Midsummer Night Swing starts tomorrow night!
Well, it’s about time! After a recent record 6 months without producing a show, my first season at Lincoln Center kicks off tomorrow night with Nellie McKay making her swing dance debut. I went to her rehearsal last week, and it’s going to be a blast – a mix of hard-swinging standards and a few Nellie originals. On Wednesday, one of the funkiest bands of the planet will be bustin’ loose with Washington DC’s godfather of go-go, Chuck Brown. Thursday, take a trip back to the 20’s with the Gatsby-era hot jazz of Michael Arenella & His Dreamland Orchestra. Friday night will have the Disco Fever with old friends the Loser’s Lounge, who will add in strings and horns for all the disco lushness, playing your favorites from artists such as Donna Summer, Chic, the BeeGees and Abba, and more. Saturday morning, we have a Midsummer Night Swing perennial favorite, Kids Dance with Pierre Dulaine, featured in Mad Hot Ballroom and portrayed by Antonio Banderas in Take the Lead. And then we close off week one with an incredibly hot Colombian salsa band, Dante Vargas & the Cat Band.
The complete schedule is below for you to peruse. In weeks to come, we have classic big band swing, tango, samba, Balkan brass bands, rumba Catalana, house-inflected electro-afro-funk, son cubano and Nuyorican salsa dura. WNYC ran a piece this morning that featured a few of the season highlights, so you can listen to that here, and check out Good Day New York (yes, me on fox – ha!) tomorrow morning where you’ll see a very groggy version of me somewhere between 7 and 7:30 am or so
Also, wanted to recommend that you all join the just-launched Midsummer Night Swing virtual community, where you can connect with other fans, check out photos from past events, listen to the music player to get a taste of the bands that you’ll be dancing, maybe make a dancefloor connection, too.
And remember, every show begins with a dance lesson, free with your purchase of a dancefloor ticket. All skill levels are welcome, so if you are nimble on your toes, or have two left feet, or somewhere in between, it’s a great way to kick off the night, which generally features 2 live sets. And if you really don’t want to try the dancefloor yourself, I encourage you to come on down for some of the best people-watching anywhere in NYC, as well as some great music.
By now, many of you have probably heard the amazing news that Passing Strange will be filmed by Spike Lee later this month. The new broke this week on Entertainment Weekly’s website, and has been picked up everywhere. There will be a press conference later this week – Wednesday, I think – where they’ll announce the date of the filming – 2 performances will be filmed in front of a live audience. Super exciting! And remember, the original cast album, featuring liner notes by yours truly, comes out in its physical version next Tuesday, July 15. The album was recorded in front of a live audience at the Belasco Theater, and sounds amazing – you can get a taste, and pre-order it, on the Amazon website. From what I understand, the party at Joe’s Pub to celebrate the release on Sunday the 13th is already sold out, but worth checking back with Joe’s Pub.
New discount codes were just made available, so whether you’ve seen the show and want to see it again, or if you’ve been procrastinating, or want to send someone else to see it, now’s the time. This is a really important period for the show, so please help spread the word!
www.broadwayoffers.com
code: PSGNL29 valid thru 8/3 All prices include Facility Fee
Tues-Thurs eves, Weekend Mats & 7/4 mat at 3pm
Orch: $69.50 Mezz: $58.00 Balcony: $26.50
Wed Mats
Orch & Mezz: $58.50 Balcony: $26.50
Fri & Sat eves
Orch: $79.50 Mezz: $68.00
Finally, want to send a huge mazel tov out to Brice and Dina on the birth of their son Sydney Alex Rosenbloom.
That’s it for now – hope to see you at Midsummer Night Swing!
New York’s Hottest Outdoor Dance Party Begins Next Week
Midsummer Night Swing kicks off Tuesday, July 8, with the swing dance debut of Nellie McKay & The Aristocrats Swing Band. "A blond pixie with a tart tongue and pink chiffon dress, McKay makes witty, issue-oriented music that bridges the vintage sounds of Tin Pan Alley and the subversive sensibilities of the East Village," declares The Boston Globe.
