Tampa Bay's Swing Dance News for June 12th 2007

Tampa Bay's Swing Dance News

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Swing Time Newsletter — Tuesday JUN 12th 2007

Swingin' Summer Update -- please save this newsletter and mark your calendars -- Loaded with Events!

Hi Everyone! In this newsletter... Gulfport Casino Swings Big Tonight + Every Wednesday... Swing Centro's Super Lineup Tomorrow + Every Thursday... Dine & Dance at the Yacht Club This Friday June 15... Swing Time! Live Music & Dancing Friday July 13... Pre-Independence-Day Special Dance Tuesday July 3... Complete Summer Class Schedule: New Classes in Lindy Hop, Charleston, Shim Sham, Balboa, & East-Coast Swing... + Calendar of Events. Enjoy, and I'll see you on the dance floor! --Sam

GULFPORT CASINO SWING NIGHT !
EVERY WEDNESDAY in Gulfport (St. Petersburg, FL)

Summer's in full swing at the Gulfport Casino! The dancing crowd is huge, and we're seeing a lot of students (and teachers too) out and about at the Wednesday Swing Nights. We have a hot lineup of dance lessons, swingin' music, and dancing excitement planned for this summer. Join us this Wednesday!

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 $6 (includes Free Lesson)

Effective this Wednesday are some minor changes to the evening's lineup, with the goal of maximizing dancing and musical flow (and minimizing interruption). Anyone who's celebrating a birthday and wants to do a birthday dance/jam, let us know at the beginning of the evening (around 8pm), or let us know a few days in advance by email. The birthday dance (if there's a birthday dance that night) will happen around 8:40pm, but you must let us know in advance; don't miss it! We'll no longer dance Swing Rueda at 10pm nor will we announce it; however, anyone is free to gather a few dancers and dance Rueda at any point during the evening. Prize giveaways will happen at three points during the night; you must place your completed entry form -- the one you're handed when you walk in the door -- into the entry box to be eligible (we no longer call ticket numbers); listen for your name between songs (it'll take us just two seconds to call each winner). The highly popular Steal Dance and Shim Sham dances will continue as before.

[Map & Directions] [More Info]

SWING CENTRO SIZZLES!
This Thursday June 14th

Lindy Hop Swing-Dance Lesson, 7-8pm, with Sam & Allison
Swing Music & Dancing, 8pm-Midnight
Special Guest, DJ Chris Maraffi from Orlando, Spins 8:00-10:30pm
DJ Talent Search Competition, 10:30-Midnight, featuring two new DJs!

Swing Centro keeps gaining momentum, with the last two Thursdays each setting new attendance records, ...and the summer is just beginning! This Thursday, June 14th, Sam & Allison kick off the evening with a Lindy Hop Swing-Dance Class, 7-8pm (details below; no partner needed). Tonight's special guest DJ, spinning the swing 8:00-10:30pm, is Chris Maraffi from Orlando! Then at 10:30pm-Midnight is night two of the DJ Talent Search competition!

DJ Chris Maraffi regularly spins at UCF's Friday night swing dances, plus he's an accomplished swing dancer and instructor. As a DJ, his unique playlist has been heard at most of the swing/blues venues in Orlando. He's been a guest DJ at regional events such as SOFLEX, ORLX, Beachin' Swing Weekend, and Stompin' at the Swamp. When Chris DJ's, he emphasizes quality, variety, energy, and flow. He believes that the music should sound as close to live music as possible, so he plays a lot of contemporary artists in each genre, as well as classics that pass his sound quality test. You will never hear an old scratchy mono recording when Chris DJ's. Chris will DJ 8:00-10:30pm, prior to the DJ competition.

