Tampa Bay's   SWING NEWS   Issue #84
April 2002

(published Wednesday 4/3/02)


HEADLINES  (Click any Headline Below to read the Article)
Swing Time this Friday (April 5th)
42nd Street Band kicks off New Season

Midnight Ramblers (new Rocket 88)
Friday, April 19th at Swing Time

LindyHop411 Workshop & Dance
Saturday, April 20th in Pinellas Park

USF Swing Dances Return
Review, Article, & Upcoming Dance

Swing Jam every Tuesday

Lindy Swing Night - Fri 4/12

Spats 3rd Anniversary - Sat 4/6

Orlando Dance - Sat 4/13

Swing Sundays Resume

And More...


Tampa Bay   SWING CALENDAR   April 2002


Live-Music Dances
Fri
Apr 5
Live-Music Dance
Swing Time w/ 42nd Street Band @ Centro Asturiano
All Ages,   Nonsmoking,   $10,   9pm-1am (Lesson 8-9)
Palm Ave & Nebraska,   Ybor City,   (813) 274-4950

Swing Time kicks off its Spring 2002 Season of events this Friday (April 5th) with the 42nd Street Band.

Live Music & Dancing,   9pm-1am
Dance Instruction by Sam & Rachel,   8-9pm
Dance Exhibition at 11pm -- The Band Plays for the Dancers!

Friendly Social Atmosphere       Prize Giveaways
Elegant Vintage Ballroom       Full Bar

Admission includes Free Lesson & Free Parking

[Band Bio]     [Directions]     [More Info]     [Top]
Fri
Apr 19
Live-Music Dance
Swing Time w/ The Midnight Ramblers @ Centro Asturiano
All Ages,   Nonsmoking,   $10,   9pm-1am (Lesson 8-9)
Palm Ave & Nebraska,   Ybor City,   (813) 274-4950

First established over 10 years ago as Rocket 88, the Midnight Ramblers are one of the most talented and powerful roots Americana bands in the country! With a perfect blend of Rock N' Roll, Rockabilly, Blues, and Jump, this tight quartet shows their passion for their music in every amazing performance. They have performed with rock n' roll veterans Jerry Lee Lewis, Lee Rocker, and countless others in venues all over the country, including House of Blues and Hard Rock Cafe. With a balanced mix of originals and unique covers, their upbeat shows always get audiences on their feet and screaming for more!

The evening starts with an intro swing-dance lesson, 8-9pm, taught by Sam & Rachel. It continues with live music & dancing, 9pm-1am, and a short but sweet dance show at 11pm. Centro Asturiano features a full bar, a spacious ballroom, and free parking.

[Band Bio]     [Directions]     [More Info]     [Top]


Fri May  3



Fri May 17


On the Horizon

Bill Allred's Classic Jazz Band @ Centro Asturiano
All Ages, Nonsmoking, $10, 9pm-1am (Lesson 8-9)
Ybor City: Palm Ave & Nebraska; (813) 274-4950

Swing Time w/ Ten O'Clock Band @ Centro Asturiano
All Ages, Nonsmoking, $10, 9pm-1am (Lesson 8-9)
Ybor City: Palm Ave & Nebraska; (813) 274-4950


DJ Dances
Fri
Apr 12
DJ Dance
Lindy Swing Night w/ DJ Abdel @ Swing City Dance Studio
All Ages,   Nonsmoking,   $5-$12,   Starts 9pm (Workshop 7:30-9)
7532 N Armenia Ave,   Tampa,   (813) 935-7458

Lindy Swing Night is a night of lindy hopping, with DJ Abdel spinning jazz, big band, and blues 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 $5 for just the dance, $10 for just the workshop, or $12 for both. Lindy Swing Night provides a nice dance floor and a great assortment of free snacks. In addition to lindy hop, expect to see (or dance) a few swing circle & line dances such as Big Apple, Shim Sham, & Rueda.

