July Bands

All events are hosted by Lilli Ann Carey of Dance for Joy! unless otherwise noted. Lilli Ann is also the organizer of Dancing til Dusk. danceforjoy.biz

Tuesday, July 8

Swingin’ in the Rain with Dina Blade | Swing Variety

Westlake Park, 6–9:30pm

Dina Blade is a refreshingly natural singer with a great sense of time and swing who specializes in singing American popular songs from the 1930s and '40s, preserving the work of master composers and lyricists from that era. An effervescent performer, she has written and toured several different thematic shows celebrating the Great American Songbook.

Dina has released six recordings, including her most recent, Shall We Dance, with songs ranging from the lively to the sultry and romantic. KPLU's "Jazz Northwest‚" DJ Jim Wilke praised her voice as "warm and inviting, fresh and original," and included her recent CD, "My Romance‚" on his "Best of the Northwest" list. dinablade.com

Beginning Swing instruction by TBD.

Thursday July 10

West Coast Swing DJ Battle with Sam & Rebecca | WCS

Westlake Park, 6–9:30pm

A duo of two of Seattle most popular WCS DJ’s Sam Lingane and Rebecca Savoca No sitting down with the music of this pair!

Beginning West Coast Swing instruction Katie Schneider and Rebecca Savoca, Reverieballroom.com

Tuesday, July 15

Alex Guilbert's Stampede Seven Quartet | Swing

Freeway Park, 6–9pm

Alex is a frequent provider of live music for the region’s thriving dance scene. He can be found onstage at Swing it Seattle, the Century Ballroom, Jule’s Mae’s, the Eastside Stomp, Bellingham Stomp, T Town Swing, and many more dance events and festivals, as both a leader and sideman committed to keeping the dancers on the floor. Alex Guilbert (piano), Hans Teuber (reeds), Eric Eagle (drums), Trevor Ford (bass). alexguilbert.com

Beginning Swing lesson by Lilli Ann and Claire Carey, danceforjoy.biz (It's also Lilli Ann's Birthday!) Youtube- youtube.com/@dancelilli

Thursday, July 17

Bayou Envie | Zydeco

Hing Hay Park, 6–9pm

Bayou Envie is a Zydeco band from the Pacific Northwest, led by brothers Danny & David Salonen, grandsons of Seattle Cajun and Zydeco pioneer Dave Lang, who bring Louisiana's Zydeco music to a new generation of dancers. Facebook/BayouEnvie

Beginning Zydeco instruction by Sean Donovan, gatorboyproductions.com.

Tuesday, July 22

Ron Bailey and the Tangents | Swing

Freeway Park, 6–9pm

The Tangents are an all-star Americana dance band, led by seasoned songwriter Ron W. Bailey who has been performing in the Seattle music scene since 1970. This accomplished group includes Mark Dalton on bass, Kelly Van Camp on drums and harmonica, Steve Flynn, The Boogieman” on keys and Al Kaatz on electric guitar. These musicians have accompanied legends like Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry, Doug Kershaw and Wanda Jackson. Dancers will appreciate the wide variety of songs and styles the band embraces.

Beginning Swing instruction by TBD

Thursday, July 24

Ben Thomas Tango Quartet | Tango

Hing Hay Park, 6–9pm

Ben Thomas plays both traditional tango and modern jazz-influenced tango on the bandoneon, capturing the romance and passion of one of the world’s most favorite dance forms.

“The bandoneon is a perhaps more expressive cousin to the accordion and a central element in the sound of tango music…Thomas’ music breaks some molds, but it never abandons a connection to tango’s fiery melancholy, deep sense of groove, and rhythmic drive.” (Earshot Jazz)

Beginning Tango instruction by Michelle Badion — michellebadion.com

Tuesday July 29

Ranger and the “Re-Arrangers” | Django Reinhart Swing

Freeway Park, 6–9pm (This is a Ball Rouge — wear red!)

Seattle Gypsy Jazz band Ranger and the "Re-Arrangers" evoke the spirit of a Paris café and the raucous energy of a Gypsy campsite with their unique twist on gypsy jazz. "At the heart of their sound is Ranger Sciacca's sweet violin playing, his sense of melody and daring improvisations" (World Rhythm Webzine). The band's repertoire includes swing standards, traditional Gypsy melodies, the music of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli, and Ranger's unique originals. Ranger and his father Michael formed Ranger and the "Re-Arrangers" in 2006, after returning from the Django Reinhardt festival in Samois, France. In the years since, the band has released 4 CDs and played over 100 shows a year, including summer concerts, festivals, swing dances, art openings, and weddings. www.rangerswings.com

Beginning Swing lesson by Lilli Ann and Claire Carey, danceforjoy.biz Youtube- youtube.com/@dancelilli

Thursday, July 31

DJs Miss Anna Ponder and Sean Donovan | Line Dance Favorites

Hing Hay Park, 6–9

Line Dance instruction by Miss Anna Ponder and Sean Donovan. No experience is necessary for this night. Your line dance leaders will teach each line dance so you will be able to jump in any time – easy and fun! Anna Ponder- youtube.com/@steppersuniteinc.757 and Sean Donovan — gatorboyproductions.com