Midsummer Night Swing Final Week

This is the third and final week of the annual Midsummer Night Swing, with dancing to live bands outdoors under the stars in Lincoln Center.

It’s another blockbuster week including Big Band, Tango and New Orleans Blues, and a FREE dance lesson for people with limited mobility, including seated versions of dances.

As always, Midsummer Night Swing winds up with a special FREE dance for kids on Saturday afternoon, and the timeless sounds of the Harlem Renaissance Orchestra on Saturday Night, playing classic 30s and 40s music by Duke Ellington, Glen Miller and more. 

So take the A train, or any other train to Lincoln Center for the last week of Midsummer Night Swing.

This is the 30th anniversary of Midsummer Night Swing, with another great rotating roster of local and international Swing, Salsa, Disco, Pop and R&B bands.

Advance tickets are $18 online or $22 at the door, and there are discounts for multi-ticket purchases, which you can share with friends.

The dance floor opens at 6pm with a FREE one-hour lesson beginning at 6:30, followed by live music from 7:30 to 10pm. 

When the band takes a break between 8:30-9p, a DJ takes over.  You can leave the dance floor to get something to eat or drink from one of refreshment booths around the dance floor, or stay and continue dancing to the music.

This is a friendly social dance scene, and you don’t need to bring your own dance partner.  Just ask somebody to dance.  That’s what I do – unless somebody asks me first.

Here are details of the final week:

Tuesday, July 9

Elba Ramalho

Known by many as “The Queen of Forró,” the Brazilian songwriter, singer, poet, and actress Elba Ramalho has been featured on more than three dozen albums since her first solo record,Ave de Prata, took Brazil by storm in 1979. Don’t miss this rare New York appearance by the powerful, multifaceted interpreter of traditional Brazilian styles.

With a driving rhythm section made up of triangle, guitar, and accordion, forró is festive music before anything else, and there is no better party hostess than the “dizzying force of nature,” Elba Ramalho (AllMusic.com).

• Style: Forró
• Dance Instructor: Marizete Browne teaches Forró
• DJ: Greg Caz

Wednesday, July 10

Eyal VilnerBig Band featuring Brianna Thomas and Brandon Bain

Led by saxophonist, composer, and conductor Eyal Vilner, this 16-piece, multigenerational ensemble has been called “an exciting new sound in the finest tradition of contemporary big band music” (All AboutJazz). As a group these international players have collaborated with jazz legends such as Jimmy Heath, Jimmy Owens, and Frank Wess, as well as the new generation of greats. Join them under the stars for this evening of big band swing standards as they celebrate the release of their new album.

• Style: Big Band Swing
• Dance Instructor: Sam Coleman teaches Lindy Hop and Authentic Jazz

Thursday, July 11

Analía Goldberg’s Sextet

Having toured the world as part of Argentina’s renowned Color Tango Orchestra, pianist, composer, and arranger Analía Goldberg leads her own acclaimedsexteto típicofor an evening of golden-age tango. Experience the dramatic intensity of a milonga under the moonlight with a classic six-piece configuration that artfully balances the traditional with the new.

This evening features a special free dance lesson from 5:30 to 6:00 pm that is accessible to people with limited mobility and will include seated versions of every dance.

The lesson will be led by instructors from theMark Morris Dance Group’s Dance for PDprogram, which specializes in creatively addressing balance, cognition, motor skills, and physical confidence through dance.

ll are welcome to participate, and guests are encouraged to purchase tickets to the dance floor afterward.

• Style: Tango
• Dance Instructors: Leonardo Sardella and Mariana Parma teach Tango
• DJ: María José Sosa

Friday, July 12

Maria Muldaur

With deep roots in folk, rock, and pop, the legendary Maria Muldaur has been touring worldwide for more than 50 years. These days she’s digging into the catalogue of New Orleans jazz and blues singer Blue Lu Barker, whose 1930s and ‘40s hits include “Don’t You Feel My Leg” and “Look What Baby’s Got for You.”

There is no better pairing than a sultry summer night and some down and dirty New Orleans rhythm and blues.

• Style: New Orleans Jazz, Rhythm & Blues
• Dance Instructor:Virginia Jimenez teaches Blues
• DJ:Todd-O-Phonic Todd

Saturday, July 13

Midsummer Night Swing Dance for Kids

For more than two decades, the folks at Dancing Classrooms have been spreading the joy of social dance to thousands of kids in New York City schools.

This annual Saturday afternoon party is FREE, including a FREE all-ages dance lesson where kids can learn the basics of merengue, tango, salsa, and swing before taking a spin on the dance floor.

• FREE at 3pm
• Dance Instructor: Alee Reed

Saturday, July 13

Harlem Renaissance Orchestra

Swing is the thing at Midsummer Night Swing season finale. The Harlem Renaissance Orchestra keeps the spirit of jazz legend Illinois Jacquet alive with classic big-band tunes and blazing uptown energy.

Always one of the best parties of the season, the night reaches its glorious peak when New York’s best dancers compete for the Ambassador Prize, an homage to Lindy hop icon Frankie Manning.

• Style: Big Band Swing
• Dance Instructor: Margaret Batiuchok teaches Swing
• Note: also at 6pm