********************************************************************** SWING NEWS, FEBRUARY 2001 (Tuesday 1/30/01), ISSUE #70 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, 2/23/01; Publication on 2/26/01 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi everyone, It's another great month for swing in Tampa Bay, with numerous dance opportunities, plus famous musicians & instructors visiting the area. Please forward this issue to a friend to help spread the news about local swing. If you want a graphic calendar format, the calendars for February & March 2001 have just been updated at www.swingnews.com . See you out at this month's events! Sam ---------------------------------------------------------------------- DANCE CONCERTS Fri Feb 2: Swing Time w/ Dan Electro & Silvertones @ Centro Asturiano All Ages, Nonsmoking, $10, 9pm-1am (Lesson 8-9); Ybor City: Palm Ave & Nebraska; (727) 698-2212. Fri Feb 9: Sweetheart Sock Hop w/ Confetti @ Coliseum; All Ages, Nonsmoking, $11/adv or $13/door, 8pm-12am; St Pete: 535 4th Ave N; (727) 892-5202. Sat Feb 10: Abe Guard Orchestra (Salute to Glenn Miller) @ Coliseum; All Ages, Nonsmoking, $13/adv or $15/door, 8pm-12am; St Pete: 535 4th Ave N; (727) 892-5202. Sat Feb 17: Russ Morgan Orchestra @ Coliseum; All Ages, Nonsmoking, $13/adv or $15/door, 8pm-12am; St Pete: 535 4th Ave N; (727) 892-5202. Fri Mar 2: Swing Time w/ Pepper & Fine Thyme @ Centro Asturiano Sat Mar 17: Sammy Kaye Orchestra @ Coliseum Swing Time happens this Friday (Feb 2) at Centro Asturiano, featuring local favorites, Dan Electro & the Silvertones, playing their trademark combination of bluesy swing & jump jive: * Swing Music & Dancing w/ Dan Electro & the Silvertones, 9pm-1am * Dance Instruction by Sam & Rachel, 8-9pm * Dance Contest + Prizes * Elegant & Historic Grand Ballroom * Admission $10: includes Free Parking & Free Lesson * All Ages Welcome * Smoke-Free * Full Bar Available, including Bottled Water & Soft Drinks * For more info, e-mail XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX or phone 727-698-2212 * 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. For a map, see web site above. Next Friday (Feb 9), the Coliseum celebrates Valentine's Day with the Sweetheart Sock Hop, and band "Confetti". The event runs 8pm to Midnight, and tickets are $11 in advance or $13 at the door. It's nonsmoking, all ages, and BYOB. Phone 727-892-5202. The Coliseum is located at 535 4th Ave N in St Pete. Directions: Take I-275 to I-375 in downtown St Pete; look left at bottom of ramp where I-375 ends. Next Saturday (Feb 10), the Abe Guard Orchestra puts on a Salute to Glenn Miller at the St Pete Coliseum. The evening will feature swing numbers, plus a range of ballroom-dance music. - Dance 8pm-Midnight on the largest floor in the area - Nonsmoking; BYOB & Food; Snacks & Setups Available - Dance Hosts Available - All Ages Admitted - $13 in Advance or $15 at the Door (Reserved Seating) - Phone 727-892-5202 - Address & Directions: See Prior Event On Saturday (Feb 17), the Russ Morgan Orchestra (with Jack Morgan) plays the Coliseum's Big-Band Series. This world-famous big band has been performing continuously since 1935 under the father-and-son leadership of Russ Morgan, followed by Jack Morgan. For more band info, visit www.RussMorganOrchestra.com . All other details are identical to the previous Saturday's event at the Coliseum. