We're gearing up for one of the biggest swing events of the year... coming up This Friday, October 3rd, is Swing Time's 3RD ANNIVERSARY BASH!  We have a great evening of entertainment lined up, with special festivities that include a big dance contest with cash & other prizes.  We're bringing, all the way from Boston, the exciting Toni Lynn Washington Band!  For those who've never seen this band, you definitely owe it to yourself to check 'em out, because past swingsters have all raved about them, and we can't even begin to describe how awesome they are -- words like "swing & jump", "blues & jazz", "rhythm & blues", "big band", and "rock & roll" all mean nothing.  Whether you're into East-Coast Swing, Lindy Hop, Street Swing, or West-Coast Swing, this band will kick your dancing butt... guaranteed! 

Advance tickets for the Bash are selling quickly, and you can get yours this Wednesday (10/1) at the Gulfport Casino Swing Night, or get them securely online at www.SwingTime.info (Advance-Ticket deadline:  Thu 10/2 @ midnight).

See you this Friday at the 3rd Anniversary Bash!

Sam

Friday, October 3rd, Swing Time hosts its 3rd Anniversary Bash at Centro Asturiano, featuring The Toni Lynn Washington Band -- 5-Time WC Handy International Award Nominees, including 2001-2003 Female Artist of the Year!  Get ready to swing to some of the world's best jump, jazz, rhythm & blues!  The celebration includes hours of live music & dancing, a dance contest with $150 in prizes, refreshments, prize drawings, and special festivities!

Together now for over 10 years, The Toni Lynn Washington Band is a hot item on the worldwide touring circuit.  The band has recorded four award-winning CDs, with their latest (2003) release, "Been So Long", garnering rave reviews across the nation!  Toni was just nominated for "2003 Female Artist of the Year" at the prestigious WC Handy International Music Awards, the band's 5th nomination!  Lead vocalist, Toni Lynn Washington -- with influences from Ruth Brown to Etta James -- is backed by some of Boston's finest musicians playing sax, piano, guitar, bass, and drums.

The Lucky 13 Dance Contest is a Jack-&-Jill-style dance contest where partners are assigned by luck of the draw, entry is limited to 13 leaders and 13 followers, and the band plays live for the contestants!  The "Lucky 13" was the contest held at the first Swing Time events.  We're bringing this wild & wacky contest back for our special 3rd Anniversary Bash!  To enter, just sign up at the display table the night of event.  The contest will happen at approximately 11pm.  (Click here for details.)

Put on your best costume and get ready to swing with all sorts of exciting characters!  Special Halloween music & decor, a dancing costume parade, a monster shim sham, and other spooky treats round out the evening.  We'll be swinging to midnight, so come join the fun at this year's Halloween Costume Ball!

New!  SWING RUEDA at 10pm!  The Swing Rueda is an exciting new group swing dance based on the Lindy Hop.  For those who know it, we'll start in a big group and limit the calls to the following -- Inside, Outside, Sushi, Texas, Stop Texas, Circle-Charleston-Break, Dame, Dame Dos, Circle Down.  Those who don't know it are free to either watch or instead find a partner to dance the regular two-person version of swing.  After dancing the Rueda in a big group, Rueda dancers are encouraged to break into smaller groups and call their own Rueda (with more advanced moves if everyone knows them).  The Rueda is a whole lot of fun, and we expect it to get bigger & bigger as more people learn this dance!

New!  THE LATE SHIFT after 10:30pm!  From 10:30pm to midnight each Wednesday, the Gulfport Casino Swing Night will host an all-request session for the night owls.  The Late Shift will feature your favorite requests, plus guest DJs, special themes, and more!  Bring your favorite CD's;  whether it's traditional or experimental, old-school or cutting-edge, all requests will be honored!

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.

Swing II (8:30-9:30pm, 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 (7:30-8:30pm, 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.

Lindy Hop II (6:30-7:30pm, 4-week class):  Expand your Lindy Hop with a variety of Lindy Moves, Swing Out Variations, Turns, the Charleston, and Charleston Variations!  Also learn the Swing Rueda, an exciting new group dance!  PREREQUISITES:  Lindy Hop I or Try Out with Instructor.

