Tampa Bay's Swing Dance News for May 4th 2009

Hi Everyone! Learn West-Coast Swing this Wednesday (May 6th) in the 6pm lesson at the Gulfport Casino Swing Night! This 6pm Bonus Lesson is followed by the Swing Dance Lesson 7-8pm, and Swing Music & Dancing 8-11pm. Just two Fridays away &mdash Friday May 15th &mdash the biggest rock'n'roll swing-dance event of the year comes to the Gulfport Casino Ballroom... Swing Time! 1950's Theme Night featuring Blair Carman & the Belleview Boys! Our next Tampa event is Friday, May 29th's Swing Time! at Centro Asturiano. See you this Wednesday at the Gulfport Casino! —Sam

REMEMBERING FRANKIE MANNING
Registration Reopens for Frankie 95 Festival in NYC

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Last Monday, we informed you that swing legend, Frankie Manning, had passed away, just shy of his 95th birthday. (New York Times Article) The organizers of the Frankie 95 Birthday Festival (Memorial Day Weekend in New York City) write: Frankie made it clear that if he didn't make it to his birthday festival, he wanted everyone to celebrate his life rather than mourn his passing. At the Frankie 95 Birthday Festival, May 21-25, we will be honoring Lindy Hop's greatest ambassador.... We are reopening registration and encouraging everyone to make the journey to New York City for the greatest celebration of Frankie and the gift of his life.... In honor of Frankie, we are going to attempt to set the Guinness World Record for most couples dancing at once. This will take place Friday afternoon in Central Park, and is open to the public. On the same afternoon, we will set the world record for largest Shim Sham. (Frankie 95 Festival Website) Frankie Manning was one of the original lindy hoppers who helped popularize swing dancing across the world in the 1930's. He's also credited with bringing the first "air step" to swing dancing. Two decades ago, Frankie Manning came out of retirement to once again teach and spread the joy of lindy hop across the world.

Blast from the Past: Over 10 years ago, Frankie Manning made his first modern-era teaching visit to Florida. Several of us Tampa Bay swing dancers were very excited to hear about Frankie's upcoming lindy workshop, and journied to Orlando's Atlantic Dance to learn from the master himself. Check out the photos -- maybe you'll recognize some people!

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

Every Wednesday in May, the 6pm Bonus Lesson topic will be West Coast Swing; in June, the topic will be Lindy Hop & Swing Rueda.

Bonus 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

Swing Time! 1950's THEME NIGHT
at the Gulfport Casino Ballroom
Friday, May 15th, 2009
featuring... BLAIR CARMAN & THE BELLEVIEW BOYS
Piano-Pumpin' Rock'n'Roll in the Style of Jerry Lee Lewis!

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Friday, May 15th, 2009, Swing Time presents 1950's Theme Night at the Gulfport Casino Ballroom, featuring Blair Carman & the Belleview Boys, an amazing Rock'n'Roll act out of Cincinnati! A Swing Dance Lesson kicks off the evening 8-9pm (no partner needed). Then there's Live Music & Dancing 9pm-12:30am, plus a Hula Hoop Contest and Dance Show at band intermission! 1950's attire is encouraged, with prizes for the best costumes! Prize giveaways happen throughout the evening, and all ages are welcome.

Blair Carman & the Belleview Boys are an authentic 1950's-style Rock'n'Roll / Rockabilly band in the piano-pumpin' style of Jerry Lee Lewis. The band boasts a huge rockin'-and-rollin' repertoire, ranging from their own original songs to hundreds of classics from Elvis Presley to Carl Perkins, Hank Williams, Jerry Lee Lewis, and many more! Piano player and singer, Blair Carman, brings raw energy and talent to the show, and he's backed by some of the Midwest's rockin'est cats on guitar, bass, drums, and vocals. This band is hot... and in huge demand across the USA! Visit the band's website for music, videos, photos, and more! Don't miss Blair Carman & the Belleview Boys in a rare Florida appearance, in classic dance hall atmosphere, at the Gulfport Casino Ballroom!

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/ Blair Carman & the Belleview Boys, 9pm-12:30am
Swing Dance Instruction (no partner needed), 8-9pm
Hula Hoop Contest, Dance Show, Costume Contest at Intermission

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

$12 Admission includes Free Lesson; Free Parking

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

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