From July 8-26, Lincoln Center's Damrosch Park is home to New York's hottest outdoor dance party. Put on your dancing shoes and join the revelry as Swing takes its 20th turn!
Join Swing's new virtual community!
Join the Swing community today at LincolnCenter.org/Swing to create your own web page, view photos and videos, blog about your favorite artists, and connect with friends before, during, and after hot nights on the dance floor.
Enter the Swing Sweepstakes!
Purchase two or more tickets to any Swing event or a Swing Pass online and be automatically entered to win roundtrip airfare to Chicago, VIP access to Chicago SummerDance, and hotel accommodations.
Click Here for Tickets & Complete Season Information
Nellie McKay & The Aristocrats Swing Band
Learn More
Tuesday, July 08, 2008 6:30 PM
Buy Tickets
Damrosch Park - 2008
Small Band Swing
“Thanks to her, the Great American Songbook has a living, breathing present as well as a glorious past.” — The Boston Globe on Nellie McKay
Chuck Brown
Learn More
Wednesday, July 09, 2008 6:30 PM
Buy Tickets
Damrosch Park - 2008
Go-Go, Swing, Funk
“Not too fast but deeply funky, the go-go beat was made for dancing all night long.” — The New York Times on Chuck Brown
Michael Arenella & His Dreamland Orchestra
Learn More
Thursday, July 10, 2008 6:30 PM
Buy Tickets
Damrosch Park - 2008
Hot Jazz, Swing
“Rooted in the sound and style of the Roaring ’20s, Michael Arenella’s vintage dance band is so totally and skillfully retro that its young Big Apple fans dig its performances as something new, hip and cutting-edge.” — The Hartford Courant
A Loser’s Lounge Night at the Disco
Learn More
Friday, July 11, 2008 6:30 PM
Buy Tickets
Damrosch Park - 2008
Disco, Hustle
“Whether covering Queen, David Bowie, Elvis Costello, Hall and Oates or Fleetwood Mac, this outstanding collection of moonlighting studio musicians, TV personalities, comedians and whatnot deservedly attracts a cult following that lives for its shows.” — The New York Post on Loser’s Lounge
Kid’s Day! with Pierre Dulaine
Learn More
Saturday, July 12, 2008 11:00 AM
Buy Tickets
Damrosch Park - 2008
Ballroom, Tango, Swing for Kids
Dante Vargas & The Cat Band
Learn More
Saturday, July 12, 2008 6:30 PM
Buy Tickets
Damrosch Park - 2008
Salsa Colombiana, Mambo Dura
Alan Gresik Swing Shift Orchestra
Learn More
Tuesday, July 15, 2008 6:30 PM
Buy Tickets
Damrosch Park - 2008
Big Band Swing
Boban i Marko Markovic Orkestar
Learn More
Wednesday, July 16, 2008 6:30 PM
Buy Tickets
Damrosch Park - 2008
Balkan Brass Band
“Dance music that was almost brutal in its gleeful efficiency.” — The New York Times on the Boban i Marko Markovic Orkestar
Orquesta Típica Imperial
Tango
Presented in cooperation with Americas Society
Learn More
Thursday, July 17, 2008 6:30 PM
Buy Tickets
Damrosch Park - 2008
Midsummer Night Swing
Tango
Budos Band 7:30pm
Chico Mann 9:00pm
Jeannie Hopper’s Liquid Sound Lounge with Jay Rodriguez
Learn More
Friday, July 18, 2008 6:30 PM
Buy Tickets
Damrosch Park - 2008
Afro-Soul, Funk, Afro-Latin Electro, Garage-House
“A 12-piece riot of juicy horns, frenzied drums, psychedelic Farfisa, and fat guitars that whip Afrobeat, Ethiopian, Latin, and funk ingredients into a uniquely danceable mess.” — The Village Voice on Budos Band
Kid’s Day! with Father Goose
Learn More
Saturday, July 19, 2008 11:00 AM
Buy Tickets
Damrosch Park - 2008
Reggae, Dancehall, Ska, Calypso for Kids
“If you’ve never heard of Father Goose, just ask a kid. As part of the eclectic family music ensemble Dan Zanes & Friends, Father Goose, is the boisterous, big-bellied Jamaican guy who routinely steals the show.” — The New York Times on Father Goose
Albita
Learn More
Saturday, July 19, 2008 6:30 PM
Buy Tickets
Damrosch Park - 2008
Cuban Son
“Albita brings a rocker’s stage presence and a deep, gritty voice to old-fashioned songs filled with an expatriate’s nostalgia and a lover’s passions.” — The New York Times