Classes start October 2nd.  No partner needed.  Limited space available -- Advance reservation required.  Click here for Details or to Reserve your Space!

Swing I:  These intro classes are offered at the start of every Gulfport Casino Swing Night and every Swing Time event at Centro Asturiano.  Each class covers a variety of steps & moves.  Click Here for Details.

Saturday, November 1st, the Dunedin Public Library (223 Douglas Ave) invites the public to a free swing dance, featuring the big-band music of the 42nd Street Band.  The dance will be held outdoors (indoors in case of rain) with dancing on the sidewalk/patio area.  A free swing-dance lesson, 6-7pm, by Sam & Rachel will start off the evening, with the band playing live for the lesson!  Music & dancing with the 42nd Street Band is 7-9pm, after the lesson.  For more info, contact Liz White at 727-298-3080 (ext 224).

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.

Saturday, October 11th, 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 an intermediate-level West-Coast Swing lesson at 7:30pm that's free with paid admission:  More Info

Sep 28 - Oct 4:  PBS's The Blues premiers, a series of seven feature-length films directed by Martin Scorsese, Clint Eastwood, and others, "that capture the essence of the blues while exploring how this art form so deeply influenced music and people the world over" [www.pbs.org].  More Info

Oct 4 (Sat):  Bellevue Cadillac plays Hooters' 20th Anniversary Celebration in Clearwater.  More Info

Oct 16 (Thu):  Swingerhead plays Timpano's in Orlando.  More Info

Oct 24 (Fri):  Freaker's Ball @ Skipper's w/ Jennifer & the Venturas + Rev Billy C Wirtz.  More Info

Oct 26 (Sun):  The All-Stars, directed by John Lamb, play for the Suncoast Dixieland Jazz Society at Banquet Masters in Pinellas Park, 2-5pm.  Good dance floor!  More Info

Sundays & Mondays:  CitiJazz Swings in Orlando.  More Info

Tuesdays:  Ft Myers Swing.  The new Ft Myers Society of Swing dances every Tuesday at Ron Dao's Pizzeria & Sports Bar, 15320 McGregor Blvd in South Ft Myers, with Lesson @ 8:30pm & Dancing @ 9:30pm.  For Ft Myers folks that want a place to dance, get out there & support this!  Contact Honey at 239-415-1951 for more info.

Orlando Swing.  Swing happenings in & around Orlando.  More Info

Nov  7 (Fri):  Swing Time! 50's THEME NIGHT @ Centro Asturiano w/ Midnight Ramblers
Dec  5 (Fri):  Swing Time! HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA @ Centro Asturiano w/ Soul Sauce
Dec 31 (Wed):  SWING INTO THE NEW YEAR @ Gulfport Casino
May  in 2004:  Frankie Manning's 90th Birthday Celebration Cruise

Nov 7-9:  LINDY HOP WORKSHOP WEEKEND w/ Andy Reid & Nina Gilkensen "Nina Gilkenson and Andy Reid hail from Washington DC.  They are competitors, performers, and teachers of Lindy Hop.  Between them, Nina and Andy can lay claim to more than 25 national Lindy Hop titles from some of the most prestigious swing dancing competitions in the world, including the North Atlantic Dance Championships, the American Lindy Hop Championships, Hellzapoppin', and the Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown.  Performance credits include television appearances on PBS, Apollo Theatre, Lincoln Center, and concert performances with the Brian Setzer Orchestra and Aretha Franklin.  Their classes focus on authentic Lindy Hop technique, musical interpretation, and the history of the dance.  This workshop will concentrate on improving both the leaders and the followers.  Register early because this one is expected to be sold out.  The workshop cost is $50 for everyone." [Abdel Presume]  The weekend's events include six daytime classes on Saturday & Sunday, plus dancing Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights.  Events will be held at various Tampa Bay locations, including the Zendah Grotto.  Email XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX for more info or to register.

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