Week of June 15th, 2015

Thursday, June 18th: 3rd Annual Harlem Swings on the Plaza. 

In honor of the late Frankie Manning, Harlem one Stop! and Harlem Swings, together with the Frankie Manning Foundation, presented Swing Dancing to the tunes of the Harlem Renaissance Orchestra. 5pm.

Link: Info here.

Saturday, June 20th: Swing Remix with Professor Cunningham. 

The Professor's beats schooled you on the dance floor. The last Swing Remix of the season did not disappoint.

Link: Info here.

Sunday, June 21st: the last NYSDS monthly dance of the season.

Join us before the action moves outdoors until the Fall. Margaret Batiuchok, the President of NYSDS will be teaching 2 workshops earlier on Sunday afternoon a few blocks away from the social dance venue.

When: free lesson at 7pm; band starts 8pm

Where: St. Jean-Baptise church basement; 184 E. 76th St.

Link: NYSDS Dance info here; workshop info here.


NB. Skylight written by David Hare and starring Carey Mulligan and Bill Nighy closes June 21st. If you are a fan of any of these 3 talented individuals or if you appreciate excellent theater, don't miss it! (I am attending the matinee on 6/10.)

Week of June 8th, 2015

Tuesday, June 9th: Michael Arenella Quartet at the Algonquin 

Michael Arenella and his quartet serenade guests in the lobby of the Algonquin Hotel. No cover. This is a very civilized way of spending an evening. He will be there every Tuesday in June.

When: 8-10pm
Where: The Algonquin - 59 W. 44th Street
Link: Facebook page

Wednesday, June 10th: Gotham Jazz Club with the Avalon Jazz Band

Patrick Soluri presented the fabulous Avalon Jazz Band with special musical guest, Gordon Webster on piano, at Bar Urbo in Times Square. It was a splendid opportunity to hear really fine musicians at an optimal price :-)

Link: Facebook Page; grammatical difference between "optimal" and "optimum"

Sunday, June 14th: Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governor's Island 

Michael Arenella took over Governor's Island with music and enchantment all weekend.

Link: Facebook Page for the Jazz Age Lawn Party; Jazz Age Lawn Party website

Week of June 1st, 2015

Tuesday, June 2nd: The Michael Arenella Quartet at The Algonquin

The entire month of June, Michael Arenella will perform with a quartet at The Algonquin Hotel. Come channel your inner Dorothy Parker or Alexander Woollcott.

When: 8pm - 10pm
Where: The Algonquin Hotel (59 W. 44th St.)
Cost: No Cover
Link: Event page

Wednesday, June 3rd: Gotham Jazz Club with Grand Street Stompers

Prohibition Production introduced this new Swing event in Times Square at Bar Urbo. The location is convenient for those commuting into NYC.

When: 7pm - late
Where: Bar Urbo - 11 Times Square (42nd & Eighth Ave.)
Cost: No Cover
Link: Event page

Friday, June 5th: Swing dancing Flash Mob

Lindy hoppers met in Times Square to participate in a Swing flash mob, led by Svetlana and the Delancey Five. After the flash mob, we moved on to Big Band Friday headlined by George Gee on W. 43rd.

Link: Facebook Page with photos and video

Week of May 25th, 2015

Thursday, May 28th: NYASS May Salon - A Conversation with Luna Kaufman.

Link: Photos & info here.

Saturday, May 30th: DL Rooftop Speakeasy with Johnny Boyd

Patrick's Soluri's newest weekly jazz and Swing event was very pleasant. Musical selections and entertainment was top-notch, as usual. We detected a bit of a twang in the band.

Week of May 18th, 2015

May 21st: Gala Benefit Concert for the Knights Orchestra.

A re-converted factory in Tribeca was the beautiful backdrop of this very successful event benefiting The Knights orchestra. The views were stunning and the musical was equally delightful (except for the curious folk songs that were allegedly in four different languages, though indistinguishable from each other and quite indecipherable...)

Link: More info about The Knights here.

Week of May 11th, 2015

Sunday, May 17th: NYSDS 30th Anniversary Dance featuring the George Gee Orchestra.

The dance was a fitting end to the Babble weekend and a celebration of 30 years of Swing & Lindy Hop dancing in NYC. Kudos to Margaret Batiuchok for pulling this monthly event off with such style and grace for so long.

Week of May 4th, 2015

Tuesday, May 5th: "Harlem Swing" at the Alhambra Ballroom

A small group of us attended this event featuring the music of Solomon Hicks, Charanee Wade, and the George Gee 17-piece Orchestra.

Wednesday, May 6th: The Guerrilla Opening Ball: Viennese Waltzing in Bryant Park

The Viennese Waltz opened the Dancing in Bryant Park Calendar, taking place every Wednesday evening during Spring & summer. The Simulacrum of Yore Society was on hand in full evening wear to celebrate in style.

Photos: Event page 

Friday, May 8th: The Russian Nobility Ball

The Russian Nobility Ball is one of NY's most glamorous events.  This charity event to benefit children is resplendent with beautiful guests clad in elegant attire. Enjoy traditional balalaika music by the Barynya Ensemble or dance into the night with the famed Alex Donner orchestra.
Our group is going to the Dancing Only portion of the event. Text me to find us once you get inside. Or better yet, come have dinner with us before the Ball. Email me for information.

When: 7:00pm - 12am

Where: The Pierre Hotel
Dress Code: White Tie preferred or Black Tie

Cost: $130 for Dancing Only ticket in advance; $150 at the door

Link: Website & Tickets

Saturday, May 9th: RFTCA Symposium on AIDS 

The Research Foundation To Cure AIDS presented its first annual Symposium on HIV/AIDS. Learn how Timothy Ray Brown, aka "The Berlin Patient," became the only person to be cured of AIDS. What does this mean and how can this cure be replicated on a global scale?

Link: Info & Summary

Saturday, May 9th: Swing Remix with Jason Prover & The Sneak Thievery Orchestra

Dance until the band steals your beats. Come early for dynamic workshops at 6:30 and 7:30 or come at 7:45pm for the free beginner lesson. Listeners and beginners welcome.

When: 6:30pm & 7:30pm workshops (additional fee); 7:30pm - 1:00am dance

Where: The JCC - 334 Amsterdam Ave. (at 7
Cost: $18 at the door; $16 online in advance

Link: Info & Tickets