Jazz Band tuning up for annual Big Band Ballroom Dance
HANCEVILLE, Ala. — The Wallace State Jazz Band will make Friday a really good day to kick up your heels, as it hosts its annual Big Band Ballroom Dance at 7 p.m., on Friday, April 18. The dance will be held in the atrium of the Burrow Center for Fine and Performing Arts. A $15 donation is requested for admission and includes light refreshments.
“We always have a wonderful time at this dance,” said Ricky Burks, director of the Wallace State Music Department and of the Jazz Band. “The students love to see the dancers enjoying the music they play, and they appreciate the support of the community who comes out to hear them.”
The funds raised from the dance will help send the group on their annual spring trip. This year the group is going to Pigeon Forge, Tenn., where they will perform at three venues: Dollywood, Titanic Museum Attraction and Wonders of Flight.
“These trips give the students more opportunities to perform as well as time to enjoy the area where we are visiting,” Burks said. “This year, they will also get a chance to catch up with former music department students Paige Harbison and Breanna Moore, both of whom are employed as entertainers at Dollywood.”
The Jazz Band will perform two sets during the night, with favorites tunes from Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Woody Herman and more on the set lists. There are two dance floors set up for the event, one in the main hall and another to the side in the choreography room.
The dress code for the dance is casual, though many use the night as an excuse to dress up in their finest dancing clothes. The band will be decked out in tuxedoes and black gowns.
The dance is part of the annual Arts in April events. The list of events planned for Arts in April include:
– Community Concert Series with the New York Theater Ballet, 4 p.m., April 6, Betty Leeth Haynes Theatre, $20 adults, $10 Students, free with a Wallace State ID or Community Concert Association season pass
– Columnist John Archibald, 9:30 a.m., April 8, Burrow Recital Hall
– Photography Lecture by John Dersham, 2 p.m., April 9, Burrow Recital Hall
– “The Winding Stream: The Carters, The Cashes and the Course of Country Music” film, part of the South Arts Film Festival, 9:30 a.m. and 6 p.m., April 10, Burrow Recital Hall
– Art Exhibition, April 14-26 in the Burrow Center, 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday
– Piano performance by Katherine Vest, Piano 1st place winner at the 2014 Alabama Federated Music Clubs Auditions, 12:15 p.m., April 15, Burrow Recital Hall
– WSCC Jazz Band Dance, 7 p.m., April 18, Burrow Center, $15 donation
– WSCC Jazz Band at Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame, April 19, Carver Theatre in Birmingham; time to be announced
– Musician and composer Kurt Heinecke (VeggieTales), 9:30 a.m., April 21, Betty Leeth Haynes Theatre
– Mezzo Soprano Margaret Gill and Tenor Shane Bloemetje, with Mike Sparks accompanying, 12:15 p.m., April 22, Burrow Recital Hall
– Student Convocation, 12:15 p.m., April 24, Burrow Recital Hall
– Beatles Revolution, 9:30 a.m., April 24, Betty Leeth Haynes Theatre
– Beatles Revolution, 7 p.m., April 24-26, Betty Leeth Haynes Theatre, $7 adults, $5 students, free ages 5 and under
– Art Exhibition Artists’ Reception, 10 a.m. to noon, April 26, Burrow Center
– WSCC Concert Band, 9:30 a.m. April 29, Burrow Recital Hall
– WSCC Concert Band, 7 p.m., May 1, Burrow Recital Hall
For updates and more information about Arts in April, visit www.wallacestate.edu/artsinapril, or call 256.352.8277 or 866.350.9722.