This Thursday, June 14th, is the second night of the big DJ Talent Search! Taking turns spinning the tunes from 10:30pm to Midnight are two new DJ contestants, Richy Scally & Steve Tester. Richy has been part of the Tampa Bay swing scene for years, and he says he's bringing some fresh sounds that'll move people off their seats and get them to dance! Steve has been part of the Tampa Bay and Orlando swing scenes since the beginning, and is an avid retro enthusiast... whether it's vintage cars, clothes, or records, he's got it all! He's frequently seen DJ'ing at WWII-era and Sock-Hop-era dances, events, and reenactments. For the dancers in the house, all you have to do is show up and dance! Not only will you hear and dance to some great new music, but you can even participate by making requests or bringing them on CD.

SWING CENTRO !
EVERY THURSDAY in Ybor City (Tampa, FL)

Swing Music & Dancing, 8pm-Midnight
Dance Lesson, 7-8pm (no partner needed)

Exciting Social Atmosphere!
Fabulous Vintage Grand Ballroom
Huge Floating-Wood Dance Floor

* All Ages * Smoke-Free * Full Bar * Prize Giveaways *
Admission $7 (includes Free Lesson); Free Gated Parking
Students Get 2-for-1 Admission!

[Map & Directions] [More Info]

DINE & DANCE AT THE ST PETERSBURG YACHT CLUB
Big Band Swing Dance THIS FRIDAY June 15th

Get ready for an upscale evening of dining, dancing, and entertainment! The St. Petersburg Yacht Club and Swing Time are putting on this 2nd annual Summer Swing-Dance night, featuring the 18-piece Ten O'Clock Big Band! Last year's event was incredible, with a huge selection of catered hors d'oeuvres, hours of exciting music and dancing, plus dance lessons (offered by Sam & Allison) throughout the evening. This year's lineup is equally impressive. The event is open only to Yacht Club members and their guests; however, one of our regular Gulfport Casino dancers, Marge, is a Yacht Club member, and has agreed to sponsor as guests as many swing dancers as want to attend! Thanks, Marge!

For the price of an ordinary dinner date, you can instead get an exciting evening of big band swing dancing in the elegant setting of the St. Petersburg Yacht Club, complete with an impressive array of food. Technically speaking, the Yacht Club considers the food offerings to be hors d'oeuvres rather than dinner. However, judging from last year, you'll be more than satisfied with what's offered. Here's what's on the menu this year. To warm up, at 6:30pm, passed hors d'oeuvres will include vegetarian spring rolls with sweet & sour dip, and warm goat cheese & tomato tartlets. At 7:00pm, multiple hors d'oeuvres stations will open. These include the chef-attended Carving Station, serving spice-rubbed New York Strip with dinner rolls and condiments (mayonnaise, horseradish, Dijon mustard & grain mustard). A chef-attended Mashed Potato Station will serve up a variety of concoctions in martini glasses! Potato selections include smashed baby red potatoes, mashed potatoes, and whipped sweet potatoes, covered with your choice of caramelized onions, chives, sour cream, sauteed mushrooms, cheddar cheese, whipped butter, blue cheese, apple wood bacon, spiced pecans, and mini marshmallows. Additional stations include the Import & Domestic Cheese Display with grapes, strawberries & crackers; Tuna & California Sushi Rolls with wasabi & soy sauce; and Endive with roquefort mousse and spiced walnuts. For dessert, there's the Chocolate Fondue Station, with marshmallows, pound cake, pretzels, pineapple chunks, & strawberries. And for beverages, there's the Coffee Station with regular & decaf, plus pitchers of water. Additional beverages can be purchased from the bar. Anyone hungry?

The evening starts with cocktails, 6:30-7:00pm. Then Sam & Allison offer the first of three dance lessons, 7:00-7:30pm (two more dance lessons will follow during band breaks). Each lesson will build upon the prior ones, adding new moves. The Ten O'Clock 18-Piece Big Band plays 7:30-10:30pm for your dancing pleasure! Tickets are $30/person (+ tax & gratuity = 38.20) and must be reserved/purchased in advance. Contact Marge at 727-919-1562 to arrange for tickets, and the sooner the better (please don't wait until the last minute). This is going to be a great event, and we look forward to seeing some of our regular swing dancers at the Yacht Club!

