This Friday (February 1st), The Regulators, Florida's premier jump-blues band, travel all the way from Ft. Lauderdale to make Swing Time jump & jive. Join all your favorite swing friends at Centro Asturiano in Tampa for what promises to be an incredible night of live music & swing dancing!

Sam & Rachel teach the intro swing-dance lesson, with new moves each event, and no partner necessary. Then the band takes the stage, 9pm-1am, with dancing throughout the evening on Centro Asturiano's spacious dance floor. The evening features prize giveaways throughout the night, and a brief show at 11pm put on by your fellow dancers to live music provided by the band. Swing Time takes place in Centro Asturiano's vintage Grand Ballroom, which features a beautiful retro atmosphere and a full bar. Admission includes the free lesson & free parking.

Bonus!  Everyone attending Friday's Swing Time will receive Free Tickets to an upcoming Florida Orchestra concert in the beautiful Centro Asturiano Theater!

Get ready to swing like never before, with the Ten O'Clock Band, an 18-piece big band! When people speak of "the big bands", this is what they mean -- five saxes, four trumpets, four trombones, plus piano, bass, drums, guitar, and vocals. The band's bold & brassy sound will fill the Grand Ballroom, with minimal need for amplification, letting you experience the classic days of swing as it was meant to be played, heard, danced to, and otherwise enjoyed.

The Ten O'Clock Band's repertoire includes the swinging hits of Benny Goodman, Count Basie, Glenn Miller, and all the major big bands of the swing era, plus more contemporary swinging jazz arrangements as well. Exciting soloists, excellent musicianship, and great coordination as a unit have earned the band the praise of fellow musicians across the Bay area.

The event takes place in Centro Asturiano's elegant Grand Ballroom, the same hall where big bands -- including those of Count Basie, Harry James, and Woody Herman -- played back in the 1940's & 50's. So take advantage of this unique opportunity to swing in vintage style and experience the excitement of the original big-band era!

Like all Swing-Time events, this one will include a dance show at 11pm, prize giveaways throughout the night, a full bar, and an abundance of swing dancing, social interaction, and general ambiance.

Pam Callender writes: "In the last three years, Spats has provided a safe and healthy environment for our youth, with public dances that are smoke- and alcohol-free. Dancing has no age limit -- all ages are encouraged to attend."

Lindy Swing Night, the best bargain in local dances, happens the 2nd Friday of every month at Swing City in Tampa. $5 Admission includes lots of lindy hopping, a table full of snacks, plus swing circle & line dances such as Big Apple, Shim Sham, & Rueda. It all takes place on a nice dance floor, with DJ Abdel spinning your favorite jazz, big band, and blues tunes from 9pm until late.

Prior to the dance, Tim & Jenny Faye teach a workshop covering different aspects of lindy hop and related dances. Admission is $10 for just the workshop, or $12 for both the workshop & dance.

Swing every Sunday night at the Zendah Grotto, Tampa's big weekly swing dance put on by the Suncoast Swing Gang. DJ Abdel or Paul spins the tunes, while Fran teaches the lessons (6:30-7:00pm for beginners; 7-8pm, intermediate). The Zendah Grotto features a large (2200 sq ft) floating-wood dance floor. You may BYOB or buy soft drinks & snacks at the concession counter. Due to road construction, directions have changed; click below for a map & directions.

Every Wednesday is swing night at the Gulfport Casino in southern Pinellas County. The night starts with a 7-8pm beginner's lesson with James & Arleene, and continues with dancing until midnight with DJs Jumpin' James & Arleene at the controls. The dance features prizes, a huge dance floor, a full bar, and free street parking.

The successful Swing Jam continues every Tuesday evening, hosted by band, Lucian & the All Stars. All singers, musicians, and dancers are invited to join in. The Sand Bar, located at the foot of the Tierra Verde Bridge, has a restaurant and a full bar.

Celebrate Mardi Gras New-Orleans-Style with an evening of live swing music and entertainment featuring Kid Dutch an' Da' Gumbo Heads. Dance to an assortment of swing and jazz styles, including ragtime, blues, stomps, early jazz/swing, Cajun, Dixieland, and more, with DJ'd music between sets, and contests & prizes to boot. A cash bar is available. Bring your family & friends and dress in your best Mardi Gras party attire! Kid Dutch is an accomplished jazzman, bluesman, multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, entertainer, and bandleader; he is an early-jazz historian and a vintage wind-instrument expert. The Bahia Shrine is one of the largest venues in Central Florida and features a large, smooth dance floor.

If you'd like to make it a day of dancing, the UCF Swing Knights will be sponsoring an afternoon workshop in Collegiate Shag that very same day. Collegiate Shag is a popular dance of the 1920's and 30's that is danced to high-tempo swing music. This workshop will cover the basics and some variations. The workshop takes place in the UCF Multipurpose Room, 12:30-4:00pm, and costs $20.

The Italian/American Music Festival stars Sam Butera (Louis Prima's saxman) & The Wildest, and The Gaylords with the Nick Russo Orchestra. Originally, Jerry Vale was also slated to appear, but due to illness, he'll be replaced by Julius LaRosa. This evening of hits covers more than five decades of great music.

Katt Heffner, accompanied by the 42nd Street band, features a tribute to the ladies of swing (Billie, Ella, Sarah, Lena), while Todd Heffner delivers the Hi-Dee-Ho in a classic rendition of "Minnie the Moocher", and crooner Turk Nelson pays tribute to Joe Williams. This concert, entitled: "2nd Face: Renaissance Jazz and Swing", is the 2nd event in a 4-part series on African-American music.

"From the wartime bobbysox era to the glittering 1950's Vegas years to his worldwide concert tours, Sinatra's influence spanned nearly half a century. Now, this melodic tribute includes more than 50 hit songs. 'An utterly winning tribute to Ol' Blue Eyes.' --The New York Times." [Van Wezel]

"Nominated for 6 Tonys in 2001! Don't miss this all-singing, all-dancing, musical celebration straight from Broadway that features world-class swing dancers, a hit swing band, and acclaimed jazz and pop vocalists. This high-energy dance marathon embraces West-Coast, Country-Western, Latin, and Traditional Swing dancing." [Ruth Eckerd]

The Summit Swing Orchestra, with Conductor Shelia Hutek, will pay tribute to big-band leader, Glenn Miller, and spotlight other big-band greats. Tickets are $14; $6 for students. The Largo Cultural Center is located in Largo Central Park, just south of E Bay Drive between Highland Ave & Seminole Blvd.