Midsummer Night Swing Week Three Kicks Off 7/5

Week Three of Midsummer Night Swing will have dance enthusiasts dancing cumbia, Lindy hop, tango, and the Charleston under the stars in Lincoln Center's open-air ballroom in Damrosch Park (West 62nd Street between Columbus & Amsterdam Avenues) from July 5 through July 9. Midsummer Night Swing brings together people of all ages, at every skill level, and from diverse backgrounds for 15 evenings of social dance with music played by acclaimed bands from across the country and around the world.

Week Three opens on July 5 with Gregorio Uribe leading the 16-piece Gregorio Uribe Big Band for an evening filled with his blending of classic Latin rhythms, funk, and jazz to create an original big band experience. Consummate performer and former teen idol Bobby Rydell, featuring City Rhythm Orchestra, turns the open-air ballroom into a hopping party on July 6. Led by world famous bandoneon virtuoso Daniel Binelli, the Astoria Tango Orchestra brings the traditions of golden-era big tango bands to Lincoln Center on July 7. Having performed everywhere from hidden speakeasies to the Oak Room at the Plaza,Tatiana Eva-Marie & the Avalon Jazz Band perform the American standards popular in France in the 1940s, the songs of French composers influenced by the sounds of jazz, and Tatiana Eva-Marie's original music on July 8. A vintage fashion contest with a French flair will also be held on July 8. On July 9, Dancing Classrooms will offer a free afternoon of dance lessons for kids. Later that evening, Harlem Renaissance Orchestra (HRO) closes the season with the 12th annual tribute to Illinois Jacquet, the great tenor saxophonist and bandleader who was one of the original spark plugs of Midsummer Night Swing. On July 9, swing dancers can compete for the Ambassador Prize, honoring the late Savoy Ballroom dancing legend Frankie Manning.

Tickets: Midsummer Night Swing passes are priced at $84 for six dances and $170 for the full season. Four-dance passes are available for $60. Tickets for individual evening events are $17. For $100, a group of four will receive the Dance Ambassador Package, which grants admission to the dance floor, free bag check for four, and one complimentary glass of wine or beer per guest.

Each evening of Midsummer Night Swing is a ticketed event. The night begins with a dance lesson at 6:30 pm for all skill levels with some of New York's foremost instructors. Lessons are included in the price of admission. Live music and dancing begins at 7:30 pm and lasts until 10:00 pm. Dancing continues until 11:30 pm on June 23 and July 2 for the Silent Discos.

The Swing box office is located in the lobby of David Geffen Hall at Broadway and 65th Street. Tickets for individual events and passes can be purchased in advance at the David Geffen Hall Box Office or beginning at 5:30 pm on the night of the event at a box office in Damrosch Park. All major credit cards will be accepted. Tickets and passes can also be purchased through CenterCharge, 212.721.6500, or at MidsummerNightSwing.org.

Rain Policy: Midsummer Night Swing makes every effort to present each event of the season, as long as unpredictable weather allows. Performance cancellations due to inclement weather will not be announced until 8:30 pm on show night. In the case of cancellation, ticketholders are entitled to exchange for another performance or a refund. Passholders are not entitled to a refund. If a performance has begun and is cancelled after 8:30 pm, exchanges or refunds are not offered.

The Schedule for Midsummer Night Swing Week Three:

Tuesday, July 5 at 7:30 pm

Gregorio Uribe Big Band Cumbia

Charismatic singer and accordionist Gregorio Uribe and his 16-piece big band spread the love with their "feel-good fusion of funk and Afro-Colombian rhythms" (WNYC). This is a band that loves playing for dancers, so patrons are invited to come early to learn some steps and then spend an unforgettable night perfecting their style.

Lesson: Rodney Lopez teaches Salsa/Cumbia at 6:30 pm

DJ: Mickey Perez

Wednesday, July 6 at 8:00 pm

Bobby Rydell featuring City Rhythm Orchestra Swing, Oldies

One extended live set at 8:00 pm

Everyone is invited to dress sharp and dance the night away with swinging crooner Bobby Rydell. A '60s teen idol both in real life and on screen in Bye Bye Birdie, Rydell is the consummate entertainer. And with one of Philadelphia's hottest vintage party bands keeping the beat, even the shyest wallflowers will let it fly when they play "Volare."

Lesson: Eva Carrozza teaches Lindy Hop at 6:30 pm

DJ: Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus

Thursday, July 7 at 7:30 pm

Astoria Tango Orchestra with Daniel Binelli Tango

New York's vibrant tango underground bursts into the open air at this midsummer night milonga led by Argentina-born bandoneon star Daniel Binelli and his fantastic tango orchestra. Dancers will learn ballroom's most sensual steps and then get swept away by the romance of tango under the night sky.

Lesson: Jorge Torres teaches Tango at 6:30 pm

DJ: Amy Wilson

Friday, July 8 at 7:30 pm

Tatiana Eva-Marie & the Avalon Jazz Band Gypsy Jazz, French Jazz

With the Avalon Jazz Band in residence, the dance floor will erupt with the joie de vivre of an impromptu party on the banks of the Seine. Fronted by Tatiana Eva-Marie, "one of the finest rising jazz vocalists" (Vanity Fair), the Avalon Jazz Band infuses the New York swing renaissance with Django Reinhardt-style bravado, zazou boldness, and millennial cool. Dancers are invited to come in their chicest Parisian vintage attire and compete for best-dressed prizes.

Lesson: Roddy Caravella teaches Charleston at 6:30 pm

DJ: Cara Wolinsky

Saturday, July 9 from 3:00-4:30 pm

LC Kids Dance with Dancing Classrooms

Free

Ballroom

Kids will certainly learn how to move with confidence and joy at the popular annual LC Kids Dance, led by the visionary folks behind the social-emotional learning program Dancing Classrooms. Dancers of all ages will master a few merengue, tango, salsa, and swing steps before letting loose on the dance floor during this afternoon of family fun set to music. Plus, dancers will get inspired to practice with a performance by the wonderful Dancing Classrooms Youth Dance Company. Recommended for ages 6-10.

LC Kids is presented by NewYork-Presbyterian.

Support for LC Kids programs and events is provided by Disney.

Generous support is also provided by Barbara and James Block, Joseph Bae and Janice Lee, Amanda and John Waldron, The Robertson Family, and Joseph M. Cohen.

Saturday, July 9 at 7:30 pm

Harlem Renaissance Orchestra 12th Annual Tribute to Illinois Jacquet Big Band Swing

Swing is the thing at the season finale. Guardians of Harlem's jazz past for two decades, the Harlem Renaissance Orchestra summons the spirit of jazz legend Illinois Jacquet with high-octane renditions of tunes by the Count, the Duke, and the King of Swing. Always one of the most popular parties of the season, the night hits fever pitch as New York's best dancers face off for the Ambassador Prize, an homage to Lindy hop icon Frankie Manning. The contest is open to all ticketholders, and it takes place during the break between sets of the Harlem Renaissance Orchestra.

Lesson: Margaret Batiuchok teaches Lindy Hop at 6:30 pm

DJ: Ryan Swift

Programs and artists subject to change.