********************************************************************** SWING NEWS, DECEMBER 2000 (Wednesday 11/29/00), ISSUE #68 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX - Submissions to this newsletter XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX - Addition/deletion/address-change requests XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX - All other correspondence http://www.SwingNews.com - Swing News web site Next Issue: Submission Deadline 5pm, 12/26/00; Publication on 12/28/00 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi Everyone, December has many great events coming up, and it's only a couple of days away. If you'd like a nice graphic Swing News Calendar that lists all the events for December 2000, visit: www.swingnews.com/tampabay/bycat.html for a listing by event-type www.swingnews.com/tampabay/bydate.html for a listing by date The Calendar has just been updated! As usual, all the details on the December events can be found in this issue of Swing News. I'll see you out swingin' . Happy Holidays, Sam ---------------------------------------------------------------------- DANCE CONCERTS Fri Dec 8: Jive Aces @ Gulfport Casino; Nonsmoking, All Ages, $12/adv or $15/door, 727-893-1070 Next Friday (Dec 8), the Jive Aces from the UK return to the Gulfport Casino to kick off their new US tour. It's been over a year since their last local appearance. (Last September, they gave two well- received shows at Coachman Park and the Gulfport Casino.) James Norman writes: "The Jive Aces are a world-class swing band -- except, they call it Jive. Jive lies somewhere between Benny Goodman & Bill Haley. If you like the music of Louis Prima & Louis Jordan, you will love the Jive Aces. This will be a spectacular, hyper-kinetic show -- you won't be able to stop yourself from dancing!" See www.jiveaces.com . - Novice Swing-Dance Lesson, 8-9pm, w/ James & Arleene - Dance to the Jive Aces, 9pm-1am - Tickets: $12/advance or $15/door - All Ages, Nonsmoking, Large Dance Floor - Phone 727-893-1070 - Address & Directions: 5500 Shore Blvd S, 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 your right.) Head south until the street ends at the Gulfport Casino, located on the water. Parking is free. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- DANCES Fri Dec 1: Swing Time @ Centro Asturiano in Ybor City; Nonsmoking, All Ages, $5, 727-894-1893 Fri Dec 1: Art-Walk Dance @ Gulfport Casino Deck; Outdoors, All Ages, Free, 727-893-1070 Mon Dec 4: West-Coast Swing Workshop & Dance @ Larry Silvers Studio; Nonsmoking, All Ages, $6, 727-422-0968 Mon Dec 11: West-Coast Swing Workshop & Dance @ Larry Silvers Studio; Nonsmoking, All Ages, $6, 727-422-0968 Mon Dec 18: West-Coast Swing Workshop & Dance @ Larry Silvers Studio; Nonsmoking, All Ages, $6, 727-422-0968 Sat Jan 6: LindyHop 411 w/ Instructor Bill Borgida @ Pinellas Park Auditorium; Nonsmoking, All Ages, $5-$50, 727-894-6325; (See the article later in this issue for full details.) Every Sun: Swing Sundays @ Zendah Grotto in Tampa; Nonsmoking, All Ages, $5 ($4/students), 813-985-8216; Not Held 12/24 (Christmas Eve) or 12/31 (New Year's Eve) Every Wed: Swing Dance @ Gulfport Casino; Nonsmoking, All Ages, $5, 727-893-1070 Every Thu: Swing Dance @ Magnolia Bldg in Lakeland; Nonsmoking, All Ages, $4, 863-603-6281 This Friday (Dec 1), the Swing Time Grand Finale takes place at the historic Centro Asturiano in Ybor City, in the Grand Ballroom on the 3rd Floor. Turnout to Friday's event will determine whether a full slate of monthly live-band dances is held in 2001. Rachel writes: "Thanks to everyone who came out to the past two Swing Time events at Centro Asturiano. They were tremendous events ... Come out this Friday to our final event of 2000, and help us bring the house down!" * Swing Music & Dancing: 9pm-1am * Dance Instruction by Sam: 8-9pm * Dance Contest + Prizes * $5 Admission includes: - Free Lesson - Free Parking * All Ages Welcome * Smoke-Free * Elegant & Spacious Historic Ballroom, with 4000 sq ft suspended-wood Dance Floor * Full Bar Available, including Bottled Water & Soft Drinks * Contact Swing Time at 727-894-1893 or at XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX * Address & Directions: Located at the corner of Palm Ave & Nebraska Ave in Ybor City. Take I-4 to Exit 1, go south, turn right at 1st light (Palm Ave), turn left at 2nd light (Nebraska Ave), and make an immediate left into Centro Asturiano's gated lot. Also this Friday (Dec 1), the City of Gulfport holds its monthly Art Walk, with dancing outdoors on the deck of the Gulfport Casino. DJ Jumpin' James spins the music. It runs 6-10pm, is open to all ages, and admission is free. Dancing is subject to cancellation in case of rain. For more info, phone 727-893-1070. The Gulfport Casino is located at 5500 Shore Blvd S in Gulfport. Three Mondays (Dec 4, 11, & 18) remain in the series of West-Coast Swing Workshops/Dances held at the Larry Silvers Studio. Each evening starts off with a 7-9pm dance lesson, given by Tampa Bay Beach Bopper & Bopper Hall-of-Famer, John Henning, assisted by Kathleen Stone. Beginning to advanced levels are taught. Dance 9-11pm -- Vivian Wright DJs. Admission is $6, and neither partners nor reservations are required. It's smoke-free, with a good-size (1800 sq ft) wooden floor. Door prizes, coffee, soda, water, and snacks are provided. Larry Silvers is located at 6210 44th St N in St Pete. For more info, phone 727-422-0968 or visit www.vivianwrightsdanceclub.com . Swing dances happen every Sunday night at the Zendah Grotto in Tampa, courtesy of the Suncoast Swing Gang, Tampa Bay's nonprofit swing organization. (However, no dance will be held Dec 24 or Dec 31 -- on Christmas Eve or New Year's Eve.) The night's format for the three remaining weeks in December (Dec 3, 10, & 17) is as follows: - Swing Lessons with Sam & Rachel: * Beginning Level: 6:30-7:00pm, Free w/ Paid Admission * Intermediate Level: 7:00-8:00pm, $5 w/ Paid Admission - Swing Dancing: 7:00pm-Midnight with Voodoo Hepcat DJ Abdel - Large (2200 sq ft) Wood Floor - Fresh New Decor & Sound System - BYOB - Sodas, Soft Drinks, Bottled Water, & Snacks Available for Purchase - All Ages Welcome - Smoke-Free - Admission $5 ($1 Off for Students) - Phone 813-985-8216 for more info - Address & Directions: 4109 N Lauber Way in Tampa. Take I-275 to E Dale Mabry (Northbound). Left onto Tampa Bay Blvd (just before Raymond James Stadium). Pass HCC, pass Lois, and turn right onto Lauber, two streets after Lois. Zendah Grotto is the only building on the right. Park free in Zendah's lot. Wednesday-night swing dances have now returned to the Gulfport Casino. - 7-8pm Lesson by James & Arleene - 8pm-Midnight Dance with DJ Jumpin' James - $5 Admission - Huge Dance Floor - Full Bar - Smoke-Free - All Ages - Phone 727-893-1070 - Address: 5500 Shore Blvd S, Gulfport. (For directions, see the Jive Aces concert, above.) Thursday-night swing dances continue at the Magnolia Building in Lakeland. - 7-8pm lesson by James & Arleene - 8pm-Midnight Dance with DJ Jumpin' James - $4 Admission - Bring your own food & drinks, but no alcohol is permitted - Smoke-Free & Alcohol-Free - All Ages - Smooth Wooden Dance Floor - Phone 863-603-6281 - Address & Directions: 702 E Orange St in Lakeland. From Tampa, take I-4 to Exit 16 (Memorial Blvd). Head east to N Florida Ave, then south to downtown Lakeland. Turn left at Orange St, pass the municipal parking garage, and the Magnolia Bldg & its parking lot will be on your left. