Welcome, everyone, to the 100th issue of Tampa Bay's Swing News!  Over 5 years ago, we sent Issue #1 to a few dozen local swing dancers.  Since then, Tampa Bay's swing community has grown considerably.  Today, we have dance opportunities many nights of the week, plus great special events every month!  Just read below for all the super events happening in August -- from the huge upcoming Swing Weekend, to exciting weekly dances, to classes, clubs, Big Band Night, and more!  On the national scene, check out the articles on the historic Big Apple Weekend and on the Guinness record-breaking Swing Dance Marathon.  Finally, if you were around five years ago, you'll remember Rocket 88, which was the hottest swing band in the state!  Well in August, we've arranged a reunion of Rocket 88's piano player, bass player & bandleader, along with some of the greatest jump-swinging talent in the area, for an unforgettable night of swing at the Gulfport Casino!  Enjoy this issue of Swing News, and I'll see you out there swinging!  --Sam

Join swing dancers from across Florida for a superb night of live music, dancing, and Swing Time excitement!  Experience the big-band era, as you dance in the Grand Ballroom of Centro Asturiano to the super swinging sounds of the state's leading 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, guitar, drums, 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.  Exciting soloists, excellent musicianship, and great coordination as a unit have earned the band rave reviews from dancers as well as fellow musicians across the Bay area!

TICKETS to this spectacular event are $11 in advance or $14 the day of event.  Purchase Advance Tickets in person this Wednesday (7/30) at the Gulfport Casino Swing Night or get them securely online at www.SwingTime.info (Deadline: Thu 7/31 @ Midnight; after the deadline, you may still purchase tickets at the door Friday, but you'll no longer receive the advance-purchase discount).

Tampa Bay's big annual lindy hop weekend is coming soon, with dancers expected from all over Florida, plus a number of other states!  It's the Lindy Hop 411 3rd Anniversary Party, and if the prior two Parties are any indication, this one's going to be huge!  The swinging starts Friday, August 1st, as dancers from near and far invade Centro Asturiano for Swing Time with The Ten O'Clock BIG Band!  The fun continues with late-night dancing to 4am at Swing City!  On Saturday afternoon, swing dance champions Peter Strom (MN) and Lindy Greer (TX) team up to teach a hot pair of lindy classes at the Pinellas Park Auditorium.  Dancing continues Saturday night at the Pinellas Park Auditorium with live jazz by the Wayne Pearson Combo, and late-night Saturday at the Bayou Dance Club.  Sunday, Dallas's Jeff & Elaine, inventors of the Swing Rueda, teach two classes in this exciting group lindy-hop dance!  And finishing off the weekend is Sunday's dance at the Zendah Grotto.

"You've got only one more week to register for what's going to be Tampa's most awesome swing dance party of the year!  Registration is dangerously close to full, so if you haven't registered yet, don't put it off any longer.  There's a very good chance the Saturday evening dance and the late night dances will reach capacity with registered attendees and have to be closed.  Don't be left out in the cold!  Our apologies to out-of-towners who haven't registered yet, but housing is full.  We need more locals to host!  If you can possibly put up a dancer or two for the weekend, please let us know ASAP!"  ( Email LH411 at LindyHop411 dot com )  -- LindyHop411

Friday, August 15th, Central Florida's hottest new band makes its debut at Swing Time!  The Blue Dukes bring together veteran talent from Florida's favorite jump-swinging bands of the last 10 years, and when these guys get together, watch out!  The band features piano-pumping boogie-woogie man, Terry Mooney, famous for setting the piano ablaze during his years with Rocket 88.  Slappin' & ridin' the upright bass is Rocket 88's former bandleader & singer, Chuck Zayas.  Jumping in on harmonica & lead vocals is Rick Plate of Blue Plate Special.  And getting the party a'rockin' are guitarist, Rob Mola, and drummer, Dave Scitney, of Midnight Ramblers fame.

Kicking off the event is a group Swing-Dance Lesson, 8-9pm (no partner needed).  Then it's time to jump, swing & boogie to the live sounds of The Blue Dukes, 9pm-1am.  It all happens in the spectacular waterfront ballroom of the Gulfport Casino, located in the St Pete area.

