Tampa Bay's Swing Dance News for June 13th 2016

This Saturday, June 18th, join us for the debut of Saturday Swing in Tampa, happening the 3rd Saturday of every month at Simone Salsa studio, 8336 W. Hillsborough Ave., Tampa, FL 33615.

Dance 9pm-1am with Swing 9pm-Midnight and a bonus hour of Blues Midnight-1am. DJ Sam spins the first half of swing dancing, followed by DJ Jonathan Wyers the second half of swing, followed by DJ Katy Flanery for the blues hour.

This month's lessons (8-9pm) cover Balboa with 2 Simultaneous Levels, Beginning-Level with instructors, Keegan Barkley & Les J Wardell, and Intermediate-Level with instructors, Tom Blair & Aryn Kelly Rathbone.

Doors open 7:45pm, and admission is $8, which includes both the lessons and the dance. Parking is free, all ages are welcome, no partners are needed, and prizes are given away at intermission.

Simone Salsa's main studio on Hillsborough Avenue features awesome atmosphere, lighting, sound, and a large 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 big (and free) parking lot just a few feet from its entrance. Drinks — You can BYO beverages to this venue. Bottled water and soft drinks are also available for purchase; they're in the kitchen's cooler; just drop a dollar in the fishbowl.

Blues Dance Lessons happen every Wednesday in June, 6-7pm at the Gulfport Casino Swing Night, featuring special guest instructors, Will & Katy Flanery. Blues Dancing, simply put, is techniques for dancing to slower music, whether it be groovy, funky, modern, ballad, or actual blues music. Come any week, or take all four for the full experience! Blues Dance instructor, Will Flanery, practically started Tampa Bay's blues-dance scene with his legendary house parties in Gulfport. Instructor, Katy Flanery, started swing dancing at the Gulfport Casino in 2011, learned rapidly as a Swing Time student, then spent the next two years (2012-2014) as a Swing Time instructor. She's kept honing her dancing & teaching skills since the beginning, and is today one of the top follows in Tampa Bay, fluent in most partner dances. Fun fact: Will & Katy's passion for dancing, especially Blues Dancing, brought them together, culminating in an epic flashmob marriage proposal, and subsequent wedding, both at the Gulfport Casino.

Ballroom Fusion Night happens Sunday, July 10th at the Gulfport Casino. All social dancers from a diversity of dance scenes, ranging from Ballroom to Swing to Latin/Salsa to West-Coast to Tango to Blues and more, are invited to attend and help create this partner-dancing fusion. Ballroom Fusion Night is partnered social dancing "outside the box", featuring lessons and music for today's most popular partner dances, plus exciting new dance music! Ballroom Fusion Night is held the 2nd Sunday of every month at the Gulfport Casino.

Doors Open 5:45pm

LESSONS 6-8PM
Lesson 1: 6-7pm
Lesson 2: 7-8pm
Lesson Topics & Instructors To Be Announced

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

Special Dance Performance at 9:30pm intermission

All Ages No Partners Needed Admission $8 (Students $5) Door Prizes

The Gulfport Casino Ballroom is one of the world's top dance destinations, offering social dance excitement in a picturesque beachfront setting. It features a rich history, a grand dance floor, a full bar, a smoke-free atmosphere, and free parking. The Gulfport Casino Ballroom is located in the St. Petersburg, Florida area at 5500 Shore Blvd. S., Gulfport, FL 33707. Map & Directions

This Saturday, June 18th, the Carrollwood Cultural Center hosts a Father's Day edition of its Big-Band Dance & Concert, with a special Daddy/Daughter Dance. Daughters get in free with their dad's admission (call or visit box office first; limited number available). Live music is provided by the Sounds of Swing Orchestra. Dancing runs 8-10pm. Swing Time opens the event with dance lessons 6:30-8:00pm. Tickets are $12-$18. Visit the Cultural Center's link above for more information. The Carrollwood Cultural Center is located at 4537 Lowell Rd, Tampa, FL 33618; Phone 813-269-1310.