Tampa Bay's Swing Dance News for June 27th 2016

Gulfport Casino A/C Update: I spoke with the Gulfport Casino management today for an update on the air conditioning. First, they apologize for the inconvenience of the last three weeks when both Casino air conditioners (including the one thought to be working at the time) were actually out. The good news is they've now repaired the working A/C unit (the one on the bar side of the hall) and it's fully functional. The other A/C unit is scheduled for replacement. In two weeks, it'll be replaced by a 25-ton rental unit, and later it'll be replaced by a permanent unit that's on order. As a temporary measure, for the next two Wednesdays, they'll be charging the non-working unit with freon, which will get it through the night. They tested this temporary setup at yesterday's contra dance, and the hall was comfortable, just a couple of degrees above normal. So if all goes according to plan, this Wednesday's Swing Night will be much cooler than the last three Wednesdays. And for good measure, we'll keep big fans going in all four corners of the room, plus the ceiling fans on full blast. Thanks for your patience during this process. —Sam

St. Louis Shag Lessons happen every Wednesday in July, 6-7pm at the Gulfport Casino Swing Night, featuring Dominic & Jocelyn, special guest instructors. St. Louis Shag is an 8-count partnered swing dance that evolved from the Charleston. With its satisfying rhythms, lilting shuffles, and high-energy kicks, it's making a major comeback among swing dancers across the nation! Unlike Charleston and other Shags, St. Louis Shag is danced in place and it's lower impact, meaning all ages can dance it. Come any week, or take all four for the full experience. Instructor, Dominic Howarth, grew up on swing music, then five years ago decided to give the dance a try, at the Gulfport Casino. After a year of taking every group lesson Swing Time had to offer, he starting soaking up swing dance knowledge from every source available, from Florida instructors to YouTube. Last year, he won both the Jack & Jill and the Solo Jazz dance competitions at Statesboro Swings Out in Georgia. Today, he and partner, Jocelyn, are leaders in the St Pete swing scene, hosting weekly classes at the Premier Dance Academy, and a monthly lesson/dance in Straub Park for the City of St. Petersburg. Instructor, Jocelyn Howard, got her start swing dancing at the Gulfport Casino when she was in high school. After graduating college, she returned to St. Petersburg and started swing-dancing "full time" (in addition to her professional day job) the last three years. While swing dancing in St. Louis, Jocelyn noticed the local dancers doing a fun new dance, and she and Dominic decided they had to learn it and teach it to others. That dance was St. Louis Shag!

Get ready for Swing Time's Lindy Hop Boot Camp, an intensive workshop that gives you the benefit of an entire four-week Lindy Hop course, all in one afternoon! Two levels are offered, with instructors determining your appropriate level. Lindy Hop Boot Camp happens Saturday, July 16th, 2-6pm, at Simone Salsa, 8336 W Hillsborough Ave in Tampa.

Level 1 (Beginning) — Learn the Lindy Hop! Level 1 is for dancers with little-to-no Lindy Hop experience, and for dancers who want to master the basics. Level 1 features four hours of intensive instruction, drills, and practice, taking you step by step through the 10 fundamental moves of Lindy Hop. Level 1 is taught by Sam & Teresa.

Level 2 (Intermediate) — Advance & Improve Your Lindy Hop! Level 2 is for dancers already proficient at Swing-Outs and other Lindy Hop fundamentals. Level 2 participants will polish and style their Lindy Hop, learn new moves and footwork, and gain valuable Lindy experience guided by the instructors. Level 2 is taught by Tom Blair and partner TBA.

Lindy Hop Boot Camp is followed by the Saturday Swing evening dance (which is included in the price of your Boot Camp registration). Registration is $24 through July 6th, $27 through July 15th, or $30 at the door. Register in person (see Sam) at the Wednesday Gulfport Casino Swing Nights. Online registration will be open soon.

Ballroom Fusion Night happens Sunday, July 10th at the Gulfport Casino. All social dancers from a diversity of dance scenes, ranging from Ballroom to Swing to Latin/Salsa to West-Coast to Tango to Blues and more, are invited to attend and help create this partner-dancing fusion. Ballroom Fusion Night is partnered social dancing "outside the box", featuring lessons and music for today's most popular partner dances, plus exciting new dance music! Ballroom Fusion Night is held the 2nd Sunday of every month at the Gulfport Casino.

Doors Open 5:45pm

LESSONS 6-8PM
Waltz: 6-7pm
Foxtrot: 7-8pm
Special Guest Instructor, Julie Fisher, from Dance Forever studio

DANCING 8-11PM
8-10pm: Modern Ballroom Dance Mix
10-11pm: Fusion Mix...Anything Goes

Special Dance Performance at 9:30pm intermission

All Ages No Partners Needed Admission $8 (Students $5) Door Prizes

The Gulfport Casino Ballroom is one of the world's top dance destinations, offering social dance excitement in a picturesque beachfront setting. It features a rich history, a grand dance floor, a full bar, a smoke-free atmosphere, and free parking. The Gulfport Casino Ballroom is located in the St. Petersburg, Florida area at 5500 Shore Blvd. S., Gulfport, FL 33707. Map & Directions

Saturday, July 16th, mark your calendars for Saturday Swing in Tampa, happening the 3rd Saturday of every month at Simone Salsa studio, 8336 W. Hillsborough Ave., Tampa, FL 33615. Dance 9pm-1am with Swing 9pm-Midnight and a bonus hour of Blues Midnight-1am. Join us at 8pm, prior to the dance, for the Swing Dance Lesson. Admission is $8, which includes both the lesson and the dance. Parking is free. All ages are welcome, no partners are needed, and prizes are given away at intermission. Doors open 7:45pm.

Simone Salsa's main studio on Hillsborough Avenue features awesome atmosphere, lighting, sound, and a large smooth hardwood dance floor! Address — It's located in the Home Design Plaza shopping center at 8336 W. Hillsborough Ave., Tampa, FL 33615. Parking — Simone Salsa has a big (and free) parking lot just a few feet from its entrance. Drinks — You can BYO beverages to this venue. Bottled water and soft drinks are also available for purchase; they're in the kitchen's cooler; just drop a dollar in the fishbowl.