroom in newly renovated, historic building * Huge, High-Quality, Wooden Dance Floor; Over 2000 Square Feet * Smoke-Free Dancing * Drinks: Bottled Water, Juice, Soft Drinks, & Full Bar Available * All Ages Welcome * Door Prizes * Free Parking in close proximity to the Italian Club * For More Info: E-mail XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX or phone 813-248-3316 * Address & Directions: 1731 East 7th Avenue in Ybor City. Take I-4 to Exit 1, head south several blocks, then right on 7th Avenue. The Italian Club is between 17th & 18th Streets, the tallest building on the south side of 7th Avenue. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- RIGHT STEP SWING & LINDY CLASSES James & Arleene Norman <727-821-9420; XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX> write: Savoy-style Lindy workshops at Right Step Dance Studio continue. These workshops do not build one upon the next -- come any week! Learn a short Lindy combination every week: 12 weeks, 1 hour a week, started Feb 29. Meets every Tuesday at 8pm. Pay as you go for $10 a class or $36 for 4 consecutive classes. Prerequisite: Lindy Basic, Circle, Swing Out, Basic side-by-side Charleston. Lindy Boot Camp: 4-hour intensive intro to Savoy-Style Lindy Hop, Saturday, Apr 8, 1:30-5:30pm, $35/person, Preregistration required. Continuing Swing Express: For those who have taken Beginning at Right Step, Saturday, Apr 29, 1:30-4:30pm, $30/person. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- TEMPLE TERRACE SWING LESSONS Fran writes: Starting March 24th, for 4 weeks, 7:30-9:00pm, I'm giving swing lessons, covering some East-Coast and some Jitterbug at Temple Terrace Rec. For Recreation members, it's $5 a class; non-members, $7.50. We will cover basic, intermediate, and some advanced (in the 4th class). For more info, call Fran at 813-985-8216 or the Rec at 813-989-7180. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- SWING 2000 WORKSHOPS CONTINUE Sam writes: This Saturday (Apr 1), Jim & Angel teach the Aerials II workshop at the Pinellas Park Auditorium. Next Saturday (Apr 8), Sherrie teaches the Shim Sham + Lindy Jazz Moves at the Dancer's Rendezvous in Clearwater. The following Saturday (Apr 15), Sam & London teach an East-Coast Swing workshop for all levels at the Dancer's Rendezvous -- beginners will learn how to dance, and more advanced dancers will learn proper technique, possibly switching roles between leader and follower. All workshops run 1:30-4:30pm, and are $17 in advance or $20 at the door. Visit http://members.aol.com/swingsum99 for more info. On Saturday (Apr 22), 1:30-4:30pm, the Swing 2000 series hosts an afternoon dance at the Dancer's Rendezvous, complete with dancing, exhibitions, impromptu teaching, and refreshments. Admission is $5. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- WORKSHOPS WITH SUGAR SULLIVAN IN SOUTH FLORIDA Sugar Sullivan is one of the top surviving dancers from the heydays of Harlem's Savoy Ballroom. Currently residing in Miami, she has taught, choreographed, danced professionally, won contests, and danced with other legends of the Savoy Ballroom. The content of the workshops is "straight out of stuff that used to be done at the famed 'Harvest Moon Ball' competitions and the weekly Saturday Night Savoy Ballroom dance contests". No aerials will be taught, but experience in Savoy-Style Lindy Hop is recommended. There will be two workshops, one Sat May 20 and one Sat May 27. Both are 2:00-3:30pm at Dancesation, 56 N Federal (US1) in Dania. Cost is $25 in advance for 1 workshop; $30 at the door; $40 in advance for both. E-mail XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX or phone 800-404-7693 for more info. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: ROBIN MOORE The Suncoast Swing Gang thanks Robin Moore for all her ongoing behind- the-scenes work these past several months. As Publicity Director for the Suncoast Swing Gang, Robin has taken charge of making contacts with the media and issuing press releases, for all Suncoast Swing Gang sponsored events since last November. Her efforts resulted in favorable coverage for local swing in a variety of media outlets, even in the dreaded Weekly Planet, which featured the Night-After-Christmas Party on their main Calendar page. But that's just the beginning. Since the end of last year, she and Bob (Sutter) have been talking to Centro Asturiano about putting on a swing event there, culminating in the upcoming swing benefit next Friday, April 7th. She's taken charge of this benefit, organizing the DJs, the band, the location, and many other aspects. In the past, Robin has worked on other things for the organization, such as web-site advertisement. For the future, she's investigating the possibility of Tampa Bay hosting a swing dance weekend that would attract dancers from across Florida and neighboring states. Next time you see Robin at a swing event, congratulate her for doing a great part to build swing in Tampa Bay! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- REVIEW: JOEL & MELANIE WORKSHOPS Rachel Fia writes: The workshops from Joel & Melanie were excellent, and I want to thank everyone who made these wonderful events possible. I had a great time and learned new techniques plus methods for following. Their overflowing enthusiasm and high energy level fueled the classes and motivated students to dance harder, laugh, and even "spank the baby". Although it was inspiring to see them dance together and watch their playful, yet polished moves, I was most impressed by their interactions with the students during the after-class dances. Both Joel and Melanie actively pursued dancing with students of all levels. Although their skills were much more advanced than those of the students, they willingly and openly danced with them, treating the students as equals in a mutual learning experience. Not only are they terrific dancers and enthusiastic instructors, but they have a down-to-earth attitude that I find warm and welcoming as a Lindy novice. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- DIRTY DANCING: ADVICE FOR MEN One kind reader, who asked to remain anonymous, sent in the following suggested principles for many of the men with whom she dances -- bits of advice intended to help improve themselves as dancers: 1. Over the Neck and Out the Door: Yes, we all sweat, but please, fellows, when you feel Niagara Falls flowing down the back of your neck, don't assume she wants to share this special moment with you by dragging her hand through the cascades of your collar. 2. Shy Guys: If you're having trouble looking her in the eyes, smiling at her shoelaces won't get you anywhere. You may look up to find that she's dancing the jig or a polka. Or worse yet, you may have taken out her hairdo on the last turnout, while you were busy determining her toe size. She'd like to see who she's dancing with, so make an effort to place your gaze somewhere above the waist -- although this might get you in trouble, especially if you're salivating -- but at least you'll be able to see her hand coming before she slaps you. 3. Funky Skunky: When your B.O. level has exceeded the 7000 mark, that is not the time to impress her with your fancy pretzels & tunnels. Sliding through the skunk of your armpit is the last place she wants to be. If you want to dance with her again, you don't need to mark her -- just ask. 4. Smile at the Lady: But don't frighten her with your best Jim Carey impression. She'd much prefer you give her a wink or some pearly whites. Avoid all facial expressions that involve open mouths. Instead, with a flick of your eyebrow, give her that yeah-babe, you're-dancing-with-me look. Remember, the good dancers wear a dynamite smile, and really cool socks. 5. The Final Touch: Even if you're dancing skills aren't superb, learning a dip is a requirement -- at the very least, a conservative pretend dip. A lady loves to be swept off her feet, so long as you put her back on them. The other dancers will be too busy to notice that you only did the basic to the entire song, but they'll surely see your spectacular ending. So give her something to walk away with, and she'll come back for more. P.S. Don't take these personally, unless the dancing shoe fits! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Swing News Know any upcoming swing happenings or other news? Send them in to XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX . 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, Inc., publisher of Swing News, is a nonprofit 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! Contact us at XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX . Send additions/deletions/address-changes to XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX . Check out our companion website at http://www.SwingNews.com . **********************************************************************