2009 Lincoln Center - Midsummer Night Swing

Kermit Ruffins & the Barbecue Swingers

“With his shimmering tone, street-honed chops and over-the-top personality, Ruffins is a throwback to the days when entertainment and art were fast companions.” —The Star Tribune

With a knowing grin on his face and a smile in his voice, Kermit Ruffins kicks off the season with New Orleans flair. The trumpeter/vocalist and his band are sure to thrill with their unique sense of smokin’ swing.

When:
Tuesday, July 7, 2009 at 6:30
Dance Lesson at 6:30, Live Music at 7:30

Where:
Damrosch Park
62nd Street between Columbus and Amsterdam

Program:
New Orleans Jazz, Swing
Lesson: Paolo "P Lindy" Lanna, Lindy Hop All-Stars, SavoyCentral.org
DJ: Ryan Swift, Yehoodi.com

Chubby Checker

“Spreading like wildfire from the tiny dance floor of New York's Peppermint Lounge, a Harlem teen craze set the era’s most glamorous hips gyrating.” —Vanity Fair

King of The Twist Chubby Checker changed how a generation danced, inspiring millions to flaunt their moves while “dancing apart to the beat.” Let’s twist again with this rock ’n’ roll icon, who continues to delight audiences worldwide.

One set at 8:30

This event is part of the Lincoln Center 50 Years celebration

When:
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 at 6:30
Dance Lesson at 6:30, Live Music at 8:30

Where:
Damrosch Park
62nd Street between Columbus and Amsterdam

Program:
Rock ’n’ Roll
Lesson: You Should Be Dancing Dance Studios
DJ: Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus

The Woody Herman Orchestra directed by Frank Tiberi

“The combination of power and polish, a juggernaut that can purr, established by [Woody Herman’s] band of the 1940’s.” —The New York Times

Reedman Frank Tiberi leads The Woody Herman Orchestra, who's members performed under the esteemed band leader himself. Mixing classic arrangements with new charts to suit the band’s hard swinging style, a perfect blend from the first dance to the last.

When:
Thursday, July 9, 2009 at 6:30
Dance Lesson at 6:30, Live Music at 7:30

Where:
Damrosch Park
62nd Street between Columbus and Amsterdam

Program:
Big Band Swing
Lesson: Simone Coonrod, Swinging With Simone®
DJ: Nando Velasquez

Occidental Brothers Dance Band
International (7:30)
Samba Mapangala & Virunga (9:30)

“The greatest African dance band on the planet hails from Chicago.” —The Beat Magazine on Occidental Brothers Dance Band International

"Elegant…ebullient melodies, precise vocal harmonies, and sparkling guitar work.” —Chicago Reader on Samba Mapangala

Old-school West African highlife with a dash of American fusion, Occidental Brothers Dance Band International strikes up its energetic, dance-friendly music. Silky-voiced African hit-maker Samba Mapangala lays out the rhythms with his orchestra Virunga, mixing rippling Congolese rhumba and soukous with earthy Kenyan benga.

When:
Friday, July 10, 2009 at 6:30
Dance Lesson at 6:30, Live Music at 7:30

Where:
Damrosch Park
62nd Street between Columbus and Amsterdam

Program:
Soukous, Rumba, Benga, Highlife
Lesson: Thelma Mwan' Dido
DJ: DJ Beto

Big 3 Palladium Orchestra: The Music of Machito, Tito Rodriguez, and Tito Puente

“The most brilliant large Latin Jazz ensemble this side of Havana.” —Chicago Tribune

This Latin jazz ensemble recreates the musical battles that occurred between the giants of 1950s mambo. The Big 3 Palladium Orchestra, led by Machito's son, Mario Grillo, and Tito Rodriguez Jr., with several original band members, play the classics on this stellar night.

This event is part of the Lincoln Center 50 Years celebration

When:
Saturday, July 11, 2009 at 6:30
Dance Lesson at 6:30, Live Music at 7:30

Where:
Damrosch Park
62nd Street between Columbus and Amsterdam

Program:
Mambo, Latin Jazz, Big Band
Lesson: Delille “Mambo D” Thomas & Glenda “La Mambera” Heffer
DJ: Ron McGugins, On2 Productions

Melba Joyce & Her Big Band

“[Melba Joyce] sang with spine tingling cool.” —The New York Times

Vocal powerhouse has shared the limelight with many jazz legends, including Louis Armstrong and Count Basie. Here she assembles a rare co-ed, all-star big band. The evening includes a tribute to Benny Goodman.

