Big band nighta chance to swing

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    By NOELLE BARKE

    Dancing and dining into the late hours of the night is on the agenda for many BYU students tonight as they attend the Big Band Night dance and dinner in the ELWC Ballroom.

    The Student Leadership Involvement Center is hosting this four-hour event to take students back to the era of swing dancing and big band orchestras during the war filled 1940s.

    The annual Big Band night will be filled with swing dancing including instruction every hour from the Swing Kids club, a 30 minute floor show by the Ballroom Dance team and a musical performance during dinner by a BYU a cappella singing group. Synthesis, an 18-piece musical orchestra will be playing music reminiscent of the 1930s and 1940s throughout the night.

    Committee members for the Big Band Night expect not only BYU students to be attending the dance but also local senior citizens who plan to hit the dance floor once again to show their dance skills. In previous BYU Big Band events, older couples have been known to arrive at the semi-formal dances fully dressed in sequin dresses and black tuxedos.

    “I think there’s been a real resurgence in ballroom dance. It’s been extremely successful in the past, people just eat it up,” said Ray Smith, director of Synthesis and Jazz Studies Coordinator.

    The orchestra will be playing music from Glen Miller, Count Basie and other musical greats of the past. In addition to swing music, the orchestra will also play ballroom and Latin music for the mambo, samba, cha-cha, waltz and others.

    Synthesis, under Smith’s direction and composed of BYU students, performs frequently at local venues and has recently released their ninth album, “Time After Time” which will be available at the dance.

    Committee members for tonight’s events are hoping to create an atmosphere similar to the 1930s and 1940s by decorating with white lights accented by white, black, and silver colors.

    The eight student volunteers on the committee have been preparing for this event since November. Julie Cash, the SLIC director in charge of tonight’s events believes the night will be very successful.

    “I think there’s definitely an interest in swing dancing. It’s similar to country swing dancing. We’re really excited to bring this to the BYU community,” Cash said.

    Tickets for the catered dinner and dance were available until January 31 but students can still purchase tickets for the dance at the door. Tickets coast $26 per couple for dinner and dancing or $15 per couple for dancing only. The dinner begins at 7:30 p.m. and the dance begins at 9 p.m. and ends at 12:30 a.m.

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