[Contradancers] Fw: Treat Your Valentine to a Big Band Dance Sunday Afternoon Feb 22

Wed Feb 11 12:21:02 EST 2009

Hi everyone
I am sending along a notice about the next 'tea dance'
Catherine

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Chris Thompson 
To: 'Catherine Burns' 
Cc: 'Julie Bishop' 
Sent: Wednesday, February 11, 2009 12:04 PM
Subject: Treat Your Valentine to a Big Band Dance Sunday Afternoon Feb 22

Hi Catherine!

I'm the drummer in the Almonte-based 15-piece big band Standing Room Only. Julie Bishop, who is also a member of the Ottawa Swing Dance Society, suggested that I send the Ottawa contra dancers notices about upcoming SRO 'tea dances' (thanks, Julie). Julie has told me that some contra dancers have already attended these very popular big band dances, and that others have expressed interest in attending. She has also told me that, over the past year, Ottawa contra dancers have started coming to the occasional Saturday night contra dances that also take place in the Almonte Old Town Hall.

The next tea dance in the 2008/2009 season is on Sunday afternoon February 22nd at the Old Town Hall in Almonte, Ontario. I would very much appreciate it if you would pass the information below on to your members.

Thanks . Chris  J

Chris Thompson

home office: 613-692-5380 (please try first)

cell phone:   613-295-0553

fax:             613-692-0241

chris101t at sympatico.ca

Treat your valentine to a Sunday afternoon of dancing to one of the area's best big swing bands in an authentic period setting

I'm the drummer in the Almonte-based 15-piece big swing band Standing Room Only. SRO will host its next 'tea dance' of the 2008/2009 season as follows:

              When:   Sunday February 22nd, 2009, from 1 to 4 pm (doors open at 12:30 pm)

             Where:   The historic Almonte Old Town Hall - 14 Bridge Street, Almonte, Ontario

  Refreshments:   A refreshments table run by the Women's Institute will offer delicious home-baked goods and a range of (non-alcoholic) beverages at very reasonable prices

           Parking:   Lots of free parking in the AOTH parking lot and on nearby streets

            Tickets:   $10 at the door* (reservations are not required)

                                 * Includes a $2 building improvement surcharge

               Dress:   Casual - optional period dress (1920s-1940s) is encouraged

***************************************************************************************************************

This is the third season of these very popular dances. If you haven't been to one yet, I've included the following background information. And if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me (Chris Thompson) at 613-692-5380 or sro.teadances at sympatico.ca.

What's a 'tea dance'?

Tea dances are afternoon dances that were popular in the twenties, thirties, and forties, when big bands were king. They were generally held in hotels and, of course, always featured a live band.

Almonte's well-known 15-piece big swing band Standing Room Only has recreated the period atmosphere of the tea dance in a series of Sunday afternoon dances. Featuring the vintage big band sounds of Glenn Miller, Duke Ellington, and many others, as well as the vocal stylings of Lauren Hall, the series has been a great success. The Ottawa Swing Dance Society has told us "Everyone was impressed by the music, dance, ambiance, and the delicious deserts to keep the energy going.". Alana of Dance With Alana Studios has told us "The venue, the dance floor, and the great variety of music was a treat. I have performed with a number of big bands over the years and your band sounded GREAT. The music was tight and the tempos were great for dancing.". You can watch a short video clip from a recent tea dance on YouTube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjawmevWv68.

We are very fortunate to be able to hold these dances in the historic Almonte Old Town Hall, a beautifully preserved venue with a clean and spacious wooden dance floor, natural lighting, and wonderful acoustics. The Almonte Old Town Hall is one of the few remaining concert halls in Canada with a vaulted wooden ceiling. This adds greatly to the acoustics of the room, which is used by the CBC regularly for national music broadcasts and which has been selected by CBC Radio 3 as one of the fifty best live music venues in Canada. The authentic period atmosphere of the tea dances is due not only to this very special venue, but also to such touches as the table decorations and the refreshments table run by the Women's Institute which offers delicious home-baked goods and a range of (non-alcoholic) beverages at very reasonable prices.

Combine a scenic Sunday afternoon drive to Almonte with dancing to one of the area's best big swing bands in an authentic period setting. The remaining two dances in the 2008/2009 season will be held on February 22nd and March 22nd.

Standing Room Only

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