For those of you around during break. More complete information as well
as links to websites mentioned here can be found at the revised Swing
Society Web page at <http://come.to/cu-swing>. Note that I do not have
the latest version of the e-mail list so you may want to forward this to
your friends.
Friday March 19, 8-10PM
Susan Hofer and Friends ($?)
the Orchid (619 S. Wright, Champaign) (19+?)
Jazz Vocalist Susan Hofer (and Friends) singing the songs of
Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Gershwin and other jazz standards from
the big band era. That read right off of the advertisement.
Friday March 19, 8-10PM
The Virtues ($?)
City of New Orleans (116 N. Chestnut Street Champaign)(?)
The Virtues are a jump blues/swing band that play Louisiana
and Texas swing in the style of T-Bone Walker, Louis Jordan, and other
great black jazz and blues artists of the 30's and 40's. They feature 6
of Champaign/Urbana's most known musicians: John Tubbs playing upright
bass (from the Impalas, Jeff Helgesen Quartet), Bruce Rummenie - guitar
(Impalas), Peter Roubal - sax (Impalas, Peter and Gloria, Freelance Jazz
artist), Ian Shepard - drums (Funky Butt Drum Club, Brat Pack), Bruce
Bethel - sax (Mudhens), Neil Robinson - piano (Keith Harden Band,
Patience Mudeka, Freelance Jazz Artist).
Writes one Swing Society member: ``I have heard and seen most
of these on separate occasions and have never been disappointed.'' A
more complete review is found at the website.
Saturday March 20, 10PM
Big Sandy and his Fly-Rite Boys ($10)
The Canopy Club (708 S. Goodwin, Urbana) (18+)
Big Sandy and his Fly-Rite Boys are a nationally
known rockabilly/western swing band playing at the Canopy SATURDAY,
March 20th at 10PM. They were featured in the Swing! The New Retro
Renaissance by V/Search publications and have released numerous CDs
through Hightone records, as well has having been featured on the House
of Blues Swings CD, where the compiler wrote, ``Whether you call this
Honky-Tonk Boy, Hillbilly Boogie, or plain ol' Western Swing, you can't
help but be impressed by this bands authenticity and solid musicianship.
Big Sandy (aka Robert Williams) named his Fly-Rite Boys for the Nat King
Cole classic "Straighten Up & Fly Right."'' The cover is $10 at the
door. The Viper and His Orchestra are opening for them. The Scene
writes, ``And, the perfect opener, the Viper is charmingly odd. But you
cant beat CU's only yodeling, protest uber-swinger. The Viper and his
famous orchestra establish a playground for ukulele, suitcase, bass, and
trombone. Since The Octopus doesn't webify their critics' pick section,
I have included it below. It was written by Holly Rushakoff.
We're talking a retro silver-RV/school-bus-like tour vehicle and nicely
pressed country-western embroidered suits and boots. We're talking some
style that necessitates the unfailingly eccentric, ukulele-slinging
Viper and his Orchestra to warm up the folks.
That's right, Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys--an entourage that graced
the stage of the old Blind Pig a handful of times, always strutting
before a crowd of 200 to 300 fans--are making their vivacious return
after a year-and-a-half lull. Ward Gollings, who had long booked shows
at the old Blind Pig, said that Big Sandy's party crowd would always be
dancing and moving along to his brand of definitely '50's-influenced
country-western swing. And with a new six-song EP coming out March 23,
titled Radio Favorites, the California-based band will surely crank out
some new upbeat hits that cater to the rockabilly, country, roosty listeners.
Since forming in 1987, Big Sandy and his quintet have directed their
sound from rockabilly, adding currents of hillbilly swing, country
boogie, honky tonk, jazz, R&B, and blues. They have refined their unique
set to create crisp, vintage-tinged, jumpin' tunes in the era thats
frequency -filled with loud rock.
Sunday March 21, 8:15PM-12:15PM
"Let's Swing" and "Squirrel Nut Zippers Live"
WILL-TV 12
Two concerts. "Let's Swing" featuring local vocalists "The D's
3" with the U of I Jazz Band and a tiny smattering of local area dancers
filmed at WILL-TV. The other featuring nationally known Squirrel Nut
Zippers (airing after the first at 10:15PM).
Sunday March 21, 9PM-1AM
Swing Night
The Office (214 W. Main Urbana) (all ages)
Swing Night at the Office restarts with lessons at 9PM with
Warren Raquel and Anne Kogan. Dancing from 10PM-1AM.
I heard some rumor about an IVCF swing dance also on Sunday but nobody
has informed me, so tough!
Take care,
terry
--terry chay, webmaster, UIUC Swing Society ICQ: <http://wwp.icq.com/16069322> Champaign-Urbana Swing Calendar <http://come.to/cu-swing> or <http://guava.physics.uiuc.edu/~tychay/swing/>