Tampa Bay's Swing Dance News for March 29th 2014

Lindy Hop lessons start this Wednesday April 2nd at the Gulfport Casino Swing Night! Every Wednesday in April, 6-7pm, it's Lindy Hop with Sam & Katy...5 Wednesdays in April means 5 fun-filled weeks of Lindy Hop! On the 5th week, we'll put together everything we learned to make an impressive choreographed Lindy Hop routine! Lindy Hop is a dance for people of all ages...teams of schoolchildren have excelled at this dance; Frankie Manning danced Lindy Hop until well into his 90's! Whether you're new to Lindy Hop or have experience, these classes will be a great way to learn the dance, improve your Lindy Hop, and pick up some new moves! You'll gain valuable insight because, unique to Tampa Bay, we teach Lindy Hop from several different angles.

5 YEARS AGO, Swing Time took part in the Global Shim Sham, a tribute to grandaddy of swing, Frankie Manning, prior to his 95th birthday. After the 6pm lesson on Shim Sham, dancers gathered at the Gulfport Casino to dance three takes of the Shim Sham, one in front of the Casino (street side), one in back of the Casino (waterfront side), and another inside the ballroom. This was expertly captured by videographer, Jim Webb, posted to YouTube, and submitted to the Global Shim Sham video compilation which debuted in Manhattan at Frankie's 95th Birthday Celebration!

This year, we're doing it again! ...for Frankie Manning's 100th Birthday Celebration...except this time it's a choreographed Lindy Hop routine we'll be dancing. The routine, choreographed by Frankie Manning himself, is known as the Lindy Chorus (watch it here). Swing dancers from around the globe will be learning the Lindy Chorus, then posting and submitting their videos for the Frankie 100 celebration!

To be part of this, all you have to do is learn the Lindy Hop (if you're not already an expert) and then learn the Lindy Chorus. We'll be teaching Lindy Hop, along with every single move in the Lindy Chorus, during the 6-7pm lessons April 2nd - April 23rd at the Gulfport Casino. On April 30th (6-7pm), we'll put all the moves together to learn & practice the Lindy Chorus choreography. The next Wednesday (May 7th), we'll come back to the Gulfport Casino to dance and video the Lindy Chorus!

Tampa Fusion Dance — Saturday, April 12th, 2014 — Black & White Theme

PARTNER DANCING TO MODERN MUSIC

Photos by Mineh Ishida

Saturday April 12th is the next Tampa Fusion Dance, happening in Black & White! Dress to impress in your best black & white (or shades of gray); photographers will be in the house to capture this incredible night. Dancing happens 10:30pm-3:00am and features DJ Mineh Ishida spinning for a talented gathering of dancers from all across Florida! Bring your entire repertoire of partner-dance skills and dance to a mix of pop, r&b, electronica, and other musical fusions ranging from today's club hits to the sultry, groovy, and more. Admission is $7. Whatever's your favorite style of dance, join us!

Simone Salsa's main studio on Hillsborough Avenue features awesome atmosphere, lighting, and sound, plus 2500 square feet of 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 huge (and free) parking lot just a few feet from its entrance. Drinks — You can BYO beverages to this venue (as long as you keep 'em off the dance floor). Bottled water is also available for purchase.

PHOTOS from Recent Fusion Dances What is Fusion Dancing? FusionTampa Website

Next Saturday APR 5th, 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's Sam & Katy open the event with swing-dance lessons 6:30-8:00pm. Tickets are $12-$18. Visit the link above for tickets or more information. The Carrollwood Cultural Center is located at 4537 Lowell Rd, Tampa, FL 33618; Phone 813-269-1310.