Friday, July 13th, 2007
Swing Time! at the Gulfport Casino Ballroom
featuring Charlie Vegas & the New Blues Combo
Tampa Bay's Most Exciting Swingin' Act!

Get ready to jump... get ready to rock... get ready to swing! ...with Tampa Bay's most exciting swingin' act, Charlie Vegas & the New Blues Combo! This talented & energetic band features sax, drums, bass, and Charlie himself on guitar, harmonica & vocals. Whether it's uptempo & jumpin' or low down & gritty, these guys deliver a huge and varied repertoire of dance favorites... along with the power, the sound, and the excitement that'll pull you up out of your seat and get you onto your feet! It all happens Friday, July 13th at the Gulfport Casino Ballroom, starting with a group swing-dance lesson, 8-9pm (no partner needed), followed by live music & dancing, 9pm-1am, plus a dance show or contest at intermission!

Swing Time is Florida's Premier Swing Event, held the second Friday of every month in Tampa Bay at the Gulfport Casino Ballroom. The Gulfport Casino is located in the St. Petersburg area at 5500 Shore Blvd. S., Gulfport FL 33707.

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

Live Music & Dancing w/ Charlie Vegas & the New Blues Combo, 9pm-1am
Swing Dance Instruction (no partner needed), 8-9pm
Dance Show or Contest at Intermission

All Ages & Smoke-Free
Friendly Social Atmosphere
Beautiful Waterfront Ballroom
Huge Dance Floor
Prize Giveaways
Full Bar

$11 Admission includes Free Lesson; Free Parking!

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

JULY 4TH DANCE TO BE HELD JULY 3RD INSTEAD
Gulfport Casino Swing Night to be Held Tuesday July 3rd instead of Wednesday July 4th

This July 4th, Independence Day falls on a Wednesday night. The City of Gulfport will be holding a big Independence Day Celebration on Wednesday, with live bands and festivities during the day, a parade at 7pm, and fireworks shooting over the Casino and the waterfront at night. Rather than fight the crowds and try to hold a swing dance in the middle of all that, we'll be holding the Gulfport Casino Swing Night a day early, on Tuesday, July 3rd. We expect July 3rd to be a huge event, since it's just like a weekend, with people off work the next day. So come out to the Gulfport Casino Swing Night on Tuesday, July 3rd, to dance and celebrate! ...same times as always: 7-8pm lesson and 8pm-midnight swing music & dancing. Plus, to get in the holiday spirit, we'll have Free Watermelon for all who attend! This is one week only; all weeks before and after Independence Day, the Gulfport Casino Swing Night will be held on its usual Wednesday night.

SUMMER SWING CENTRO LESSONS
FREE Lindy Hop, Charleston, Shim Sham, Balboa, & East-Coast Swing CLASSES!

The exciting summer of swing-dance classes continues at Swing Centro! Classes cover a whole range of swing dances, from Lindy Hop, to East-Coast Swing, to Charleston, to Balboa, to Shim Sham, ...plus mixes of the above dances! In all classes, you'll learn new moves, steps, and techniques that'll make you a better dancer... for instance, how to skillfully turn & double turn, move & travel, swing out, kick, dip, etc. Overall, you'll gain versatility and experience more dance excitement on the floor! Lessons are free (with paid admission to the event) and can be attended by dancers of all levels, either with or without a partner. No prior experience is needed. All classes stand on their own; you need not take one to take any of the others. We encourage beginning dancers to take these classes... we encourage experienced dancers to take these classes... everyone will learn something new! For those who took our April/May Swing Centro classes, expect to get some brand new material in all of the summer classes (even classes with the same title as before), plus some great practice and reinforcement of the things you've already learned. To add these new & exciting things to your swing dancing, just arrive at Centro Asturiano by 7pm for each class!