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- CONCERTS Fri Dec 1: Ray Gelato Combo @ Centro Ybor; Outdoors, All Ages, Free, 813-242-4660 Sun Dec 3: Camaros & Urbane Cowboys @ Orpheum in Ybor City; Smoking, All Ages, $5/adv or $6/door, 813-248-9500 Tue Dec 5: Skirtlifters @ Orpheum in Ybor City; Smoking, All Ages, $5, 813-248-9500 Thu Dec 7: Buster Cooper @ Centro Ybor; Outdoors, All Ages, Free, 813-242-4660 Tue Dec 12: Rocket 88 @ Orpheum in Ybor City; Smoking, All Ages, $5, 813-248-9500 Fri Dec 15: Rocket 88 @ Centro Ybor; Outdoors, All Ages, Free, 813-242-4660 Fri Dec 15: Swingin' Mooks @ Skipper's Smokehouse in Tampa; Outdoors, Ages 18+, $5, 813-971-0666 Sat Dec 16: Cigar Store Indians @ Club More in Clearwater; Smoking, Ages 18+, $8, 727-466-6673 Fri Dec 22: Rocket 88 @ Skipper's Smokehouse in Tampa; Outdoors, Ages 18+, $5, 813-971-0666 Thu Dec 28: Lounge Cat @ Centro Ybor; Outdoors, All Ages, Free, 813-242-4660 Sun Dec 31: Bombed Out Cat @ First Night St Petersburg; Outdoors, All Ages, $8 ($5/ages 6-12), 727-823-8906 Four swing bands in December play the Centro-A-Go-Go music series, held outdoors on the plaza in Centro Ybor, Ybor City's new shopping and entertainment complex. The music series brings in live bands every Thu-Sat, ranging from Latin to Blues. The concerts run 7-11pm, are free, and are open to all ages. December features Buster Cooper, former Duke Ellington trombonist, jazzing it up. December also brings back Ray Gelato, playing Louis-Prima-style jump blues & jazz. The four swing bands are: - Fri Dec 1: Ray Gelato Combo - Thu Dec 7: Buster Cooper - Fri Dec 15: Rocket 88 - Thu Dec 28: Lounge Cat Centro Ybor is located at 1600 E 8th Ave in Ybor City. Parking is available at the Centro Ybor Garage, just south of 7th Ave, between 15th & 16th Streets -- it's $1 for the first three hours. For more info, phone 813-242-4660 or visit www.thecentroybor.com. "Raunch-n-Roll" nights continue most Tuesdays at the Orpheum, located at 1902 Republica de Cuba (corner of 8th Ave & 14th St) in Ybor City. December brings two Tuesday concerts, a Tuesday DJ night, and a Sunday special event. Doors open at 9pm. Details: - Sun Dec 3: The Camaros (from NYC) & Urbane Cowboys (from Tampa), $5/adv or $6/door - Tue Dec 5: The Skirtlifters (from Orlando) w/ DJ Paul Mallett, $5 - Tue Dec 12: Rocket 88 (from Orlando) w/ DJ Paul Mallett, $5 - Tue Dec 19: DJ Paul Mallet, $4 The Orpheum is all ages, with a moderate-size dance floor. Smoking is allowed. Phone 813-248-9500. Skipper's Smokehouse brings in two swing bands in December: - Fri Dec 15: Swingin' Mooks - Fri Dec 22: Rocket 88 Both shows are at 8pm, costs $5, and are open to ages 18 & up (under 18 admitted if accompanied by parent). The concerts will be held in the open-air "Skipperdome", with dancing in front of the stage. 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 left on Nebraska, and right on Skipper Rd. Saturday (Dec 16), the Cigar Store Indians from Atlanta, a popular band among local swingsters, return to Club More in downtown Clearwater. (See www.cigarstoreindians.com for band info.) Admission is $8, smoking is allowed, and ages 18 and up are admitted. Club More has a fair-size floorboard dance area in front of the stage, and is located at 703 Franklin St in downtown Clearwater, a few blocks south of Cleveland St. Phone 727-466-6673. The show starts at 9pm. New Year's Eve (Sunday Dec 31) is First Night in St Petersburg, an alcohol-free celebration (as long as you stay out of the pubs and restaurants, that is). Bombed Out Cat will be playing 7-11pm on Central Ave between 2nd & 3rd St. In addition, throughout the downtown area will be music, food, entertainment, and fireworks. Downtown venues will be open, including museums, parks, churches, the Palladium Theater, and The Pier. Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for ages 6-12, and free for under 6. Phone 727-823-8906 for more info. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- CLUB EVENTS Fri Dec 1: Swingin' Mooks @ Bourbon Street in New Port Richey; Smoking, Ages 18+, $5, Starts 9pm, 1-877-843-0686; Address: 4331 US Hwy 19 N Fri Dec 1: Bombed Out Cat @ Living Room in Clearwater; Smoking, Ages 23+, $7, 9pm-1am, 727-531-0332; Address: 13707 58th St N (ICOT Center); ("Business Casual" Dress Code) Sat Dec 2: Bombed Out Cat @ Living Room in Clearwater; Smoking, Ages 23+, $7, 9pm-1am, 727-531-0332; Address: 13707 58th St N (ICOT Center); ("Business Casual" Dress Code) Fri Dec 15: Bombed Out Cat @ King Creole in Sarasota; Smoking, Ages 18+, $3, 10pm-1am, 941-365-7474; Address: 1991 Main Street Tue Dec 19: Raunch-n-Roll w/ DJ Paul Mallett @ Orpheum in Ybor City; Smoking, All Ages, $4, Doors Open 9pm, 813-248-9500; Address: 1902 Republica de Cuba (8th Ave & 14th St) Fri Dec 22: Bombed Out Cat @ Speakeasy Grille in Bradenton; Smoking, Ages 21+, No Cover, 9:30pm-1:30am, 941-747-2729; Address: 1012 Manatee Ave Sat Dec 23: Bombed Out Cat @ Speakeasy Grille in Bradenton; Smoking, Ages 21+, No Cover, 9:30pm-1:30am, 941-747-2729; Address: 1012 Manatee Ave Fri Dec 29: Bombed Out Cat @ Spanky's Family Restaurant in St Pete; Outdoors, All Ages, No Cover, 7-11pm, 727-822-8888; Address: 416 Beach Dr NE Sat Dec 30: Bombed Out Cat @ Spanky's Family Restaurant in St Pete; Outdoors, All Ages, No Cover, 7-11pm, 727-822-8888; Address: 416 Beach Dr NE Every Sun: Bombed Out Cat @ Cha Cha Coconuts on St Pete Pier; Outdoors, All Ages, No Cover, 5-9pm, 727-822-6655; Not Held 12/24 (Christmas Eve) or 12/31 (New Year's Eve) Every Fri: DJ Paul @ Ybor City Diner; Smoking, All Ages, No Cover, 10pm-2am, 813-248-2828; Address: 1724 E 7th Ave Every Sat: DJ Kamran @ Ybor City Diner; Smoking, All Ages, No Cover, 10pm-2am, 813-248-2828; Address: 1724 E 7th Ave Every Sat: Bombed Out Cat @ Bahama Mama's on St Pete Beach; Outdoors, All Ages, No Cover, 2-6pm, 727-360-1811; Address: 5250 Gulf Blvd (Holiday Inn) Fridays and Saturdays, the Ybor City Diner, a 50's-Style Diner, has Paul and Kamran DJing, 10pm-2am. It's located at 1724 E 7th Ave in Ybor City, across from the Italian Club. Paul writes: "No cover charge. Buy a drink or milkshake, or some food, or nothing at all. There's some space to dance, and people walking by always stop and watch. It's cool." Phone 813-248-2828. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- BILL BORGIDA TO TEACH LINDY HOP WORKSHOPS JANUARY 6TH Saturday (Jan 6) at the Pinellas Park Auditorium, LindyHop 411 will host internationally-acclaimed dance instructor, Bill Borgida, of Ithaca NY. The event will consist of Lindy-Hop workshops throughout the day, a mid-day cookout, and an evening dance. The schedule is: 9:30am - 9:45am: Check In 10:00am - 11:30am: Technique & Styling Workshop 11:45am - 1:30pm: Swing-Out Fundamentals (Clean Up & Fine Tune your Basics) 1:30pm - 3:00pm: Cookout. Free Food Provided (For workshop participants only!) 3:00pm - 4:30pm: Lead & Follow / Partner Dynamics 4:45pm - 6:15pm: Musicality & Social Lindy 6:15pm - 8:00pm: Break 8:00pm - 1:00am: Dance w/ DJs Tim & Gabe Workshops will cover intermediate-level Lindy Hop, so basic Lindy Hop experience (swing-out, circle, etc) is required. Workshop registration will be on a first-come first-serve basis and is limited to 40 people. (However, the evening dance will be open to everyone, and Bill will attend.) Bob writes: "If you want to participate, then register now. We intend to have an equal number of leaders & followers, but a partner is not required to register." Bill Borgida, with over 15 years of experience as a dance instructor, has devoted himself to instructing in Ithaca, NY, full-time since 1997. He has since earned a reputation as one of the most respected Lindy-Hop instructors in this country. A good many of Bill's students have captured international attention as