Tampa Bay's Swing Dance News for September 1st 2015

West-Coast Swing lessons start this Wednesday September 2nd at the Gulfport Casino Swing Night. Featuring special guest instructors, Tina Castle & Russ Morris, West-Coast Swing lessons run every Wednesday in September during the 6-7pm Bonus Lesson.

Breaking News — The world-renowned Mitch Woods & His Rocket 88's return to headline this year's Swingin' the New Year celebration at the spectacular St. Petersburg Coliseum! Tickets go on sale October 1st.

Sunday September 13th is Fusion Night at the Gulfport Casino Ballroom. Come experience Tampa Bay's hottest new dance event! The night starts with a Fusion Workshop 6-8pm on American Traveling Dances, featuring special guest instructor, Forrest Outman. Learn Fast Foxtrot, One Step, and Peabody, and how to combine movements from each to dance your way around the floor. Lessons are followed by Dancing 8-11pm to an exciting mix of music supporting your favorite partnered dances. (We also take requests, if you have a special dance you want to dance or song you want to hear.) Just $8 includes both lessons and the dance, and students get $5 admission.

LESSONS 6-8PM:
American Traveling Dances Fusion Workshop
(Fast Foxtrot, One Step, Peabody, etc)
Special Guest Instructor, Forrest Outman

DANCING 8-11PM:
Modern Musical Mix — Ballroom/Fusion/Requests

Thank-you to everyone who attended last Saturday's Jazz Night in Tampa...you all made it a success! Mark your calendars for future Jazz Nights on the 3rd Saturday of each month. The next Jazz Night is Saturday September 19th and will include a Lindy Hop lesson before the dance. Jazz Night is a Tampa Bay dance supporting Lindy Hop, Balboa, and other jazz dances of the swing era (including Shag, Charleston, Shim Sham, Tranky Doo, and more). Dance to the best of Big Band and Traditional Jazz. Lessons are included the hour before the dance. Jazz Night happens at Simone Salsa, 8336 W Hillsborough Ave, Tampa, FL 33615. Doors Open 7:45pm...Lesson 8-9pm...Dancing 9pm-Midnight+...Admission $8.

Saturday September 26th is the 2nd Annual Celebrate Sinatra St. Petersburg! One of Tampa Bay's premier parties, this black-tie optional affair happens at One Progress Plaza, 255 1st Ave S, St Petersburg, FL 33701. (See Jim Webb's video from a prior Celebrate Sinatra.) Celebrate the life and music of Frank Sinatra with dancing 9pm-1am to a live big-band orchestra with male and female vocalists. The event runs 8pm-1am and features passed hors d'oeuvres, complimentary signature vodka martinis the first hour, a cash bar, casino gaming tables, and valet parking. Celebrate Sinatra recreates an era of style and sophistication. Join Swing Time and a who's who list of Tampa Bay personalities for this grand celebration! Reserve your admission now.... Admission is $65 if purchased by September 22nd; $75 after or at the door. It's open to ages 21 and up. Visit www.CelebrateSinatra.com or phone 813-251-0500 for tickets or more information.

FRIDAY NIGHT SWING DANCE
at the 25th annual Suncoast Jazz Classic festival
Friday November 20th, 6:15pm-12:15am, at Sheraton Sand Key

The weekend before Thanksgiving, the Suncoast Jazz Classic festival happens at the Sheraton and Marriott on Sand Key (Clearwater Beach). This year, the Suncoast Jazz Classic hosts its 6th annual Friday Night Swing Dance with an amazing lineup of all-new bands and a new/bigger venue at the Sheraton Sand Key! All lindy hoppers, swing dancers, balboa dancers, etc, who appreciate swinging big-band and traditional jazz are encouraged to attend. Support your very own Tampa Bay jazz festival by bringing your dancing self and friends, and get ready to dance to some world-class live music! Dance to FOUR superbly swinging bands from across the USA! Each band performs one full set of music for your dancing pleasure. The evening's lineup is (the exact band order is tentative and will likely change in the upcoming week or two):

6:15- 7:15pm - Swing Time Dance Lessons (Swing, Charleston, Balboa) 7:30- 8:30pm - Dave Bennett Quartet (Detroit, MI) 8:45- 9:45pm - The Fat Babies (Chicago, IL) 10:00-11:00pm - Miss Ida Blue & the Yerba Buena Stompers (Brooklyn, NY) 11:15-12:15am - Tom Rigney & Flambeau (San Francisco, CA)

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE: Attention Dancers — Your ticket gets you into both the Swing Dance AND the other four music halls of the festival from 6pm onward! If you'd like to check out more bands, or follow your favorite bands around, you're welcome to do so. From Big Band Swing to Cajun/Zydeco to New Orleans & Dixieland Jazz to Blues, this festival has it all! Complete Band Schedule

LARGE DANCE FLOOR — This dance takes place in one of the ballrooms (Zorch's Place, 1st Floor) of the beautiful Sheraton Sand Key resort. For one night only, the ballroom will be set up dance-style, with chairs moved to the walls and the dance floor cleared for dancing! This year's ballroom will be even bigger than last year's. Doors open 6pm.

Tickets are $22 in advance -or- $25 at the door. Advance tickets will be available soon online or Wednesdays at the Gulfport Casino Swing Night.