********************************************************************** SWING NEWS, JUNE 2001 (Tuesday 5/29/01), ISSUE #74 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, 6/26/01; Publication on 6/30/01 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- DANCE CONCERTS Fri Jun 1: Swing Time w/ Charles Atkins Trio @ Centro Asturiano All Ages, Nonsmoking, $10, 9pm-1am (Lesson 8-9); Ybor City: Palm Ave & Nebraska; (727) 698-2212. Fri Jun 1: Spats Club w/ Bombed Out Cat @ Sarasota Park Auditorium All Ages, Nonsmoking, $8, 8:30-11:30pm; Sarasota: 2100 Laurel St; (941) 316-9798. Fri Jul 13: Swing Time w/ Pepper & Fine Thyme @ Centro Asturiano This Friday (June 1), Swing Time takes place at Centro Asturiano, featuring the Charles Atkins Trio from Tallahassee. Bandleader Charles Atkins is a life-long musician and educator, "professor of the blues" at Florida State University, where he directs the FSU Blues Lab. He recently played at Ray Charles' 70th Birthday celebration, held at the House of Blues in Hollywood CA. He also recently appeared at the Hollywood Bowl, at a music workshop for inner-city youths, alongside other famous "instructors" such as Bonnie Raitt and Keb Mo. The Charles Atkins Trio is Atkins on piano & vocals; Jon Copps on guitars, harmonica, and vocals; and David Copps on drums. They recently played for hundreds of dancers from across the state at the 2000 Florida Folk Festival's Saturday-night swing dance. Swing Time details: * Swing Music & Dancing w/ the Charles Atkins Trio, 9pm-1am * Dance Instruction by Sam & Rachel, 8-9pm * Dance Contest + Prizes * Elegant & Historic Grand Ballroom * $10 Admission includes Free Parking & Free Lesson * All Ages Welcome * Smoke-Free * Full Bar Available, including Bottled Water & Soft Drinks * For a map, visit www.swingnews.com/tampabay/swingtime.html * 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. Also on Friday (June 1), Spats Club in Sarasota brings in Bombed Out Cat for an 8:30-11:30pm, all-ages dance. Admission is $8, and the night is smoke- and alcohol-free, with a large, smooth dance floor. Phone 941-316-9798 for more info. The dance takes place at the Sarasota Park Auditorium, 2100 Laurel St. Directions: From I-75, take Exit 39 (Fruitville Rd). Head west. Turn left (south) on East Ave, and proceed to the end where it crosses with Laurel. The Auditorium is on the right. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- DANCES Fri Jun 1: West-Coast Swing Night @ Swing City Dance Studio All Ages, Nonsmoking, $5, Starts 9pm; Tampa: 7532 N Armenia Ave; (813) 935-7458. Sat Jun 2: Tampa Bay Beach Boppers @ Zendah Grotto All Ages, Nonsmoking, $6-$8, 8pm-12am; Tampa: 4109 N Lauber Way; (813) 962-2754. Fri Jun 8: Swing @ DanceLand All Ages, Nonsmoking, $3-$5, 8pm-12am (Lesson 7-8); Pinellas Park: 8451 49th St N; (727) 525-8313. Fri Jun 15: 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. Fri Jun 22: Swing @ DanceLand All Ages, Nonsmoking, $3-$5, 8pm-12am (Lesson 7-8); Pinellas Park: 8451 49th St N; (727) 525-8313. Sat Jun 30: LindyHop411 @ Pinellas Park Auditorium All Ages, Nonsmoking, $5-$17, 2pm-12:30am; Pinellas Park: 7690 59th St N; (727) 409-3187. Fri Jul 6: Swing @ DanceLand Sat Jul 7: LindyHop411 @ Pinellas Park Auditorium Sat Jul 21: LindyHop411 @ Pinellas Park Auditorium Fri Jul 27: Swing @ DanceLand Every Sun: Swing Sundays @ Zendah Grotto All Ages, Nonsmoking, $4-$5, 8pm-12am (Lessons 6:30-8); Tampa: 4109 N Lauber Way; (813) 985-8216. Every Wed: Swing Dance @ Moose Lodge All Ages, Nonsmoking, $5, 8pm-12am (Lesson 7-8); St Pete: 2525 58th Ave N; (727) 524-8394. Every Wed: Swing Dance Nights @ BayWalk All Ages, Outdoors, Free, 8:30-11pm (Lesson 8-8:30); St Pete: 153 2nd Ave N; (727) 895-9277. Every Thu: Swing Dance @ Magnolia Bldg All Ages, Nonsmoking, $4, 8pm-12am (Lesson 7-8); Lakeland: 702 E Orange St; (863) 603-6281. This Friday (June 1), Swing City Dance Studio in Tampa hosts a West- Coast Swing dance. The music will be jazz, funk, and blues, with some tunes thrown in for other dances such as hustle, slow dance, and cha cha. You're asked to bring your favorite wine to share for the wine, cheese, and chocolate-fondue social, plus any CDs you'd like to play. 