Betty's Ultra Swing NYC Weekender

THE FINAL LOWDOWN

Picking up from the Jazz Festival, I had been out late partying with the Dino Martinis the night before my flight, and by the time I arrived at LaGuardia on Saturday morning I was a complete zombie. Arrived at friend Merideth's ready to eat a horse, or pass out, or both. Good thing for me there was a great little Belgian resto called La Petite Abeille across the street from her apartment where we were able to grab lunch. Smoked salmon omelet....mmmmm. Ran into a group of dancers, which included Yehoodi's own Larry, trying to grab a bite after taking in Sylvia and Eric's workshops at Dance Manhattan. The restaurant was packed so unfortunately they had to look elsewhere :-(.

Got a lift up to Lincoln Center to catch the tail-end of the panel on "What is Swing?" with Ernie Smith, Albert Murray, Illinois Jacquet, Bill Elliott, Ryan François and Mr. Lucky. Jacquet made an interesting point when he said, "I don't need to listen to rock'n'roll -- I've heard it all already" - a true jazz man right there :-). Another point that was carefully noted was the influence of rock and punk on the neo-swing movement, and how the swing revival would not have occurred without such bands as Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Royal Crown Revue, Brian Setzer et al. There were some purists on the panel, to be sure, but I think for the most part everyone agreed that neo-swing needed to be inclusive in order to first attract, and then keep, the young crowds. (I think Bill still can't get over the fact his new CD is being stocked in the "Rock/Pop" section!).

After the panel wrapped I headed over first to Barnes & Noble, and then Tower (usual stops on every NYC trip) to pick up a few things (including the new Atomic Fireballs for only $9.99 and a great Peggy Lee Capitol compilation). Then back home to change and go *back* to Lincoln Center for the evening. (I had planned on napping for a couple of hours but that got quashed early on when I realized how much time my store-browsing was taking).

I met Bailey near the entrance and we compared our matching (well, almost) lavendar outfits (mine, a summer swing dress and his, a nice short-sleeved shirt). Lucky for him I had vouchers that got us in to the sold-out dance floor area, which by this time was already swamped with neophyte swingers taking Eric and Sylvia's Hollywood Style Basics class.

After the class Steve Lucky & The Rhumba Bums, along with Carmen Getit, took to the stage and delivered a fun, energetic performance of some of their best tunes, including "Not Now" and "You've Got What It Takes". Carmen wore a fantastic little black dress with leopard-skin collar and matching long gloves, and I am always impressed with the staying power of her strawberry blonde curls. They even launched into an East Coast Swing number -- they're quite the couple on the dance floor as well!

Bailey and I skipped Bellevue Cadillac in order to eat dinner -- we went down the street to this diner and I got a lime chicken salad and he got a veggie melt thing (which he covered in BBQ sauce and proceeded *not* to eat -- blechhh). We both downed milkshakes before returning to Lincoln Center, where I said hi to Todi and Gary dancing near the fountain (too bad I didn't catch up with you guys later on!) Beata Howe was just starting her West Coast Swing lesson and with far too many people on the dance floor to get much out of it, we tried anyway. The Johnny Nocturne Band with Kim Nalley were up next, and they delivered a smooth, solid performance of some great oldies and original tunes.

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