Dance Festival Swings into Catalina

Byline: Nu Yang

Dance Festival Swings into Catalina

AVALON — Boaters can “bust a move” retro-style at the upcoming Catalina Swing Dance Festival, Nov. 18-20 at the Casino Ballroom.

This unique dance camp experience will celebrate the Swing Era of the 1930s and 1940s — and other eras, too — with a full weekend of live music, dance classes and workshops.

Friday will honor the Roaring ‘20s, with flappers and their beaus in top hats. Saturday will focus on the “Zoot Suit Riot,” with guys in zoot suits and gals in swishy skirts. Sunday will close out the festival celebrating the Fabulous ‘50s, with dancers wearing poodle skirts or rolled-up jeans and white T-shirts.

Live music will be provided by Jonathan Stout and his Campus Five, performing as the weekend “house band.” Special guest bands include George Gee and the Savoy Stompers, and the 11-piece George Gee Swing Orchestra, featuring John Dokes on vocals.

Fun competitions are also on the schedule. At 11:30 a.m. Sunday, participants will compete for the title of Mr. 1930 Vintage Swimsuit/Muscle; and at 1:30 p.m., contestants will vie to be named Miss Catalina Vintage Swimsuit. If there is enough interest, a good-old-fashioned throwdown dancing competition will take place — but only if at least seven couples sign up.

The Catalina Swing Dance Festival is presented by 2PlySwing Productions. For registration information, a full list of workshops and a schedule of events, visit catalinaswingdancefestival.com.

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