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 to the correct address.) Phone 813-935-7458. This Saturday (June 2), the Tampa Bay Beach Boppers hold a Hawaiian- themed dance at the Zendah Grotto in Tampa, 8pm-midnight. Dancing is primarily West-Coast Swing, with some Carolina Shag, East-Coast Swing, and other dances. Admission is $6 for members and $8 for nonmembers. Phone 813-962-2754 for more info. The Zendah Grotto is located at 4109 N Lauber Way in Tampa. Take I-275 to E Dale Mabry (Northbound). Turn 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. Fridays (June 8 & June 22), swing continues at DanceLand in Pinellas Park. Shawn writes: "Come join us on a spacious floor for some great dancing in a smoke-free room. Feel free to bring some refreshments and a CD or two if you’d like to hear a favorite song of yours! We'll have some soft drinks for sale. Our DJs are happy to play requests. We have a couple of different instructors, so our lessons may vary in style, but we’ll always cater to the beginner!" * Dance 8pm-Midnight * Lesson 7-8pm * Admission $5; $3 for Students; Free for children under 10 * Location: 8451 49th St N in Pinellas Park (on the 2nd Floor) * Contact Shawn at 727-525-8313 or at XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Friday (June 15), Swing City Dance Studio hosts its monthly "Lindy Swing Night" with DJ Abdel, starting at 9pm. Prior to the dance, a special-interest, intermediate-level swing workshop will be held, 7:30-9:00pm. 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 (June 30), LindyHop411 hosts its next workshop and dance event at the Pinellas Park Auditorium. A Lindy Hop fundamentals class will be followed by a Lindy Hop variations class, and then by an evening dance. Admission ranges from $5 for just the dance to $17 for both classes plus the dance. Classes are held in the afternoon, starting about 2pm. The dance runs 8pm-12:30am. It's smoke-free, open to all ages, and held on Pinellas Park Auditorium's 2500 sq ft wooden dance floor. For more information, phone 727-409-3187 or visit www.lindyhop411.com as the date approaches. 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. The Auditorium is on the left. Swing takes place every Sunday night at the Zendah Grotto in Tampa: - Swing Lessons 6:30-8:00pm -- Free w/ paid admission: Beginning: 6:30-7:00pm; Beginning/Intermediate: 7-8pm - Dancing 8pm-Midnight w/ DJs Abdel & Paul - Large (2200 sq ft) floating-wood Dance Floor - Big New Sound System - BYOB; Soft Drinks & Snacks may be purchased at concession counter - All Ages & Smoke-Free - Admission $5 ($4 for Students) - Phone 813-985-8216 - Address & Directions: 4109 N Lauber Way in Tampa. Take I-275 to E Dale Mabry (Northbound). Turn 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. Swing continues every Wednesday night at the Moose Lodge in St Pete: - Intro Lesson 7-8pm w/ James & Arleene - Dance 8pm-Midnight w/ DJs Jumpin' James & Arleene - 2000 sq ft Dance Floor - All Ages & Smoke-Free - Admission $5 ($3 for Children under 10) - Full Bar - Free Parking - New Sound System - Phone 727-527-8394 - Address & Directions: 2525 58th Ave N in St Pete. Take I-275 to 54th Ave N. Go west. Take first right after the interstate ramps. Follow road to 58th Ave N. Entrance is at 58th Ave N & 25th St N. In June, BayWalk moves its Swing Dance Nights to Wednesdays. So every Wednesday, starting June 6th, swing dancing takes place outdoors on the plaza, 8:30-11pm, with free admission. Seminole Ballroom teaches a free lesson, 8:00-8:30pm, prior to the dancing. BayWalk, downtown St Pete's newly built entertainment complex, is located at 153 2nd Ave N. Phone 727-895-9277 for more info. Every Thursday night, swing at the Magnolia Building in Lakeland. The night starts with a 7-8pm lesson by James & Arleene. Dancing runs 8pm-Midnight, with DJ Jumpin' James spinning the tunes. The 3rd Thursday of every month, special guest DJ Steve spins 10pm-Midnight. 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. 