Number One Swing Band in the UK Sets Dancers Hopping at Final 2018 Swing Dance for Charity
A jam-packed dance floor was the order of the day at the December Swing Dance for Charity at the Church of Scientology’s Fort Harrison religious retreat. Featuring the United Kingdom’s #1 Swing Band, the Jive Aces, the event raised funds for the Children’s Home Network of Tampa Bay.
- Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL (1888PressRelease) December 27, 2018 - On Thursday December 20th at Clearwater’s Fort Harrison, the Jive Aces, the number one swing band in the United Kingdom wrapped up the year for nearly 100 dancers at the monthly Swing Dance for Charity. The dance floor was jam-packed and the spirits high, but more importantly, funds were raised for the Children’s Home Network of Tampa Bay, one of the area’s oldest charities.
The Fort Harrison is the international religious retreat for the Church of Scientology Flag Service Organization, that sponsors this monthly event.
After refreshments, career dancer Ms. Arleene Bowles of Savoy South Dance Hall – who co-hosts the monthly event - taught new dancers East Coast Swing. Expert dancers were on hand to provide additional assistance to the beginners.
Then the action got really hot as the Jive Aces took the stage to perform their rendition of holiday classics such as “Jingle Bell Rock” as well as classical ‘swing’ numbers such as “In the Mood”.
Renowned worldwide for their high-energy, spectacular showmanship, their viral video “Bring Me Sunshine” and for being the first live band to reach the final rounds of “Britain’s Got Talent”, The Jive Aces have firmly established themselves the UK’s No.1 Jive & Swing band.
The in-demand sextet average 300 shows a year and have worked with Van Morrison, Keely Smith and performed for the Queen of England. They headlined and sold-out the Royal Albert Hall and thousands of festivals, theatres, dance halls, etc, in 35 countries, including Buckingham Palace for the Coronsation Festival, Trafalgar Square for the Olympics and major theater tours in the USA.
Joining the Jives onstage for jolly festive songs included noted singer/actress Victoria Summer (whose film forays have included playing Julie Andrews in “Saving Mr. Banks”), musician Grazia Clarkson whose accordion playing added to the mood and local talent Julieta Santagostino.
The Jives also provided musical accompaniment for the traditional ‘Cake Walk’ which gave guests another opportunity to donate to the Children’s Home Network. Three handmade cakes were won by 3 lucky winners – Last Dancer Standing, Best Strut and Best Dressed.
But the frivolity all boiled down to helping Pinellas and Hillsborough County youth through the Children’s Home Network.
"The Children’s Home Network is all about giving a hopeful future to kids who started out life with many challenges,” said Lisa Mansell, the Public Affairs Director for the Church. “L. Ron Hubbard wrote that ‘Never regret yesterday, life is in you today and you make your own tomorrow.’ That’s what the Children’s Home brings to the tens of thousands of children and families that they serve – a chance for these kids to make their own tomorrow and we are proud to support this cause.”
The January Swing Dance will be held on the 10th and will benefit the Seaside Seabird Sanctuary. A donation of $15 includes refreshments, a dance lesson and swing dancing to the Flag Band. The dance lesson starts at 7pm, with open dancing at 8pm to the Flag Band. Partners are not required and experienced dancers will be on hand to assist Ms. Bowles. For more information about the event, please call (727) 467-6860.
About the Fort Harrison
Since completing construction in 1926, the Fort Harrison has been the home to many events for charitable organizations. The latest owner, the Church of Scientology, completed a top to bottom restoration of the Fort Harrison in 2009, and since then has hosted over 320 community events there. Scientology is an applied religious philosophy, founded by L. Ron Hubbard. The Church makes its facilities available to non-profit groups as a service to the community.
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