Jun 14 (Thu): LINDY HOP - Circles & Closed Swingouts
Jun 21 (Thu): EAST COAST SWING - Double Turns
Jun 28 (Thu): GET YOUR KICKS - Charleston/East-Coast Swing Mix
Jul 5 (Thu): LINDY HOP - Outside Turns & Swingouts
Jul 12 (Thu): SHIM SHAM
Jul 19 (Thu): CHARLESTONS - Front-to-Front Moves
Jul 26 (Thu): EAST COAST SWING - Triple-Time Moves & Movement
Aug 2 (Thu): LINDY HOP - Linear Moves & Turns
Aug 9 (Thu): CHARLESTONS - Side-by-Side Moves
Aug 16 (Thu): TEXAS TOMMY - Lindy Hop/East-Coast Swing Mix
Aug 23 (Thu): BALBOA
Aug 30 (Thu): CHARLESTONS - Front-to-Back Kicks & Variations
Sep 6 (Thu): LINDY HOP - Inside Turns & Swingouts
Sep 13 (Thu): EAST COAST SWING - Traveling & Dipping
Sep 20 (Thu): CHARLESTONS - Front-to-Back Turnabouts & Leapfrogs

Lindy Hop (June 14, July 5, Aug 2, Aug 16 & Sep 6) Learn Lindy Hop, the original swing dance! Our innovative teaching methods (no math or counting required) will have you swinging & grooving to the Lindy Hop in no time! We'll cover single-time & triple-time Lindy Hop footwork, arms, open & closed body positions, partnering, leading & following, and numerous techniques, styles, moves and variations. Moves will include the Swing Out from Open Position, Swing Out from Closed Position, Lindy Circle, Tuck & Double Turn, Open Break, Outside Swingout Turn, Inside Swingout Turn, Free Swingout Turn, Texas Tommy, and more! You'll learn how to incorporate Charleston into your Lindy Hop and how to mix Lindy Hop with East-Coast Swing. Whether you're new to Lindy Hop or have taken several classes, try these out -- we know you'll like them! The Lindy Hop classes offer something for everyone from the beginning to the more advanced dancer. All classes stand on their own; you need not take one to take any of the others; but the more you take, the better your Lindy Hopping will be! There are no prerequisites, and no partner is needed.

Charlestons (June 28, July 19, Aug 9, Aug 30 & Sep 20) Learn the Charleston steps, plus how to work not just your legs but your arms and body into the dance. We'll cover partnering, leading and following, various styles and variations of Charleston, plus how to mix the Charleston into your swing dancing. The moves and styles and variations taught will vary from week to week. Moves and variations will include a variety of Side-BY-Side, Side-TO-Side, Hand-to-Hand, Front-to-Front, Front-to-Back, Kick-Away, and Free-Style Charlestons! The Charleston classes offer something for everyone from the beginning to the more advanced dancer. All classes stand on their own; you need not take one to take any of the others; but the more you take, the better your Charleston dancing will be! There are no prerequisites, and no partner is needed.

East Coast Swing (June 21, June 28, July 26, Aug 16 & Sep 13) The East-Coast Swing classes cover a variety of moves, steps, and techniques designed to make you a better dancer. You'll learn a variety of turns, turning skills, multiple turns, and double turns. You'll learn to swing with style, swing with a kick, travel, and dip. You'll learn single-, double-, and triple-time footwork, plus a number of exciting moves! You'll learn how to mix East Coast Swing with Lindy Hop and Charleston. The East Coast Swing classes offer something for everyone from the beginning to the more advanced dancer. All classes stand on their own; you need not take one to take any of the others; but the more you take, the better your swing dancing be! There are no prerequisites, and no partner is needed.

