********************************************************************** SWING NEWS, JULY 2001 (Friday 6/29/01), ISSUE #75 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, 7/27/01; Publication on 7/31/01 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Welcome ... ... to this pre-Independence-Day issue of Swing News! The fine events in this issue will keep you swinging throughout mid-summer. Swing Time starts its new season of events July 13th, and season passes are currently available, but you'll have to act fast if you want one -- the deadline is tomorrow (June 30th). Do you know someone ages 6 to 16 who might benefit by learning to swing dance? Check out the Spats Cats article at the bottom of this issue. Enjoy! Sam ---------------------------------------------------------------------- DANCE CONCERTS Fri Jul 13: Swing Time w/ Pepper & Fine Thyme @ Centro Asturiano; All Ages, Nonsmoking, $10, 9pm-1am (Lesson 8-9); Ybor City: Palm Ave & Nebraska; (727) 698-2212. Fri Aug 3: Swing Time w/ Jennifer & the Venturas @ Centro Asturiano Friday (July 13), Swing Time kicks off its new season of live events with Pepper & Fine Thyme, the swingin'est jazz band in the area. * Live Swing Music & Dancing, 9pm-1am * Dance Instruction by Sam & Rachel, 8-9pm * Lucky 13 Dance Contest -- The Band Plays for the Contestants! * Prizes * Elegant & Historic Grand Ballroom * $10 Admission includes Free Parking & Free Lesson * All Ages Welcome * Smoke-Free Atmosphere * Full Bar Available, including Bottled Water & Soft Drinks * Visit www.StudioRetro.com for more Event & Band info + a Map * E-mail XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX or Phone 813-274-4950 * Address/Directions/Parking: Centro Asturiano is located in Tampa at the corner of Palm Ave & Nebraska Ave on the edge of Ybor City. It has its own free gated parking lot right next to the building. Plus, it's located many blocks from Ybor City's center, allowing easy access on lightly traveled streets. Directions: Take I-4 to Exit 1, go south, turn right at the 1st light (Palm Ave), turn left at the 2nd light (Nebraska Ave), and make an immediate left into Centro Asturiano's gated lot. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- DANCES Wed Jul 4: Swing Dance Nights @ BayWalk; All Ages, Outdoors, Free, 8:30-11pm (Lesson 8-8:30); St Pete: 153 2nd Ave N; (727) 895-9277. Fri Jul 6: Swing @ DanceLand; All Ages, Nonsmoking, $3-$5, Starts 8pm (Lesson 7-8); Pinellas Park: 8451 49th St N; (727) 525-8313. Tue Jul 10: Swing Dance Nights @ BayWalk; All Ages, Outdoors, Free, 8:30-11pm (Lesson 8-8:30); St Pete: 153 2nd Ave N; (727) 895-9277. Tue Jul 17: Swing Dance Nights @ BayWalk; All Ages, Outdoors, Free, 8:30-11pm (Lesson 8-8:30); St Pete: 153 2nd Ave N; (727) 895-9277. Fri Jul 20: Lindy Swing Night w/ DJ Abdel @ Swing City Dance Studio; All Ages, Nonsmoking, $5-$12, 9pm-2am (Workshop 7:30-9); Tampa: 7532 N Armenia Ave; (813) 935-7458. Sat Jul 21: LindyHop411 1st Anniversary @ Pinellas Park Auditorium; All Ages, Nonsmoking, $0-$28, 10am-12:30am; Pinellas Park: 7690 59th St N; (727) 409-3187. Tue Jul 24: Swing Dance Nights @ BayWalk; All Ages, Outdoors, Free, 8:30-11pm (Lesson 8-8:30); St Pete: 153 2nd Ave N; (727) 895-9277. Fri Jul 27: Swing @ DanceLand; All Ages, Nonsmoking, $3-$5, Starts 8pm (Lesson 7-8); Pinellas Park: 8451 49th St N; (727) 525-8313. Tue Jul 31: Swing Dance Nights @ BayWalk; All Ages, Outdoors, Free, 8:30-11pm (Lesson 8-8:30); St Pete: 153 2nd Ave N; (727) 895-9277. Fri-Sun Aug 16-18: Beach Boogie @ Clearwater Beach Hilton 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 Thu: Swing Dance @ Magnolia Bldg; All Ages, Nonsmoking, $4, 8pm-12am (Lesson 7-8); Lakeland: 702 E Orange St; (863) 603-6281. 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. Fridays (July 6 & July 27), DanceLand swings in Pinellas Park: * Dance starts at 8pm * Beginner's Lesson 7-8pm * Spacious Wood Floor * Smoke-Free * Soft Drinks for Sale or Bring Your Own * 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 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Friday (July 20) is Swing City Dance Studio's monthly "Lindy Swing Night" with DJ Abdel, 9pm-2am. 