dancers, competitors, and teachers -- including Chris Yee, Chachi, and Minnie's Moochers (who won 1st place in two categories of the 1998 American Lindy Hop Championships). In 1997, Bill took 1st place in the Jack & Jill division of the American Swing Dance Championships. Bill has been invited to teach at many prestigious swing camps and events, including Swing Out New Hampshire, Herrang Dance Camp in Sweden, The American Lindy Hop Championships, and the North Atlantic Dance Championships. Bill's clear & effective teaching style stresses proper technique, good leading & following, musicality, styling, and having fun! The cost is $50 per person for 6+ hours of workshops, the cookout, and the dance. The dance alone is $5 (for non workshop participants). To reserve a spot, e-mail XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX with your name(s) and say, "Register me for the Jan 6th Bill Borgida workshop". Then mail your check for $50 per registrant to: Lindy Hop 411, University of South Florida, 4202 E Fowler Ave (USF 30875), Tampa FL 33620-3087. Write "B.B." and the registrant's name in the memo portion of your check. If payment is not received by Dec 21st, you'll lose your spot and the next in line will acquire it. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- LINDYHOP 411 IN 2001 LindyHop 411 has informed us that starting in January, they will host events at the Pinellas Park Auditorium on the 1st & 3rd Saturday of every month (except for Feb 17, the weekend of the Steven & Virginie workshop at the Gulfport Casino). Their schedule for Jan & Feb 2001: - Sat Jan 6: Bill Borgida Workshops, Cookout, & Dance @ Pinellas Park Auditorium (See above for details.) - Sat Jan 20: Lindy Hop Workshops & Dance @ Pinellas Park Auditorium - Sat Feb 3: Lindy Hop Workshops & Dance @ Pinellas Park Auditorium - Fri-Sun Feb 16-18: Steven Mitchell & Virginie Weekend @ Gulfport Casino (See Below for Details.) The previously scheduled December 16th date has been cancelled. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- STEVEN MITCHELL RETURNS TO GULFPORT CASINO February 16-18 of 2001 (Fri-Sun), a Lindy Hop weekend will be held at the Gulfport Casino, with internationally famous instructors, Steven Mitchell & Virginie Jensen. The weekend is sponsored by Lindy Hop 411. The schedule calls for a dance on Friday and Saturday nights, plus all-day workshops on Saturday and Sunday. More info will soon be posted to www.Geocities.com/LindyHop411 , and will appear in the next issue of Swing News. Bob writes: "Steven and Virginie are at the forefront of innovation in Lindy Hop instruction and dance. They are two of the most, if not THE two MOST, sought after Lindy-Hop instructors in the world today. We are very fortunate to have them here again this year. They have expressed a special interest in our local scene and are looking forward to coming back to teach and to help progress our dance scene along. The workshops will be broken into three tracks to accommodate everyone, and also will include one of Steven's awesome Jazz classes." ---------------------------------------------------------------------- WMNF HOLDS GIANT "GARAGE" SALE Community radio station WMNF will sell books, CDs, and record & audio equipment this Saturday (Dec 2), 9am-3pm at the Cuban Club in Ybor City. Bargains will abound. For more info, phone 813-238-8001 or visit www.wmnf.org . ---------------------------------------------------------------------- NEW YEAR'S EVE OPTIONS Looking for something to do New Year's Eve, but don't want to spend hundreds of dollars? (If you do want to spend hundreds, Disney's Atlantic Dance near Orlando is bringing in the Dave Stephens Swing Orchestra for their New Year's Eve Bash. The event runs 9pm-2am, and tickets are $300. Phone 407-939-5100.) The only other "strictly swing" option (of which we