Join us every Wednesday for Tampa Bay's hottest weekly Swing Night!  This high-energy social event takes place in the beautiful waterfront ballroom of the Gulfport Casino, located in the St Petersburg area.  The historic Gulfport Casino boasts one of the biggest & best dance floors anywhere, plus a smoke-free atmosphere, full bar, and free parking.  Admission is $6 and includes the free lesson.  All ages are welcome! 

(Note: If you're interested in the Swing I classes, these are the intro classes we teach at the start of every event.  See event descriptions and click here for details.)

Swing II (8-9pm, 4-week class):  Add style to your swing dancing!  Learn Turning & Spinning technique, Cool Moves, Footwork Variations, Multiple Turns, Dips, Leans, and More!  This class will make you a better leader or follower and get you ready for Lindy Hop and other dances.  PREREQUISITES:  You've been swing dancing at least two months (and maybe years).  You know the basics, a number of moves, and you're comfortable leading or following a variety of partners.  You can swing at a variety of tempos and stay with the music.

Lindy Hop I (7-8pm, 4-week class):  Lindy Hop Made Easy!  Our innovative teaching methods (no math or counting required) will have you Swinging Out, Circling, and moving to the Lindy Hop in no time!  Whether you're new to Lindy Hop or have taken several classes, try this one out -- we know you'll like it!  PREREQUISITES:  Swing II or at least one year of swing-dance experience. Proficiency with the Swing II material (including single-, double-, and triple-step) is required.

Classes start August 7th.  No partner needed.  Limited space available -- RSVP required.  Click here for Details or to Reserve your Space!

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

Saturday, August 9th, 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 and costs $6.  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

Guinness Book Swing Dance Marathon:  An attempt is underway to break the current Guinness World Record for the Longest Dance Party.  The current record of 50 hours is held by MTV India.  The new attempt will be a 51-hour swing dance party, held at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, July 29th-31st.  The Swing Dance Marathon is attracting to the swing world some heavy hitting media attention, sponsorship, and celebrities.  MC'ing will be Casey Kasem, host of American Top 40.  Sponsoring is St Joseph Aspirin.  And covering the final moments of the Marathon is Good Morning America.  (The Marathon ends 8am Cleveland time on Thursday 7/31.)  Forty swing dancers from across the US will participate, including former Tampa Bay swinger, Jesse Fatherree, plus three Lindy Hoppers from South Florida.  More Info

Big Apple Weekend w/ Frankie in Columbia SC:  "Join Frankie Manning and other expert teachers and dancers at the historic Big Apple Night Club in Columbia, SC for a dance-filled Labor Day Weekend, August 29-31.  Dance workshops include the Lindy Hop, Big Apple, Carolina Shag, East Coast Swing, West Coast Swing, Hip Hop, Salsa, and St Louis Shag.  Each day of classes will be concluded with an evening dance party.  Help us locate Big Apple dancers and enthusiasts for special recognition and for a reunion during the weekend to preserve Big Apple dance steps, photographs, scrapbooks, clothes and memories of the dance craze that swept the country in 1937.  Please help us spread the word.  We welcome you and your dancers." [from TAPS222 at AOL dot com]  More Info

Cigar Store Indians play the Liar's Club in Tampa Saturday August 23 (6416 N Florida Ave, 813-237-0758).

Tampa Bay Beach Boppers host their Beach Boogie 2003 dance weekend August 21-24 at the Clearwater Beach Hilton.  More Info

8th Avenue Grille in Ybor City features dinner, dancing. and cocktails every Thursday & Saturday, 8-11pm (reservations recommended), with live music by Center Stage (50's & 60's R&B + contemporary music).  It's at 15th St & 8th Ave in Ybor City (813-242-6616).

CitiJazz Swings in Orlando every Sunday & Monday.  More Info

Swingerhead plays Timpano's in Orlando Thursday August 21 and once a month.  More Info

Atlanta's Summer Swing Jam approaches: September 11-14.  More Info

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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.