Tampa Bay's Swing Dance News for August 16th 2016

This Saturday, August 20th, is the All Night Dance Party in Tampa, with Swing Dancing 9pm-Midnight plus Blues Dancing Midnight-3am! Six of Florida's best swing & blues DJs spin the tunes. Join us at 8pm, prior to the dance, for the Swing Dance Lesson. $10 Admission includes both the lesson and the dance. Parking is free. All ages are welcome, no partners are needed, and prizes are given away at intermission. Doors open 7:45pm. Saturday Swing happens the 3rd Saturday of every month at Simone Salsa studio, 8336 W. Hillsborough Ave., Tampa, FL 33615.

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 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 per drink in the fishbowl.

Back by popular demand, Swing Time presents Lindy Hop Boot Camp II, an intensive workshop that gives you the benefit of an entire four-week Lindy Hop course, all in one afternoon! Two levels are offered, with instructors determining your appropriate level. Level 1 will be an introduction/refresher course in Lindy Hop for new and existing dancers (if you took it before, you'll get more practice and some new perspectives). Level 2 will be all-new material, new moves, and the legendary California Routine! Lindy Hop Boot Camp happens Saturday, August 20th, 2-6pm, at Simone Salsa, 8336 W Hillsborough Ave in Tampa. No partners needed.

Level 1 (Beginning) — Learn the Lindy Hop! Level 1 is for dancers with little-to-no Lindy Hop experience, and for dancers who want to master the basics. Level 1 features four hours of intensive instruction, drills, and practice, taking you step by step through the 10 fundamental moves of Lindy Hop. Level 1 is taught by Sam Mahfoud & Teresa Ullman. (Click for instructor info.)

Level 2 (Intermediate) — Advance & Improve Your Lindy Hop! Level 2 is for dancers already proficient at Swing-Outs and other Lindy Hop fundamentals. This month, Level 2 participants will learn the California Routine, which contains many essential Lindy Hop moves for partner dancing, along with some fancy flashy moves you'll love to bust out in a dance jam. Every Lindy Hopper should know the California Routine, which is arguably the most beloved Lindy Hop partner routine. Originally based on Frankie Manning's Hellzapoppin' choreography, it has evolved over the years into its modern incarnation. In this Boot Camp, we'll swap in alternative moves for the air steps so that everyone can join in the fun! Level 2 is taught by Tom Blair & Aryn Kelly Rathbone. (Click for instructor info.)

SCHEDULE:
1:30-2:00pm – Doors Open, Registration, Warm Up 2:00-6:00pm – Boot Camp (includes breaks & practice time) 6:00-8:00pm – Dinner Break 8:00-9:00pm – Saturday Swing Dance Lesson (optional) 9:00pm-3:00 – Saturday Swing All Night Dance Party

Wednesday, September 7th, Swing Time's 16th Anniversary Celebration happens LIVE at the Gulfport Casino Ballroom! We're bringing, all the way from Cincinnati, Keith Jones & the Makeshifts! This all-ages celebration includes Anniversary Cake, Door Prizes, two free Dance Lessons, and all the dancing you can handle!

Keith Jones & the Makeshifts are one of the best musical groups to ever headline the Gulfport Casino. This Cincinnati band swings hot jump-blues and traditional rock'n'roll for your dancing pleasure, and they've been a huge hit with dancers every time they've played for us before. In fact, the band currently holds the Wednesday Swing Night attendance record!

Doors Open 5:45pm
Dance Lesson 6-7pm
Swing Dance Lesson 7-8pm
Live Music & Dancing 8-11pm

* All Ages * No Partner Needed *
Huge Dance Floor — One of World's Best!
Beautiful Retro-Era Waterfront Dance Hall

Admission's just $12 (get your tickets at the door; cash only)
No free passes or student specials accepted on band nights

Full Bar ~ Prize Giveaways ~ Smoke-Free ~ Free Parking

Band Info Map & Directions Lesson Info

Sunday, September 11th, is Ballroom Fusion Night at the Gulfport Casino, with Hustle Lesson (Beginning) 6-7pm, Hustle Lesson (Beyond the Basics) 7-8pm, and Dancing 8-11pm. 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. Swing Time welcomes special guest instructor, Tina Marie Price, who will teach Hustle lessons prior to the dance. Tina is an award-winning competitor, workshop instructor, and competition judge at Hustle and West-Coast Swing events across the USA. Tina has been dancing the Hustle for over 30 years and is originally from Cleveland Ohio, where she was a leader of the Cleveland Akron Swing & Hustle Club.

LESSONS 6-8PM
Hustle (Beginning): 6-7pm
Hustle (Beyond the Basics): 7-8pm
Special Guest Instructor, Tina Marie Price

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

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

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.

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