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- DANCES Fri Feb 2: Art-Walk Dance @ Gulfport Casino Deck/Sidewalk; All Ages, Outdoors, Free, 6-10pm; Gulfport: 5500 Shore Blvd S; (727) 893-1070. Fri Feb 2: West-Coast Swing Night @ Swing City Dance Studio; All Ages, Nonsmoking, $5, Starts 9pm; Tampa: 7532 N Armenia Ave; (813) 935-7458. Sat Feb 3: Lindy Hop 411 @ Pinellas Park Auditorium; All Ages, Nonsmoking, $5-$15, 4:15pm-12am; Pinellas Park: 7690 59th St N; (727) 894-6325. Fri Feb 9: Swing Dance @ Gulfport Casino; All Ages, Nonsmoking, $6, 9pm-12:30am (8-9 Lesson); Gulfport: 5500 Shore Blvd S; (727) 893-1070. Fri Feb 16: Lindy Hop Dance (Steven & Virginie Weekend) @ Casino; All Ages, Nonsmoking, $6, 8pm-12:30am; Gulfport: 5500 Shore Blvd S; (727) 894-6325. Fri Feb 16: Lindy Swing Night w/ DJ Abdel @ Swing City Dance Studio; All Ages, Nonsmoking, $5-$12, Starts 9pm (Workshop 7:30-9) Tampa: 7532 N Armenia Ave; (813) 935-7458. Sat Feb 17: Lindy Hop Dance (Steven & Virginie Weekend) @ Casino; All Ages, Nonsmoking, $6, 8pm-12:30am; Gulfport: 5500 Shore Blvd S; (727) 894-6325. Sat Feb 24: Swing Dance @ Polish-American Society; All Ages, Nonsmoking, $6, 8:30pm-12:30 (Lesson 7:30-8:30); St Pete: 1343 Beach Dr SE; (727) 821-9420. Fri Mar 2: Art-Walk Dance @ Gulfport Casino Deck/Sidewalk Fri Mar 2: West-Coast Swing Night @ Swing City Dance Studio Sat Mar 3: Lindy Hop 411 @ Pinellas Park Auditorium Sun Mar 4: Swing Dance w/ Jiving Lindy Hoppers @ Zendah Grotto Fri Mar 16: Swing Dance @ Gulfport Casino Sat Mar 17: Lindy Hop 411 @ Pinellas Park Auditorium Sat Mar 31: Swing Dance @ Polish-American Society Sat Mar 31: Lindy Hop 411 @ Pinellas Park Auditorium Every Sun: Swing Sundays @ Zendah Grotto; All Ages, Nonsmoking, $4-$5, 7pm-12am (Lessons 6:30-8); Tampa: 4109 N Lauber Way; (813) 985-8216. Every Wed: Swing Dance @ Gulfport Casino; All Ages, Nonsmoking, $5, 8pm-12am (Lesson 7-8); Gulfport: 5500 Shore Blvd S; (727) 893-1070. Every Thu: Swing Dance @ Magnolia Bldg; All Ages, Nonsmoking, $4, 8pm-12am (Lesson 7-8); Lakeland: 702 E Orange St; (863) 603-6281. Friday (Feb 2), the City of Gulfport holds its monthly Art Walk, with dancing outside the Gulfport Casino, either on the sidewalk or the deck. DJ Jumpin' James spins the music. It runs 6-10pm and there's no admission charge. 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. Also on Friday (Feb 2) Swing City Dance Studio in Tampa holds a West- Coast Swing dance, entitled "Sophisticated Swing Night". The music will be west-coast jazz, funk, and blues. You're asked to bring your own favorite wine to share for the wine & cheese social. It starts at 9pm and admission is $5. Swing City is located at 7532 N Armenia Ave in Tampa, between Sligh & Waters. (Take I-275 to Armenia, and head north until you find the correct address.) Call 813-935-7458. Saturday (Feb 3), Lindy Hop 411 hosts its next event at the Pinellas Park Auditorium. It features two Lindy Hop classes, followed by an evening of dancing. The schedule is: 4:15pm- 5:45pm: Lindy Hop Fundamentals w/ Gabe & Anna 6:00pm- 7:30pm: Lindy Hop Variations w/ Bob & Lee 8:00pm-12:00am: Dance w/ DJs Tim, Gabe, & Abdel Admission is $15 for both classes plus the dance, $12 for one class and the dance, $7 for individual classes, or $5 for just the dance. The dance is all-ages and nonsmoking. For more information, phone 727-894-6325. Pinellas Park Auditorium is located at 7690 59th St N in Pinellas Park. Directions: From I-275, take Exit 15. Go west on Gandy/Park Blvd. When you cross the railroad tracks, turn right onto 59th St N. Cross the tracks again. Auditorium is on the left. Friday (Feb 9), Strictly Swing Entertainment puts on a swing dance at the Gulfport Casino. It runs 8pm-12:30am, starting off with an 8-9pm lesson by James & Arleene. Dancing is 9pm-12:30am with DJ Jumpin' James spinning the tunes. The event is open to all ages, is nonsmoking, and a full bar is available. Admission is $6. 