January 4th |
Big Love Night
DJed dance with DJ Jeff
I thought I'd share this one because I literally live in the
shadow of the Oakland Mormon Temple... On this date in 1896,
Utah is admitted to the Union. This was facilitated by the actions
of Mormon leader Wilford Woodruff who published his Manifesto reforming
political, religious, and economic life in Utah 6 years earlier.
Primary among his reforms was the renouncement of polygamy. |
January 11th |
Amelia Earhart in Oakland Night
DJed dance with DJ Jeff
On this date in 1935, Amelia Earhart takes off from Wheeler Field
in Honolulu, Hawaii, on a solo flight to Oakland Airport. She arrives
18 hours and 2,400 miles later, winning a $10,000 prize for her
feat. |
January 18th |
Hawaii Night
DJed dance with DJ Jeff
Since we're talking about Hawaii... On this date in 1778, Captain
James Cook became the first European to discover the Hawaiian
Islands when he sails past Oahu with H.M.S Discovery and
H.M.S. Resolution.
Don (Ho) your best Hawaiian-wear and get in free tonight! |
January 25th |
Payola Night
DJed dance with DJ Jeff
On this date in 1960, after more than a decade of looking the
other way, the National Association of Broadcasters proposes
that disc jockeys accepting payment from record labels for broadcasting
particular songs (a practice known as "Payola") would
be charged a $500 fine and spend a year in prison.
Hey, you want me to play something, just ask! No Payola required...
but, well, you know, it's gladly accepted anyway :) |
February 1st |
Big Dic Night
DJed dance with DJ Jeff
My openly lesbian high school English teacher always used to
tell us to use the "Big Dic" whenever we could, punfully
and ironically referring of course the OED... the Oxford English
Dictionary, the biggest dic there is. On this date in 1884, the
first fascicle (look it up!) of the OED was published. |
February 8th |
Bad Diagnosis Night
DJed dance
On this date in 1692, Abigail Williams and Betty Parris get
a really bad diagnosis for their ailments. A Salem, Massachusetts
doctor declares that the pair are "under an evil hand," thus,
initiating in earnest what we today use only as a metaphor: a
witch hunt. |
February 15th |
"Say Goodnight Gracie" Night
DJed dance
On this date in 1932, George Burns and Gracie Allen make their
U.S. radio debut as regulars on the Guy Lombardo Show,
marking the stateside start of a radio partnership that would
last until 1950, when the two moved over to television for another
8 years.
George: Say goodnight, Gracie.
Gracie: Good night! |
February 22nd |
Burger and Lime Ricky Night
DJed dance
On this day in 1879, Frank Winfield Woolworth opened the Great
5 Cents Store in Utica, New York. This was the precursor to his "5
and 10 Cent Store" chain that flourished through the mid
20th Century, and at whose lunch counters young swingers across
the country could get a burger and lime ricky before the dance. |
March 1st |
No Luck for Lindy Night
DJed dance with DJ Jeff
On this date in 1932, aviation hero Charles Lindbergh's son
is kidnapped from the family's home in Hopewell, New Jersey.
As the nation holds it's breath over the next two months, and
although the Lindberghs pay the ransom, things don't end well.
Tragically, the badly decomposed body of the child is found on
May 12, about two miles from the family home. |
March 8th |
Busby Berkeley Night
DJed dance with DJ Jeff
On this date in 1933, American moviegoers, too long mired in
the bleak daily existence of the Great Depression, are treated
to the premier of a movie musical extravaganza 42nd Street,
choreographed by Busby Berkeley. The film features a pre-Fred Ginger,
and fun songs like "Shuffle Off to Buffalo", "Young
and Healthy", and "You're Getting to Be a Habit with
Me". |
March 15th |
The Ides of March Night
DJed dance with DJ Jeff
"Beware!" Yep, it's a fun song by Louis Jordan. But
that's also how you're supposed handle the Ides of March according
to William Shakespeare... and for good reason: On this date in
44 B.C. (yes, my earliest date in history so far!), Julius Caesar
is stabbed to death in the Roman Senate by 60 conspirators, chief
among them Marcus Junius Brutus and Gaius Cassius Longines. And
we think politics is bad now... |
March 22nd |
A Toast to F.D.R. Night
DJed dance with DJ Jeff
On this date in 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs
the Beer and Wine Revenue Act. A very practical man, and no fan
of Temperance, this law gave the states authority to regulate
the sale of beer and wine (even before the 21st Amendment - we
had to wait until December of this same year for that) and more
importantly for the Federal government's coffers during the Great
Depression, levied a Federal tax on the sale of all alcoholic
beverages. |
March 29nd |
Get the Heck Out Night
DJed dance with DJ Jeff
This date in 1974 was the official deadline for the withdrawal
of all U.S. military personnel from South Vietnam. The deadline
was met, though only after our country lost 58,193 lives there. |
April 5th |
Very Special Guest Night
DJed dance with very special guest DJ Balzilla
Tonight is all about welcoming very special guests! We are
kicking off a pair of special 3-week series with very special
guest teachers Carla Heiney & Marty Klempner, and after the
classes we'll be dancing to the tunes of very special guest DJ
Alex "Balzilla" Nah! Please join us, and be our very
special guests! |
April 12th |
Insert Witty Theme Dance Name Here
DJed dance with DJ Jeff
Wow, I've been so busy lately, I haven't been able to comb
the history web sites for fun theme night ideas. So, tonight
is a do-it-yourself theme! If YOU have any suggestions let me
know. |
April 19th |
Insert Witty Theme Dance Name Here
DJed dance with DJ Jeff
Wow, I've been so busy lately, I haven't been able to comb
the history web sites for fun theme night ideas. So, tonight
is a do-it-yourself theme! If YOU have any suggestions let me
know. |
April 26th |
Atomic Lindy Hop Night!