[Directions]    [Top]
Sat
Apr 20
DJ Dance
LindyHop411 Workshop & Dance @ Pinellas Park Auditorium
All Ages,   Nonsmoking,   $5-$23,   2pm-12am
7690 59th St N,   Pinellas Park,   (727) 577-6684

LindyHop411 holds an afternoon full of workshops, followed by an evening dance. Admission is $7 per class, and $5 for the dance, with a $1 discount off the dance for each class taken. It all happens on Pinellas Park Auditorium's 2500 sq ft wooden dance floor. The schedule is:

2:00pm- 3:15pm: Lindy Hop Basics w/ Tim & Jenny Faye
3:30pm- 4:45pm: Lindy Hop Variations w/ Seth & Lee
5:00pm- 6:00pm: Frankie's Big Apple (Part I)
8:00pm-12:00am: Dance!

[Directions]     [Top]
Every
Sunday
DJ Dance
Swing Sundays @ Zendah Grotto
All Ages,   Nonsmoking,   $5 ($4 students),   8pm-12 (Lessons 6:30-8)
4109 N Lauber Way,   Tampa,   (813) 985-8216

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.

After taking Easter Sunday off, the Zendah Grotto dance returns Sunday April 7th with a spring cookout and a Shim Sham lesson, 5:30-6:30, prior to the regular lessons and dance.

[Directions]     [More Info]     [Top]
Every
Wednesday
DJ Dance
Swing Dance @ Gulfport Casino
All Ages,   Nonsmoking,   $6,   8pm-12am (Lesson 7-8)
5500 Shore Blvd S,   Gulfport,   (727) 893-1070

[Directions]


Sat May  4



Sat May 25


On the Horizon

LindyHop411 @ Pinellas Park Auditorium
All Ages, Nonsmoking
Pinellas Park: 7690 59th St N; (727) 577-6684

LindyHop411 @ Pinellas Park Auditorium
All Ages, Nonsmoking
Pinellas Park: 7690 59th St N; (727) 577-6684


Club Events
Wed
Apr 3
Club Event
Lounge Cat @ Big City Tavern
All Ages,   Restaurant,   7:30-11:30pm
1600 E 8th Ave,   Ybor City,   (813) 247-3000
Thu
Apr 4
Club Event
Pepper & Fine Thyme @ Saffron's
All Ages,   Restaurant,   $10-$12,   7-10pm
1700 Park St N,   St Pete,   (727) 345-6400
Fri
Apr 12
Club Event
Skinny McGee w/ Red Elvises @ Skipper's Smokehouse
Ages 18+,   Outdoors,   $12/adv or $15/door,   Starts 8pm
Skipper Rd & Nebraska,   Tampa,   (813) 971-0666
Every
Tuesday
Club Event
Swing Jam Session w/ Lucian & the All Stars @ Sand Bar
All Ages,   Open-Air,   No Cover,   6-10pm
94 Pinellas Bayway,   Tierra Verde,   (727) 867-2688

The Tuesday night Swing Jam continues at the Sandbar, 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.

[Top]


Road Trips
Sat
Apr 13
Road Trip
Stompin' at the Square @ Whirl & Twirl
All Ages,   Nonsmoking,   $6,   9pm-1am
6949 Venture Circle,   Orlando,   (407) 323-4946

Dance to your favorite swing and big band tunes spun by the DJs of WBC. Experience dancing on a glass-smooth floating wood floor (one of the best in Orlando) and enjoy the quaint atmosphere. A variety of soft drinks and snacks will be on sale in addition to water and Gatorade. The night is smoke-free & alcohol-free.

[Directions]     [Top]


Concerts
Tue
Apr 9
Concert
Artie Shaw Orchestra @ Ruth Eckerd Hall
All Ages,   Nonsmoking,   $10-$15,   Starts 1pm
1111 N McMullen Booth Rd,   Clearwater,   (727) 791-7400
Mon
Apr 15
Concert
Tribute to Peggy Lee @ Largo Cultural Center
All Ages,   Nonsmoking,   $11-$13,   2 Shows: 2pm & 7pm
105 Central Park Drive,   Largo,   (727) 587-6793


USF SWING DANCES RETURN

On March 23rd, the new Swing Dance Society at USF held its first dance, and it was a big success. Swing dancers filled the Marshall Center Ballroom for the first time in nearly two years. A majority of the crowd was USF students, many of whom were fairly new to the dance, but a good number of community members showed up as well. DJ Tim spun a mix of jump-blues and jazz classics, while the crowd tore up the floor, some of them trying out new steps they'd learned in workshops earlier that day. The student newspaper even got into the swing by running an article. (Click here to read it.)