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. Friday (Feb 16) and Saturday (Feb 17), two swing dances will be held at the Gulfport Casino, in conjunction with the Steven & Virginie weekend. Anyone (not just workshop participants) may attend the dances, which are open to the public. Both dances feature DJs Gabe, Tim, and Abdel spinning a variety of tunes for Lindy Hopping. Both dances also feature special guests, Steven Mitchell & Virginie Jensen, two of the top Lindy Hop instructors in the world. The dances run 8pm-12:30am and admission is $6 each. The weekend's events are sponsored by LindyHop411. For more information on the weekend, including registering for the workshops, e-mail XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, phone 727-894-6325, or visit www.LindyHop411.com . Additional info on the weekend and its workshops can be found in an article below. The Gulfport Casino is located at 5500 Shore Blvd S in Gulfport. Friday (Feb 16) is the next Lindy Swing Night at Swing City Dance Studio, with DJ Abdel spinning the tunes starting at 9pm. Prior to the dance, Forrest Outman will teach a "Swing Fusion & Styling" workshop, 7:30-9:00pm. The workshop covers styling techniques and the combining of swing styles. Admission is $5 for the dance or $12 for the workshop and the dance. Swing City is all ages, nonsmoking, and located at 7532 N Armenia Ave in Tampa, between Sligh & Waters. Phone 813-935-7458. Saturday (Feb 24), Strictly Swing Entertainment puts on a swing dance at the Polish-American Society in St Pete. The evening starts off with a lesson 7:30-8:30pm, followed by a dance 8:30pm-12:30am with DJ Jumpin' James. It's all ages, nonsmoking, $6, and bar service is available. Phone 727-821-9420. Address & Directions: The Polish-American Society is located at 1343 Beach Dr SE in St Pete. Take I-275 to I-175 E (5th Ave S) and follow it until it ends. Go east to 3rd St S. Turn right (south). Turn left at 18th Ave S and follow the "Truck Route" signs. Don't turn into any road that says "Dead End". Every Sunday, swing happens at the Zendah Grotto, located near Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. (Now that football season's over, you may attend without fear of football traffic for the next several months.) February brings swing lessons by Fran -- Beginning Level runs 6:30-7:00pm and is free with paid admission; Intermediate Level runs 7-8pm and is $5 with paid admission. Dance on the main floor, 7pm to midnight, with DJs Abdel and Paul. The Zendah Grotto features a large (2200 sq ft) floating-wood dance floor, plus new decor and sound. It's BYOB, with sodas, bottled water, juice, and snacks available for purchase. All ages are welcome, it's smoke-free, and admission is $5 ($4 for students). Phone 813-985-8216 for more info. This event is sponsored by the Suncoast Swing Gang. On Sunday, March 4th, the Zendah Grotto will host a workshop and dance with world-renowned dance troupe, the UK's Jiving Lindy Hoppers, who are currently touring the US performing with the Boston Pops. More details are in an article below and will also appear in the next Swing News. 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. Every Wednesday, Tampa Bay's longest-running swing night continues at the Gulfport Casino. The night starts off with a 7-8pm lesson by James & Arleene, then continues 8pm-Midnight with dancing to tunes spun by DJ Jumpin' James. Admission is $5. The Casino features a huge dance floor, a full bar, and smoke-free air. It is open to all ages. Phone 727-893-1070. The Gulfport Casino is located at 5500 Shore Blvd S in Gulfport. Every Thursday, swing continues in Lakeland at the Magnolia Building. The night starts with a 7-8pm lesson by James & Arleene. Dancing runs 8pm-Midnight, with DJ Jumpin' James spinning the tunes. You may bring your own drinks and even a picnic, but no alcohol is permitted. The night is all ages, smoke-free, and costs $4. Phone 863-603-6281. The 3rd Thursday of every month, special guest DJ Steve (of Fourth Fighter Group fame), spins 10pm-Midnight. 