Harlem Renaissance Orchestra with special guest Mary Stallings
Learn More
Tuesday, July 22, 2008 6:30 PM
Buy Tickets
Damrosch Park - 2008
Lindy Hop, Swing, Jazz, Jump Blues
“Perhaps the best jazz singer singing today is a woman almost everybody seems to have missed. Her name is Mary Stallings.” — The New York Times
Mart’nália
Learn More
Wednesday, July 23, 2008 6:30 PM
Buy Tickets
Damrosch Park - 2008
Samba
“Her sambas make it seem as if every pleasure or sorrow can be handled with grace.” — The New York Times on Mart’nália
Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers
Learn More
Thursday, July 24, 2008 6:30 PM
Buy Tickets
Damrosch Park - 2008
Small Band Swing, Jump Blues
“The singing and playing of Smith and her players — who are usually identified with the Swing revivalist movement — reached well beyond the superficialities of the style and into its hard-swinging roots.” — Los Angeles Times on Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers
La Troba Kung-Fú 7:30pm
Peret 9:00pm
Learn More
Friday, July 25, 2008 6:30 PM
Buy Tickets
Damrosch Park - 2008
Rumba Catalan, Cumbia, Dub
Presented in cooperation with Institut Ramon Llull
Spanish Harlem Orchestra
Learn More
Saturday, July 26, 2008 6:30 PM
Buy Tickets
Damrosch Park - 2008
Midsummer Night Swing
Salsa Dura
“Anyone who’s heard a salsa band in New York City has probably seen some of the members of this group: they’re the virtuosic journeymen who are one of New York’s great musical resources.” — The New York Times on the Spanish Harlem Orchestra
For Swing Passes and single tickets, visit LincolnCenter.org, call CenterCharge at 212.721.6500 or visit the Avery Fisher Hall Box Office.
Sponsored by Time Warner Inc.
Made possible in part by grants from Daisy and Paul Soros and Charina Endowment Fund.
The complete schedule is below for you to peruse. In weeks to come, we have classic big band swing, tango, samba, Balkan brass bands, rumba Catalana, house-inflected electro-afro-funk, son cubano and Nuyorican salsa dura. WNYC ran a piece this morning that featured a few of the season highlights, so you can listen to that here, and check out Good Day New York (yes, me on fox – ha!) tomorrow morning where you’ll see a very groggy version of me somewhere between 7 and 7:30 am or so
Also, wanted to recommend that you all join the just-launched Midsummer Night Swing virtual community, where you can connect with other fans, check out photos from past events, listen to the music player to get a taste of the bands that you’ll be dancing, maybe make a dancefloor connection, too.
And remember, every show begins with a dance lesson, free with your purchase of a dancefloor ticket. All skill levels are welcome, so if you are nimble on your toes, or have two left feet, or somewhere in between, it’s a great way to kick off the night, which generally features 2 live sets. And if you really don’t want to try the dancefloor yourself, I encourage you to come on down for some of the best people-watching anywhere in NYC, as well as some great music.
By now, many of you have probably heard the amazing news that Passing Strange will be filmed by Spike Lee later this month. The new broke this week on Entertainment Weekly’s website, and has been picked up everywhere. There will be a press conference later this week – Wednesday, I think – where they’ll announce the date of the filming – 2 performances will be filmed in front of a live audience. Super exciting! And remember, the original cast album, featuring liner notes by yours truly, comes out in its physical version next Tuesday, July 15. The album was recorded in front of a live audience at the Belasco Theater, and sounds amazing – you can get a taste, and pre-order it, on the Amazon website. From what I understand, the party at Joe’s Pub to celebrate the release on Sunday the 13th is already sold out, but worth checking back with Joe’s Pub.
