Lincoln Center’s Midsummer Night Swing
MIDSUMMER NIGHT SWING 2008 WEEK TWO HIGHLIGHTS:
New York debut of Chicago’s Alan Gresik Swing Shift Orchestra;
US debut of tango masters Orquesta T?pica Imperial from Argentina;
plus Balkan brass, Afro-soul, and Cuban son
Lincoln Center’s Midsummer Night Swing, now in its 20th Anniversary season, continues with a second week of dancing under the stars with eclectic performances by orchestras from around the globe. Because of the ongoing construction on Josie Robertson Plaza, this program will take place in Lincoln Center’s Damrosch Park, W. 62nd Street between Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues.
A big noise from Chicago will start off the week when the Alan Gresik Swing Shift Orchestra blows into town for their very first New York appearance on Tuesday, July 15th. Known for their legendary Thursday night stand at Chicago’s Green Mill, the Alan Gresik Swing Shift Orchestra plays the rock n’ roll of the 1930s, including rarely-heard big band songs of that era. It’s a jumping, jiving, swinging sound from the golden age of American dance music.
Gresik is followed on Wednesday, July 16th by Boban i Marko Markovic Orkestar (photo above), the father and son virtuosos that blast their trumpets into the next century. The aural assault from this raucous brass band has earned them the title of “best band in Serbia” for nearly 20 years running. Next up on July 17th is Orquesta T?pica Imperial, a group of young musicians who play the pure tango of their native Argentina with all of its harmonic and rhythmic richness. Famous throughout Europe and Latin America, this marks their long-awaited US debut.
Sponsored by Time Warner Inc.
Midsummer Night Swing is made possible in part by grants from Daisy and Paul Soros and Charina Endowment Fund.
On Friday, July 18th there’s an explosive triple bill of the Budos Band (direct from Staten Island), followed by Chico Mann, then topped off with Jeannie Hopper’s Liquid Sound Lounge with Jay Rodriguez. It’s a night of Afro-soul, electro Afro-funk, and throbbing dance music
The week closes out with two performances on Saturday, July 19th: a special Kids Day! with Father Goose, followed with an evening of Cuban son with the sizzling Albita. The Kids Day! is a dance lesson/dance party for children of all ages where they can learn reggae, dance hall and ska from popular performer Rankin Don (aka Father Goose.) In the evening Albita, the queen of Cuban son, will reign over a dance party of Latin rhythms.
Midsummer Night Swing’s evenings of dance are ticketed events. Each evening begins with a dance lesson at 6:30 pm for all levels with some of New York’s foremost instructors. Lessons are included in the price of admission. Live music and dancing begin at 7:30 pm and runs until 10 pm. All events take place on an elevated dance floor in Damrosch Park.
Tickets and passes are on sale now. Multi-evening Swing Passes are priced at $78 for six nights, and $225 for the full season. Tickets for individual evening events are $15, and Kids Day! events are $5, with children under 5 free.
The Swing box office is located in the lobby of Avery Fisher Hall, Broadway and 64th Street. Tickets for individual events and passes can be purchased in advance or on the night of the event at a box office in Damrosch Park. All major credit cards will be accepted. Tickets and passes can also be purchased through CenterCharge, 212-721-6500, or by logging on to www.LincolnCenter.org.
Rain Policy If it rains before 8:30, Swing staff waits to see if it stops; if it does, they go on with the lesson or show. If steady rain continues past 8:30, the show is cancelled and ticket holders may bring their bracelet or ticket for a future evening of dancing, or they may receive a refund. If rain starts after the completion of the first set, Lincoln Center is unable to make refunds or exchanges.
The schedule for Midsummer Night Swing – Week Two:
Tuesday, July 15
Alan Gresik Swing Shift Orchestra – New York debut
Big Band Swing
The jumping, swinging music of the 1930s and 40s bursts into life with arrangements originally created for orchestras at radio stations more than 50 years ago. This Chicago institution plays with the vibrancy that epitomizes the golden age of American dance music.
NYC CHI: Dance Partners**
Lesson: Eva Carozza – American Ballroom Theatre
DJ: Tomo Tanaka
Wednesday, July 16
Boban i Marko Markovic Orkestar
Balkan Brass Band
The trail-blazing brass band from Serbia, led by trumpet virtuosos Boban Markovic and his rising star son Marko, whips dancers into a frenzy with its stunning blasts of exuberance and ingenuity.
NYC CHI: Dance Partners**
Lesson: Michael Ginsburg
DJ: Joro-Boro
Thursday, July 17
Orquesta T?pica Imperial – US debut
Tango
Torrid tangos are driven by the rousing energy of these eight young Argentinean musicians – three bandoneons, three violins, a double bass and piano - who update the music of tango’s golden age.
Presented in cooperation with Americas Society.
NYC CHI: Dance Partners**
Lesson: Mariela Franganillo – Tangoba/Dance Manhattan
DJ: Carlos Quiroga – ReporTango
Friday, July 18
Budos Band 7:30 pm
Chico Mann 9:00 pm
Jeannie Hopper’s Liquid Sound Lounge with Jay Rodriguez
Afro-Soul, Funk, Afro-Latin Electro, Garage-House
New York’s underground club scene comes uptown with a triple bill led by the unheralded emperors of Instrumental Staten Island Afro-Soul: the Budos Band. Also on tap — Chico Mann, the brainchild of Antibalas’ guitarist, Marquitos Garcia, will perform Latin-infused, synth-driven electro Afro-funk. And to celebrate the Liquid Sound Lounge’s 15th anniversary, DJ Jeannie Hopper, joined by Groove Collective’s Jay Rodriguez, on sax and flute, spins soul-drenched grooves.