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 & CLUB EVENTS Thu Feb 1: Buster Cooper @ Centro Ybor; All Ages, Outdoors, Free, 7-11pm; Ybor City: 1600 E 8th Ave; (813) 242-4660. Thu Feb 1: Reverend Horton Heat + Deke Dickerson & the Ecco-fonics @ State Theatre; All Ages, Smoking, $15, Starts 7:30pm; St Pete: 687 Central Ave; (727) 895-3045. Sat Feb 3: Wycliffe Gordon Sextet @ Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center; All Ages, Nonsmoking, $14.50-$24.50, Starts 8pm; Tampa: 1010 N MacInnes Place; (813) 229-7827. Sat Feb 3: Roomful of Blues @ Club More; Ages 18+, Smoking, Starts 9:30pm; Clearwater: 703 Franklin St; (727) 466-6673. Sat Feb 3: Glenn Miller Orchestra @ Busch Gardens; All Ages, Nonsmoking, $45.68, 1pm & 2:30pm & 4pm; Tampa: 3000 E Busch Blvd; (813) 987-5777. Sun Feb 4: Glenn Miller Orchestra @ Busch Gardens; All Ages, Nonsmoking, $45.68, 1pm & 2:30pm & 4pm; Tampa: 3000 E Busch Blvd; (813) 987-5777. Mon Feb 5: Cab Calloway's Legacy of Swing @ Ruth Eckerd Hall; All Ages, Nonsmoking, $11, Starts 1pm; Clearwater: 1111 N McMullen Booth Rd; (727) 791-7400. Mon Feb 5: Tommy Dorsey Orchestra @ Van Wezel; All Ages, Nonsmoking, $18, Starts 2pm; Sarasota: 777 N Tamiami Trail; (941) 955-7676. Mon Feb 5: Diana Krall @ Van Wezel; All Ages, Nonsmoking, $36-$43 (Sold Out), Starts 8pm; Sarasota: 777 N Tamiami Trail; (941) 955-7676. Tue Feb 6: Cab Calloway's Legacy of Swing @ Van Wezel; All Ages, Nonsmoking, $22-$26, Starts 8pm; Sarasota: 777 N Tamiami Trail; (941) 955-7676. Wed Feb 7: Toni Lynn Washington Band @ Martini Bar at BayWalk; Ages 21+, Smoking, $5, Starts 9:30pm; St Pete: 131 2nd Ave N; (727) 895-8558. Fri Feb 9: Saturn 5 @ Skipper's Smokehouse; Ages 18+, Outdoors, $5, Starts 8pm; Tampa: Skipper Rd & Nebraska; (813) 971-0666. Fri Feb 16: Dan Electro & the Silvertones @ Centro Ybor; All Ages, Outdoors, Free, 7-11pm; Ybor City: 1600 E 8th Ave; (813) 242-4660. Thu Feb 22: Lounge Cat @ Centro Ybor; All Ages, Outdoors, Free, 7-11pm; Ybor City: 1600 E 8th Ave; (813) 242-4660. Fri Feb 23: Tribute to Louis Armstrong @ Van Wezel; All Ages, Nonsmoking, $30-$40, Starts 8pm; Sarasota: 777 N Tamiami Trail; (941) 955-7676. Sun Mar 4: Jiving Lindy Hoppers w/ Boston Pops @ Ice Palace Mon Mar 5: Maureen McGovern & John Pizzarelli @ Van Wezel Fri Mar 9: Doo Wop Reunion @ Ruth Eckerd Hall Tue Mar 27: When Swing Was King @ Ruth Eckerd Hall Wed Mar 28: When Swing Was King @ Ruth Eckerd Hall Every Sun: Bombed Out Cat @ Cha Cha Coconuts; All Ages, Outdoors, No Cover, 5-9pm; St Pete: The Pier; (727) 822-6655. Every Thu: Bombed Out Cat @ Sugar Reef; All Ages, Restaurant, $5, 8:30pm-12:30am; Dunedin Causeway: 318 Causeway Blvd; (727) 734-5450. Every Fri: DJ Paul @ Ybor City Diner; All Ages, Restaurant, No Cover, 10pm-2am; Ybor City: 1724 E 7th Ave; (813) 248-2828. Every Sat: Bombed Out Cat @ Bahama Mama's; All Ages, Outdoors, No Cover, 2-6pm; St Pete Beach: 5250 Gulf Blvd; (727) 360-1811. Centro Ybor, Ybor City's new shopping & entertainment complex, continues its Centro-A-Go-Go concert series every Thursday-Saturday, 7-11pm, and every Saturday, 11am-2pm, outdoors in the Plaza. The concert series is free and open to the public. February brings the following swing bands: - Thu Feb 1: Buster Cooper: Former Duke-Ellington Trombonist - Fri Feb 16: Dan Electro & the Silvertones: Swing & Blues Band - Thu Feb 22: Lounge Cat: Swing & Jazz Outfit 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. Thursday (Feb 1), the State Theatre brings in the Reverend Horton Heat plus Deke Dickerson & the Ecco-fonics for an all-ages, rockabilly extravaganza. For more info on the bands, listen