So when's the next USF dance? It could be as early as April 13th if the Swing Dance Society is able to get the Ballroom on that date. Check www.LindyHop411.com closer to the above date for more information.

[Top]


SPATS 3RD ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

This Saturday, April 6th, Spats (Youth Dance Sport Foundation) holds its 3rd Anniversary Dance & Showcase, 7pm-Midnight, at the Manatee Civic Center, located at One Haben Blvd in Palmetto. The evening features performances by Spats Cats teams from Tampa, Sarasota, Bradenton & Riverview, plus special guests -- Latin-dance performance champions, Tommy DiTommaso & Lynn Kawamoto. The evening also provides general dancing (Latin, Swing, & Ballroom), plus a silent auction and refreshments. Proceeds help support the Spats dancers and teams. Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the door. The main event is held as a special honor to the Spats Cats who are headed to college next year. For tickets or more info, phone 941-316-9798. Directions: Take I-75 to Exit 43, head west on US 301, then left on Haben Blvd.

[Top]


CITIJAZZ APRIL SCHEDULE

CitiJazz continues its swinging Monday nights, complete with patriotic theme, and swank Return of the Ratpack atmosphere. Guests are encouraged to wear vintage or current military attire for free admission; or red, white, & blue to get their first non-alcoholic beverage free. It's open to ages 18+, $6, runs 8pm-1am, allows smoking, and provides a dance floor, cocktail bar and food menu. Phone 407-224-2189 for more info. CitiJazz nightclub is part of Universal Studios CityWalk. April bands are:
      Mon Apr  8: Red Hot Kitty & the Alley Cats
      Mon Apr 15: Michael Andrew & Swingerhead
      Mon Apr 22: The Midnight Ramblers
      Mon Apr 29: Jennifer & the Venturas


DIRECTIONS EVERYWHERE

Centro Asturiano is located at the corner of Palm Avenue & Nebraska Avenue in Ybor City. Take I-4 to Exit 1, go south, turn right at the 1st light (Palm Ave.), turn left at the 3rd light (Nebraska Ave.), then make an immediate left into Centro Asturiano's gated parking lot. [Map]  [Top]

Gulfport Casino is located at 5500 Shore Blvd S in Gulfport. From the north, take I-275 S to St Pete's 22nd Ave S exit; turn right. (From the south, take I-275 N to St Pete's 26th Ave S exit; turn left, right at the light [34th St], then left at the next light [22nd Ave S].) Turn left when you reach Beach Blvd (55th St will be on your right). Proceed until the street ends at the Gulfport Casino, located on the water. [Top]

Marshall Center: Take I-275 to Fowler. Head East. Turn left onto 50th St. Continue until you're one block before the next traffic light, then turn left onto N Holly. Turn left at the 2nd traffic light. Park in Crescent Hill garage. Head to the ground floor and follow curved road to Marshall Center. Ballroom is on the 2nd Floor. [Top]

Pinellas Park Auditorium is located at 7690 59th St N in Pinellas Park. 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. [Top]

Swing City is located at 7532 N Armenia Ave in Tampa, between Sligh & Waters. Take I-275 to Howard Ave. Go north on Howard until it curves into Armenia Ave. Continue north on Armenia to the correct address. Swing City will be on your left. [Top]

Zendah Grotto is located at 4109 N Lauber Way in Tampa, between the Airport & Stadium. Take I-275 to E Dale Mabry (Northbound) and proceed north on Dale Mabry for several blocks. Turn left onto Tampa Bay Blvd (just before Raymond James Stadium). Curve right onto Lois. After two blocks, turn left onto Ohio. After a few blocks, turn left into the Zendah Grotto parking lot. [Map]  [Top]


Tampa Bay's Swing News
www.SwingNews.com/tampabay

Next Issue: Submission Deadline 5pm 4/26/02; Publication on 4/30/02

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Managing Editor: Sam Mahfoud
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