“Swing Dance Party” w/ Blue Lunch & Get Hep Swing Dancers Cleveland's venerable jump swingin' blues, gospel, and old-school R&B band returns to the Rubber City and joined by the renowned Get Hep Swing Dancers for a throwback-themed night of music & dance!

The late 1940’s and early 1950’s were a magical time in American musical history, when blues, rhythm & blues, swing and rock & roll were all one thing. Blue Lunch explores that music and makes it their own.
 
Bring your dancing shoes and take part in a swing dance lesson led by Get Hep Swing’s Valerie Salstrom at 7:00PM (beginners welcome) with the live music starting at 8:00PM. Dancers & music lovers alike are invited to this special event!
 
From Cleveland, OH – Blue Lunch is comprised of eight virtuoso musicians who perform on guitar, piano, upright bass, drums, harp, saxophones, trumpet, and trombone. In addition to their instrumental work, Blue Lunch also boasts five vocalists and includes do-wop style and gospel harmonies in their repertoire. Blue Lunch has released eight CDs, Recorded Live at Wilberts, Eyes Wide Open, Not Live at the Copa, Big Sound Blues, Sideswiped, Saxophone Shootout II, Blue Lunch Special, and their newest and most recent release, Above the Fold, for Rip Cat Records of Los Angeles.
 
2014 marked the 30th anniversary of the band. Featuring Bob Frank (guitar & vocals), Pete London (harmonica & vocals), Chris Burge (tenor saxophone), Mike Sands (piano), Ray DeForest (bass), Scott Flowers (drums), Mike Rubin (trumpet), and Bob Michael (trombone).
 
Don’t miss this special night at BLU Jazz+ celebrating the sounds of the 1940’s & 1950’s with the return of Blue Lunch & Get Hep Swing – get your tickets today!
 

About Get Hep Swing

Get Hep Swing has specialized in the swing dances from the 20s-50s since 1998. We offer classes on Mondays, Tuesdays & Thursdays in Brecksville, bi-monthly dances, private lessons, wedding choreography, in-school & after school dance programs.
 
Get Hep Swing is owned and operated by Valerie Salstrom. One of America’s busiest Lindy and Balboa teachers, Valerie has a reputation for her finesse on the dance floor. She emphasizes musicality and connection regardless of the style of swing. Since 2002 Valerie has taken home the 2003 National Jitterbug Championships (NJC) Grand Slam Championship, became both the 2004 NJC Balboa Champions and the 2004 American Lindy Hop Championships (ALHC) American Showcase Champions and most recently, (in 2005) she returned to ALHC to place 2nd in the same competition.
 
Valerie is the organizer of the ‘All Balboa Weekend’ held annually in her home town of Cleveland. This Weekend event first started in 2001 and was the first major dance camp dedicated solely to Balboa. It features the American Classic Balboa Championships (ACBC), one of the nations most respected and sought after Balboa competitions. www.AllBalboa.com.
 
Valerie also played a major role in organizing (and participating in) the Guinness World Record breaking ‘Heart Health Hop’ event sponsored by St. Joseph Aspirin, which broke the record for the ‘Longest Dance Party’. From July 29-31 (2003), 41 participants danced at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio, for 52 hours and 3 minutes…smashing the old record! www.guinessworldrecords.com (search “longest dance party”)
 
Valerie is enthusiastic about passing on her love and passion for dance and she brings a fresh, interesting, and lighthearted attitude to both the dance floor and the classroom. Valerie teaches all over the United States, Canada and Europe and runs a dance studio in her hometown of Cleveland, OH.
 

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