Special dance performance by the Swing Central
Performance Class!!!
DJed dance with DJ Jeff
On this date in 1986, the Chernobyl nuclear power station explodes
as a result of poor design and reckless experimentation, resulting
in the eventual deaths of an estimated 5,000 Soviet citizens
and adverse health effects for millions more.
In contrast to this international disaster, tonight at 200 Grand
will be powered by the clean, safe, positive energy of international
guest teachers Anthony & Sarah from down under. Let's give
them a big Bay Area welcome! We will also be treated to another
great performance by the Swing Central Performance Class! Don't
miss it! |
May 3rd |
Big Debut Night
DJed dance with DJ Jeff
On this date in 1936, baseball hall-of-famer Joe DiMaggio made
his major league debut with the New York Yankees. Also on this
date in 1960, The musical ''The Fantasticks'' opened off-Broadway,
beginning a record run of nearly 42 years and 17,162 performances.
And on this date in 2007, we debut our May Balboa-Swing and Lindy
Hop series!
|
May 10th |
Fred Astaire Night
DJed dance with DJ Jeff
On this date in 1899, actor-dancer Fred Astaire was born in
Omaha, Nebraska. Also on this date in 1902, David O. Selznick
was born. As head of production at RKO, Mr. Selznick is credited
with introducing Mr. Astaire to the world by signing him to RKO
and then promptly lending him out to MGM to make Dancing
Lady in 1933. Despite his reputed reaction to Fred's first
screen test, "wretched", Selznick put Astaire in Flying
down to Rio with Ginger Rogers later that year, and the
rest is dancing history.
Make a little dancing history of your own at 200 Grand tonight! |
May 17th |
Meeting Under a Tree Night
DJed dance with DJ Jeff
On this date in 1792, The New York Stock Exchange was founded
by brokers meeting under a tree on what is now Wall Street. That's
rather quaint, isn't it? Sadly, it was not reported in what year
the "Power Tie" was introduced into the equation.
While we don't have any big trees at 200 Grand, we do have a
beautiful 3 story ceiling and a view over Lake Merritt and the
Oakland skyline. |
May 24th |
"What hath God wrought!" Night
DJed dance with DJ Jeff
Sure, this is the name of a movie that's currently out, but
on this date in 1844, it was the message that Samuel F.B. Morse
transmitted from Washington to Baltimore as he opened America's
first telegraph line.
There's no need to wire us to let us know you are coming out
to play at 200 Grand. Just show up! |
May 31st |
Asphalt Night
DJed dance with DJ Jeff
On this date in 1870, Professor Edward Joseph De Smedt of the
American Asphalt Pavement Company, New York City, received two
patents for his invention known as "French asphalt pavement."
Let's take advantage of this invention and drive on over to
200 Grand for a great night of classes and dancing and apres-dance
dining! |
June 7th |
Insert Witty Theme Dance Name Here
DJed dance with DJ Jeff
Wow, I've been so busy lately, I haven't been able to comb
the history web sites for fun theme night ideas. So, tonight
is a do-it-yourself theme! If YOU have any suggestions let me
know. |
June 14th |
All Bal Weekend Night
DJed dance with Special Guest DJ!!!
What? You're not going to the All Balboa Weekend in Akron? Well,
cheer up, there's plenty of Balboa-Swing to be had tonight at 200
Grand!
|
June 21th |
Insert Witty Theme Dance Name Here
DJed dance with DJ Jeff
Wow, I've been so busy lately, I haven't been able to comb
the history web sites for fun theme night ideas. So, tonight
is a do-it-yourself theme! If YOU have any suggestions let me
know. |
June 28th |
Insert Witty Theme Dance Name Here
DJed dance with DJ Jeff
Wow, I've been so busy lately, I haven't been able to comb
the history web sites for fun theme night ideas. So, tonight
is a do-it-yourself theme! If YOU have any suggestions let me
know. |
July 5th |
Balboa Bash Night
DJed dance with DJ Jeff
This weekend is the Balboa Bash in Newport Beach. It is going to be a weekend of all Balboa (that is, Pure Balboa... no Balboa-Swing!) dancing and history. I hope to see you there, as well as at tonight's dance! |
July 12th |
Hot jazz and swing music that takes control of your feet and doesn't let go... that's what JP & The Rhythm Chasers is all about! I was reminded how much I love dancing to their music when I caught them at this years S.F. Shag Fest, where they brought the house down. And now, with the release of their (really really) long awaited CD, it is perfect timing to bring them home to 200 Grand and throw them a huge party!
