Friday, November 7th, Swing Time hosts a 50's Theme Night at Centro Asturiano in Tampa.  Everyone's encouraged to wear their favorite bowling shirt, poodle skirt, greaser duds, or anything 1950's-style, with prizes awarded for the best outfits!  The evening features Jumpin' & Rockin' Live Music by The Midnight Ramblers, plus tons of dancing, a Hula Hoop Contest, Prize Giveaways, and more!

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, Sleepy Labeef, Lee Rocker, and countless others in venues all over the country, including House of Blues and Hard Rock Cafe.  The Midnight Ramblers repeatedly get audiences on their feet and screaming for more.  With a balanced mix of originals and unique covers, they always get the house rockin'!

We'd like to thank all you wonderful folks who turned out for the Halloween Costume Ball dressed in your finest, scariest, funniest, or sexiest costumes!  It was an incredibly fun night, a smashing success, and with over 200 people in the house, we set a new paid attendance record for the Wednesday Gulfport Casino Swing Night!  In the 15 months we've been hosting the Gulfport Casino Swing Night, the night has steadily grown, and we thank everyone who has come out dancing week after week for its success!  We hope to see everyone this coming Wednesday at the Gulfport Casino Swing Night!  -- Sam & Rachel

PRE-THANKSGIVING BASH!  For all you folks who can never go out on weeknights, your chance is coming up!  The Thanksgiving holiday weekend starts Wednesday November 26th.  The night before Thanksgiving is always a huge turnout at the Gulfport Casino Swing Night!  (Last year, the night before Thanksgiving and the Halloween Costume Ball were our two biggest events of the year!)  So all you hard-workin', early-risin' folks, make plans to be there on Wednesday November 26th, see what you've been missing, and even sleep in the next day!  We'll see you there!

"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."  --Abdel

The weekend's festivities start Friday night at Centro Asturiano, where Andy & Nina will give a dance performance at intermission.  Saturday & Sunday, they teach a workshop consisting of six classes at the Zendah Grotto;  workshop registration is $50 before Nov 5th or $60 after.  Saturday night, dance at Swing City 9pm-1am with DJ Abdel.  Sunday night, dance at the Zendah Grotto!  Click Here for full info or to register.

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

Note:  November's Swing II & Swing III classes, because of the Thanksgiving Holiday, will be offered in an accelerated 3-week instead of 4-week format.  Each class will meet 90 minutes instead of 60, for a total of 4.5 hours (as opposed to 4 hours) of instruction.  Also, no dance classes (except Swing I) will be offered in December, so November's classes will be the last ones this year.

Swing III (7:00-8:30pm, 3-week class):  Special Topics in East-Coast Swing.  NOVEMBER 2003 -- MAJOR MOVIN':  Supercharge your swing with Flashy Footwork, Monster Moves, and Super Styling!  Advanced moves include the Whip, the Tunnel, the Walk-Around, Catch-&-Spin, Switches, and Struts.  Whether you're into social dance or performance, this class will kick your dancing up several notches!   PREREQUISITES:  Swing II-A & Swing II-B -or- Lindy Hop II -or- Try Out with Instructor.

Swing II-A (8:30-10:00pm, 3-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.

FIELD TRIP!  After the final class on the 20th, we'll all head over to a local night spot to dance to live music!

Classes start November 6th.  No partner needed.  Limited space available -- Advance reservation required.  Click here for Details then Email XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX 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.

"The Swing Dance Club of Eckerd College will be hosting a FREE dance on Friday, November 21st, at 8:00pm, and everybody is invited!  The dance will take place in fun and friendly Triton's Pub ("The Pub"), which is on the Eckerd College campus.  Eckerd College is located at 4200 54th Ave S in St Pete.  We will be offering free Gatorade and free water to all thirsty dancers!  Food and additional beverages, including alcoholic beverages, may be purchased at the Pub.  Come join us for a great night of dancing!" [Matthew, Club President]  More Info / Directions

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, November 8th, 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.  This month's dance features DJ Abdel, plus special guests Andy & Nina and all the Lindy Hoppers taking the weekend workshop.  More Info

Nov 7-8 (Fri-Sat):  Michael Andrew & his new 19-piece Atomic Big Band put on a Frank Sinatra Tribute Concert at the Plaza Theater in Orlando (3 Shows).  More Info

Nov 8 (Sat):  The Fabulous Rockers, "one of the best dance bands around", perform at Tampa Letter Carrier's Hall, 3003 W Cypress St, 8pm-12am.  More Info

Nov 21 (Fri):  Big Sandy & his Fly-Rite Boys + Skinny McGee & his Mayhem Makers at Skipper's.  More Info

Nov 21 (Fri):  Nick Moss & the Flip Tops play the Suncoast Blues Society's Juke Joint Series at Dave's.  More Info

Nov 21-22 (Fri-Sat):  Big Bad Voodoo Daddy in Orlando.  More Info

Nov 21-23 (Fri-Sun):  Suncoast Dixieland Jazz Classic. at Sand Key.  20+ Bands!  More Info

Nov 21-23 (Fri-Sun):  Suncoast Singers present The Fabulous 40's at Largo Cultural Center.  More Info

Nov 23 (Sun):  Harry Connick Jr & his Big Band @ Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center.  More Info

CitiJazz to End Swing Nights.  After a good run of two years, CitiJazz will soon be ending its weekly swing nights.  The final schedule is: 11/9-11/10 (Sun & Mon): The Buzzcatz; 11/16-11/17 (Sun & Mon): Midnight Ramblers; 11/23-11/24 (Sun & Mon): Jennifer & the Venturas; and 11/30-12/1 (Sun & Mon): Sarah Hayes.  More Info

Exercise Classes for Dancers.  "These are classes that a dancer has been waiting for!  First there is Dancer's Core Workout starting in October, combining dance technique and exercises from modern, jazz and ballet with Pilates for strengthening and lengthening the muscles while improving rhythm, balance and coordination.  Next there is the Dance Athletic Blitz combining jazz dance, hip hop, funk and swing with sports conditioning for a cardiovascular conditioning aerobic class with style.  The class also improves core strength, muscular tone and endurance, along with rhythm and coordination.  Last but not least, Yoga for Dancers on the beach!  Classes are taught by Pat Jimenez, nationally certified fitness and Yoga instructor, who has also taught jazz, modern dance, and original fitness programs for 18 years, and who is active in East & West Coast Swing."  Call Pat Jimenez at 813-917-2892 or visit www.dancetampa.com.

Transfer Old Records & Tapes to CDs.  "I transfer old LPs, 45s, and tapes to CDs.  If someone has favorite recordings that they can no longer enjoy because they don't own a turntable, or they don't want to keep getting up and flipping over the tape or record, I can transfer the music onto CDs.  CDs hold more music: approximately thirty 45's can fit on one CD."  Call Richard Corrigan in Sarasota at 941-358-6342.

Congratulations to Don & Haley on Placing 3rd in the New York Lindy Hop Open!

Swing Around the State -- Ft Myers (239-415-1951)   Orlando   South Florida   Tampa Bay

Dec  5 (Fri):  Swing Time! HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA @ Centro Asturiano w/ Soul Sauce
Dec 31 (Wed):  SWING INTO THE NEW YEAR @ Gulfport Casino
Jan  2 (Fri):  Swing Time! @ Centro Asturiano

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