Tampa Bay's Swing Dance News for February 8th 2008

Hi Everyone... People have been asking us about the live-band "Swing Time!" events, previously held at the Gulfport Casino on the 2nd Friday of each month, because as you can see from our schedule, we are no longer holding them. Our February live-music event will be Thursday February 14th's Valentine's Ball at Centro Asturiano, featuring the 18-piece Ten O'Clock Big Band. THERE ARE NO SWING TIME LIVE-BAND EVENTS AT THE GULFPORT CASINO IN FEBRUARY. However, the regular Wednesday Gulfport Casino Swing Nights are going strong, as are the every-Thursday "Swing Centro" nights! We're currently in the process of planning & negotiating future live-music dates, and will likely keep the nights and venues flexible. This means you'll see some band nights at our regular Wednesday Gulfport / Thursday Centro dances. And you'll see some Friday or Saturday night Swing Time! events as well. In the past, we've tried to stick to "steady date" 1st-or-2nd-Friday-of-the-month band schedules. We had a run of 3-4 years of steady dates at Centro, followed by a run of 3-4 years at Gulfport. For the future, we're looking at a flexible date/venue format, which will allow us to host out-of-state talent more often (because they often don't visit on the exact 2nd Friday of the month). It will also allow us to properly publicize and plan each special event (which takes months of behind-the-scenes work for each and every event). I'll keep you updated, but if you have any questions or want more details, feel free to email back. In the meantime, we hope to see you Wednesdays at the Gulfport Casino, Thursdays at Centro Asturiano, and Thursday February 14th for the Valentine's Ball! --Sam

Thursday, February 14th, 2008
VALENTINE'S BALL !
at Swing Centro (Centro Asturiano)
featuring the Ten O'Clock Band
Florida's Leading 18-Piece Big Band!!
+ Valentine's Decor, Prizes, Candy, Chocolates & More!

Thursday, February 14th, is Valentine's Day, so we're celebrating with a special event at Swing Centro -- the Valentine's Ball! Bring your sweetheart, bring your friends, or come alone... any way you make it, it's going to be a great time! The evening features live music and dancing, 8pm-midnight, with the Ten O'Clock Band, Florida's leading 18-piece big band! Kicking off the event is a group swing-dance lesson, 7-8pm (no partner needed). The Valentine's Ball features Valentine's decor, prizes, candy, chocolates & more! All ages are welcome. It all happens in the fabulous vintage Grand Ballroom of Centro Asturiano in Tampa. Everyone's encouraged to wear something that's red, white, or pink!

The Ten O'Clock Band brings the big-band experience to the Valentine's Ball. 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 participants 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!

This special event is co-sponsored by Centro Asturiano and Swing Time. Centro Asturiano is located at 1913 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa FL 33602 (at the corner of Palm Ave. & Nebraska Ave. in Ybor City).

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

Swing Dance Lesson (no partner needed), 7-8pm
Live Music & Dancing w/ the Ten O'Clock Big Band, 8pm-12

Exciting Social Atmosphere
Fabulous Vintage Grand Ballroom
Huge Floating-Wood Dance Floor

* All Ages * Smoke-Free * Full Bar * Prize Giveaways *
Admission $12 (includes Free Lesson); Free Gated Parking

For more info, visit www.SwingTime.info on the web, or click the links below:
[Map & Directions] [More Info]

SWING CENTRO
EVERY THURSDAY in Ybor City (Tampa, FL)

Every Thursday, the Grand Ballroom of Centro Asturiano comes alive, as all ages gather for Swing Centro, an exciting night of swing music and dancing! Dancers swing & move, shake & groove to the latest swingin' sounds, while scenesters socialize in the fabulous vintage surroundings or enjoy a drink at the bar. Every Swing Centro event starts with a group swing-dance lesson (7-8pm), where no partner is needed and no prior dance experience is necessary. Every event continues with music & dancing, 8pm-midnight. Vintage attire is encouraged (though not required) and many people come decked out in styles from the 20's-50's.

Swing Music & Dancing, 8pm-Midnight
Dance Lesson, 7-8pm (no partner needed)

Exciting Social Atmosphere!
Fabulous Vintage Grand Ballroom
Huge Floating-Wood Dance Floor

* All Ages * Smoke-Free * Full Bar * Prize Giveaways *
Admission $7 (includes Free Lesson); Free Gated Parking
Students Get 2-for-1 Admission!

Centro Asturiano is located at 1913 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa FL 33602 (at the corner of Palm Ave. & Nebraska Ave. in Ybor City). For more info, visit www.SwingTime.info on the web, or click the links below:

[Map & Directions] [More Info]

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BREAKING NEWS - Charlie Vegas & Vinnie asked us to spread the word... a bunch of the swing-dancing regulars are headed to Dave's Aqua Lounge this Friday (Feb 8) to dance to Charlie Vegas & the New Blues Combo. It's 9:30pm-1:30am at 10820 Gandy Blvd, St Petersburg. Phone 727-576-1091.

GULFPORT CASINO SWING NIGHT
EVERY WEDNESDAY in Gulfport (St. Petersburg, FL)

The Gulfport Casino Swing Night is a high-energy social-dance event, happening in a beautiful retro-era grand dance hall -- the Gulfport Casino -- that beckons all who venture near to come inside and swing! Now in its 10th year, this every-Wednesday Swing Night has become one of the biggest swing dances in the USA, attracting hundreds of dancers of all ages, both locals and often visiting travelers.

Swing Music & Dancing, 8pm-Midnight
Dance Lesson, 7-8pm (no partner needed)
Shim Sham, Dance Jams, Prizes, Mixers, & More!

Beautiful & Historic Waterfront Grand Ballroom
Friendly Social Atmosphere
One of the World's Best Dance Floors!

* All Ages * Smoke-Free * Full Bar * Free Parking *
Admission $7 (includes Free Lesson)

The Gulfport Casino is located in the St. Petersburg area at 5500 Shore Blvd. S., Gulfport FL 33707. For more info, visit www.SwingTime.info on the web, or click the links below:

2008 SWING & SALSA DANCE SHOWDOWN
at the Florida State Fair
Compete for $2500+ in Prizes!

This dance competition -- sponsored by VerizonFiOS, Centro Asturiano, and the Florida State Fair -- features a Swing Division, a Salsa Division, and over $2500 worth of prizes! The competition finals are followed by an after-party at the State Fair on Sunday February 17th, where everyone's invited to dance to a mix of Latin & Swing hits. Click for full details on the competition and after-party.

UPCOMING SWING TIME EVENTS
Click the links below for details on each event

Feb 14, 2008 (Thu): Special Event at Swing Centro
VALENTINE'S BALL !
featuring the 18-Piece Ten O'Clock Big Band!
+ V-Day Decor, Prizes, Candy, Chocolates & More!
Admission $12