Week of June 21st, 2021

Saturday, June 26th, 2020: Gotham Jazz Picnic

A wonderfully stalwart group of Swing Dancers gathered in Central Park's Bridle Path to listen to 5 all-star bands. The lineup included The Hot Toddies, King Solomon Hicks, Eyal Vilner, and Gordon Webster, just to name a few... The music went all afternoon and into the evening, and was only interrupted by a few drops of rain. Here is a photo taken during the gloom.

photo credit: Alex G.

Week of June 7th, 2021

 Saturday, June 12th, 2021: Michael Arenella's Jazz Age Lawn Party

The Jazz Age Lawn Party was back on and in full swing on the oasis-like Governor's Island. Revelers in 1920s attire boarded ferries and went back in time to attend the annual JALP. Michael Arenella's band was top-notch as usual and guest singer Queen Esther delighted young and old spectators alike. The next JALP will take place on Saturday, August 14th. Get your tickets here now.
To see more photos from the JALP click here.

photo credit: Vlad Kfrg

photo credit: Vlad Kfrg

photo credit: Vlad Kfrg

Week of June 24th, 2019

Tuesday June, 25th: Midsummer Night Swing

Our annual tradition of attending Lincoln Center's Midsummer Night Swing continued for the 2019 season. A few soggy nights and infernal heat couldn't stop our dancers from celebrating one of our favorite summer events.

LC photo album: Link

Photo credit: LC Midsummer Night Swing

NYEE 2018

Sunday, December 30th: The Salon's New Year's Eve Eve Party

Some say New Year's Eve is amateur night; that's 'cause all the dames n' dapper gents know the real party is the night before - at The Salon - what we like to call NEW YEAR's EVE EVE.

In what has now become one of our favorite annual traditions, a group of revelers attended Patrick Soluri's 11th annual NYEE extravaganza. We returned to the stunning and exclusive private club from the gilded age... The Players Club in Gramercy Square. A spectacular lineup of over 30 performers delighted and dazzled us all. It is difficult to pick a favorite, but the King Solomon Hicks Quartet who took over the front parlor with sultry sounds of Blues & Swing, deserve a special mention.

Photo credit: Eddie Der

Holiday 2017

New Year's Eve at Barbetta

We celebrated at the enchanting Barbetta Restaurant. A Black Tie event featured a multi course gala dinner and dancing to the music of the Felix Swing Band.

New Year's Eve Eve annual Salon party at the Player's Club

December 30th found us at the Player's Club enjoying our traditional vintage party.

More photos on the official event FB album here.

Halloween 2017

The Mohauk House in Park Slope Brooklyn was the setting for a stylishly Spooky Halloween party.

Week of April 3rd, 2017

Friday, April 7th: Springtime in Paris

The Princeton Club's 4th floor was transformed into a Parisian cabaret for our event celebrating the song and wine of the City of Lights. Eddie and Sui taught a basic Swing Lindy lesson and invited us to join them on the dance floor. 

Music was artfully provided by Fleur Seule, featuring Allyson Briggs. Guests were surprised to learn that many of the songs we treasure in the American songbook actually saw the light as French songs first! Some of the most famous examples are: My Way (Comme d'Habitude,) Beyond The Sea (La Mer,) What Now, My Love (Et Maintenant.)

Week of February 13th, 2017

Saturday, February 18th: Swing Remix w/ Professor Cunningham
Professor Cunningham and his Old School got us on the dance floor to warm up. It may have been snowing outside, but it was hot on the dance floor at the JCC.

New Year's Eve Eve 2016

New Year's Eve Eve
This year, our band of revelers will attended the annual New Year's Eve Eve Salon on December 30th at The Player's Club. Before the dance, a group of us met at Bocca, an Italian restaurant specializing in Roman cuisine, for a tasty dinner. You can view photos of the Salon event here.

Week of September 5th, 2016

Tuesday, September 6th: Amor Towles Book Signing
Novelist Amor Towles discussed his latest book with a standing room only crowd at Barnes and Noble. The Gentleman from Moscow, tells the story of a young Russian aristocrat held under house arrest in a hotel in Moscow, where he meets a varied cast of characters. His first novel, The Rules of Civility, remains one of my favorite books.