to their music at www.amazon.com . The concert starts at 7:30pm, smoking is allowed, and admission is $15. The State Theatre is located at 687 Central Ave in St Pete. Phone 727-895-3045. Saturday (Feb 3), the Wycliffe Gordon Sextet takes the stage at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center in downtown Tampa. Wycliffe Gordon is one of the leading Jazz Trombonists in the US, having been a member of Wynton Marsalis' septet and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. The show starts at 8pm. After the show, the Center will hold a "talk-back" with the band. Admission is $14.50-$24.50 for the concert, and free for the post-concert discussion. Phone 813-229-7827 for tickets or more info, and 813-222-1049 to reserve a seat for the "talk-back". Also Saturday (Feb 3), jump-blues legends, Roomful of Blues, play Club More in downtown Clearwater. Roomful of Blues has, since the late 1960's, been instrumental in keeping alive the jump/R&B style that grew out of the swing and big band era. They've been nominated for four Grammies, and have twice won Blues Band of the Year from Downbeat. Smoking is allowed, ages 18 and up are admitted, and barbecue will be for sale. Club More has a 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 9:30pm with opening band, Rocks & The Revelators. Saturday & Sunday (Feb 3-4), you can catch the Glenn Miller Orchestra at Busch Gardens. Three shows are scheduled each afternoon at 1:00pm, 2:30pm, and 4:00pm. Concerts are included in the theme-park admission fee of $45.68 . Busch Gardens is located at 3000 E Busch Blvd in Tampa. Phone 813-987-5777. Cab Calloway's Legacy of Swing comes to the area Feb 5-6 (Mon & Tue). This show, a tribute to the legendary bandleader, features Chris Calloway (Cab's daughter), the Hi-De-Ho Orchestra, and various dancers. The show takes place Monday, Feb 5, 1pm, at Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 N McMullen Booth Rd in Clearwater (tickets $11; phone 727-791-7400), and also Tuesday, Feb 6, 8pm, at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N Tamiami Trail in Sarasota (tickets $22-$26; 941-955-7676). Monday (Feb 5), Van Wezel features two of the biggest swing names from the past and present. It starts with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra in the afternoon and finishes with jazz superstar Diana Krall in the evening. Diana's smash CD, "When I Look In Your Eyes", recently spent over a year at the number one position on the Billboard Jazz charts. The Tommy Dorsey concert starts at 2pm and costs $18. The Diana Krall concert, which starts at 8pm, is sold out. (Note: the Diana Krall concert that was previously scheduled for Feb 13 at Ruth Eckerd Hall has been rescheduled to June 25th; phone 727-791-7400 for info or tickets.) Van Wezel is located at 777 N Tamiami Trail in Sarasota. Phone 941-955-7676. Wednesday (Feb 7), blues sensation Toni Lynn Washington brings her band all the way from Boston to play at the new Martini Bar at St Pete's BayWalk. The Toni Lynn Washington Band was just nominated for their 3rd WC Handy Award. No stranger to swing dances, the band played for last summer's Beantown Lindy Hop Camp in the Boston area. Admission is $5, ages 21 and up are admitted, and smoking is encouraged. (It is a martini & cigar bar, after all.) The show starts at 9:30pm. The address is 131 2nd Ave N in St Pete. Call 727-895-8558. Friday (Feb 9), Saturn 5 (formerly known as the Swingin' Mooks) plays Skipper's Smokehouse. The show is at 8pm, costs $5, and is open to ages 18 & up (under 18 admitted if accompanied by parent). It takes place 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. Friday (Feb 23), "trumpeter Randy Sandke and his New York Allstars take you on an entertaining