Dear Everyone,  2003 has been a phenomenal year of swingin' in Tampa Bay.  Join us this New Year's Eve as we swing out the old year in grand fashion and then Swing into the New Year!  This special New Year's Eve Celebration for All Ages takes place at the spectacular Gulfport Casino, one of the finest ballrooms in the nation!  But get your tickets soon, because at a mere $15 for a New Year's Eve Celebration, we expect this event to sell out!  Details on this and other fine swing happenings are in this issue of Swing News.  So in advance, here's wishing you a Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays, and we look forward to seeing you New Year's Eve, if not before!  --Sam

This Sunday (12/14), 5-6pm, legendary swing dancer, Norma Miller, appears at the Zendah Grotto for a Free Public Event sponsored by the Swing Gang.  Norma Miller is not just a famous dancer, but also an award-winning choreographer, show producer, stand-up comedienne, TV/film actress, and author.  She'll be sharing her moving historical memoir of Harlem's legendary Savoy Ballroom.  Norma brings a lifetime of experience, along with powerful video to put you right there at the roots of the phenomenal music and dance that "spread the power of swing across the world like wildfire".

Click here for Norma's photos & bio.  Click here for a map.  (You're advised to take the Hillsborough Ave to Westshore Blvd approach to the Grotto because of the Bucs game finishing at 4pm.)

YEAR-END / HOLIDAY SCHEDULE:
Dec 17, 2003 (Wed):  Gulfport Casino Swing Night.  Be There!
Dec 24, 2003 (Wed):  Closed for Christmas Eve
Dec 31, 2003 (Wed):  Special Event:  Swing into the New Year!

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 & 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.  Two classes are offered at the start of each Swing Session: "fundamentals of swing" and "progressive swing", covering a variety of topics for novices to experts.  Admission is $3 for St Pete residents ($5 the first time), or $4.80 for nonresidents.

Saturday, December 13th, Swing City hosts its year-end finale, 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 in the Lindy Room, plus lots of food.  More Info

Dec 13 (Sat):  Jennifer & the Venturas play Skipper's Smokehouse at 8pm.  More Info

Jan 4 (Sun):  The Love Dogs, a great swingin' band out of Boston, play Skipper's Smokehouse at 5pm.  More Info

Jan 16-18 2004:  The South Florida Lindy Exchange (SoFLeX), one of the state's biggest swingin' parties, happens at locations across South Florida.  Register early to ensure you get in.  More Info

May 22-29 2004:  The Frankie Cruise departs Ft Lauderdale aboard the Caribbean Princess.  This year's cruise celebrates the grandaddy of swing's (Frankie Manning's) 90th Birthday!  Hundreds of dancers are expected from across the world.  The cruise includes nightly dances, workshops with world-class instructors, special guests, and more!  Registration is now open.  More Info

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

Congratulations to the Suncoast Blues Society on winning the Blues Foundation's 2004 KBA (Keeping the Blues Alive) Award as Blues Organization of the Year!  The award will be presented on 1/31/04 at a ceremony in Memphis.

Some sad news:  Myrna informs us that Marge Tassone passed away in November.  She and her husband Frank used to come every Wednesday to the Gulfport Casino.  Send condolences to Frank Tassone, 4715 Bay Street NE #228, St Petersburg FL 33703.

Skip those boring dinner dates and go cruising instead....  Dollie's Party Book is sponsoring a Valentine's Singles Cruise of the Caribbean, February 8-15 2004.  More Info

 
Swing Time!  BIG BAND NIGHT  at the  Gulfport Casino
January 9th 2004 (Friday)
featuring  The Ten O'Clock Band
Florida's Leading 18-Piece Big Band!!

 
Swing Time!  & the  Suncoast Swing Gang  present...
February 6th 2004 (Friday)
ROOMFUL OF BLUES !!
5-Time Grammy Award Nominees!!
in the Grand Ballroom of Centro Asturiano in Tampa
Get Ready to  Jump,  Boogie  &  Swing!

 
JAN & FEB 2004 CLASSES with SAM & RACHEL
    Swing I
    Swing II
    Swing III
    Lindy Hop I
    Lindy Hop II
    Lindy Hop III
    Shim Sham
    Ladies Styling
Registration is now open for all classes on a first-come, first-serve basis.  Most class formats consist of three 90-minute sessions, on either Tuesday or Thursday nights.  Full details are on the web at www.SwingTime.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.