Tampa Bay's Swing Dance News for March 7th 2008

Swing Centro Live!
This Thursday, March 13th, 2008
featuring the High-Energy Jump-&-Boogie Swing of...
The Midnight Ramblers!

This coming Thursday, March 13th, Swing Centro hosts a special night of live music and swing dancing featuring the high-energy jump-&-boogie swing of The Midnight Ramblers! The event starts with a group swing-dance lesson, 7-8pm (no partner needed), followed by live music & dancing, 8pm-midnight, all happening in the fabulous Grand Ballroom of Centro Asturiano in Tampa!

Get ready to jump & boogie with Central Florida's high-energy swingin' sensations, The Midnight Ramblers! The Midnight Ramblers bring together veteran talent from Florida's favorite jump-swinging bands of the last 15 years, and when these guys get together, watch out! The band features piano-pumping boogie-woogie man, Terry Mooney, famous for setting the piano ablaze during his years with Rocket 88. Slappin' & ridin' the upright bass is Rocket 88's former bandleader & singer, Chuck Zayas. And driving the drums is Rocket 88 alumni, Steve Plotnick. Add the guitar of Rob Mola, plus high-energy vocals, and you get a band that always gets the party a'rockin'!

First established 15 years ago as Rocket 88, the Midnight Ramblers are one of the most talented and powerful jump-swinging bands in the country! With a perfect blend of Jump & Boogie, Rock & Roll, Blues & Swing, this tight quartet shows their passion for their music in every amazing performance. They have performed with music powerhouses Jerry Lee Lewis, Lee Rocker, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, and countless others in venues all over the country, including House of Blues, Tropical Heatwave, and Hard Rock Cafe. The Midnight Ramblers repeatedly get audiences on their feet and screaming for more. Their upbeat shows leave a buzz for days after each performance. With a balanced mix of originals and unique covers, they always get the house rockin'! Join the excitement at the upcoming Swing Centro Live!

This special event is co-sponsored by Centro Asturiano and Swing Time. Centro Asturiano is located at 1913 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa FL 33602 (at the corner of Palm Ave. & Nebraska Ave. in Ybor City).

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

Live Music & Dancing w/ The Midnight Ramblers, 8pm-Midnight
Swing 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 $10 (includes Free Lesson); Free Gated Parking

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

Hi Everyone! Join us this coming Wednesday (3/12) at Gulfport for Swing Night, and on Thursday (3/13) at Centro for Swing Centro Live! We've been trying to get the Midnight Ramblers to play one of our events for over two years, and this coming Thursday at Centro, this amazing band is back! By the way, last night's Swing Centro Live was a big hit, with a great crowd, a great lesson, exciting dancing, and a band that delivered. We have just two more of these live-music events scheduled: Thursday 3/13 featuring the Midnight Ramblers and Thursday 3/20 featuring Charlie Vegas & the New Blues Combo. Don't miss out... be there! --Sam

New Photos by Gary Hufford: You may have noticed photographer, Gary Hufford, shooting photos at many recent Gulfport Casino Swing Nights and also at a couple of the Swing Centro events. His latest photos are now online, for your viewing pleasure! Visit his web site and if you like any of the photos you see, you can order prints right there online. View Photos

Can't see the images above & below? Please enable images in your email program!

Congratulations to Cindy Lyons and James Hendrickson, who took 1st place in the finals of the Florida State Fair's Swing-Salsa Showdown! Cindy and James, pictured below, were the winners of the dance contest held at Swing Centro on 1/31, and from there advanced to the State Fair prelims on 2/7, then onto the State Fair finals on 2/17, where they took the grand prize of a $1200 Verizon gift card! Congratulations also go to swing dancers, Ann & Jason, who took 1st place in the Swing Dancing Prelims, and to Micah & Patrick, who took 2nd in the Prelims. Full results are below.

Swing-Salsa Showdown (2/17/08 Finals):
1st Place: Cindy Lyons & James Hendrickson won $1200 gift card
2nd Place: Farah Juneidi & Alfredo Estefos won $500 gift card
3rd Place: Maria Alexandra Laborde won $250 gift card
4th Place: Ann Poonkasem & Jason Podolak

Swing Dancing Contest (2/7/08 Prelims):
1st Place: Ann Poonkasem & Jason Podolak
2nd Place: Micah Labishak & Patrick Foley
3rd Place: Cindy Lyons & James Hendrickson

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

The Gulfport Casino Swing Night is a high-energy social-dance event, happening in a beautiful retro-era grand dance hall -- the Gulfport Casino -- that beckons all who venture near to come inside and swing! Now in its 10th year, this every-Wednesday Swing Night has become one of the biggest swing dances in the USA, attracting hundreds of dancers of all ages, both locals and often visiting travelers.

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 $7 (includes Free Lesson)

The Gulfport Casino is located in the St. Petersburg area at 5500 Shore Blvd. S., Gulfport FL 33707. For more info, visit www.SwingTime.info on the web, or click the links below:

BABY BOOMER SHOW SATURDAY MARCH 22ND AT COLISEUM
Retro Exhibits, Shopping, Fashion & More... Dancers Wanted!

Join us Saturday March 22nd at the St Petersburg Coliseum for the Baby Boomer Show. A celebration of "boomerabilia nostalgia" from the 1940's, 1950's, and 1960's, the Baby Boomer Show features an array of retro fun. Swing Time will be spinning the top hits and dance tracks of the 1940's-1960's throughout the day, with open dancing and special performances. The Show runs 10am-5pm, admission is $6 ($3 for children under 2), and the Coliseum is located at 535 4th Ave N in St Petersburg.

Dancers Wanted! Join in the dancing fun on the Coliseum's beautiful hardwood floor. There'll be a big dance area set up near the stage, with open dancing the entire time. Music will include a mix of good swing-dance stuff, plus cha chas, ballads, and anything else that was popular during the era(s). You're encouraged to optionally dress in costume -- anything vintage-looking from either the 1940's, 1950's, or 1960's will work great.

In addition to music & dancing, the floor will be filled with exhibitors selling antiques & collectibles such as retro home furnishings & decor, pop culture icons, toys/games/dolls, vintage pin-ups, pulp fiction, militaria, and movie memorabilia, plus some great retro fashions and accessories. Enjoy vintage fashions presented through "Tea Room" style modeling by Buffalo Gal Vintage. See Dr Gary Moss's presentation on Monster & Horror Collectibles of the 1950's and 60's. Dance to some great retro tunes, watch screenings of vintage TV commercials, and shop 'til you drop!

UPCOMING SWING TIME EVENTS
Click the links below for details on each event