Saturday, September 10th: Swing Remix featuring Ron Sunshine and his Orchestra
Friends old and new gathered to enjoy the always fabulous orchestrations of Ron Sunshine and his Orchestra.   We had great balcony seats for the dance performances, where we indulged in chocolate mousse cake and prosecco... A well-deserved break from dancing our feet off.

Week of July 4th, 2016

Midsummer Night Swing 2016
According to tradition, The Harlem Renaissance Orchestra closed out everyone's favorite summertime Swing series. Taking place in Lincoln Center's Damrosch Park, dancers from all over the NYC area reunite every year at this fabulous dance.

photo credit: M. Batiuchok

Week of January 25th, 2016

Thursday, January 28th: NY Arts & Sciences Salon event, Ain't Misbehaving 

Many thanks to Margaret Batiuchok and Charlie Meade for bringing the history of Swing to life so vividly for us.
As usual, the staff of Neapolitan Express took very good care of us, and the food was delicious. Especially the Nutella dessert! :-)

See all photos here.

photo credit: George Candler

Week of January 18th, 2016

Friday, January 22nd: A Royal Carnevale Ball
The crown Prince of Italy graced us with his presence at Uomo Moderno's Carnevale Party on the rooftop of the Hudson Terrace. We showed up in our best masked attire and braved the snowstorm home.

Week of January 4th, 2016

Friday, January 8th: Mad Hot Ballroom
Stephanie Shapiro taught a clear and enjoyable crash course in Foxtrot, Rhumba and Waltz. After that, our class joined social dancers at Mad Hot Ballroom for a night of dancing and delight at You Should Be Dancing studios.

Saturday, January 9th: Andrea del Sarto @ The Frick Collection
The Frick exhibited beautiful drawings by Florentine painter, Andre del Sarto (1486-1530.) A wonderful way to spend an afternoon...

Saturday, January 9th: Swing Remix with Jan Marie & The Mean Reds
The lively band delighted the crowd.

photo credit: Margaret Batiuchok

Week of December 28th, 2015

Wednesday, December 30th: New Year's Eve Eve Swing Dance.
The New Year's Eve Eve party saw us gathered for the 10th+ year in a row. We enjoyed dinner beforehand at tasty Sauce restaurant and proceeded to the nearby DL to continue the revelries. See photos on Facebook here.

Sunday, January 3rd: "The Big Short"
Druce organized a movie outing to see "The Big Short" about the 2008 financial crisis. We proceeded to Ribalta Pizzeria on 12th street to discuss the film and its subject matter.

Week of November 9th, 2015

Sunday, November 15th: NYSDS with Tamar Korn and friends. NY's monthly Swing dance treated us to the music of the 20's and 30's thanks to Tamar and her ensemble. Our merry band took this opportunity to enjoy a pre-Thanksgiving Champagne toast together.

Week of October 26th, 2015

Friday, October 30th: Harvard Club Foundation Dinner Dance.

Saturday October 31st: Swing Dance Flash mob in Times Square.  Check the FB page for photos here.

Saturday October 31st: Halloween Stomp

More photos from the official event album here.

Week of September 28th, 2015

Friday, October 2nd: Playboy Swings at the Player's Club. Patrick Soluri's Playboy themed event brought revelers together at NYC's swanky Player's Club to experience a number of bands and dancers.

Saturday, October 3rd: The Met at the movies. Terry & I enjoyed the Met's live simultaneous broadcast at the movies of Verdi's Il Trovatore. Following Dmitri Hvorotovsky and Anna Netrebko's outstanding performances, we enjoyed a delicious early dinner at Barbetta Restaurant.  What a way to celebrate our combined birthdays!

Week of July 20th, 2015

• Tuesday, July 21st: Cosmic Cocktails. Astrophysicist Katherine Freese informed and delighted us at the Princeton Club with lots of accessible information on dark matter.

Week of July 13th, 2015

• Monday, July 13th: NYC's official Bastille Day Ball. Held every year under the auspices of the Consul-General of France, this event was held amid great fanfare to celebrate this French national holiday. The AALFNY was represented in full force. More photos here.

Entertainer Adrienne Haan

LFNY Alumni friends

• Saturday, July 18th: Tropicana Nights. Fleur Seule performed at the new Copacabana on W. 47th Street. There repertoire was lovely and varied. Many thanks to Eddie for a beautiful Viennese Waltz!