New discount codes were just made available, so whether you’ve seen the show and want to see it again, or if you’ve been procrastinating, or want to send someone else to see it, now’s the time. This is a really important period for the show, so please help spread the word!
www.broadwayoffers.com
code: PSGNL29 valid thru 8/3 All prices include Facility Fee
Tues-Thurs eves, Weekend Mats & 7/4 mat at 3pm
Orch: $69.50 Mezz: $58.00 Balcony: $26.50
Wed Mats
Orch & Mezz: $58.50 Balcony: $26.50
Fri & Sat eves
Orch: $79.50 Mezz: $68.00
Finally, want to send a huge mazel tov out to Brice and Dina on the birth of their son Sydney Alex Rosenbloom.
That’s it for now – hope to see you at Midsummer Night Swing!
New York’s Hottest Outdoor Dance Party Begins Next Week
Midsummer Night Swing kicks off Tuesday, July 8, with the swing dance debut of Nellie McKay & The Aristocrats Swing Band. "A blond pixie with a tart tongue and pink chiffon dress, McKay makes witty, issue-oriented music that bridges the vintage sounds of Tin Pan Alley and the subversive sensibilities of the East Village," declares The Boston Globe.
From July 8-26, Lincoln Center's Damrosch Park is home to New York's hottest outdoor dance party. Put on your dancing shoes and join the revelry as Swing takes its 20th turn!
Join Swing's new virtual community!
Join the Swing community today at LincolnCenter.org/Swing to create your own web page, view photos and videos, blog about your favorite artists, and connect with friends before, during, and after hot nights on the dance floor.
Enter the Swing Sweepstakes!
Purchase two or more tickets to any Swing event or a Swing Pass online and be automatically entered to win roundtrip airfare to Chicago, VIP access to Chicago SummerDance, and hotel accommodations.
Click Here for Tickets & Complete Season Information
Nellie McKay & The Aristocrats Swing Band
Learn More
Tuesday, July 08, 2008 6:30 PM
Buy Tickets
Damrosch Park - 2008
Small Band Swing
“Thanks to her, the Great American Songbook has a living, breathing present as well as a glorious past.” — The Boston Globe on Nellie McKay
Chuck Brown
Learn More
Wednesday, July 09, 2008 6:30 PM
Buy Tickets
Damrosch Park - 2008
Go-Go, Swing, Funk
“Not too fast but deeply funky, the go-go beat was made for dancing all night long.” — The New York Times on Chuck Brown
Michael Arenella & His Dreamland Orchestra
Learn More
Thursday, July 10, 2008 6:30 PM
Buy Tickets
Damrosch Park - 2008
Hot Jazz, Swing
“Rooted in the sound and style of the Roaring ’20s, Michael Arenella’s vintage dance band is so totally and skillfully retro that its young Big Apple fans dig its performances as something new, hip and cutting-edge.” — The Hartford Courant
A Loser’s Lounge Night at the Disco
Learn More
Friday, July 11, 2008 6:30 PM
Buy Tickets
Damrosch Park - 2008
Disco, Hustle
“Whether covering Queen, David Bowie, Elvis Costello, Hall and Oates or Fleetwood Mac, this outstanding collection of moonlighting studio musicians, TV personalities, comedians and whatnot deservedly attracts a cult following that lives for its shows.” — The New York Post on Loser’s Lounge
Kid’s Day! with Pierre Dulaine
Learn More
Saturday, July 12, 2008 11:00 AM
Buy Tickets
Damrosch Park - 2008
Ballroom, Tango, Swing for Kids
Dante Vargas & The Cat Band
Learn More
Saturday, July 12, 2008 6:30 PM
Buy Tickets
Damrosch Park - 2008
Salsa Colombiana, Mambo Dura
Alan Gresik Swing Shift Orchestra
Learn More
