Tampa Bay's Swing Dance News for May 5th 2014

WEDNESDAY NIGHT HOP — Celebrate Frankie 100 this Wednesday May 7th at the Gulfport Casino Swing Night! Join the rest of the world in celebrating the 100th birthday of Frankie Manning, a man who played a pivotal role in the history of swing dancing AND its modern-day revival, a dancer who traveled the world spreading the joy and love of not just Lindy Hop, but dancing itself! As part of the worldwide celebration, we'll be dancing and filming Frankie Manning's Lindy Chorus, not once, but three times...outdoors on the waterfront, outdoors in front of the Casino, and indoors in the ballroom. Join the fun! Here's the lineup for the Wednesday Night Hop:

6:00- 6:40pm: Lindy Chorus Run-throughs 6:40- 7:00pm: Dance/Video Lindy Chorus Take 1 & Take 2 Outside 7:00- 8:00pm: Swing Dance Lesson 8:00-11:00pm: Dancing, Fun & Celebration! 9:00pm: Shim Sham & Big Prize Drawing 9:30pm: Dance/Video Lindy Chorus Take 3 Inside Ballroom

The Big Prize Drawing includes two hardcover copies of the autobiography Frankie Manning: Ambassador of Lindy Hop straight from the Swing Time library, plus free passes to upcoming Swing Nights! The evening's musical mix will include some of Frankie's favorite tunes...we'll be dancing the Lindy Chorus to a song that's named Wednesday Night Hop! Just $7 includes EVERYTHING and Students Get 2-for-1 Admission! Is your birthday coming up? Celebrate Your Birthday at the Gulfport Casino Swing Night.

FULL VIDEO NOW ONLINE! Want help learning the Lindy Chorus? Swing Time's complete Lindy Chorus Video (including ALL 4 PARTS of the dance) is now online for your reviewing and practicing pleasure. Also, refer to our comprehensive Written Guide to the Lindy Chorus while watching the video. This breakdown of the dance includes a quick reference guide, detailed move descriptions, and video links...great for practicing on your own AND with your favorite partner...in fact, it's currently being used by dancers from as far away as Australia!

SHAG lessons run Wednesdays May 14th & May 28th at the Gulfport Casino Swing Night...two weeks only! What's Shag? — just the most popular dance of the swing era! Watch the Rebirth of Shag movie. Special guest instructor, Forrest Outman, leads the Shag lessons. Forrest has spent the last many years researching the Shag, positioning himself as one of the world's foremost experts on the dance. He & partner, Andrea, will travel to Chicago this Memorial Day Weekend to compete in the Shag division of the 2014 American Lindy Hop Championships!

BALLROOM FUSION NIGHT — SUNDAY JUNE 1ST at the GULFPORT CASINO
A new concept in ballroom dancing...over 25 dances!

LESSONS 6-8PM:
Beginning-Level 6-7pm (Learn the Rumba)
Intermediate-Level 7-8pm (Rumba/Blues Fusion)

DANCING 8-11PM:
8-10pm: Ballroom Mix
10-11pm: Fusion Mix...Anything Goes!

All Ages No Partners Needed Admission $7 Door Prizes Cash Bar

Tampa Fusion Dance — This Saturday, May 10th

PARTNER DANCING TO MODERN MUSIC

Photos by Mineh Ishida

BREAKING NEWS — This Saturday's Tampa Fusion Dance features Throwback Hour, 10:30-11:30pm, kicking off the dance party with radical tunes from yesteryear...1980's & more!

This Saturday May 10th is the next Tampa Fusion Dance! 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, sound, and 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

This Saturday MAY 10th, the Carrollwood Cultural Center hosts a Mother's Day edition of its Big-Band Dance & Concert. Moms get a free ticket with each paid admission (limited number available). Live music is provided by the Sounds of Swing Orchestra, tonight featuring vocalists Eddy Dean and Faye Turke. Dancing runs 8-10pm. Swing Time opens the event with waltz & swing 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.

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 Wednesday May 7th, we're doing it again for Frankie 100, except this time we're dancing the Lindy Chorus. To be part of this, learn the Lindy Chorus, then join us Wednesday at 6pm at the Gulfport Casino to practice then dance it!