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Hepcats, UK Jazz Ensemble Ready to Make UK Move and Groove
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 15, 2012) — The Hepcats invites the public to move and groove and put on their dancing shoes for a Big Band Swing Dance. The evening's events are set to begin 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17, at the University of Kentucky Student Center Grand Ballroom. Dancers and music aficionados of all ages are welcome to attend.
The featured band for the Big Band Swing Dance is the UK Jazz Ensemble (UKJE). The ensemble is directed by Miles Osland, director of UK Jazz Studies and professor of saxophone in the UK School of Music at the UK College of Fine Arts. The ensemble consists of the most talented students from the nationally recognized and award-winning UK Jazz Studies Program.
UKJE will play many original arrangements of the notable big bands of the swing era, including music from artists like Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Count Basie, Glenn Miller, Jimmie Lunceford and Artie Shaw. This is the seventh year for these Big Band Swing Dance collaborations between the UK School of Music and the Hepcats, and it is sure to be one of the most anticipated dance events of the year.
Featured vocalist is Kristina Ploeger, a UK School of Music doctoral student in choral conducting. Ploeger has performed at many jazz residencies and is well versed in jazz repertoire. She’ll perform such classics as "Do Nothin’ ‘til you Hear From Me," "I’m Beginning to See the Light," "The Lady is a Tramp" and "Don’t Get Around Much Anymore."
Also featured event at the dance is the Top Cat Challenge dance contests. Swing dancers from the Lexington, central Kentucky and Ohio Valley region will compete in individual and couples dance contests. There is sure to be fancy footwork, dips, tricks and high flying aerials in these high energy contests.
The evening’s festivities will kick off with free swing dance lessons at 7:30 p.m., and then music and dancing will begin at 8:30 p.m. and run until midnight. Complimentary refreshments will be provided. Tickets to the event are $15 in advance or $20 at the door.
The Hepcats Swing Dance Club is an organization dedicated to promoting the original swing dances, Lindy Hop and Balboa, and the original swing music of the 1930s and 40s.
For more information on Hepcats or the Big Band Swing Dance, visit the organization's website at www.Luv2SwingDance.com or contact Mike Richardson at 859-420-2426 or by email to info@Luv2SwingDance.com.
MEDIA CONTACT: Whitney Hale, (859) 257-8716
or whitney.hale@uky.edu
