News

I really love summer! Not too much club stuff going on, though, but...

Sylvia had a great idea. There is a gazebo at the south end of Barrie Street (near my new home!) by the lake. Can't miss it! We were thinking that it would be cool to hold dances there, sometime in the afternoon or evening, sometime this week! We'd like to make it a regular thing, so if any of you are still in Kinston and want to come, reply to me or give me a call! We'll play music and you can learn and ask questions or just dance.

Also, this Sunday, 21 May the Canadian Diabetes Asociation is holding a fundraiser, A Taste Of Kingston, at Confederation Park (Ontario Street, south of the Cocamo) and rumour has it there is going to be a swing band playing! I'm not sure when this is, but I believe it will be shortly after 12:00 noon. We're going to check it out, so let us know if you would like to come along! - Dave

I have finally had time to update the site, after about 2 months. You'll find new pictures from the Swing Semi-Formal, and a totally different look. You'll be seeing many changes throughout the summer as I experiment with this site. It still does some goofy stuff when using Netscape, but I'm working on it. - Dave

We're gearing up for the biggest swing party of the year as we have confirmed Patricia Murray and her All-Star Swing Sextet for the night of Friday 31 March.

Pat is a seasoned jazz singer (and a long-time Queen's Student) and she's bringing six of Kingston's finest jazzmen including members from The Andy Poole Quintet who you can see Friday evenings at Monte's, next to the Tir Nan Og, and special guest Gordon Webster on piano. Fred Ngo and Jane de Boer from Cat's Corner Dance Productions will be teaching 6-count Lindy Hop and Charleston at 8:00, so this is a great chance to get a free lesson from two seasoned Lindy Hop dancers, straight out of the Steven Mitchell Workshop!

Important info

Date: Friday 31 March
Time: 8:00pm Lindy Hop lesson, 9:00pm Music Starts
Tickets: At the UBS Exchange, JDUC
Location: Wallace Hall, John Deutsch University Centre (JDUC) Queen's
University

Personnel

Patricia Murray - vocals
Clyde Forsberg Jr. - trumpet, arranger
Gordon Webster - piano
Jonathan Stewart - reeds, tenor sax
Dave Barton - guitar
Rich Bannard - drums
To be confirmed - bass

So keep the 31st booked (it's a Friday) and be sure to get your tickets (available at the UBS Exchange starting this Wednesday, or Friday at the dance) for the Swing Semi-Formal!

This message is from Andy Poole, sent to us yesterday:

YEEEEHAAAWWW, It only took 2 months, but I now have a regular gig every Sunday Brunch (12-3) in downtown Bangkok at The Fabb Cafe with a kickin' swingin' Thai quartet. I just finished my first real (paid) gig [in Thailand] and was offered the regular gig on the spot. SWEEEEEEET! Just thought I'd let y'all know in case you're in our neck of the woods.

Talk to you later,
- Andy

Have you had a great time dancing and getting to know other dancers this year? Do you want to get more involved? Are you bursting with ideas for new club events? If so, this message is for you!

We're holding a meeting this Monday (March 13th) at 9:00 for all those interested in helping to run the club next year.

There are tons of ways to contribute to the QSC! We need people who are really into swing music to help DJ next year and help pick bands for big events. If you're of the creative sort, we definitely want your help with our web page and designing things like posters, as well decorating for our big events. Or if you're good with numbers, why not help with the financial side of things? We also need friendly people to talk to new members and help with things like clubs night. And next year we're hoping to experiment with different ways of teaching our beginner lessons at our weekly dances, so if you want to get involved with teaching new members, please come out! There really is something for everyone.

So if this sounds like your bag, meet at the Skylight Lounge (upstairs in the JDUC by the pool tables) at 9:00 on Monday. I've had a blast doing it this year, and there's no better way to meet fun people. So I hope to see you all out there!

If you can't make it Monday, send me an email and we'll work something out.

Thanks!
Laura Stewart
Treasurer

Finally what we've all been waiting for! We've just been informed that Oliver & Smith, an upscale restaurant and lounge downtown, will host their weekly Swing Nights every Wednesday! The management has been really dancer-friendly and they have wanted to host a swing night for some time. They have asked us to bring a bunch of Queen's Swing Club dancers to enjoy their first night dancing outside the confines of the JDUC. The upstairs lounge has a really cool, relaxing atmosphere and a nice dance floor as well. We must say that this place has some of the best mixed drinks in town and a really good wine selection as well. So if you are dying to go out dancing for a change, swing your Wednesday blahs away at Oliver & Smith!

Special appetizers and drinks will be served at 8:30 (cocktail hour), and Dave will be there spinning swing discs until 11:30. Dancing is encouraged at all hours! Although there is no dress code, O&S is a classy-looking lounge and I'm sure they'd like it if we look good. Email Dave for info regarding this event.

Swing Nights at Oliver & Smith, Every Wednesday at 8:30pm, starting 9 February. No Cover!

Due to the success of November's Band Nite with Andy Poole, we will have another swing band hit the floor of Wallace Hall in two weeks! The guys in the Imperials are all accomplished jazz musicians who play in their own Dixieland Jazz band and who also swing with Andy Poole's Big Band every summer. Tickets will be on sale (very shortly) at the UBS Exchange in the JDUC and will be $4 for members, $6 for non-members! Swing dancers dance best to live music, so if you haven't experienced this band play, they are a must-see!

End Your Study Blues! With the Imperial Jazz Band, Wallace Hall, JDUC 8:00pm-12:00pm -- Tickets $4 members, $6 non-members

If you want to see how the famous dancers of the 1940s actually danced, come to Wallace Hall next Friday, and at 9:00 we will be showing Groovie Movie, a short (10 minute) film on Hollywood Jitterbug dancing. Fred will be showing the movie as well as some other video clips. He will also guest as DJ. We will be dancing shortly afterwards as well. The dance will be on Fri 14 Jan and our beginner's lesson will start at 8:00pm if there is enough interest (mail here).

Happy New Year! Our first event of the year will be our weekly Swing Dance at Wallace Hall, JDUC. The dance will be on Fri 14 Jan and our beginner's lesson will start at 8:00pm. Memberships are at the reduced rate of $5 for January to August. Our dances for this year are cheaper as well: $2 for non-members! One lousy toonie to see if the club is right for you! Of course, if you decide to become a member right away, pay $3 more and you'll get your membership card.

Jenny Asteberg, come on down! You've won the Swing: More Greatest Hits compilation from RCA Victor.

Thanks everyone for writing your comments to us, we really appreciate the feedback. We will use this info to make next term even better! The first dance next year will be Friday, 14 Jan and we can't wait to see you all there!