Tampa Bay's Swing Dance News for May 1st 2008

Tampa Bay's Swing Dance News

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Swing Time Newsletter — Thursday MAY 1st 2008

SOUTHERN LIVING MAGAZINE FEATURES SWING TIME!

The May 2008 issue of Southern Living magazine features a 2-page story, with photos, on the Gulfport Casino Swing Night! With a monthly circulation of over 2.8 million copies, Southern Living ranks among the top 20 magazines in the USA, and the May issue is currently available at newstands everywhere. (Just for fun... to win a free pass to the Gulfport Casino Swing Night... two dancers appear prominently in one of the article's photos... the first person who correctly emails me back the dancers' names wins a free pass! --Sam)

Friday, May 16th, 2008
Swing Time! 1920's SPEAKEASY
at Centro Asturiano in Tampa
featuring hot swingin' jazz & blues by The...
Blue Vipers of Brooklyn!

Friday, May 16th, 2008, Swing Time hosts a 1920's Speakeasy, featuring hot swingin' jazz & blues by The Blue Vipers of Brooklyn! The event takes place in the Grand Ballroom of Centro Asturiano in Tampa, and everyone's encouraged to dress 1920's style, with prizes for the best costumes! The 1920's Speakeasy starts with a Charleston/Swing Dance Lesson 8-9pm (no partner needed), and continues with live music & dancing 9pm-1am. A Charleston Dance Contest happens at band intermission, with cash and prizes to the winners! All ages are welcome!

The Blue Vipers of Brooklyn are an exciting, original, and highly talented act that bring to life the hot swingin' jazz & blues reminiscent of 1920's New Orleans. The band met three years ago performing on the streets of New York City and quickly became a favorite of both New Yorkers and tourists from across the world. The band has become a staple of NYC radio shows, TV shows, concerts and festivals. They've received rave reviews from NYC's print media, and have recorded two CDs containing a jumpin' blend of original and traditional compositions. The band has won competitions including Battle of the Bands (May 2007) and Subway Idol (May 2007, Broadcast Live on FOX). They've even played at the world-famous Farm Aid 2007 concert for the likes of Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, and Mayor Bloomberg. "The Blue Vipers of Brooklyn provided fantastic entertainment." --Willie Nelson, 6/11/2007

The Blue Vipers of Brooklyn are young and energetic, but between them hold decades of musical experience, and they've played and studied with a multitude of musical heavyweights. Guitarist and lead vocalist, Billy Nemec, has been a member of two different traveling carnivals and has spent years in New Orleans studying the music and playing it on the streets; when he moved to NYC, Billy brought with him a vast musical repertoire and an ability to draw and hold large crowds wherever he performs. Upright bass player, Chris Pistorino, has performed with Grammy Award winners, Norah Jones, Steve Miller, and Tom Jones, as well as Jane Monheit and Junior Mance, to name a few. "Drummer", David Langlois, plays a unique washboard percussion instrument that he invented! And Thom Abbott not only plays the sax and clarinet, but at least 10 other instruments as well! Reminiscent of the gypsy jazz artists of the 1930's, the band still enjoys taking it to the streets whenever they can. Don't miss the Blue Vipers of Brooklyn in a rare Florida appearance at the upcoming Swing Time! Get More Band Info + Listen to Music Samples

Swing Time is Florida's Premier Swing Event, held one Friday each month at Centro Asturiano in Tampa. 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

Live Music & Dancing w/ The Blue Vipers of Brooklyn, 9pm-1am
Charleston / Swing Dance Lesson (no partner needed), 8-9pm
Charleston Dance Contest at Intermission -- Cash & Prizes to Winners!
1920's Attire Encouraged -- Prizes for Best Costumes!

All Ages & Smoke-Free
Exciting Social Atmosphere
Fabulous Vintage Grand Ballroom
Huge Floating-Wood Dance Floor
Prize Giveaways
Full Bar

$11 Admission includes Free Lesson; Free Gated Parking

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

NATIONAL CHAMPIONS JOEL & LENKA TEACH WORKSHOP
Saturday June 21st at First Dance Studio in St Petersburg

Mark your calendars for Saturday June 21st (Noon-5pm), when Swing Time presents a workshop with National Swing-Dance Champions, Joel & Lenka Green! The workshop, entitled Solid Swingin' & Cool Moves will be held at 1st Dance Studio, 5098 66th St N in St Petersburg. It's open to all levels of dancers, and no partner is needed. Following the workshop, Joel & Lenka will teach a special Aerials Master Class, 5-6pm. Joel & Lenka have taught, competed, danced, and performed both nationally & internationally, with over a dozen national swing-dance titles to their names! Also, don't miss Joel & Lenka's special performance at band intermission, Friday June 20th at Swing Time! / Centro Asturiano. Stay tuned to future email newsletters for more workshop info.

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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:

Click here for Gary Hufford's latest Photos
from the Gulfport Casino Swing Night!

[Map & Directions] [More Info]

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

EVERY WEDNESDAY: Gulfport Casino Swing Night

May 16, 2008 (Fri): Swing Time! at Centro Asturiano
    1920's SPEAKEASY
    featuring The Blue Vipers of Brooklyn
    Hot Swingin' Jazz & Blues from NYC!
    Tickets: $11; purchase at the door

Jun 20, 2008 (Fri): Swing Time! at Centro Asturiano
    featuring The Venturas
    Exceptional Talent w/ Hot Vocals!
    Tickets: $11; purchase at the door

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