Balboa Mini-Workshop (August 23) Stop sitting out those ultra-fast songs -- learn to dance Balboa! Balboa is a subtle & relaxed swing dance typically done in close position to fast-paced music. It's known as a dancer's dance, with communication between partners via body lead and weight shift. The footwork & moves range from simplistic to intricate, with enough variety to keep dancers of all levels entertained. There are no prerequisites, and no partner is needed. However, in this particular workshop only, each participant may choose to either rotate partners or to dance with the same partner the entire time.

Shim Sham Mini-Workshop (July 12) Learn the Shim Sham, plus useful jazz steps for swing dancing, all in one accelerated 60-minute session! The Shim Sham is a swing line-dance & mixer that goes back to the early days of swing, jazz & tap dance. It has become a tradition at swing dances across the world, and is a fun & energetic part of just about every swing dance in the Tampa Bay area! There are no prerequisites, and no partner is needed.

SUMMER GULFPORT CASINO LESSONS
FREE Swing Dance CLASSES!

This summer, we have a hot lineup of swing-dance classes at the Gulfport Casino! Classes happen the hour before every event, and are free (with paid admission to the event); see the schedule below for dates and times. Summer events include the Wednesday Gulfport Casino Swing Nights, the second-Friday-of-the-month Swing Time live-music/dance events, and the special Tuesday July 3rd dance celebration. Each event starts with a dance lesson covering a different topic in East-Coast Swing, which means you'll learn new steps, moves, and techniques every lesson. If you attend them all, you'll learn over 100 different swing-dance moves! Plus, all of the Gulfport Casino classes are completely different from the classes offered at Centro Asturiano ...so anyone who attends both will get twice the knowledge and twice the fun! All Gulfport Casino swing-dance classes offer something for everyone from the beginning to the more advanced dancer. All classes stand on their own; you need not take one to take any of the others; but the more you take, the better your swing dancing will be! There are no prerequisites, and no partner is needed. Swing Time has been offering these wildly popular dance classes for over six years, with the goals of: giving newcomers the skills they need to dance the night away; giving experienced dancers a bigger and better repertoire with every lesson they take; and building the overall spirit and enjoyment of the dance experience! In that time, tens of thousands of dancers have passed through the ranks, including some of the top dancers you see on the scene today. Experience for yourself why these are the best attended and most popular dance classes in the state of Florida!

Jun 13 (Wed): 7-8pm
Jun 20 (Wed): 7-8pm
Jun 27 (Wed): 7-8pm
Jul 3 (Tue): 7-8pm
Jul 11 (Wed): 7-8pm
Jul 13 (Fri): 8-9pm
Jul 18 (Wed): 7-8pm
Jul 25 (Wed): 7-8pm
Aug 1 (Wed): 7-8pm
Aug 8 (Wed): 7-8pm
Aug 10 (Fri): 8-9pm
Aug 15 (Wed): 7-8pm
Aug 22 (Wed): 7-8pm
Aug 29 (Wed): 7-8pm
Sep 5 (Wed): 7-8pm
Sep 12 (Wed): 7-8pm
Sep 14 (Fri): 8-9pm
Sep 19 (Wed): 7-8pm

Swing Time! -- Upcoming Events
Click the links below for details on each event

   EVERY WEDNESDAY: Gulfport Casino Swing Night
    Note: Wednesday July 4th's Swing Night has been moved to Tuesday July 3rd
    The Gulfport Casino will be closed July 4th for Independence Day

EVERY THURSDAY: Swing Centro

Jun 15, 2007 (Fri): Summer Swing Dance at the St Petersburg Yacht Club
Details Above

Jul 3, 2007 (Tue): Gulfport Casino Swing Night
PRE-INDEPENDENCE-DAY SWING DANCE
Free Watermelon!

Jul 13, 2007 (Fri): Swing Time! at the Gulfport Casino
    featuring Charlie Vegas & the New Blues Combo!
    Tampa Bay's Most Exciting Swingin' Act!
    Tickets: $11; purchase at the door

The SECOND FRIDAY Swing Time! at the Gulfport Casino
of EVERY MONTH: Live Music & Dancing!

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