Tampa Bay's Swing Dance News for December 31st 2013

Join us New Year's Eve for Florida's biggest swing-dance event!
Bring your friends, bring your sweetie, or just bring yourself...any way you make it, it's going to be a great time!

Photos from last year's celebration by Steve Wilcox

This year's Swingin' the New Year features an expanded dance floor AND an exciting new 18-piece band, the Tom Kats, providing a BIG Band sound that'll blow you away!

BUY LAST-MINUTE TICKETS HERE — READ THIS for last-minute ticket purchases, because EMAILS WILL NOT BE ANSWERED UNTIL JANUARY 3RD. SECTIONS A & B (entire left- & right-hand sides of Coliseum) are nearly sold out: only 8 tickets remain, all singles. SECTIONS C & BALCONY (entrance side of Coliseum) have the remaining tickets: groups of 2+ should buy tickets in these sections, the sooner the better. With this year's expanded dance floor, all seats New Year's Eve are great seats with easy access to the dance floor. The balcony is actually a very cool place to be, with its own dance floor and a birds-eye view of the Celebration. Online and phone sales will be open until 7:30pm tonight; you can check what seats are still available by clicking the link above and selecting the "Section C" option. If you miss the 7:30pm deadline, then get your tickets at the door...don't call first, just show up. If you're a dancer and don't intend to sit, buy your ticket anytime, even on New Year's Eve at the event; buying in advance, however, gets you in faster because you can print your own ticket, skip the sales window and Will Call line, and proceed straight to the entrance. ALCOVES are sold out (unless you have a friend who has rented an Alcove and still has space for you; call 727-773-0064 to buy your ticket). Singles Table: call 727-773-0064 before 7:30pm to purchase a ticket.

Reminder...Gulfport Casino Swing Night will be OPEN New Year's Day (Wed Jan 1)
NEW YEAR'S DAY SWING...NEW LESSONS...NEW SONGS
Extending the celebration...picking up where New Year's Eve left off!

This Wednesday (Jan 1) — Gulfport Casino Swing Night! Balboa Lesson 6-7pm...Swing-Dance Lesson 7-8pm... Dancing 8-11pm. Just $7 includes both lessons and the dance and students get 2-for-1 admission! Is your birthday coming up? Celebrate your birthday at the Gulfport Casino Swing Night!

New Year's Resolution: Learn Balboa — BALBOA LESSONS START JAN 1ST

Balboa featuring Special Guest Instructor Nathan Foreman is the 6-7pm Bonus Lesson topic every Wednesday in January at the Gulfport Casino Swing Night! Balboa is one of the world's most popular swing dances, and it can be danced to music from slow to fast, without expending a lot of energy or taking up a lot of space. Balboa is a fun dancer's dance, with footwork, lead-follow, and patterns that range from simple to intricate. Many songs you hear, not just at swing dances but out in the general public, are MEANT FOR BALBOA...so use this dance to greatly expand your repertoire! Instructor & Balboa guru, Nathan Foreman, has traveled the universe the past 20 years studying Balboa. Now he shares his expertise with you in five easy lessons!

SWINGIN' THE NEW YEAR...BONUS ATTRACTIONS!
Photo Booth Vintage Fashion Contest Prize Giveaway

PHOTO BOOTH: All ticketholders are encouraged to visit the Photo Booth at some point during the Celebration to get your pictures taken. Dress to impress!

VINTAGE FASHION CONTEST — $200+ WORTH OF PRIZES: To enter the Vintage Fashion Contest, dress up from the era of your choice, and be at the Photo Booth at Exactly 9:45pm (first band break). Pre-judging will happen at the photo booth, plus you'll get your pictures taken if you haven't already! Finalists will be featured on stage later in the evening! GRAND PRIZE PACKAGES for both the top female and male contestants will include a Dolphin Watch or Sunset Sail Cruise for Two courtesy of Dolphin Landings Charter Boat Center! Runners up will both receive a $25 Gift Certificate to La Cote Basque restaurant, plus swing event tickets. Additional prize packages will be awarded to 3rd place male & female contestants.

PRIZE GIVEAWAY: Enter the Prize Drawing to win deluxe gift boxes of chocolate, swing event tickets, and other fabulous prizes! Drawing will happen at band intermission.

Experience local adventures at Dolphin Landings Charter Boat Center. Dolphin landings offers a variety of public day cruises and private charters including the ever popular Dolphin Watch and Sunset Sails, all departing from St Pete Beach. Dolphin Landings is located at 4737 Gulf Blvd, St Pete Beach, FL 33706 (Phone 727-360-7411).

Dine before you dance at La Cote Basque Winehouse. La Cote Basque features fine French & Continental Cuisine, walking distance from the Wednesday Swing Nights at the Gulfport Casino. La Cote Basque is located at 3104 Beach Blvd S, Gulfport, FL 33707 (Phone 727-321-6888).

Swingin' the New Year!
GRAND NEW YEAR'S EVE CELEBRATION FOR ALL AGES
Tuesday, December 31st, 2013
at the ST PETERSBURG COLISEUM
featuring The Tom Kats 18-PIECE BIG BAND
with vocalists Sasha Tuck & Ronnie P

Live Music & Dancing + Celebration! 9pm-1am
Swing Dance Lesson: 8-9pm (no partner needed)
Doors Open 7:30pm

Midnight Countdown & BALLOON DROP
Vintage Fashion Photo Shoot & Contest!
Party Favors ~ Noisemakers ~ Chocolates ~ Prize Giveaways
Full Cash Bar w/ Champagne Bottles & Toasts Available
* All Ages * Smoke-Free * New Year's Decor * Free Parking *
Dress to Impress! New Year's and Vintage Attire Encouraged

TICKETS: $30
Purchase Advance Tickets:
Securely Online at www.TampaBaySwing.com
-or- By Phone at 727-669-7830 or 727-773-0064

Group Discount — Groups of 10+ take an extra $2 off per ticket!

Food & Drinks: You may bring your own food to this event, or purchase a variety of snacks from the Coliseum's snack bar (everything from popcorn to ice cream to coffee). For drinks, the Coliseum will run a full cash bar, with beer, wine, mixed drinks, soft drinks, bottled water, and champagne. No outside beverages are allowed into the Coliseum, and no coolers are allowed.

The spectacular St. Petersburg Coliseum provides historic swing-era ambiance and an unparalleled 15,000 square foot oak dance floor! It's located at 535 4th Ave. N., St. Petersburg FL 33701.

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