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May 25, 2016
Midsummer Night Swing 2016 Blues, Rock 'n' Roll, Rhythm & Blues Spotlight
Midsummer Night Swing
Press Contact: David Clarke
212.875.5999
MIDSUMMER NIGHT SWING
BLUES, ROCK ‘N’ ROLL, AND RHYTHM & BLUES SPOTLIGHT
Catherine Russell Septet on June 21
The Allen Toussaint Band with guest vocalists Irma Thomas, Cyril Neville,
and Deacon John on June 25
The Black Rock Coalition Get-Down Revue on July 2
NEW YORK, NY (May 25, 2016) — Three exciting nights of blues, rock ‘n’ roll, and rhythm and blues, including a special tribute to late music icon Allen Toussaint, will delight dancers at Midsummer Night Swing, New York’s premier summer dance party, when it returns for its 28th season, June 21–July 9. Single tickets and multi-evening passes are now on sale.
For Midsummer Night Swing’s opening night, Catherine Russell—a Grammy Award winning vocalist who has performed and recorded with David Bowie, Cyndi Lauper, Paul Simon, and others—pulls from her vast repertoire of vital interpretations to off-the-beaten-path song selections with the Catherine Russell Septet on June 21. The Allen Toussaint Band with guest vocalists Irma Thomas, Cyril Neville, and Deacon John brings the sounds of New Orleans to New York with a joyful musical celebration of Allen Toussaint on June 25. Musical Director Luqman Brown has assembled a stellar band to play a tribute to some of rock ‘n’ roll’s most influential artists for the debut of The Black Rock Coalition Get-Down Revue on July 2. This jubilant celebration includes the cherished music of LaVern Baker, Ruth Brown, Big Joe Turner, Wilson Pickett, and more.
Midsummer Night Swing brings together people of all ages, at every skill level, from every corner of New York City and the world for 15 evenings of social dance. Acclaimed bands will play as dancers Lindy hop, salsa, hustle, Charleston, tango, and more in a gorgeous, open-air ballroom in Damrosch Park (West 62nd Street, between Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues).
Tickets: Multi-evening 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.
Silent Discos: Following their success the past three seasons, there will be Silent Discos, powered by Quiet Events, on June 23 and July 2. At the Silent Discos, dancers are provided with wireless headphones to listen to extended DJ sets after the live music ends at 10:00 pm. While casual observers see a seemingly bizarre public ritual as dancers revel to the “silent” beats, the dancers are actually part of an exhilarating public/private dance party. On June 23, Bill Coleman, DJ Rimarkable, and Qool DJ Marv will spin different sets in each headphone channel, creating simultaneous and ever-shifting dance parties. Gaylord Fields, Connie T. Empress, and Monica Sharp will be spinning on July 2. Silent Discos will continue on the dance floor until 11:30 pm. Wireless headsets are free with that night’s live show ticket, or $5 at the door for the Silent Disco only, subject to capacity.
MORE ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Tuesday, June 21 at 7:30 pm
Catherine Russell Septet Swing, Blues
With her honey-rich vocals, charismatic energy, and royal swing lineage—she’s the daughter of Luis Russell, longtime director of Louis Armstrong’s orchestra, and pioneering bassist Carline Ray—Catherine Russell reigns over the dance floor at this opening night strutter’s ball. When Russell strikes up her seven-piece band, the finger-snapping is an involuntary reflex that soon gives way to a full-fledged party.
Lesson: Evita Arce and Michael Jagger teach Lindy Hop at 6:30 pm
DJ: Dawn Hampton
Saturday, June 25 at 7:30 pm
The Allen Toussaint Band New Orleans Rhythm & Blues
with guest vocalists Irma Thomas, Cyril Neville, and Deacon John
Midsummer Night Swing will pay special tribute to late music icon Allen Toussaint, “one of the master craftsmen of 20th-century American pop” (New York Times). The songwriter and producer behind hits like “Mother-in-Law” and “Working in the Coal Mine,” Toussaint and his signature blend of soul, funk, and rhythm & blues defined the New Orleans sound of the ’60s and ’70s. Irma Thomas, “The Soul Queen of New Orleans” and one of Toussaint’s most revered collaborators; vocalist and part of the legendary Neville Brothers dynasty, Cyril Neville; and New Orleans’s most in-demand bandleader, Deacon John, join Toussaint’s band to celebrate the extraordinary life—and irresistible hooks—of their lifelong friend by keeping the tunes hot and the dance floor packed.
Lesson: John and Shoshana Krieger-Joven teach Blues Dancing at 6:30 pm
DJ: Jonathan Toubin
Saturday, July 2 at 7:30 pm
The Black Rock Coalition Get-Down Revue Rock ‘n’ Roll, Rhythm & Blues, Jump Blues
With a stellar lineup of musicians, the Black Rock Coalition travels back to the origins of rock ‘n’ roll. Revelers are invited to join them in a land of 1,000 dances where Ruth Brown reigns and Big Joe Turner dominates as the brawny-voiced Boss of the Blues, while Wilson Pickett, the Drifters, and Sam & Dave crank out the hits.
Lesson: John Festa teaches West Coast Swing at 6:30 pm
DJ: Gaylord Fields, Additional Silent Disco DJs: Connie T. Empress and Monica Sharp
Silent Disco powered by Quiet Events at 10:00 pm
Programs and artists subject to change.
Midsummer Night Swing 2016 is presented by NewYork-Presbyterian
ABOUT LINCOLN CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts (LCPA) serves three primary roles: presenter of artistic programming, national leader in arts and education and community engagement, and manager of the Lincoln Center campus. A presenter of more than 3,000 free and ticketed events, performances, tours, and educational activities annually, LCPA offers 16 series, festivals, and programs including American Songbook, Avery Fisher Career Grants and Artist program, David Rubenstein Atrium programming, Great Performers, Legends at Lincoln Center: The Performing Arts Hall of Fame, Lincoln Center at the Movies, Lincoln Center Emerging Artist Awards, Lincoln Center Festival, Lincoln Center Out of Doors, Lincoln Center Vera List Art Project, Midsummer Night Swing, Mostly Mozart Festival, White Light Festival, the Emmy Award–winning Live From Lincoln Center, which airs nationally on PBS, and Lincoln Center Education, which is celebrating 40 years enriching the lives of students, educators, and lifelong learners. As manager of the Lincoln Center campus, LCPA provides support and services for the Lincoln Center complex and the 11 resident organizations: The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, The Film Society of Lincoln Center, Jazz at Lincoln Center, The Juilliard School, Lincoln Center Theater, The Metropolitan Opera, New York City Ballet, New York Philharmonic, The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, the School of American Ballet, and Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. For more information, visit LincolnCenter.org.
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Midsummer Night Swing 2016 is presented by NewYork-Presbyterian
Midsummer Night Swing is made possible in part by Janice Savin Williams and Christopher J. Williams/The Williams Capital Group, LP
Additional support for Midsummer Night Swing is provided by Great Performers Circle, Chairman’s Council, and Friends of Lincoln Center
Operation of Lincoln Center’s public plazas is supported in part with public funds provided by the City of New York
American Airlines is the Official Airline of Lincoln Center
Nespresso is the Official Coffee of Lincoln Center
NewYork-Presbyterian is the Official Hospital of Lincoln Center
MetLife is the National Sponsor of Lincoln Center
“Summer at Lincoln Center” is supported by Diet Pepsi
Artist Catering provided by Zabar’s and Zabars.com
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Additional information, as well as photos and videos of the artists can be found at Lincoln Center’s Press Room: http://AboutLincolnCenter.org/Press-Room
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Catherine Russell Septet
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