Tampa Bay's Swing Dance News for September 20th 2016

This Wednesday, September 21st, is the Gulfport Casino Swing Night, with Charleston Lines Lesson 6-7pm (danced to "Sing, Sing, Sing"), Swing Lesson 7-8pm, and Dancing 8-11pm. Enter the prize drawing to win free passes to upcoming events. Just $8 includes both lessons and the dance, and students get $5 admission. Is your birthday coming up? Celebrate your birthday at the Gulfport Casino Swing Night.

Get Ready — Reserved seats go on sale October 1st to this year's Swingin' the New Year celebration at the spectacular St. Petersburg Coliseum, featuring UK swing sensations, The Jive Aces! VIP Alcoves are already on sale for parties of 20 or more, so start organizing your group today. This Grand New Year's Eve Celebration for All Ages is Florida's biggest annual swing-dance event...make plans now to join us! Info & Tickets — www.NewYearSwing.com

Announcing Balboa Boot Camp, an intensive workshop that gives you the benefit of an entire four-week Balboa course, all in one afternoon! Two levels of instruction are offered. Balboa Boot Camp happens Saturday, October 15th, 2-6pm, at Simone Salsa, 8336 W Hillsborough Ave, Tampa. Earlybird registration (save $10) happens now through September 30th, and includes admission to that night's Saturday Swing dance! Full details are below.

Upcoming Lessons/Instructors at Ballroom Fusion Night:
OCT 09 (Sun): West-Coast/Cha Cha Fusion Lessons with Tina Castle & Russ Morris NOV 13 (Sun): Carolina Shag Lessons with Renee Lipman

This Saturday, September 24th, the Carrollwood Cultural Center hosts a Big-Band Dance & Concert with live music by the Sounds of Swing Orchestra. Dancing runs 7:45-10:00pm. Swing Time opens the event with dance lessons 6:30-7:45pm. Tickets are $12-$18. Get $13 tickets ($3 off) if you mention "Swing Time" when buying your tickets (phone or box office purchases only; discount deadline 6pm day before event). Visit the Cultural Center's link above for tickets or more information. The Carrollwood Cultural Center is located at 4537 Lowell Rd, Tampa, FL 33618; Phone 813-269-1310.

This Saturday, September 24th, is the 3rd Annual Celebrate Sinatra St. Petersburg. One of Tampa Bay's premier parties, this black-tie optional affair happens at the historic Vinoy Hotel, 501 5th Ave NE, 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 the sounds of Andy Stefano's 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 celebration! Reserve your admission now. Admission is $85 if purchased by September 21st; $100 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.

Sunday, October 9th, is Ballroom Fusion Night at the Gulfport Casino, with West-Coast Swing Lesson 6-7pm, West-Coast/Cha Cha Fusion Lesson 7-8pm, and Dancing 8-11pm. Swing Time welcomes special guest instructors, Tina Castle & Russ Morris, who will teach the lessons prior to the dance. 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.

LESSONS 6-8PM
West-Coast Swing: 6-7pm
West-Coast/Cha Cha Fusion: 7-8pm
Special Guest Instructors, Tina Castle & Russ Morris

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

Swing Time presents Balboa Boot Camp, an intensive workshop that gives you the benefit of an entire four-week Balboa course, all in one afternoon! Two levels are offered, with instructors determining your appropriate level. Balboa Boot Camp happens Saturday, October 15th, 2-6pm, at Simone Salsa, 8336 W Hillsborough Ave in Tampa. No partners needed.

Level 1 (Beginning) — Learn Balboa! Level 1 is for dancers with little-to-no Balboa 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 12 fundamental moves of Balboa. These include the Downhold Basic, Uphold Basic, Ad Libs, Scoots, Paddles, Come Arounds, Lollies, Throw Outs & Returns, Outs & Ins, Lunges & Crossovers. Learn to skillfully dance the Level 1 material, and you'll be ready for the Intermediate Level at Balboa events worldwide! Level 1 is taught by Sam Mahfoud & Teresa Ullman. (Click for instructor info.)

Level 2 (Intermediate) — Advance & Improve Your Balboa! Level 2 is for dancers already proficient at Balboa, who can skillfully dance most of the Level 1 material. Level 2 participants will polish and style their Balboa, learn new moves and fancier footwork, and gain valuable Balboa experience guided by the instructors. Level 2 is taught by Tom Blair & Aryn Kelly Rathbone. (Click for instructor info.)

Balboa Boot Camp is followed by the Saturday Swing evening dance, which is included in the price of your Boot Camp registration. Registration is $25 through September 30th (Earlybird Special), $30 through October 14th at 6:00pm (Advance Registration), or $35 at the door (Day of Event). Register online right now to save $10.

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 9:00 onward – Saturday Swing Dance

Saturday, October 15th, is Saturday Swing in Tampa, with Swing Dancing 9pm-12:00, plus Blues Dancing Starting at Midnight! Join us at 8pm, prior to the dance, for the Swing Dance Lesson. Admission is $10 before midnight (includes lesson, swing dancing, and blues dancing), or $5 after midnight (includes blues dancing only). 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.