Tampa Bay's Swing Dance News for August 1st 2016

West-Coast Swing lessons start this Wednesday August 3rd at the Gulfport Casino Swing Night. Featuring special guest instructors, Tina Castle & Russ Morris, West-Coast Swing lessons run every Wednesday in August during the 6-7pm Bonus Lesson.

Lindy Hop Boot Camp Earlybird Deadline: Get your registration in by Wednesday for Lindy Hop Boot Camp to get the earlybird price. Register in person at Wednesday's Gulfport Casino Swing Night (bring $24 cash or check) or register online right now via credit card.

Swing Time welcomes special guest instructors, Yulia & Sergey Kopylov, who will teach Tango (American Ballroom Style) 6-7pm and Bolero 7-8pm at Sunday August 14th's Ballroom Fusion Night. Yulia & Sergey have been professionally dancing, competing, and teaching together since 1987, throughout their native Russia, Europe, and (since 2005) the USA. Their dance resume is impressive, but really, you just need to watch them dance...it's mesmerizing!

Sunday, August 14th, is Ballroom Fusion Night 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.

LESSONS 6-8PM
Tango (American Ballroom Style): 6-7pm
Bolero: 7-8pm
Special Guest Instructors, Yulia & Sergey Kopylov

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

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

Back by popular demand, Swing Time presents Lindy Hop Boot Camp II, 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. Level 1 will be an introduction/refresher course in Lindy Hop for new and existing dancers (if you took it before, you'll get more practice and some new perspectives). Level 2 will be all-new material, new moves, and the legendary California Routine! Lindy Hop Boot Camp happens Saturday, August 20th, 2-6pm, at Simone Salsa, 8336 W Hillsborough Ave in Tampa. No partners needed.

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 Mahfoud & Teresa Ullman. (Click for instructor info.)

Level 2 (Intermediate) — Advance & Improve Your Lindy Hop! Level 2 is for dancers already proficient at Swing-Outs and other Lindy Hop fundamentals. This month, Level 2 participants will learn the California Routine, which contains many essential Lindy Hop moves for partner dancing, along with some fancy flashy moves you'll love to bust out in a dance jam. Every Lindy Hopper should know the California Routine, which is arguably the most beloved Lindy Hop partner routine. Originally based on Frankie Manning's Hellzapoppin' choreography, it has evolved over the years into its modern incarnation. In this Boot Camp, we'll swap in alternative moves for the air steps so that everyone can join in the fun! Level 2 is taught by Tom Blair & Aryn Kelly Rathbone. (Click for instructor info.)

SCHEDULE:
1:30-2:00pm – Doors Open, Registration, Warm Up 2:00-6:00pm – Boot Camp (includes breaks & practice time) 6:00-8:00pm – Dinner Break 8:00-9:00pm – Saturday Swing Dance Lesson (optional) 9:00pm-3:00 – Saturday Swing All Night Dance Party

Saturday, August 20th, mark your calendars for the Saturday Swing All Night Dance Party in Tampa, with Swing Dancing 9pm-Midnight plus Blues Dancing Midnight-3am! Join us at 8pm, prior to the dance, for the Swing Dance Lesson. $10 Admission 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. Saturday Swing happens the 3rd Saturday of every month at Simone Salsa studio, 8336 W. Hillsborough Ave., Tampa, FL 33615.

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.

Saturday August 13th, the Carrollwood Cultural Center hosts a Big-Band Dance & Concert with live music by the Sounds of Swing Orchestra. Dancing runs 8-10pm. Swing Time opens the event with dance lessons 6:30-8:00pm. Tickets are $12-$18. Visit the Cultural Center's link above for tickets or more information. The Carrollwood Cultural Center is located at 4537 Lowell Rd, Tampa, FL 33618; Phone 813-269-1310.