Click on the band name for special hours, pricing, and other details...
|
July 19th |
Rosetta Stone Night
DJed dance with DJ Jeff
On this date in 1799, Napoleon's army discovers the Rosetta Stone, which allowed language scholars to finally decipher the Egyptian hieroglyphic and Egyptian demotic texts. Come to 200 Grand tonight for a Balboa-Swing lesson with Chris and Emma, who will help you decipher this super fun dance! |
July 26th |
Go Postal Night
DJed dance with DJ Jeff
On this date in 1775, the Second Continental Congress established the U.S. Postal System. Some years later, in 1955, Frankie Manning starts a 30 year stint working there. Let's go postal and bust out some great swing on the dance floor tonight! |
August 2nd |
Happy Birthday, Myrna Loy
DJed dance with DJ Jeff
On this date in 1905, Myrna Loy is born, the future star of the 1934 movie The Thin Man, in which she played the fast-talking, wise-cracking Nora Charles, wife of perpetually drinking detective Nick Charles (played by William Powell). |
August 9th |
Nagasaki Night
DJed dance with DJ Jeff
Not just a great song to dance Balboa to ("Back in Nagasaki where the fellas chew tabacci and the women wicky wacky woo!"), Nagasaki was the target of the worlds 2nd atomic bomb, nicknamed "Fat Man" (not to be confused with The Thin Man... that was last week!), on this date in 1945.
|
August 16th |
Dracula, R.I.P. Night
DJed dance with DJ Jeff
On this date in 1956, Dracula dies. He is buried with is cape on. No, not Vlad III the Impaler... actor Bela Lugosi.
Show up with Dracula fangs on and get in free tonight! |
August 23rd |
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Night
DJed dance with DJ Jeff
Did you know that there was a real car named "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" before Ian Flemming borrowed it to for his fictional fantasmagorical machine? Yes, it was a 23-litre racer and won the Southsea Speed Carnival on this date in 1922 by going 73.1 miles per hour! |
August 30th |
Hotline Night
DJed dance with DJ Jeff
On this date in 1963, JFK gets the digits of the Kremlin! Well, not that he has to dial... he gets a direct emergency hotline to "help reduce the risk of war occurring by accident or miscalculation." |
November 1st |
Noooooooooo Photoooooo Night
DJed dance with DJ Jeff
On this date in 1512, The Sistine Chapel ceiling is opened to the public, and Michelangelo remembers what it is like to stand up instead of painting while lying on his back. It's still open today, but you will hear the mellifluous tones of guys who look like Tony Soprano chanting "Nooooooooooooo Photoooooooooooooooooooos" to the touristas with their Cybershots. |
November 8th |
Gone with the Wind Night
On this day in 1900, Margaret Mitchell is born in Atlanta, Georgia. 36 years later, she will publish Gone with the Wind. The book has sold over 34 million copies.
|
November 15th |
Ticker Tape Parade Night
DJed dance with DJ Jeff
On this date in 1876, the stock ticker was unveiled. Now New York could finally throw a decent parade! |
November 22nd |
Thanksgiving
We're closed tonight. No lessons nor dance.
Enjoy your Thanksgiving Day!!! |
November 29th |
Java Jive Night
DJed dance with DJ Jeff
On this date in 1942, coffee joins the list of rationed items in the United States. There was plenty being grown of course. It was the opportunity cost of shipping it here that made it scarce, as the shipping resources were needed for waging war, not conducting commerce. |
December 6th |
Ulysses Night
DJed dance with DJ Jeff
On this date in 1933, a federal judge rules that James Joyce's Ulysses is not obscene, having already been banned in the United States for 11 years since it's publication in 1922.
|
December 13th |
Susan B. Night
DJed dance with DJ Jeff
On this date in 1978, the first Susan B. Anthony dollar coin is minted. Americans promptly reject the coin because of its similarity to the quarter. DUH! |
December 20th |
You're in the Army Now Night
DJed dance with DJ Jeff
On this date in 1957, While relaxing at home at Graceland, Elvis Presley is drafted into the Army. After 6 months of basic training, he serves with Company D, 32nd Tank Battalion, 3rd Armor Corps for 18 months in Germany. |
December 27th |
Radio City Music Hall Night
DJed dance with DJ Jeff
Prior to this date in 1932, John D. Rockefeller has his way with a former speakeasy and builds an Art Deco masterpiece on the property. Finally, on this date in 1932, Radio City Music Hall opens. It is still the largest indoor theater in the world. |
