Hi Everyone!

What an incredible New Year's Eve we just had!  A big THANK-YOU goes to the 350+ folks who turned out to the Gulfport Casino on Wednesday to dance & celebrate!  It was definitely one of our favorite New Year's Eves ever, and we hope you had a fabulous time as well.

The New Year's fun & excitement has just begun!  Because this week, two big events happen at the Gulfport Casino....  This coming Wednesday (Jan 7), join us at the Gulfport Casino for the first big SWING NIGHT of 2004!  (Details below.)  Then, this Friday (Jan 9) at the Gulfport Casino is Swing Time's BIG BAND NIGHT, featuring the 18-Piece Ten O'Clock Big Band!!  This will be an evening not to miss, because The Ten O'Clock Band always packs the house.  Not only will you dance to Florida's Leading 18-Piece Big Band, but the evening's happenings are unparalleled in excitement....  First, The Ten O'Clock Band will be recording the evening's performance live, for their upcoming CD!  Second, BBC Television will be in the house filming footage for an upcoming documentary!  Third, Don & Haley (who've been traveling the U.S. competing in -- and winning -- a variety of swing dance competitions) will give a special dance performance at intermission!  Tickets to this fantastic event are only $12 -- purchase them at the door!

But that's not all... we'll also have a super ticket deal for each & every person in attendance this Friday (Jan 9).  We've offered this special promotional package once at Centro Asturiano, and once at Zendah Grotto, but now it's the Gulfport Casino's turn!  This will be the final time that this incredible package is offered anywhere, so be sure to take advantage of it....  It's our way of thanking you for your support!  Here are the details:  On Friday, February 6th, at Centro Asturiano, Swing Time and the Suncoast Swing Gang are teaming up to bring you a spectacular swing event featuring some awesome talent... the biggest-name band to ever play a Tampa Bay swing-dance event... 5-Time Grammy Award Nominees, Roomful of Blues!  Tickets to this event are $12 in advance or $15 the day of event.  But THIS FRIDAY ONLY, AT THE BIG BAND NIGHT AT THE CASINO, purchase your $12 advance ticket to February 6th's event, and we'll throw in a FREE TICKET ($6 Value) to Swing Sundays at the Zendah Grotto AND a FREE TICKET ($6 Value) to the Gulfport Casino Swing Night!  Both free tickets are valid any week through the end of April!

Read all about these big events, plus swing dances, classes, concerts, cruises, and more in this issue of Tampa Bay's Swing News!  See you all this week at the Gulfport Casino!  HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Sam & Rachel

This Friday (January 9th, 2004), Swing Time hosts Big Band Night at the Gulfport Casino, featuring live music by The Ten O'Clock Band, Florida's Leading 18-Piece Big Band!  Kicking off the event is a group swing-dance lesson, 8-9pm (no partner needed).  Then it's time to swing, with live music & dancing, 9pm-1am.  Intermission features a special dance performance by Don & Haley, plus prize giveaways & more!  It all happens in the spectacular waterfront ballroom of the Gulfport Casino. 

The Ten O'Clock Band brings the big-band experience to Swing Time.  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!

3-Week Format:  All classes meet three consecutive weeks, 90 minutes per week, for a total of 4.5 hours of instruction.

Swing II (7:00-8:30pm Tuesdays; 3-week class meets Jan 13, 20 & 27):  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 (8:30-10:00pm Tuesdays; 3-week class meets Jan 13, 20 & 27):  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.  SPECIAL NOTE:  In February, we'll be offering Lindy Hop II on Tuesdays in the same time slot; take Lindy Hop I in January and you'll be ready for the second level in February!

Shim Sham (7:00-8:30pm Thursdays; 3-week class meets Jan 15, 22 & 29):  Learn the Shim Sham, plus useful jazz steps for swing dancing.  The Shim Sham is a popular swing line-dance & mixer that goes back to the early days of swing, jazz & tap dance.  It has become a fun, energetic tradition at swing dances across the world, and is danced every week at the Gulfport Casino Swing Night!  PREREQUISITES:  None.

Lindy Hop III (8:30-10:00pm Thursdays; 3-week class meets Jan 15, 22 & 29):  Special Topics in Lindy Hop.  PREREQUISITES:  Lindy Hop II -or- Try Out with Instructor.

