8-10pm Dance Party

Our 6:30pm dance lesson and the early half of the evening are nearing capacity, but we're sending out fresh invites for the second half of the night. If you already know how to swing dance, come down for the 8-10pm "swing shift'! We expect some attrition from the 6:30pm crowd, so there should be room on the dance floor for you. If you'd like to stop by earlier than 8 to see if there's room, that's fine too, just sign up here so we know you're coming.

This evening we celebrate the heyday of the Beach House with live music from the late 20s through the 30s from the Swingsations, with special guest vocalist Wendy Rea and lessons with Sara Lerner. They'll be dusting off classics popularized by Jimmie Lunceford, Louis Armstrong, and Tommy Dorsey like "Swing That Music", "Rhythm Is Our Business", and "The Music Goes 'Round and Around". Points for outfits from the 20s-30s. Tie on your dancing shoes and get ready for a wild ride!

Please note that seating is very restricted for this event - most of the hall will be open for dancing. There will be seats availble in the Terrace Lounge for resting.

Formed in 1995, The Swingsations are dedicated to preserving and swinging the best Classic Jazz, Swing and Novelty tunes of the 20s to the 40s. With a repertoire that runs the gamut from classic swing era tunes to dixieland favorites, as well as fun novelty numbers from the great vocal groups of the eras, the group is led by trumpeter and vocalist Jim Ziegler, with Phil Krawzak on tenor saxophone and clarinet, Tom Hynes on guitar, Lee "Westy" Westenhofer on string bass and vocals, and Bryan Taylor on drums. Performance credits include nightclub appearances at the Derby and the Argyle Hotel, the Sacramento Jazz Jubilee, the Big Bear Lake Festival of Jazz, and outdoor concerts throughout the Southland. Swingsation's two recordings, Swing That Music and Swingers and Novelties are both available on Cdbaby.com.

Described by the LA Weekly as the “Classiest Canary in LA”, Wendy Rea might be the only jazz singer in the history of the genre to make her first public appearance singing the National Anthem at a rodeo. A California native, she fell in love with jazz the first time she heard Peggy Lee sing. She has performed at Disney World and extensively in the Los Angeles area, sharing the stage with such notable bandleaders and vocalists as Bill Elliot, Eddie Reed, Dean Mora, Nancy Sinatra, and Anita O’Day. In addition, she fronted her own band for several years in Los Angeles. Wendy is now the featured vocalist for Jim Ziegler’s Swingsations, and brings a variety of moods to her vocal stylings.  Some of her primary influences include Lee Morse, Lee Wiley, Helen Forrest and The Boswell Sisters.

Sara Lerner has been dancing since 1997 and teaching, performing, and competing in California and around the country since 1998. She blends her prior experience in figure skating with extensive training in several forms of swing, including Lindy Hop, Charleston, Balboa, Collegiate Shag, and Big Apple. Her enthusiasm for the dance and the music shine through in her teaching. Her mix of humor, great musicality, and her knack for breaking it down ensures that everyone has a good time learning how to dance!

Tickets are free but space is limited and reservations are required. If you would like to attend, please reserve online. To adjust or cancel your reservation for this event, email beachhouse@smgov.net. We appreciate your keeping in touch!

Directions: The Beach House is located at 415 Pacific Coast Highway, Santa Monica, CA 90402 on the west side of Pacific Coast Highway, a half mile north of the California Incline and a half mile south of Chautauqua Blvd. Plenty of public parking is available - enter off PCH at the Beach House Way traffic light. The facility is easily accessible by foot or bike from the beach bike path, although the Beach closes at sunset. There is ample bike parking at racks throughout the site - remember to bring your own lock.

Parking: There is a daily parking charge at the park and pay machines available in three areas of the ACBH parking lot. Fees change but are currently $6; please check the website for details.

Other events: To view & make reservations for future free Beach=Culture events, check http://annenbergbeachhouse.com/beachculture.

General Info: For hours, events and more, visit http://www.annenbergbeachhouse.com, or call 310-458-4904. Back on the Beach Café hours.