Event: Lincoln Center's Midsummer Night Swing

Address: Columbus Avenue at 63rd Street (outside on the main Lincoln Center quadrangle)

Web: www.lincolncenter.org

Reviewer: Lynne B. Lubash

Date: 7/4/2000

This summer's annual Midsummer Night Swing series at Lincoln Center started on June 28, 2000. I attended the event on Independence Day, July 4. The July 4 event emphasized ballroom and swing.

Tickets for these nights are sold starting at 6 PM, and a dance lesson is given at 6:30 PM. This evening's lesson was led by the famed Sandra Cameron and focused on the Foxtrot. Although enjoyable, and a good icebreaker for those who came alone, the lesson was rudimentary and of learning value only to absolute beginners.

After the lesson, a DJ played music until the band came on at 8:15 PM. The band this night was The Mike Berkowitz Big Band with special guest drummers Candido, Panama Francis and Bobby Rosengarden. The band was great and played a variety of styles, but no matter what they played, people tended to dance Swing.

These events can be enjoyable to people at all levels of dancing ability. There were a few really good dancers. I am somewhat of a beginner, and try to pre-identify who is good by whether or not they bring their special ballroom dancing shoes. I have found this technique is flawed, however, as some people do come with the special equipment, but not the special ability.

Many dancers came alone, but there seemed to be more women than men, so women might want to try to bring a partner. Of course, this disparity might not be a general trend but could be due to the fact that it was July 4 and so there were many other events going on that might have siphoned off the men (fireworks, tall ships). People were generally very friendly though, so if you're not shy, you will definitely find a partner.

Be advised that food and drink at Lincoln Center is somewhat pricey ($3.00 for bottled water and lemonade) so you might want to bring your own, or go across the street to one of the local delis. If you'd like to save the $11.00 entrance fee all together, don't go onto the dance floor. You can dance anywhere on the Plaza for free as well as just watch and listen to the band. Nobody will stop you.

For the complete schedule of events, which ends on July 29, go to www.lincolncenter.org.