know) is First Night St Petersburg, where Bombed Out Cat plays 7-11pm. Details are in the Concerts Section, above. It should be a good show. If neither of the above events is your sort of thing, there are several celebrations happening around Tampa Bay, where you'll be able to hear some good music and get some dancing in (although not much of it will be swing music/dancing). A few of these alternatives: - Community radio station WMNF hosts its annual New Year's Eve Celebration at the Coliseum in St Pete, with bands Breeza Tropicale, Blue Dice, and the Johnny G Lyon Band. It's 9pm-1am, with reserved seating. Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 that day (plus service charge). Phone 727-892-5202. - Centro Ybor holds its first New Year's Eve Party out on the plaza, with Orquesta Infinidad, an 11-piece salsa group, plus a Times- Square-style drop. The festivities start at 8pm. - Skipper's Smokehouse brings in Donna The Buffalo, a 6-piece band from upstate NY, for their New Year's Eve Show. The band blends the musical genres, including Cajun, Rock'n'Roll, & Folk. The party includes midnight champagne & breakfast. Tickets are $35, and it starts at 9pm. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- BOMBED OUT CAT NEWS Billy writes: "The Rare Olive II has discontinued their Thursday swing night. We've had a great run there (Ybor for almost a year & St Pete for almost another year) and applaud Deb for hanging on so long. We are hoping to announce a nice surprise in the next week or so for a Wed/Thu gig down in the beach area. We're also very happy & excited to let everybody know that we are confirmed at Atlantic Dance at Disney for March 15-17. That's St Patrick's Day weekend, and we'll be taking three horns (Sax, Trumpet, & Bone)." ---------------------------------------------------------------------- SWING NIGHT AT 4TH FIGHTER GROUP IN ORLANDO The following appeared in The Cat Call, a newsletter put out by the Daytona Beach Swing Cats: "4th Fighter Group needs your support! This is the only all-vintage swing night in the area, and it would be more than a shame to see it go. An intimate environment & cozy dance floor sets the mood. Come have fun in a tourist-free zone, for those of you who like it more casual and friendly. The night runs 7:30-11pm or so, with free Lindy Hop lessons at 7:30. There's a $5 cover, no age limit, and the bar is open until closing. DJ Steve spins actual vintage records! (You know that song you don’t know the name of? He does!) It's every Tuesday, with DJed classic big band swing. The venue is a WWII/1940s theme restaurant. The decor is excellent for a swing venue! The dance floor's small, but the atmosphere more than makes up for it. Phone: 407-898-4251. Address: 494 Rickenbacker Drive in Orlando." ---------------------------------------------------------------------- SPREAD THE NEWS Please forward this issue to any potential "swingers" you know, who don't yet receive it. New people can subscribe by sending an e-mail to XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX . Subscriptions are free, as they've always been! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Swing News Managing Editor: Sam Mahfoud (XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX) Contributing Editor: Arnold Kasemsarn (XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX) Know any upcoming swing happenings or other news? Send them in to XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX . Editors reserve the right to edit submissions or select based on relevance. Please call & confirm events before going! Send additions/deletions/address-changes to XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX . Check out the Swing News website at http://www.SwingNews.com . **********************************************************************