********************************************************************** Swing News, Tuesday 6/27/00, Issue #62, (Next Issue, 8/1/00) XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX - Submissions to this newsletter XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX - Addition/deletion/address-change requests XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX - All other correspondence http://www.SwingNews.com - Swing News web site ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear everyone, Welcome to the July issue of Swing News. Don't miss the Indigo swing dance & concert this Sunday (July 2nd) at the Italian Club. Indigo (formerly Indigo Swing) is one of the biggest names in the swing world. The band has toured the U.S. & Europe extensively, including twice with the Brian Setzer Orchestra. They've been on TV & on movie soundtracks, and have two successful albums to their credit. In fact, if you've ever been to any of the Tampa Bay dances, you've probably heard the DJs spin 10 or so of their songs on a regular basis, including hits like "Blue Suit Boogie", "How Lucky Can One Guy Be", and "Violent Love". It's rare that we get to host such a world-class band at one of our dance venues, so be there if you can, and please help spread the word! Read on for details on this & other fine events. Sam ---------------------------------------------------------------------- THE UPCOMING MONTH Tonight (Tue Jun 27), Blue Plate Special serves up some "jump'n, stomp'n, clap'n, holler'n, swing'n" music at the Grand Finale restaurant, 1101 1st Ave N in downtown St Pete. This L.A.-based band has been entertaining crowds since the mid-90's and has developed a bit of a name for themselves around the country. Check them out at www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Palace/3177 . The show runs 9pm-1am. No details are available on smoking, dance floor, or ages admitted. In fact, because of the late nature of our finding out about this show, the Swing News was unable to make certain that it is happening. So be sure to call 727-823-9921 and verify that it's on before going! This Friday (Jun 30), USF's University Swingsters hold a dance at the Marshall Center Ballroom (2nd Floor). The dance is open to the general public, runs 7:30pm-1am, and starts off with free lessons at 7:30pm in both East-Coast Swing and Lindy Hop. (Lindy Hop lessons will be taught by Tim & Carmen.) A donation of $3 is requested. Voodoo Hepcat DJ Abdel spins the music, and refreshments are provided. (Directions: I-275 to Fowler. Head East. Left onto 50th St. Continue until you're one block before the next traffic light, then left onto North Holly [across from Excellence Apts]. Left at 2nd traffic light. Park in Crescent Hill garage. Head to ground floor and follow curved road to Marshall Center.) This Sunday (Jul 2), Indigo performs for a live swing dance & concert at the Italian Club. Dan Parshall writes: "Indigo is one of the defining bands of the swing revival. I saw them in Atlanta a few months ago, having driven over 600 miles just to see them, and I wasn't disappointed. They have a jazz and blues sound that stretches back to the roots of swing music, when groups were blowing away audiences from coast to coast. With vintage licks on sax and flute, the Baron laid down a sound so live I thought it was going to walk away. Josh Workman's guitar let loose a torrent of pure blues, then two songs later had slipped into a true jazz-band groove. Add to that a solid rhythm by 'Big Jim' Overton and sweet vocals by Nicole Vigil, who reminds me of the heyday of the jazz ladies, and you've got a band to light the place on fire. As soon as you get done reading this, go to www.IndigoSwing.com and check it out for yourself. But whatever you do, don't miss their show on Sunday." * Live Dance & Concert with Indigo, 8pm-Midnight * Beginner's Swing Dance Lesson, 7-8pm * All Ages Welcome * Smoke-Free Concert * Huge Dance Floor in Beautiful Historic Ballroom * Full Bar + Bottled Water, Juice, & Soft Drinks Available * Free Street Parking right next to the Italian Club * Admission just $10 -- pay at the door * For More Info: E-mail XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX or Phone 813-248-3316 * Sponsored by the Suncoast Swing Gang -- your nonprofit swing network for the greater Tampa Bay area -- and