musical journey through the history of New Orleans jazz and its most famous proponent, Louis Armstrong." This tribute to Louis starts at 8pm, runs $30-$40, and takes place at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N Tamiami Trail in Sarasota. Phone 941-955-7676 for more information. Local swing band, Bombed Out Cat, continues its successful weekly appearances at three Bay-area locations: - Every Sunday, 5-9pm, at Cha Cha Coconuts on the St Pete Pier - Every Thursday, 8:30pm-12:30am, at Sugar Reef on Dunedin Causeway - Every Saturday, 2-6pm, at Bahama Mama's, St Pete Beach Holiday Inn For full details, see the listings above. For up-to-the-minute info on Bombed Out Cat gigs, phone the hotline at 813-960-1426. Every Friday night, DJ Paul Mallett spins your favorite rock & roll dance tunes at the Ybor City Diner, a retro 50's diner located at 1724 E 7th Ave in Ybor City. It runs 10pm-2am. Phone 813-248-2828. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- STEVEN & VIRGINIE WORKSHOP REMINDER February 16-18 (Fri-Sun), Steven Mitchell & Virginie Jensen, considered by many to be the top Lindy Hop instructors in the world, teach a weekend of workshops at the Gulfport Casino. The weekend includes dances on Friday and Saturday nights, and classes all day Saturday and Sunday. The weekend is sponsored by Lindy Hop 411. LindyHop411 writes: "If you haven't already signed up for the Steven & Virginie workshop, now is the time to register. Registering before February 6th ensures that you will avoid late-registration fees, and guarantees you a spot in the workshop. Those lucky enough to not get closed out of the Bill Borgida workshop know how much of a positive impact learning from world-class instructors can have on your dancing. In Steven & Virginie, you can be assured that you will learn from the best. Steven & Virginie can be found on any given weekend instructing at the largest and most popular dance workshops in the country, and we are truly fortunate to be able to host them so they can share their knowledge of dance with us here in Florida. Steven & Virginie will have something to offer dancers of every level. Whether you're relatively new to social dancing or a seasoned veteran, you can bet that you'll walk away from this workshop with a better understanding of your potential to be a creative and fundamentally sound dancer. Don't forget that included in the registration fee is admission to the dances on Friday & Saturday evening, with the finest DJ's in Florida spinning the best in swingin' jazz and big band music that will keep you dancing all night long." The weekend's schedule is: * Friday Night: - Dance 8pm-12:30am with DJs Gabe, Tim, & Abdel * Saturday: - Workshops 9:30am-5:30pm with Steven & Virginie - Dance 8pm-12:30am with DJs Gabe, Tim, & Abdel * Sunday: - Workshops 10am-3pm with Steven & Virginie Three tracks are available for beginning to advanced dancers. For Tracks I & II, registration is $80 before Feb 6; $90, after. For Track III (which allows the participant to take both Track I & II courses), registration is $105 before Feb 6; $115, after. Registration fees include admission to both dances. (People who aren't registered may attend the dances for $6 each.) For complete details or to register, visit www.LindyHop411.com , e-mail XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX , or phone 727-894-6325. