The Second Annual Swing Dance Concert at SMU Meadows
“It Don’t Mean a Thing if It Ain’t Got That Swing”: SMU Meadows Jazz Orchestra presents concert on Saturday, Oct. 29
Grab your fedoras and dancing shoes and join the SMU Meadows Jazz Orchestra for its second annual swing dance concert on Saturday, October 29 at 7:30 p.m. Re-live the classic era of the famous big bands and spend an evening dancing to the music of Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Count Basie and other legendary artists of the 1930s and ’40s. The event takes place in the Martha Proctor Mack Ballroom of the Umphrey Lee Center, 3300 Dyer St. on the SMU campus. Not sure how to dance? An introductory/brush-up swing dance lesson will be held in the ballroom from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., led by local swing dance expert Emily Spraggins.
Meadows Jazz Orchestra Director Dylan Smith inaugurated the event last year, and so many people attended that this year it has moved to a larger venue on campus.
“We were thrilled by the turnout and success of last year’s event,” said Smith. “We had people of all ages, from college students to seniors, dancing barefoot, in sneakers or in heels, and the dance floor was packed. We look forward to bringing together musicians, dancers, folks from throughout campus and community members for another entertaining ‘blast from the past’!”
Admission to the swing dance event is $10; $5 with an SMU I.D. Light refreshments are included. A cash bar will also be available with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages; cash and credit cards will be accepted at the bar. Tickets may be purchased in advance at the Meadows ticket office, located next to the Greer Garson Theatre in the Owen Arts Center, or at the door of the ballroom the evening of the event. Advance purchase is strongly recommended – fewer than 100 tickets remain. Attendees may park in Lot M behind McFarlin Auditorium or Lot Q behind Dallas Hall (see parking map). For more information, contact the ticket office at 214-768-2787.
The Meadows Jazz Orchestra is a 25-member ensemble composed of SMU students selected by audition each fall. With director Dylan Smith, the orchestra is dedicated to preserving the heritage of big band jazz while continuing to expand the genre. The orchestra regularly presents a concert each fall and spring and several brown-bag events during the year. This year’s concerts will be Tuesday, November 15 at 7:30 p.m. in the Bob Hope Theatre at SMU, with special guest artist José Bowen, former dean of the Meadows School, and Friday, April 21 at 7:30 p.m. in the Greer Garson Theatre at SMU. For more information about either concert, contact the Meadows ticket office at 214-768-2787.