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 (July 21), LindyHop411's First Anniversary Celebration takes place at the Pinellas Park Auditorium. "Here's the dirt on what's gonna be one of Florida's biggest Lindy Hop parties yet! Fingers crossed, we'll be seeing a large turnout of both our local and out-of- town friends. So whether you're new to dancing or have been at it a while, make sure to keep your calendars open -- there'll be something for everyone. We'll be premiering Tampa Bay's first instruction in the Swing Rueda, a spin-off of the Salsa Rueda: this is a called group dance where the entire group executes patterns at the same time. It also involves a lot of switching partners, so it's a great opportunity to dance with everyone in the room. We'll be featuring some surprise guest DJs, as well as a DJ battle between Tim and Abdel, where they'll trade off songs to see who can move the crowd the most. We'll be having a great time. See you then! [LindyHop411]" Schedule: 10:00am-10:30am: Warm-up Session: jazz steps, body movement, etc 10:30am-11:00am: Connection: connect with your partner 11:15am-12:15pm: Lindy Hop Fundamentals: all forms of the swing out 12:15pm- 1:15pm: Lunch 1:30pm- 2:00pm: Charleston: basics + interesting variations 2:15pm- 3:15pm: Balboa: a vintage swing dance for faster tempos 3:30pm- 4:30pm: Lindy Hop Variations for Swing Rueda 4:45pm- 5:45pm: Swing Rueda: a called group dance 8:00pm-12:30am: Dance w/ DJ Battle Classes are $7 per hour, with half-hour classes thrown in free with the purchase of a regular class. The dance is free! 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 . 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. BayWalk will hold one final Wednesday-night dance on July 4th before moving back to Tuesday nights for the remainder of the month. It all 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 info. Every Wednesday, swing at the Moose Lodge in St Pete: - Lesson 7-8pm w/ James & Arleene - Dance 8pm-Midnight w/ DJ Jumpin' James - All Ages - Free Parking - 2000 sq ft Dance Floor - New Sound System - Full Bar - Smoke-Free - $5 Admission; $3 for Children under 10 (must be supervised) - 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. Every Thursday night, swing at the Magnolia Building in Lakeland: - 7-8pm lesson by James & Arleene - Dance 8pm-Midnight w/ DJ Jumpin' James - DJ Steve spins 10pm-Midnight the 3rd Thursday of Each Month - BYO Drinks & Food, but No Alcohol is Permitted - All Ages & Smoke-Free - $4 Admission - 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. Swing 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. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- CONCERTS & CLUB EVENTS Sun Jul 1: Bombed Out Cat @ Cha Cha Coconuts; All Ages, Outdoors, No Cover, 3-7pm; St Pete: The Pier; (727) 822-6655. Wed Jul 11: Bombed Out Cat @ Rare Olive; Smoking, 10pm-1:30am; Ybor City: 1601 E 7th Ave; (813) 248-2333. Fri Jul 13: Bombed Out Cat @ King Creole; Ages 18+, Smoking, $3, 9:30pm-12:30am; Sarasota: 1991 Main Street; (941) 365-7474. Mon Jul 16: Bombed Out Cat @ Adam's Mark; All Ages, Outdoors, No Cover, 6-10pm; Clearwater Beach: 430 W Gulfview Blvd; (727) 443-5714. Tue Jul 17: Amazing Crowns & High School Hellcats @ Orpheum; All Ages, Smoking, $7, Starts 9pm; Ybor City: 1902 Republica de Cuba; (813) 248-9500. Wed Jul 18: Bombed Out Cat @ Rare Olive; Smoking, 10pm-1:30am; Ybor City: 1601 E 7th Ave; (813) 248-2333. Fri Jul 20: Bombed Out Cat @ Limey's; Ages 21+, Outdoors, No Cover, 8-11pm; St Pete: 1492 4th St N; (727) 895-2049. Sat Jul 21: Bombed Out Cat @ BayWalk; All Ages, Outdoors, Free, 5-9pm; St Pete: 153 2nd Ave N; (727) 895-9277. Wed Jul 25: Bombed Out Cat @ Rare Olive; Smoking, 10pm-1:30am; Ybor City: 1601 E 7th Ave; (813) 248-2333. Thu Jul 26: Bombed Out Cat @ Martini Bar at BayWalk; Ages 21+, Smoking, $5, 8:30pm-12:30am; St Pete: 131 2nd Ave N; (727) 895-8558. Sun Jul 29: Bombed Out Cat @ Cha Cha Coconuts; All Ages, Outdoors, No Cover, 3-7pm; St Pete: The Pier; (727) 822-6655. 