the Italian Club * Address & Directions: 1731 E 7th Ave in Ybor City. Take I-4 to Exit 1, head south several blocks, then right on 7th Ave. The Italian Club is between 17th & 18th Streets, the tallest building on the south side of 7th Ave. Next Tuesday (Jul 4) -- Independence Day -- Check out Bombed Out Cat, along with Kimberly Kaye & Swing Fever, at the St Pete celebration in Vinoy Park. Next Friday (Jul 7), Strictly Swing Entertainment hosts a swing dance at the Gulfport Casino. Details: - Dance Lesson, 8-9pm, with James & Arleene Norman from Right Step - Dance, 9:00pm-12:30am, with DJ Jumpin' James - All Ages Welcome - Nonsmoking Event - Huge Dance Floor - Admission $6 - Full Bar Available - Phone 727-893-1070 - Address & Directions: 5500 Shore Blvd S in Gulfport. From the north, take I-275 S to St Pete's 22nd Ave S exit. (From the south, take I-275 N 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. Next Saturday (Jul 8), Skinny McGee & His Mayhem Makers play the Atomic Age Cafe, 1518 E 7th Ave in Ybor City. This rockabilly trio hails from Orlando and is unique in the fact that they don't use a drummer. Instead, Skinny keeps the rhythm on the upright bass and the band is surprisingly melodic. The Atomic Age allows smoking. No info on dance floor/space is available. Phone 813-247-6547. Friday (Jul 14), Strictly Swing Entertainment hosts a dance at the Gulfport Casino. All other details are the same as July 7th's dance. Also on Friday (Jul 14), Skinny McGee & His Mayhem Makers play Yeoman's Road Pub, 236 E Davis Island Blvd, Davis Island. Smoking's permitted. Please call 813-251-2748 to verify and for other details. Friday (Jul 21), USF holds its next swing dance at the Marshall Center Ballroom. All other details are similar to July 30th's dance. Saturday (Jul 22), Minn & Corrina teach an all-day workshop on Collegiate Shag, Balboa/Bal-Swing, and Hollywood-Style Lindy Hop. Forrest writes: "This is the workshop that will really kick your dancing into high gear! Minn & Corrina are L.A.'s hottest dance duo. You are forewarned this is an intermediate & advanced workshop -- basics will not be covered! This workshop is limited to 90 people to ensure quality. We are expecting to sell out, so please preregister." Doors open at 9:30am. Classes run 10:00am-5:30pm. Cost is $50 in advance or $70 at at the door (if spaces remain). The Workshop is hosted by Fred Astair dance studio, 7019 Central Ave, St Pete. To register or for directions, phone 727-347-7700, 12-9pm M-F. Saturday (Jul 22), the Brian Setzer Orchestra returns to the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. Opening up are local sensations, The Swingin' Mooks. The show starts at 8pm and costs $29.75 to $35.00. Phone 813-229-7827 or visit www.tampacenter.com . Sunday (Jul 23), the Brian Setzer Orchestra and Swingerhead give a concert at the House of Blues in Orlando. Tickets are $32.50 via TicketMaster. Phone 407-934-2580. Friday (Jul 28), the Swingin' Mooks return to Skipper's Smokehouse for an 8pm concert. The show is open to ages 18 and up (under 18 admitted if accompanied by parent) and is held outdoors in the "Skipperdome", with its famous plywood & sand dance floor. Skipper's features a full bar & restaurant, and is located at Skipper Rd & Nebraska in North Tampa. Phone 813-971-0666. Directions: Take I-275 to Fletcher, head east, turn right on Nebraska, and right on Skipper Rd. Also on Friday (Jul 28), Strictly Swing Entertainment hosts a dance at the Casino. All other details are the same as July 7th's dance. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- AFTER THAT Fri Aug 4: Johnny Varro Swing Seven @ Gulfport Casino; 727-893-1070 Sat Aug 12: Cigar Store Indians at Club More; 727-466-6673 Sat Sep 9: USF Swing Dance @ Marshall Center Ballroom Sat Sep 23: Florida Orchestra ("Swing, Baby, Swing!" show) @ Mahaffey Theater; 727-892-5767 Fri Sep 29: USF Swing Dance @ Marshall Center Ballroom Fri Oct 13 - Sun Oct 15: Frankie Manning in St Pete Fri Oct 13: Dance Party w/ Frankie Manning @ St Pete Pier Sat Oct 14: Johnny Varro Swing Seven @ Coliseum; 727-892-5202 Fri Oct 20: USF Swing Dance @ Marshall Center Ballroom Fri Nov 17: USF Swing Dance @ Marshall Center Ballroom Tue Nov 21: Count Basie Orchestra @ Ruth Eckerd Hall; 727-791-7400 Coming up Friday, August 4th, be sure to make the Gulfport Casino. Not only is this the last dance before the Casino undergoes months of renovation, but it features one of the area's finest bands, the Johnny Varro Swing Seven. This band is the real thing -- doing unique things like bringing an actual piano out in front of the stage. The band has toured all over and is well known in the world of swing. In fact, according to Jumpin' James, Johnny Varro has been featured on over 20 CDs. They gave a great show when they played for the Steven Mitchell weekend at the Casino. So mark your calendars for this last blast at the Gulfport Casino! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- LOCAL SWING NIGHTS Weekly Swing Dances: Sun: Italian Club in Ybor City; 813-248-3316; Nonsmoking; All Ages Tue: Orpheum in Ybor City; 813-248-9500; Smoking; Ages 21+ Wed: Gulfport Casino; 727-893-1070; Nonsmoking; All Ages Thu: Magnolia Bldg in Lakeland; 727-821-9420; Nonsmoking; All Ages Weekly Band Nights: Tue: Bombed Out Cat at Cadillac Jack's; 727-360-2099; Smoking Wed: Bombed Out Cat at Ringside Cafe; 727-894-8465; Smoking Thu: Bombed Out Cat at Rare Olive II; 727-822-7273; Smoking Weekly Studio Events: Fri: Swing City in Tampa; 813-935-7458; Nonsmoking; Open Swing One person writes in: "Please don't quote me on this, but I was at The Living Room off of Ulmerton last Tuesday, and it was 50's and 60's night. Lots of swing-able music was being played until midnight. I believe this is a weekly thing, and might be worth checking out." [The Living Room's answering machine says Tuesday is indeed Oldies Night, with live music. Presumably, it's in a smoking-allowed environment. Phone 727-531-0332.] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- NEW LOCATION FOR WEDNESDAY "GULFPORT CASINO" DANCES James & Arleene write: Beginning August 9, 2000, our Wednesday, Weekly Swing Dance will be held at the St Petersburg Polish-American Society. The club is located at 1343 Beach Drive SE, about two minutes off the Interstate, near downtown St Pete. The Polish American Society is the proud owner of Pinellas County's third largest double-suspended wood dance floor, after the Coliseum and the Casino. The venue allows all ages, and provides full beverage service. In fact, the entire format of this dance will be like that of the Casino in every way. We know you will agree the Polish-American Society is the county's best alternative during our hiatus from the Casino." ---------------------------------------------------------------------- SWING & MORE RETURNS TO THE ORPHEUM Arnold writes: "DJ Paul, formerly of the Sugar Palm, the Fortunate One, and the Italian Club, returns weekly swing nights to the Orpheum. Paul plays a range of musical styles and genres, from the vintage '20s to the alternative '90s -- a DJ with an extensive, diverse collection, interesting tastes, and a loyal following. Ever swing danced to A-Ha, the Cigar Store Indians, Dan Electro, the Cure, Elvis, Soft Cell, and Frank Sinatra in one night? Come by the Orpheum Tuesday nights and see one of the Suncoast's most innovative DJs." Paul writes: "Orpheum will be open every Tuesday for as long as we can keep it going. I'm not billing this night as anything in particular. I want it to be a mixture of everything -- not a swing night, not a rockabilly night, not anything. I just want there to be a place where people can go to dance, have a good time, and hear some music that they don't hear at most of the clubs in Ybor. There will be an emphasis on rockabilly and swing (partner dance) music, but I want to play some 80's stuff, some punk, and whatever fits. It'll be fun! That's all I know. Here's the low-down on the hoe-down: - Tuesday nights, 9pm-1am - $3 cover (no band); $4 or $5 (band)" The Orpheum allows smoking and is located at 1902 Republica de Cuba (corner of 8th Ave & 14th St) in Ybor City. Phone 813-248-9500. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- SWINGIN' MOOKS UPDATE July Schedule: Fri 7: Bourbon Street, 10:00pm Sat 8: Gators, 5:00pm Sat 15: Gators, 5:00pm Sat 15: Club More, 11:30pm Fri 21: Bourbon Street, 10:00pm Sat 22: Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center w/ Brian Setzer, 8:00pm Fri 28: Skipper's Smokehouse, 8:00pm Sat 29: Gators, 5:00pm The Swingin' Mooks have released a new CD entitled "Stop That". It's available at all their gigs and at Planet Grooves, located at the corner of Gulf-To-Bay & Hercules in Clearwater. (Phone 727-442-4655.) Ronnie Dee (Wanky Mook) writes: "PS -- We are NOT breaking up! We have had some inevitable member changes, and we have been taking a more 'rock n roll' approach, but if we see swingers, WE SWING. So c'mon out and we'll make you swingers beg for a ballad!" ---------------------------------------------------------------------- BOMBED OUT CAT UPDATE Upcoming Gigs: Tuesdays: Cadillac Jacks, Treasure Island, 9:00-1:30 Wednesdays: Ringside Cafe, St Pete, 9:30-1:30 Thursdays: Rare Olive II, St Pete, 9:00-1:30 Sat 7/1: Bahama Mama's, St Pete Beach, 2:00-10:00 Sun 7/2: Cha Cha Coconuts, St Pete Pier, 8:00-12:00 Tue 7/4: July 4th Celebration, Vinoy Park Hotline: 813-960-1426 Billy writes: "Hope all you cats are doing well! A couple of quick notes ... We are not breaking up; we have, however, parted ways with Ally & Mark. (We did not 'dump them' as has been expressed by a few people.) They both have gone through an extremely rough life-changing event that has left them more traumatized than we could have ever expected, and they are dealing with it in different ways. It was a heart-wrenching decision, but we have to let them both recover and get their lives back together on their own terms. Our prayers are constantly with them. Now, in the past couple of weeks more of you than usual have been asking why you don't see us at any of the area 'swing-specific' venues as well as at our normal club dates and special events. I don't have an answer for you -- the only thing I can suggest is that you bring this up to the management of any venues you'd like to see us at. Thanks for all your support & suggestions. We take them to heart, and apparently it's paying off by all your comments that we are the most versatile & danceable swing band in the Bay! We appreciate all of you more than you know! We have tied down our dates in Key West for July. We will be at The Green Parrot, Fri 7/28; The Oak Beach Inn, Sat 7/29; and Schooner's Wharf, Sun 7/30. I believe Carson Berry is trying to put together a bus trip from Tampa for Saturday the 29th. Hope to see all of you soon!" ---------------------------------------------------------------------- DAN ELECTRO & THE SILVERTONES UPDATE Upcoming Gigs: Tue 4: 4th of July Festival, 8:00-9:15pm, 941-951-2656, Island Park, Sarasota Fri 7: Five O'Clock Club, 10pm-2am, 941-366-5555, 1930 Hillview St, Sarasota Tue 11: JazzCo of Pleasure Island, 8:30pm-1:00am, 407-934-7829, Downtown Disney, Lake Buena Vista Fri-Sat 14-15: Speakeasy Grille, 9pm-1am, 941-747-2729, 1012 Manatee Ave, Bradenton Fri-Sat 21-22: Bamboo Room, 9:30pm-1:00am, 561-585-2583, 25 South J St, Lake Worth The band heads north soon for a late-July/early-August tour that will include new venues, repeat performances, another major music festival, and a chance to showcase for an independent record label. The tour starts with a July 26th performance in Savannah GA, and concludes with a recording audition in Ocean City NJ on August 1st. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- TEEN SWING - Thursdays, 7:00-9:30pm, now through July 20th - Nonsmoking Area - Large Dance Floor - Sodas & Snacks - Temple Terrace, Lightfoot Center, corner of Whiteway & 56th St - For more information, contact Fran Johns at 813-985-8216 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- LINDY HOP INSTRUCTOR WANTED Swing City dance studio in Tampa is looking for an instructor to teach Lindy Hop. E-mail Lee Holton at XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX if interested. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- SUNCOAST SWING GANG MEETING REMINDER You're invited to the next meeting of the Suncoast Swing Gang, Inc., your nonprofit organization that keeps swing happening in Tampa Bay. The meeting will take place on Wednesday, June 28th, in Gulfport, prior to the regularly scheduled swing night. Meet at 6:30pm, outside, on the front steps of the Gulfport Casino (5500 Shore Blvd S), and we'll go from there. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Swing News Editor: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Contributing Editor: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX 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 . **********************************************************************