When:
Tuesday, July 14, 2009 at 6:30
Dance Lesson at 6:30, Live Music at 7:30

Where:
Damrosch Park
62nd Street between Columbus and Amsterdam

Program:
Jazz, Swing
Lesson: Pierre Dulaine, American Ballroom Theatre
DJ: Dave Muzii

Otros Aires

New York debut

“Otros Aires joins a handful of jazz- and pop-minded trailblazers who are leading the genre into the 21st century.” —The Toronto Star

A modern spin on the classic, Otros Aires’ new tango mixes traditional tango with contemporary electronic influences in their New York debut.

When:
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 at 6:30
Dance Lesson at 6:30, Live Music at 7:30

Where:
Damrosch Park
62nd Street between Columbus and Amsterdam

Program:
Tango
Lesson: Victoria Sarquisse & Federico Jorquera, TampaTangoArgentino.com
DJ: Yesim "La Turca"

The Get Down: Soul/R&B
Ponderosa Stomp @ Lincoln Center

Featuring William Bell, Harvey Scales, and The Bobettes, with The Bo-Keys

“A party on its way to becoming an institution.” —The New York Times on the annual Ponderosa Stomp concert

This dance party pays homage to the pioneers of R&B, featuring William Bell, architect of the Stax-Volt sound; Harvey Scales, funk singer and writer of Disco Lady; and doo-wop sweethearts The Bobbettes, of the hit tune Mr. Lee. These trailblazing artists are all backed by the Memphis soul stew sound of The Bo-Keys.

Ponderosa Stomp, a New Orleans musical tradition, highlights the world’s most authentic musicians of rockabilly, R&B, jazz, blues, garage, soul, funk, and swamp pop. This annual festival has become a must-see event, a showcase for living history and thriving art, reviving careers, and praising the unsung heroes who planted the very roots of American music.

Ponderosa Stomp @ Lincoln Center is a collaboration of Midsummer Night Swing and Lincoln Center Festival in association with Ponderosa Stomp Foundation. http://www.lincolncenter.org/asc_load_screen.asp?screen=LCF_Ponderosa_Stomp

When:
Thursday, July 16, 2009 at 6:30
Dance Lesson at 6:30, Live Music at 7:30

Where:
Damrosch Park
62nd Street between Columbus and Amsterdam

Program:
Soul, R&B, Funk
Lesson: Dave Maxx & MAK 3 Dance Club featuring Chicago's DJ Lady C
DJ: Meredith Ochs, Sirius XM

Best Dance in Town: Rockabilly
Ponderosa Stomp @ Lincoln Center

Featuring The Collins Kids, Carl Mann, and Joe Clay, with Deke Dickerson and the Eccofonics

“A party on its way to becoming an institution.” —The New York Times on the annual Ponderosa Stomp concert

This array of rockabilly Hall-of-Famers includes The Collins Kids, comprised of the double neck guitar whiz Larry and his sister Lorrie; legendary Sun Records singer Carl Mann; and a rare New York appearance by Cajun stomp rocker Joe Clay, all playing with the house band Deke Dickerson and the Eccofonics.

Ponderosa Stomp, a New Orleans musical tradition, highlights the world’s most authentic musicians of rockabilly, R&B, jazz, blues, garage, soul, funk, and swamp pop. This annual festival has become a must-see event, a showcase for living history and thriving art, reviving careers, and praising the unsung heroes who planted the very roots of American music.

Ponderosa Stomp @ Lincoln Center is a collaboration of Midsummer Night Swing and Lincoln Center Festival in association with Ponderosa Stomp Foundation. http://www.lincolncenter.org/asc_load_screen.asp?screen=LCF_Ponderosa_Stomp

When:
Friday, July 17, 2009 at 6:30
Dance Lesson at 6:30, Live Music at 7:30

Where:
Damrosch Park
62nd Street between Columbus and Amsterdam

Program:
Rockabilly
Lesson: John Knapp & Meredith Stead, Shall We Dance?
DJ: Todd-o-Phonic Todd, WFMU

New Swing Sextet

“Sparkling with brilliant musicianship, this vibe-driven sextet delivers, dishing up both classics and original material, infused with its own unique, intense brand of sizzling, hard-driving authentic New York swing.” —Latin Beat Magazine on New Swing Sextet

After a 30-year hiatus, the New Swing Sextet has reunited, evoking the heyday of salsa and boogaloo while introducing elements of jazz and pop that speak to aficionados and new audiences alike.

