Tampa Bay's Swing Dance News for January 19th 2009

This week we swing WEDNESDAY at the Gulfport Casino and FRIDAY at Centro Asturiano! It's been over two months since the last Swing Time event at Centro, so join us for this excellent night of swing! Photos are up from the spectacular Swingin' the New Year celebration &mdash scroll down for a link to the photos plus a very cool animation of the midnight balloon drop! Also see below for upcoming event info plus a full event calendar.

Lindy Hop lessons continue 6-7pm at the Gulfport Casino for the remaining two Wednesdays in January, followed by Swing lessons 7-8pm, and Music/Dancing 8-11pm. Coming February in the 6-7pm lesson slot are Charleston dance lessons ...and just in time to get you ready for the huge Partner-Charleston Dance Contest on Friday February 20th at the Swing Time! 1930's Theme Night. (See below for event & contest details.) With all Swing Time dance lessons, you can start any week you want; no prior experience is needed, and no partner is needed.

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Swing Time! at Centro Asturiano in Tampa
Friday January 23rd 2009
Swing Music & Dancing, 9pm-1am
Swing Dance Instruction, 8-9pm
Admission $7 Prize Giveaways!

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

Admission includes Free Lesson ( No Partner Needed )
Free Gated Parking Smoke-Free Event Full Bar Available

Map & Directions Dance Lesson More Info

GULFPORT CASINO SWINGS! — Every WEDNESDAY
Exciting New 2009 Format — Lindy Lessons, Student Discounts & More!

Lindy Hop Lesson 6-7pm
Swing Dance Lesson 7-8pm
Swing Music & Dance 8-11pm

* All Ages * No Partner Needed *
Huge Dance Floor — One of World's Best!
Beautiful Retro-Era Waterfront Dance Hall

Admission $7 (includes 2 Free Lessons!)
Students get 2-for-1 Admission!

Full Bar ~ Prize Giveaways ~ Smoke-Free ~ Free Parking
Celebrate Your Birthday at the Gulfport Casino Swing Night!

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

Map & Directions Dance Lessons More Info

Friday, February 20th, 2009
Swing Time! 1930's Theme Night
at the Gulfport Casino Ballroom
featuring hot swingin' jazz & blues by The...
Blue Vipers of Brooklyn!

Friday, February 20th, 2009, Swing Time hosts a 1930's Theme Night, featuring hot swingin' jazz & blues by The Blue Vipers of Brooklyn! The event takes place at the beautiful and historic Gulfport Casino Ballroom, and everyone's encouraged to dress 1930's style, with prizes for the best costumes! The 1930's Theme Night starts with a Swing, Charleston & Big-Apple Dance Lesson, 8-9pm (no partner needed), and continues with live music & dancing, 9:00pm-12:30am. A Partner-Charleston Dance Contest happens at band intermission, with $100 Cash 1st Prize! All ages are welcome!

The Blue Vipers of Brooklyn are an exciting, original, and highly talented act that bring to life the hot swingin' jazz & blues reminiscent of 1930's New Orleans. The band met three years ago performing on the streets of New York City and quickly became a favorite of both New Yorkers and tourists from across the world. The band has become a staple of NYC radio shows, TV shows, concerts and festivals. They've received rave reviews from NYC's print media, and have recorded two CDs containing a jumpin' blend of original and traditional compositions. The band has won competitions including Battle of the Bands (May 2007) and Subway Idol (May 2007, Broadcast Live on FOX). They've even played at the world-famous Farm Aid 2007 concert for the likes of Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, and Mayor Bloomberg. "The Blue Vipers of Brooklyn provided fantastic entertainment." --Willie Nelson, 6/11/2007 ( Get More Band Info + Listen to Music Samples )

Swing Time is Florida's Premier Swing Event, held one Friday each 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/ The Blue Vipers of Brooklyn, 9:00pm-12:30am
Swing / Charleston / Big-Apple Dance Lesson (no partner needed), 8-9pm
Partner-Charleston Dance Contest at Intermission -- $100 Cash 1st Prize!
1930's Attire Encouraged -- Prizes for Best Costumes!

All Ages & Smoke-Free
Exciting Social Atmosphere
Beautiful Vintage 1930's Waterfront Ballroom
Huge Floating-Wood Dance Floor
Prize Giveaways
Full Bar

$12 Admission includes Free Lesson; Free Parking

For more info, phone 813-274-4950, visit www.SwingTime.info on the web, or click the links below:
[Band Bio] [Contest] [Map & Directions] [Lesson] [More Info]

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

Feb 14, 2009 (Sat): Swing Time! at Centro Asturiano
VALENTINE'S BALL
Live Music by The Juke Joint Kings
+ V-Day Decor, Prizes, Candy, Chocolates & More!
Tickets: $12; purchase at the door

Wednesday Birthday Celebrations at the Gulfport Casino: To get free birthday admission at the Wednesday Gulfport Casino Swing Nights, it must be your birthday that Wednesday or the next six days (Thu-Tue), so you must celebrate on or before your birthday (not after). A previous flyer and e-newsletter contained some erroneous info. Follow this link for full & accurate birthday details: Celebrate Your Birthday at the Gulfport Casino Swing Night!

Swing Time! Live Fridays at the Gulfport Casino: The March date for Swing Time! Live Music & Dancing at the Gulfport Casino has moved to Friday March 6th. Previously, it was slated for the following Friday. That means, from March-December 2009, Swing Time! Live Music & Dancing will happen consistently on the first Friday of every month! So mark your calendars now for Friday February 20th, and then for the first Fridays in March-December.