Hi Everyone!  June has arrived, which means school's out for the summer.  Whether you're a teacher or student, that's music to your ears.  And with music playing in your head, it's time to get out there and dance!  So shake those chair imprints off your backside, and head out to some of the most swingin' events in the world, held right here in Tampa Bay.  I'll see you there!  --Sam

This Friday, June 6th, Swing Time jumps & jives at Centro Asturiano in Tampa with Kid Dutch & His Blusicians!  The evening features an abundance of live music & dancing, plus an intro swing dance lesson (no partner needed), a dance show or contest, prize giveaways, and more! 

Kid Dutch & His Blusicians are an upbeat, 6-piece, acoustic group that features saxes, brasses, guitar, upright bass, and drums played by a seasoned team of high-energy musicians!  Formed in 1995, they've been swinging ever since, with a repertoire that encompasses Jump & Jive, Rhythm & Blues, Jazz & Big Band, Boogie Woogie and Rock & Roll!  All these styles are rooted in the blues, hence the "Blusicians" name.  In addition to original tunes by Kid Dutch, himself, the band also covers the music of past greats including Louis Jordan, Fats Domino, Cab Calloway, Smiley Lewis, Fats Waller, and Slim Gaillard.

Friday, June 20th, The BackBreakers rock the house at the spectacular Gulfport Casino, as Swing Time kicks off an exciting summer of live music & dance events!

The BackBreakers are a hard-swingin', seven-piece, jump-blues outfit that combines an exciting three-"horn" section (sax, trombone, and harmonica), with piano/organ, vocals, and a driving rhythm section.  While most bands play a standard 45-minute set then go on break, The BackBreakers are famous for delivering song after song, nonstop, for up to two straight hours of high-energy music and dancing!  Then after a short break, they come back and do it again!  That's the way the band prefers to play -- to get the crowd going, and to build up the musical excitement in a great crescendo, culminating in the final climactic song of their "BackBreaking" sets.  Need we tell you how the band got its name?

Swing Sundays are put on by the Suncoast Swing Gang.  The Zendah Grotto features a large floating-wood dance floor, and you may BYOB or buy soft drinks at the door.  Map or More Info.

The Swing Session is a class, practice session, and dance rolled into one.  It happens every Monday, 8:00-10:30pm, at the Bay Vista Center, 7000 4th St S in St Pete (727-893-7124).  Learn a variety of swing dances from other dancers, meet other dancers, share/exchange ideas, try new moves, and get comfortable with your dancing in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere.  Whether you're a novice or have been dancing for years, the Swing Session will expand & improve your dancing!  Admission is a mere $2 for St Pete residents ($5 the first time), or $3.20 for nonresidents.  Directions:  From I-275, head east on 54th Ave S, turn right on 4th St, and continue south until you reach Bay Vista.  The Bay Vista Center will be on your left.  More Info

Saturday, June 14th, and every 2nd Saturday of the Month, Swing City hosts a swing night with Lindy Hop in one room and West-Coast Swing in the other room!  Dancing starts at 8:30pm, costs $6, and features Jacksonville DJ Kevin Floyd spinning a mix of West-Coast & other dance tunes, plus DJ Tim or Abdel spinning Lindy Hoppin' tunes.  The dance is preceded by two intermediate-level lessons that are free with paid admission:  West-Coast at 7:30pm and Lindy Hop at 8:00pm.  More Info

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, the Kings of NeoSwing, return to Florida for the first time in years.  Friday June 13th, the band plays the House of Blues in Orlando (All Ages, 8pm, $15), and Saturday June 14th they play Jannus Landing in St Pete as part of the Verizon Music Festival.  Tickets to the St Pete show are $15/adv or $20/day of.  For those new to Jannus Landing, it'll be outdoors in a courtyard, you can dance wherever space allows on the pavement, and it'll be concert loudness (so some folks might want to pack earplugs).  More Info

Every Sunday & Monday:  CitiJazz swings in Orlando:  The CitiJazz club at Universal Studios' CityWalk has expanded its swing night to twice a week, on Sundays and Mondays.  The night features live music, a decent dance floor, and a jazz club atmosphere.  More Info

Every Sunday:  Lucian & the All Stars play the Wine Cellar on Redington Beach, 7-11pm.  Swing is spoken there, as well as Latin, Blues, and other popular forms of dance music.  The Wine Cellar offers dinner, cocktails, and a small dance floor, all in the same room.  More Info

Frankie Cruise Recap:  "Just got back from the big 'Frankie Cruise', and what a blast it was... to dance with so many talented folks from around the globe, plus loads of fun, food, celebration, and all-around excitement!  Ten swing dancers from the Tampa Bay area joined nearly 300 others from the rest of the world for this amazing week of dancing at sea.  I could go on, but will end by saying that if an opportunity like this comes around again, I highly recommend it!  Stay tuned to future issues of Swing News for pictures!"  --Sam

Membership Drive:  Thanks to all who participated in the 2003 Swing News Membership Drive.  New folks should expect to receive their sample issue sometime this month.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX - Submissions to this newsletter
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX - Addition/deletion/address-change requests
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX - All other correspondence

Editors reserve the right to edit submissions or to select based on relevance.
Events do sometimes change, so please call and confirm events before going!

© This issue of Swing News is Copyright 2003 Swing News, with all rights reserved; however, permission is granted to distribute this issue in its entirety, or to excerpt small sections provided that proper credit is given, where proper credit shall at the least consist of the plain-text or hyperlink reference, "[www.SwingNews.com]", prominently displayed next to the excerpted material.