Big Band Cabaret & Dance Party

Big Band Cabaret & Dance Party
When: 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23
Where: The Bluffs Ballroom Student Union
For more than two decades, Big Band Cabaret has been a highlight of the performance year! There is no better excuse to lace up those dance shoes and join us for an unforgettable night of music and fun. Swing dance lessons included! This year, we are expanding our repertoire to include music from many different dance traditions including salsa, funk, tango, and swing. Featuring the UW-La Crosse Tuxedo Dance Orchestra (Jazz Orchestra) and Black Coat Jazz Band (Jazz Ensemble) with band leaders Dr. Jeff Erickson and Jon Ailabouni.

The Jazz Orchestra will get dancers moving with swing tunes such as Glenn Miller’s “In the Mood,” Tommy Dorsey’s “Song of India,” and from Duke Ellington, “Main Stem” and “Rumpus from Richmond.” The group will also play a mix of Latin and contemporary music. Dr. Jeff Erickson, the director of the Jazz Orchestra, says “ along with the classics that our audiences have come to love, there will be lots of new songs and styles that the ensembles haven’t covered heard in previous years. That’s why we have added ‘Dance Party’ to the name. We want to reflect the diversity of both big band music and dance music and explore that intersection.”

The Jazz Ensemble will perform swing era classics such as Louis Prima’s “Jump, Jive, an’ Wail”, Billy Strayhorn’s classic “Take The A Train”, and Glen Miller’s version of “Pennsylvania 6-5000″and feature student vocalists Anna Stoll on Cole Porter’s “Night and Day” and Collin Miller with the Frank Sinatra version of “Come Fly With Me”. Jon Ailabouni, director of the UWL Jazz Ensemble says, “In addition to some of our favorite Swing Era selections, expect some surprises – from tango to cha cha, and polka to funk – we’ve got something for every toe to tap”! Dr. Eddie Kim will be leading a dance lessons to teach the basics of swing for beginners and those wanting a refresher from 6:30-7:15 p.m.

$20 recommended minimum donation for Adults; $18 recommended minimum donation for Seniors ; $10 recommended minimum donation for students.

Note: There are no physical tickets for this event: Simply check in with your last name when you arrive.

Please REGISTER HERE (if viewing on the University calendar) or scroll below.

For questions about this event or to request disability accommodations (accessible seating, interpreting, closed captioning, FM systems, etc.), contact David Bashaw at dbashaw@uwlax.edu or 608.785.8409.