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 Fri Jun 22: Skinny McGee + Urbane Cowboys @ Skipper's Smokehouse Ages 18+, Outdoors, $6, Starts 8pm; Tampa: Skipper Rd & Nebraska; (813) 971-0666. Mon Jun 25: Diana Krall @ Ruth Eckerd Hall All Ages, Nonsmoking, $29.50-$34.50, Starts 8pm; Clearwater: 1111 N McMullen Booth Rd; (727) 791-7400. Every Thu: Swing Jam Session w/ Lucian & the All Stars @ Sand Bar All Ages, Open-Air, No Cover, 6-10pm; Tierra Verde: 94 Pinellas Bayway; (727) 867-2688. Friday (June 22), it's Rockabilly Roundup time at Skipper's Smokehouse with Skinny McGee & His Mayhem Makers plus the Urbane Cowboys. Tickets are $6 to this 8pm show. It's open to ages 18 and up (under 18 admitted if accompanied by parent), and takes place in the open-air "Skipperdome", with dancing in front of the stage on Skipper's newly expanded plywood floor. Skipper's features a full bar & restaurant, and is located at Skipper Rd & Nebraska in North Tampa (813-971-0666). Directions: Take I-275 to Fletcher, head east, turn left on Nebraska, and right on Skipper Rd. Monday (June 25), jazz superstar, Diana Krall, performs at Ruth Eckerd Hall. "After over a year at Billboard's #1 Jazz position with her smash CD 'When I Look In Your Eyes', Diana Krall returns to Ruth Eckerd Hall with her sensational piano style and sultry vocals" [Ruth Eckerd Literature]. The Grammy Award-winning Best Jazz Vocalist is described by Jazz Times Magazine as "the hottest thing that's happened to jazz in years". Tickets are $29.50-$34.50 for this 8pm show. Ruth Eckerd is located at 1111 N McMullen Booth Rd, Clearwater. Phone 727-791-7400. Every Thursday evening, a swing jam session gets underway at the Sand Bar in Tierra Verde, hosted by the band, Lucian & the All Stars. Randall Ierna writes: "Bring your axe, voice, or your dancing shoes, and come jam with the best. The Sand Bar has been recently remodeled and is now twice as large." The jam session runs 6-10pm, and is held on the Sand Bar's open-air deck. There's no cover and it's open to all ages. A full restaurant menu is available. For more info, phone the Sand Bar at 727-867-2688 or e-mail Randall at XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX . The Sand Bar is located at 94 Pinellas Bayway in Tierra Verde. Directions: Cross the bridge into Tierra Verde, look to the right, and the Sand Bar will be on the water. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- DAN ELECTRO IN EUROPE Thanks to everyone who attended Dan Electro & the Silvertones' final performance last month in Lowry Park. All the people dancing in front of the stage made for a great send-off. Dan Electro's new e-mail address in Europe is XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX . ---------------------------------------------------------------------- SWING CRUISE February 21-24, 2002, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, AAA Auto Club South, and Strictly Swing Entertainment are co-sponsoring a 3-night "Swing Cruise". Prices start at $399 (at 3 people per inside cabin), and include all meals on board, round trip transportation between St Pete & Port Canaveral, port charges, government fees, and taxes. Call Steve Dante at 727-347-1766 to reserve your space or for more info. (You can tell him you saw it in the Swing News.) "Swing dance every night with your local swing friends. Make new friends from among the nation's most eager social swing dancers. Relax and enjoy four days and three nights at sea, as the rest of the nation freezes.... Cruise the Bahamas on Royal Caribbean's Sovereign of the Seas. Enjoy gourmet dining, glittering entertainment, nightly swing dancing, and exciting ports of call. Your three-night cruise will take you to Nassau-Paradise Island and Cococay in the Bahamas." ---------------------------------------------------------------------- EAST-COAST SWING LESSONS Vivian Wright's Dance Club will feature east-coast swing lessons during the month of June, taught by Vivian Wright. Lessons take place every Monday night, are open to beginning-to-advanced dancers, and cost $6. No partner or reservation is necessary. Each lesson runs 7-8pm and includes an hour of open dancing 9-10pm. It all takes place at Larry Silvers, 6210 44th St N in St Pete. This studio features an 1800 sq ft dance floor. Door prizes, sodas, water, and snacks are provided. For more info, phone 727-422-0968. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ATLANTIC DANCE TO CLOSE Disney's Atlantic Dance near Orlando will be shutting its doors. "Within weeks of Atlantic Dance switching formats from swing to Latin, the announcement has been made that the club will be shut down to restructure for an undetermined amount of time -- no word on what the restructuring will encompass or what music format (if any) the club will return as." [www.orlandoswing.com] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 . **********************************************************************