FIELD TRIP!  After the final class on the 29th, we'll all head over to a local night spot to dance to live music!

Classes start January 13th or January 15th.  No partner needed.  Limited space available -- Advance reservation required.  Click here for Details then Email XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX to Reserve your Space!  Registration is $35 for one 3-week course (4 1/2 hours total instruction), and $20 for each additional course.  (You must register and pay for all courses simultaneously to receive the discount.)

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

Friday, February 6th, 2004, 5-Time Grammy Award Nominees Roomful of Blues play a special event at Centro Asturiano in Tampa, co-produced by the Suncoast Swing Gang & Swing Time!  A group swing-dance lesson kicks off the evening 8-9pm (no partner needed).  Then it's time to jump, boogie, and swing to the incredible horn-driven sound of Roomful of Blues, with live music & dancing 9pm-1am.

Roomful of Blues is a legendary band that's now celebrating its 36th Anniversary!  Founded by Duke Robillard & Al Copley in 1967, the band has been in continuous motion ever since, recording 17 Albums, accumulating awards & accolades including 5 Grammy Award Nominations, touring the world many times over, and amazing audiences at every stop.  Throughout its history, Roomful has consistently earned and maintained an unparalleled reputation for excellent musicianship.  The band keeps a fresh edge by hiring only the best talent available to replace outgoing alumni.  Their list of alumni is quite impressive, and the band has recorded albums with music legends ranging from Big Joe Turner to Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson.  Count Basie, himself, was a big fan of Roomful of Blues!

Today, Roomful's lineup is stronger than ever, with an amazing horn section that has won 3 W.C. Handy Awards (1998, 2001 & 2002) for Best Instrumentals.  The band's most recent album, That's Right!, has just received a Grammy Nomination at the upcoming February 2004 Grammy Awards!  THAT'S RIGHT! "swaggers, sways and swings with energy and precision.  This is a band on top of its game."  --The Chicago Sun-Times

Join lindy hoppers from across Florida and parts beyond this MLK weekend for three days and nights of nonstop dancing!  Click here for info.

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.  January's classes will cover Collegiate Shag.

Saturday, January 10th, Swing City hosts a dance with Lindy Hop in one room and West-Coast Swing in the other room.  Dancing starts at 8:30pm and costs $7.  The dance is preceded by an intermediate-level West-Coast Swing lesson at 7:30pm for an extra $3, featuring national guest instructors.  More Info

Jan 10 (Sat):  Midnight Bowler's League + 2 other bands @ Green Room, 1701 E 8th Ave, Ybor City (813-241-4954).

Jan 10 (Sat):  Marcia Ball & Renee Austin play Skipper's Smokehouse at 8pm, $20.  More Info

Jan 11 (Sun):  Connie Haines & her 6-piece swing band (+ special guest Paulette Pepper) put on a show for the Suncoast Dixieland Jazz Society, 2-5pm, at Banquet Masters in Pinellas Park.  Dance floor provided.  More Info

Jan 13 (Tue):  Tommy Dorsey Orchestra @ Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1pm.  More Info

Jan 17 (Sat):  Coliseum Big-Band Ballroom Dance featuring the Charly Raymond Orchestra's "Best of the Big Bands" show.  More Info

Jan 23 (Fri):  Beausoleil (Cajun) & Deanna Bogart (Barrelhouse Piano) @ Skipper's Smokehouse (WMNF event).  More Info

Jan 25 (Sun):  Ed Polcer's "The Magic of Swing Street", 2-5pm, at Banquet Masters in Pinellas Park.  Dance floor provided.  More Info

Jan 27 (Tue):  Glenn Miller Orchestra @ Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1pm.  More Info

Jan 30 (Fri):  Dan McMillion Jazz Orchestra @ Largo Cultural Center.  Phone 727-587-6793.

Jan 31 (Sat):  Coliseum Big-Band Ballroom Dance featuring The Toronto All Star Big Band.  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

South Florida's Mike & Lorri Hafer join Les Brown's band for a season of shows (with dancing encouraged) in Branson MO.  More Info

Swing Around the State:  Brevard County   Daytona Beach   Ft Myers (239-415-1951)   Gainesville   Jacksonville   Orlando   Pensacola   South Florida   Tallahassee   Tampa Bay   Vero Beach  

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Events do sometimes change, so please call and confirm events before going!

© This issue of Swing News is Copyright 2004 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.