Lesson: Courtney Ffrench Vissi Dance Company with guest Louis “Loose” Lee
DJ: Jeannie Hopper
Saturday, July 19
Albita
Cuban Son
Note: one 90-minute set at 8 pm
Grammy-winning singer Albita electrifies the bandstand with rumba, son, mambo, guajiro and the Afro-Cuban rhythms of Miami’s Little Havana and her native Cuba. One of the premier interpreters of Cuban son – the music that takes elements of Spanish canci?n and Spanish guitar and combines them with African rhythms and percussion instruments – Albita has been described as “incendiary.”
Lesson: Carlos König
DJ: Danny Ramirez
Special Event for Midsummer Night Swing 2008:
Saturday, July 19 at 11:00 am
Kids’ Day! With Father Goose
($5 per person, children and adults, children under 5 free)
Reggae, Dancehall, Ska for kids
Reggae, dance hall and ska music will rock the summer air with Father Goose, a.k.a. Rankin Don, best known as a featured performer with Dan Zanes & Friends. Young dancers and their families can learn the most popular Jamaican dance styles as little feet learn all the right moves.
Lesson: JoJo7
DJ: Mr. Vacation
** NYC CHI: Dance Partners
Lincoln Center’s Midsummer Night Swing and Department of Cultural Affairs’ Chicago SummerDance, two of the nation’s most prominent festivals of live music for social dance, are proud to collaborate on a trio of special evenings. Showcasing styles ranging from classic Big Band swing to tango to Balkan brass bands, the kindred series are working together to spearhead rare and debut appearances by international artists and the local premieres of hometown favorites from each respective city.
To celebrate this collaboration, dance enthusiasts have the opportunity to win a trip to Chicago’s SummerDance, for a weekend of music and dancing. To enter, go to Lincoln Center.org and click on My Lincoln Center to enter to win.
- Roundtrip airfare for two from New York to Chicago on Continental Airlines**
- Two nights of accommodations
- VIP access for two to 2 nights at Chicago SummerDance, which runs every Thursday through Sunday June 12 – August 24
Winner to be selected at the Alan Gresik Swing Shift Orchestra on Tuesday, July 15.
Winner need not be present to win.
For more information on Chicago’s SummerDance go to www.cityofchicago.org
Lincoln Center, Inc. and Chicago SummerDance employees and their families are not eligible.
The estimated retail value of this prize is $2,000. Your chances of winning depend on how many entries are received. This offer is void where prohibited. Persons under the age of 18, and Lincoln Center, Inc. and Continental employees and their families are not eligible. The winner may not redeem the prize for cash or otherwise make substitutions. The prize is not transferable or assignable. Taxes and other prize-related expenses including lodging and meals are the sole responsibility of the winner. Lincoln Center, Inc. is not responsible for the loss of any entry or for any property loss or damage, personal injury, or death occurring in connection with the prize.
Take note!
Midsummer Night Swing’s website features virtual dance lessons in salsa, swing, and more. Visit LincolnCenter.org
Join the free Midsummer Night Swing cell-phone text message club to receive up-to-date information about this summer’s events and access to exciting special offers! Text “swing” to 22699 to opt in. This club is available on all carriers, and is brought to Lincoln Center by Verizon Wireless. This relationship with Verizon Wireless and with Nokia represents Lincoln Center’s new mission to adopt 21st century technology in its efforts to reach potential audiences.
For updated construction information on the transformation of Lincoln Center go to LincolnCenter.org
Sponsored by Time Warner Inc.
Midsummer Night Swing is made possible in part by grants from Daisy and Paul Soros and Charina Endowment Fund.
Additional support for Midsummer Night Swing 2008 is provided by Amtrak, Time Warner Cable, Great Performers Circle, Chairman’s Council, and Friends of Lincoln Center
Operation of Lincoln Center’s public plazas is supported in part with public funds provided by the City of New York.
Movado is an Official Sponsor of Lincoln Center, Inc.
WNBC/WNJU are Official Broadcast Partners of Lincoln Center, Inc.
Continental Airlines is the official Airline of Lincoln Center, Inc.
Nokia is the Official Mobile Equipment Provider of Lincoln Center, Inc.
MetLife is the National Sponsor of Lincoln Center, Inc.
“Summer at Lincoln Center” is sponsored by Diet Pepsi and RR Donnelley.
Midsummer Night Swing is a presentation of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Inc. (LPCA), which serves three primary roles: presenter of superb artistic programming, national leader in arts and education and community relations, and manager of the Lincoln Center campus. As a presenter of over 400 events annually, LCPA’s programs include American Songbook, Great Performers, Lincoln Center Festival, the Mostly Mozart Festival, Lincoln Center Out of Doors and Live From Lincoln Center. In addition, LCPA is leading a series of major capital projects on behalf of the resident organizations across the campus.
Lincoln Center is committed to providing and improving accessibility for people with disabilities. Braille and large-type programs are available for selected Lincoln Center concerts. Wheelchair seating and assisted hearing devices are available at all concert halls and theaters. For further information or to receive a Lincoln Center accessibility guide, call 212-875-5375.
Programs and artists subject to change.
For information and program updates for Midsummer Night Swing visit LincolnCenter.org or call 212-875-5766.