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- JIVING LINDY HOPPERS RETURN Robin writes: "Hey everybody! The Suncoast Swing Gang and Right Step Dance Studio are very excited to announce that we have secured two of the world-famous Jiving Lindy Hoppers to teach a workshop on Sunday, March 4th at the Zendah Grotto. Further details will soon follow, but we hope to provide a package opportunity for dancers who want to take the workshop, go see the Jiving Lindy Hoppers perform in concert with the Boston Pops at the Ice Palace, and then dance the rest of the evening away at the Zendah. Special guests that night will include our instructors and hopefully other JLH troupe members as well! We'd also like to point out that this will be a grand weekend of dancing in Tampa Bay -- starting Friday with the Centro Austuriano and Ybor diner, Saturday with the LindyHop411 day, and then all day Sunday with the Jiving Lindy Hoppers! Who can beat that? Swing is alive baby!" ---------------------------------------------------------------------- SWING & LINDY HOP WORKSHOPS IN CLEARWATER / LARGO Two Saturday-afternoon swing & Lindy Hop workshops will be held at the Dancer's Rendezvous in Clearwater, taught by Sam & Rachel. The first is called "Swing to the Next Step" (Sat Feb 3, 1:30-4:30pm). It covers intermediate-level moves and concepts for East-Coast Swing, including a variety of new moves & combinations, plus essential principles that will help participants lead or follow any move. The second workshop, "Lindy Hop Made Easy" (Sat Feb 10, 1:30-4:30pm), presents "a unique and effective approach to learning Lindy Hop". It is designed for dancers who want to get a better feel for Lindy, as well as for those with little or no experience. No partner is necessary for either workshop -- instructors will rotate participants throughout. It's $15/workshop in advance or $20/workshop at the door. To register in advance, mail a check (payable to Sam Mahfoud), along with your name, address, e-mail & phone to: Swing Workshops, c/o Sam Mahfoud, 3665 E Bay Dr #204-429, Largo FL 33771 . For more information, e-mail XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX . Dancer's Rendezvous is located at 4445 East Bay Drive, Clearwater. Directions: From Tampa, take I-275 S to 688 W (Ulmerton Rd). From St Pete, take I-275 N to Exit 16 (686 W) to 688 W (Ulmerton Rd). After a few miles, turn right on Belcher. Turn right on East Bay. Turn into the first shopping center on your right. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- LINDY BOOT CAMP Sunday afternoon, February 11th, at the Zendah Grotto in Tampa, James & Arleene Norman from Right Step Studio bring their "Lindy Boot Camp". It covers the essentials of Savoy-Style Lindy Hop, including the lead- and-follow relationship, musicality, history, and form. It runs 1:30-5:30pm, costs $15, and class is limited to 40 participants. The Suncoast Swing Gang sponsors this class, in conjunction with its every-Sunday-night swing dance at the Zendah Grotto. For more info, call 727-821-9420. The Zendah Grotto is located at 4109 N Lauber Way in Tampa. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- SWING IN HAWAII Dave & Holly Groeschel write: Aloha! Was just wondering if you have any dancers over in your area that travel to the Hawaiian Islands? If so, we are the founders of the Oahu Swing Dance Club and would like to offer any assistance in information about swing dancing here on Oahu and contacts on Maui or Kauai! We have Beata Howe coming for workshops in Feb 2001 as well as Ginger Pickerel, Jason Colasino & Katie Boyle in March. [For more info, visit www.shaka.com/~osdc or e-mail XXXXXXXXXXXXXX .] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Swing News Managing Editor: Sam Mahfoud (XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX) Contributing Editor: Arnold Kasemsarn (XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX) Subscriptions: Lynn D Hopper (XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX) 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 . **********************************************************************