When:
Saturday, July 18, 2009 at 6:30
Dance Lesson at 6:30, Live Music at 7:30

Where:
Damrosch Park
62nd Street between Columbus and Amsterdam

Program:
Salsa, Boogaloo
Lesson: Tony Meredith & Melanie LaPatin, DanceTimesSquare.com
DJ: DJ Nelson Torres

Catherine Russell and Cat & the Hounds Swing Band

“The singer’s gutsy blues croon – one of the best this side of Bessie Smith – could melt the ice in a bourbon on the rocks.” — The Boston Globe on Catherine Russell

Whether she’s shimmying through a barrelhouse stomper, kicking up her heels honky-tonk style, or dragging her weary heart through a torchy juke joint number, Catherine Russell knows her way around a song. As the daughter of Louis Armstrong’s bandleader Luis Russell, she’s got quite the pedigree.

When:
Tuesday, July 21, 2009 at 6:30
Dance Lesson at 6:30, Live Music at 7:30

Where:
Damrosch Park
62nd Street between Columbus and Amsterdam

Program:
Jazz, Soul, Blues
Lesson: Joe Palmer, joepalmerdance.com
DJ:David “Shorty Dave” Jacoby

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

“From the moment the nine members of Big Bad Voodoo Daddy took the stage, they owned the place. They brought a party. We're talking old school hip cat swing: suit and tie, wingtips, and don't hang your hat at the door, kids: sport it fresh with an attitude to match.” – Blogcritics Magazine

The little big band that helped ignite the '90’s swing scene brings its high-octane nitro jive to Midsummer Night Swing, as they tip their hats to the incomparable Cab Calloway.

When:
Wednesday, July 22, 2009 at 6:30
Dance Lesson at 6:30, Live Music at 7:30

Where:
Damrosch Park
62nd Street between Columbus and Amsterdam

Program:
Swing, Jump Blues
Lesson: Erik Novoa & Anna Brady, SwingShoes.net
DJ: Juke Joint Jonny

La Excelencia

“Powerful arrangements of free-flowing horns and lively percussions…These young-bloods are the real thing.” —Latin Beat Magazine on La Excelencia

The next generation of salsa dura brings a modern vitality and social consciousness to the genre. These revolutionary salsa ambassadors take their bold new sounds to dancers worldwide, breaking the mold while remembering their roots.

When:
Thursday, July 23, 2009 at 6:30
Dance Lesson at 6:30, Live Music at 7:30

Where:
Damrosch Park
62nd Street between Columbus and Amsterdam

Program:
Salsa Dura
Lesson: Stepping Out Studios
DJ: DJ Andreas

La Sonora Dinamita

These Colombian cumbia legends are credited with helping to popularize the genre throughout Latin America since their founding in 1960. Re-formed by Fruko in 1975 with musicians drawn from Fruko y Sus Tesos, Dinamita's flirtatious female singers hold their own against the explosive power of the brassy big band.

When:
Friday, July 24, 2009 at 6:30
Dance Lesson at 6:30, Live Music at 7:30

Where:
Damrosch Park
62nd Street between Columbus and Amsterdam

Program:
Cumbia
Lesson: Lucy Cruz
DJ: Monk-One (Wax Poetics, NYCTrust)

Harlem Renaissance Orchestra with special guest Houston Person

“The Harlem Renaissance Orchestra is what we might call a next-level big band… the Harlem-based ensemble plays amazing music.” —WashingtonPost.com

“Person drenches his phrases in blues grease. …a master soul man.” —Jazztimes

This jewel of Harlem revives the music of the Big Band era, with a tribute to jazz tenor saxophonist Illinois Jacquet. Soulful saxophonist Houston Person revels in the true spirit of Harlem jazz.

When:
Saturday, July 25, 2009 at 6:30<>

Where:
Damrosch Park
62nd Street between Columbus and Amsterdam

Program:
Big Band Jazz
Lesson: Margaret Batiuchok, danceMB.com, Swing Dance Hall of Fame
DJ: Larry Kang