Saturday, May 24th: For the first time ever at Whirl & Twirl, we’ll be featuring a big band! Echoes of the Cotton Club, the Savoy Ballroom, Roseland and Small’s Paradise. These were the clubs and dance halls where jive thrived. Now Kid Dutch presents Harlem Madness to bring it all back! Harlem Madness(tm) is a 9-11 piece band that focuses primarily on hot jazz of the Harlem Renaissance. The list of bands active in New York during this time (the 1920′s and 30′s) reads like a who’s who of jazz history and covers all regions of the country: Duke Ellington, King Oliver, Jelly Roll Morton, Cab Calloway, Andy Kirk, Jimmie Lunceford, Fletcher Henderson, Don Redman, Paul Howard, and the Casa Loma Orchestra just to name a few. Harlem Madness draws their inspiration and material from these groups. They use original orchestrations from the period, along with period instruments and mutes. The band brings this vital and joyous part of American heritage to life for dancing and for listening audiences. From the up tempo to soulful swingin’ slower rhythms, there is something for everyone. Certainly a night not to miss! To complete the theme of the evening, everyone who shows up dressed from the era will get a ticket for a chance to win some great prizes! There will be a beginner dance lesson from 8 to 9pm with the band taking stage right after and playing all the way till midnight. Special event admission is $12.

Sunday, May 25th: The Tampa/Orlando city exchange is once again in effect for Memorial Day weekend! After the invasion of Tampa dancers on Saturday night, we encourage everyone to return the favor and head down to Zendah Grotto in Tampa for their annual 40′s style USO dance. More details are coming in on the night, but this dance is always a blast and the Swing Gang always keeps the dance floor full of energy. Keep an eye out here for more updates.