Check out Midsummer Night Swing 2019!
Damrosch Park
62nd Street between Amsterdam and Columbus Avenues
June 25 – July 13, 2013
[dropcap style=”font-size: 60px; color: #9b9b9b;”]H[/dropcap]ey Upper West Siders! It’s almost time to get out your dancing shoes and head on over to Lincoln Center. Midsummer Night Swing can be a unique date night, a fun evening out with your friends, or a great place to meet new ones. This annual summertime event, now in its twenty-fifth year, features incredible live music and is the place to dance the night away to your favorite tunes. Whether you are a professional dancer or a novice, everyone is welcome. No, you don’t need to be an expert to enjoy this wonderful outdoor activity. There are free dance lessons with top-notch instructors who will teach you the basics to help you get started and have a blast.
Who’s playing?
For true swing enthusiasts, you may want plan your July 4th activities to include hearing the delightful The George Gee Swing Orchestra, one of my favorites. But Midsummer Night Swing is not only for swing dancers. Do you love the 70s club scene? On July 11th, learn the hustle from the incredible Maria Torres and boogie down with Donna Summer and The Divas of Disco. No, sadly we can’t bring back the actual Donna Summer, but we can pay homage to her sexy music and the mirror-ball hits from that era. Or get those salsa hips going on June 28th, when you can dance to the hot rhythms of the Grammy-winning Spanish Harlem Orchestra. No matter what your flavor, there is a night for you. Check out the website for the full line-up of amazing bands.
What about the kids?
If you have little ones, bring them out on Saturday, July 13th to experience the joy of dancing. This FREE family-friendly day will inspire and delight your children, as Rodney Lopez, from the documentary Mad Hot Ballroom, teaches the basics of swing, salsa, merengue, and tango to dancers ages 6 to 10.
How do I get tickets and what are my options?
Tickets for Midsummer Night Swing go on sale on May 22nd for the 2013 season. If you plan ahead and buy on the first day, you can get a special 25th anniversary deal. There are a few different ways to get your dance on, depending on how frequently you want to attend. You can purchase a Season Pass for $170, which can be used for one or two people for up to sixteen nights. Or you can choose a Six-Dance Pass for $84, which can be used six times by yourself or with a friend for three times. For $60, you can get a Four-Dance Pass for admittance four times on your own or twice with a friend. These passes have the added benefit of guaranteeing you a space on the floor, a free bag check, and access to the Celebrity Cruises Modern Luxury Lounge (with the exception of a few nights when it is closed for private events). Or you can always just try it out for one visit. It is $17 for a single ticket, which includes a dance lesson at the start of the evening. If you are a single ticket holder, you are advised you leave your bags at home or use the $3 bag check. Please refrain from bringing bags, food, drink, or photography onto the dance floor.
When do I go?
The full schedule of entertainment can be found at the Midsummer Night Swing website. Most evenings the dance floor opens at 6:00pm for a 45 minute group dance lesson beginning at 6:30pm. Then you have incredible music and dancing from 7:30pm to 10:00pm. Most acts take a break from 8:30 to 9:00pm, but DJs will seamlessly fill in so that you can keep your groove going.
As said by Marvin Gaye and sung by Martha and the Vandellas, “Summer’s here, and the time is right for dancing in the streets”! So get out there and have a ball at the 25th anniversary season of Midsummer Night Swing!
