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

Week of April 27th, 2015

This week, It is time for our monthly Salon! See info below.

Thursday, April 30th: NYASS  "Burst Into Spring" Concert

The NYASS was pleased to welcome composer Patrick Soluri who shared his insights and his music with us in an intimate setting at Beethoven Piano Studio. It was an evening of lovely music and interesting discussion. Patrick used audio and video excerpts from his various works to illustrate how he uses music to tell a story in different media, such as ballet, opera and film scores. Highlighted works consisted of a number of original pieces for ballet and opera. Michael Fennelly accompanied our featured singers on the piano.

We were treated to the voices of Ian McUen (Tenor), Megan Weston (Soprano) and Stephen Eddy and Thomas Bradshaw (Baritones).

The concert was followed by dinner at nearby bistro, La Bonne Soupe, where the conversation resumed without skipping a beat. Photographer John Gladitsch took photos and video (coming soon.)

We hope you will join us May 28th for our next event.

Link: Event page

Saturday, May 2nd: Kentucky Derby Party at Gansevoort Hotel

Patrick Soluri's weekly event, Prohibition Saturday, co-incidesdwith a fabulous Derby Party. 

Link: Event site

Saturday, May 2nd: Ballroom Dancing with Fleur Seule at the 92nd St. Y. 

The fabulous Fleur Seule combo, led by Allyson Briggs, took over the ballroom of the 92nd Street Y this Saturday night dance, much to the delight of all assembled. Attendance was nearly triple the usual number, and those of us who are familiar with Fleur Seule know why. Regulars and newbies twirled to waltzes, rhumbas, salsas, foxtrots and more.  There was even a delightful show.

Link: Facebook Page

Get your tickets for the Russian Nobility Ball (May 8th at The Pierre Hotel)

Purchase your tickets to The Russian nobility Ball before they sell out. We are 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.

Link: Ball page

Week of April 20th, 2015

Monday, April 20th: "Scottish Reels" 

Fun abounded as regulars and novices tackled Scottish Reels.  Whiskey and nibbles were provided.

Friday, April 24th: "A Night of Philosophy"

After tremendous success in Paris, London and Berlin, A NIGHT OF PHILOSOPHY premieresd in New York This innovative and original nocturnal happening, with over 80 events ranging from philosophical lectures to artistic performances, from theatre to video art, from songs to dance and DJ sets. was so popular, people stood on line all through the night to gain entrance to this unique event.

Link: Event site

Saturday, April 25th: Swing Remix with Dan Levinson & His Swing Wing. 

The fabulous band took over the JCC for this monthly Saturday night dance. Dan Levinson led his band with great enthusiasm and had us all on the floor. The dance floor. The mid evening performances were wonderful. Congrats to the participants!

Link: Facebook Page

Week of April 13th

This week, Empire City Swing took over New York City.  The theme ias "Solo Edition," featuring Jazz, Charleston and Slow Dance music. Dancers from all over descended upon NYC to participate in workshops and attend social dances.

Thursday, April 16th: "The Addicts." 

The NY Arts & Sciences Salon is pleased to promote the creative effort of one of its members, playwright Ed Malin." After the play, meet Ed and the cast & crew for a discussion and Q&A.

When: 8pm

Where: Theater for the New City - 155 First Ave. (@ E. 10th St.)

Link: Find out more about the play or buy tickets here.

Friday, April 17th: Glenn Crytzer & The Savoy Seven play ECS. 

Empire City Swing (going on all week-end) welcomed Glenn Crytzer to the main stage @ Manhattan Ballroom. While he originally trained in classical cello music, Glenn switched to a Big Band sound after falling in love with it at first listen. Glenn went on to compose music that would be at home on any 1940s lp. His music has been called "impossible not to love."

Link: Glenn Crytzer's website

Saturday, April 18th: Emily Asher's Garden Party plays ECS. 

This fabulous jazzy ragtime band took over Empire City Swing for the Saturday night dance. Emily Asher leads on trombone and vocals, and the band has a New Orleans brass band sound.

Link: Emily Asher's website