Tuesday, July 15, 2008 6:30 PM
Buy Tickets
Damrosch Park - 2008
Big Band Swing
Boban i Marko Markovic Orkestar
Learn More
Wednesday, July 16, 2008 6:30 PM
Buy Tickets
Damrosch Park - 2008
Balkan Brass Band
“Dance music that was almost brutal in its gleeful efficiency.” — The New York Times on the Boban i Marko Markovic Orkestar
Orquesta Típica Imperial
Tango
Presented in cooperation with Americas Society
Learn More
Thursday, July 17, 2008 6:30 PM
Buy Tickets
Damrosch Park - 2008
Midsummer Night Swing
Tango
Budos Band 7:30pm
Chico Mann 9:00pm
Jeannie Hopper’s Liquid Sound Lounge with Jay Rodriguez
Learn More
Friday, July 18, 2008 6:30 PM
Buy Tickets
Damrosch Park - 2008
Afro-Soul, Funk, Afro-Latin Electro, Garage-House
“A 12-piece riot of juicy horns, frenzied drums, psychedelic Farfisa, and fat guitars that whip Afrobeat, Ethiopian, Latin, and funk ingredients into a uniquely danceable mess.” — The Village Voice on Budos Band
Kid’s Day! with Father Goose
Learn More
Saturday, July 19, 2008 11:00 AM
Buy Tickets
Damrosch Park - 2008
Reggae, Dancehall, Ska, Calypso for Kids
“If you’ve never heard of Father Goose, just ask a kid. As part of the eclectic family music ensemble Dan Zanes & Friends, Father Goose, is the boisterous, big-bellied Jamaican guy who routinely steals the show.” — The New York Times on Father Goose
Albita
Learn More
Saturday, July 19, 2008 6:30 PM
Buy Tickets
Damrosch Park - 2008
Cuban Son
“Albita brings a rocker’s stage presence and a deep, gritty voice to old-fashioned songs filled with an expatriate’s nostalgia and a lover’s passions.” — The New York Times
Harlem Renaissance Orchestra with special guest Mary Stallings
Learn More
Tuesday, July 22, 2008 6:30 PM
Buy Tickets
Damrosch Park - 2008
Lindy Hop, Swing, Jazz, Jump Blues
“Perhaps the best jazz singer singing today is a woman almost everybody seems to have missed. Her name is Mary Stallings.” — The New York Times
Mart’nália
Learn More
Wednesday, July 23, 2008 6:30 PM
Buy Tickets
Damrosch Park - 2008
Samba
“Her sambas make it seem as if every pleasure or sorrow can be handled with grace.” — The New York Times on Mart’nália
Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers
Learn More
Thursday, July 24, 2008 6:30 PM
Buy Tickets
Damrosch Park - 2008
Small Band Swing, Jump Blues
“The singing and playing of Smith and her players — who are usually identified with the Swing revivalist movement — reached well beyond the superficialities of the style and into its hard-swinging roots.” — Los Angeles Times on Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers
La Troba Kung-Fú 7:30pm
Peret 9:00pm
Learn More
Friday, July 25, 2008 6:30 PM
Buy Tickets
Damrosch Park - 2008
Rumba Catalan, Cumbia, Dub
Presented in cooperation with Institut Ramon Llull
Spanish Harlem Orchestra
Learn More
Saturday, July 26, 2008 6:30 PM
Buy Tickets
Damrosch Park - 2008
Midsummer Night Swing
Salsa Dura
“Anyone who’s heard a salsa band in New York City has probably seen some of the members of this group: they’re the virtuosic journeymen who are one of New York’s great musical resources.” — The New York Times on the Spanish Harlem Orchestra
For Swing Passes and single tickets, visit LincolnCenter.org, call CenterCharge at 212.721.6500 or visit the Avery Fisher Hall Box Office.
Sponsored by Time Warner Inc.
Made possible in part by grants from Daisy and Paul Soros and Charina Endowment Fund.
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