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. Bombed Out Cat is going strong, with upcoming appearances July 22-23 at Disney's Pleasure Island, as well as a number of Tampa Bay shows. Their July Tampa Bay appearances include a return to the Rare Olive in Ybor City, where the band used to play a Thursday swing night throughout much of 1999. Other July highlights include an outdoor concert at BayWalk in St Pete, a couple of Sundays at Cha Cha Coconuts on the Pier, as well as gigs at the BayWalk Martini Bar and the Adams Mark on Clearwater Beach. For full details, see the schedule above. Call the hotline at 813-960-1426 for up-to-the-minute band info. Every Thursday evening, the Swing Jam continues at the Sand Bar in Tierra Verde, hosted by the band, Lucian & the All Stars. The band invites everyone to bring their instruments, voice, or dancing shoes. 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 is on the water. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- SWING TIME SEASON PASS DEADLINE ARRIVES The deadline for purchasing Swing Time Season Passes is tomorrow (Saturday, June 30). To meet the deadline, you can either sign up online or mail in your form, postmarked by June 30th. Complete details are at www.StudioRetro.com . Swing Time, the monthly live music & dance event at Centro Asturiano, is making passes available for its July-December 2001 series of events. The upcoming season opener on Friday, July 13th, features the band, Pepper & Fine Thyme. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- SWING CRUISE UPDATE Steve Dante writes: "Reservations for the swing cruise need to be made by July 10 to hold the cabins at the group rate. Any deposits from those thinking of going need to be in by then. After that date, cabins will be available at a somewhat higher rate." The Swing Cruise to the Bahamas takes place February 21-24, 2002. For full information, see the June 2000 issue of Swing News at www.swingnews.com/tampabay or call Steve at 727-347-1766. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- FEMALE PARTNER WANTED "Experienced swing dancer, retired male, seeks female dance partner with transportation to go to various dance venues. Your skill level can range from beginner on up. Telephone Richard in Clearwater: 727-442-8153." [ or reply to XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX ] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- NEW JERSEY BAND TO PLAY ORLANDO Dennis Gruenling & Jump Time, a swing & jump blues band from New Jersey, visits the Pleasure Island Jazz Company in downtown Disney, July 31 - August 2. Starting at 8:30pm, the band plays four sets each night. Dennis Gruenling is famous for his big horn-like sound on the harmonica. Sax, bass, drums, guitar, and lead-vocalist round out this six-piece band. For band info, visit www.backbender.net . For Pleasure Island info, phone 407-934-7829. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMER SWING JAM 2001 (ATLANTA) This Labor Day Weekend, Aug 30 - Sep 2, Atlanta hosts a weekend of Lindy Hop, Carolina Shag, and West Coast Swing. The event includes workshops, nightly dances, and competitions. For more information, see www.mindspring.com/~kdancepro/ . ---------------------------------------------------------------------- INDIAN SUMMER SWING CAMP (CALIFORNIA) This September 12-16, in the redwoods of La Honda, CA (40 miles south of San Francisco), Rob & Diane Van Haaren host a 5-day, 4-night swing camp, with an emphasis on Lindy Hop. See www.yeahman.com for details. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- SWING FOR KIDS: THE SPATS CATS Pam Callender writes: I opened Spats Dance Club in 1998 with group dance lessons and a "Club Night" on Friday & Saturday nights. My goal was to attract kids, so the dances were and still are smoke, alcohol, and drug-free. Once the word got around to the parents and teens, Spats became the hot spot and swing was the thing! In 1999, a group of four boys -- Mark Montano, Geoff Reyes, Scott Brainerd, and Sean Banogon -- were Spats regulars and the most talented kids in the club. I asked if they wanted to start a team. We called the team "Spats Cats". It grew to over 50 kids one summer. After learning a couple of choreographed routines, they were ready to strut their stuff in public. That year, Spats Cats performed over seventy-five shows from Atlanta to Miami. Spats became synonymous with Swing, and every charity benefit and private function with a swing theme invited us to perform. Mark and his then partner, Cassie Abate, won Spats' Savoy Dance Contest and went to California to compete in the US Open Junior Lindy Hop division. Currently, there are Spats Cats from Tampa to Venice, performing regularly in schools, churches, assisted-living homes, and still for corporate and private functions. Spats has produced three Savoy Swing Competitions, two Dance Marathons, two Anniversary Showcases, and our own rendition of "The Nutcracker Swing". Although best known for their outstanding style of Swing, the Spats Cats repertoire extends into the ever-popular Latin & Ballroom dances. Spats Cats range in age from six to sixteen, and rehearse several hours per week to improve their dance skills. The teams love to entertain and rely on financial contributions, yet every effort is given to grant all requests for a show. An annual $35 membership fee entitles the dancer to attend free weekly dance lessons; learn choreographed routines; perform at local, regional, and national venues; and have the opportunity to compete, travel, and teach. Spats is incorporated as Spats Youth Dance Sport Foundation, Inc. The mission is to provide affordable social, performance, and competitive partnership dance programs to children. "Dance Sport" is a generic term for competitive ballroom dancing. The International Dance Sport Federation (IDSF) received full recognition in 1997 from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Following the IOC recognition, IDSF continues to work for inclusion of Dance Sport as a medal sport in the Olympic Games. Spats' long-term goal is to open an Olympic Dance Sport Academy. With the many Spats' students progressing into Dance Sport competition, we are closer to this goal. You might have seen our young Olympic hopefuls at the Swing venues in Tampa. Shawn & Scott Lynn, and Jordan & Jenna Keeble are on their way to Miami to compete in national and regional Dance Sport competitions. Other Spats competitors include Candice & Danny, Shawn-Troy & Amber, Mathew & Brianna, Emily & Seth, and Nathan & Allison. To see what Dance Sport is about, watch The Monaco Dance Sport Championships on Lifetime Sports, July 18th at 7pm. Spats has a new home in Sarasota and Nokomis! Spats Club Nights are now held every Saturday at "The Dance Center", 5000 Fruitville Rd (just west off I-75, Exit 39) beginning July 7th. A $5 cover charge at 8:30pm includes a dance lesson, then swing, Latin, and ballroom dance until 12:30am. New Spats group classes are also starting in Nokomis at "The Dance Center". The kids love to have older people join them at their dances, so feel free to attend. It's for Swing Kids of all ages! To get involved, call Pamela J Callender, Artistic Director, in Sarasota at 941-316-9798, e-mail XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX or write to: Spats YDSF 935 N Beneva Rd Sarasota, FL 34232 [Editor's Note: Spats now has groups of kids in both Tampa and Sarasota. To get started, contact Pam Callender at the addresses or phone number above.] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 . **********************************************************************