Tampa Bay's Swing Dance News for December 21st 2015

Ticket Update — Section B is nearly SOLD OUT. Section A is selling out. The Swing Time section has 18 tickets remaining...get them, first-come first-serve, at this Wednesday's Gulfport Casino Swing Night. Or buy tickets online....To be near the Swing Time section, buy tickets ASAP anywhere that remains in Section B (right-hand side of Coliseum).

Join us New Year's Eve for Florida's biggest swing-dance event!

MORE TICKET OPTIONS * SINGLES TABLE * DANCER TICKETS * BALCONY *
Want an Alcove? Deadline 12/26. After 12/26, any remaining alcoves become reserved seating.

Holiday Christmas Dance Party — This Wednesday, December 23rd
at the GULFPORT CASINO SWING NIGHT

Celebrate the Christmas season at this Wednesday December 23rd's Gulfport Casino Swing Night with refreshments, lights & decor, plus we'll mix in the best of swingable holiday music! The whole City of Gulfport, especially the waterfront/Casino area, will be beautifully decorated for the holidays,... and wait 'til you see the Casino itself, with beautiful lights and festive decor both inside & out. Join us for this holiday dance celebration!

The Gulfport Casino is one of the world's best ballrooms, offering up social dance excitement in a picturesque beachfront setting

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 the first band break (typically around 9:45pm). Judging will happen at the photo booth, plus you'll get your pictures taken. Finalists will be featured on stage later in the evening. PRIZE PACKAGES for both the top female and male contestants will include tickets to see the Hot Sardines band at the Straz Center. Additional prizes will be announced soon.

PRIZE GIVEAWAY: Enter the Prize Drawing to win a $50 Gift Certificate to On Pointe Dancewear, plus deluxe gift boxes of chocolate, and swing event tickets! Additional prizes will be announced soon. Drawing will happen at band intermission.

The Hot Sardines are coming to the Straz Center on Saturday January 23rd! "The Hot Sardines' distinctive recipe for making musical magic includes a blustery brass lineup layered over a rhythm section led by a stride-piano Fats Waller-style virtuoso. Tied together with a riveting front woman who sings in English and French, with a voice reminiscent of the Golden Age of hot jazz, this sizzling gumbo of sound fuses musical influences from New York, Paris, and New Orleans, and tours with its own tap dancer. Hailed as 'one of the best jazz bands in New York today' [Forbes], the Hot Sardines mix a little Parisian mischief into the rollicking controlled chaos of American hot jazz standards" [Straz Center]. The Straz Center is located at 1010 N MacInnes Place, Tampa, FL 33602 (Phone 813-229-7827). Tickets & Show Info

Get your swing dance shoes at On Pointe Dancewear. On Pointe carries the full line of Aris Allen, Very Fine, Stephanie, and other dance shoes, plus dance clothing and accessories for everything from Swing to Latin, Ballroom, Ballet, Tap & Jazz. Tired of internet shipping fees and poor-fitting shoes? At On Pointe, you save money AND you get to try before you buy! On Pointe is located at 2113 Central Ave, St Petersburg, FL 33713 (Phone 727-895-1111).

Swingin' the New Year!
GRAND NEW YEAR'S EVE CELEBRATION FOR ALL AGES
Thursday, December 31st, 2015
at the ST PETERSBURG COLISEUM
featuring MITCH WOODS & HIS ROCKET 88'S!

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.newyearswing.com
By Phone at 727-669-7830 or 813-579-4645
In Person at the Gulfport Casino Swing Night (Wednesdays 6-11pm)

MITCH WOODS & HIS ROCKET 88's

Swingin' the New Year proudly presents...boogie-woogie piano legend, Mitch Woods, who's traveling all the way from California to rock the house LIVE on grand piano at the spectacular St. Petersburg Coliseum! Mitch is joined by his band of swinging rhythm section and horns, the Rocket 88's, who will kick the Coliseum Ballroom into high gear, as they jump & boogie, rock & swing the place like you've never seen! From swingin' New Orleans rhythm & blues dance grooves (in the style of Fats Domino and others), to soulful ballads, to rockin' high-energy originals, Mitch Woods & his Rocket 88's deliver music that'll make you want to jump up and dance!

SWING TIME SECTION — We've reserved a central block of the best seats in the house for Swing Time regulars, and are selling these Wednesdays at the Gulfport Casino Swing Nights, while they last! Buy one of these tickets and you'll be among friends and fellow dancers. Tickets in the Swing Time Section are available exclusively to dancers who attend (and purchase them in person at) prior Swing Time events. Tickets in the Swing Time Section are $29 if purchased this Wednesday 12/23, or $30 on Wednesday 12/30 (if any remain).

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

VIP Alcoves available for groups of 10 or more people

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.

Purchase Tickets More Info Map & Directions

The next Fusion Night at the Gulfport Casino Ballroom is Sunday, January 10th.

The next Jazz Night at Simone Salsa in Tampa is Saturday, January 16th.