BEGIN:VCALENDAR PRODID:-//Chicago SummerDance Calendar//blog.germuska.com// VERSION:2.0 BEGIN:VEVENT DESCRIPTION:The 13th annual Chicago SummerDance Series presents free Swing dance lessons by Amanda Doerr of MayIHaveThisDance and live music by the John Burnett Orchestra\, performing big band swing. The John Burnett Orche stra specializes in '40s-style big band swing\, keeping alive the sounds o f Glenn Miller\, Tommy Dorsey\, Benny Goodman\, Count Basie and others. Ea ch musician is highly professional and most have played with many of the t op American big bands such as the Miller\, Herman and Buddy Rich Bands. In addition to swing music\, the orchestra performs current big band jazz ch arts and many vocal ballads such as those of Frank Sinatra\, Joe Williams\ , Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughn. The orchestra is directed by John Burn ett\; morning host of 90.9 FM WDCB - Public Radio From College of DuPage. John hails from England and attended the Royal Academy of Music. The orche stra consists of five saxes\, four trumpets\, four trombones\, piano\, bas s\, drums and at least one vocalist.\n \nRelated Websites: www.johnburnett orchestra.com\; www.mayihavethisdance.com\n \nThis event is part of the 13 th annual Chicago SummerDance festival. Chicago SummerDance is an eleven-w eek festival featuring one-hour dance lessons by professional instructors\ , followed by two hours of live music and dancing on a open-air dance floo r\, every Thursday\, Friday and Saturday evening\, 6 to 9:30 pm\, and Sund ay afternoon\, 4 to 7 pm\, weather-permitting. DTEND:20090622T000000Z DTSTART:20090621T210000Z GEO:41.874496;-87.62415 LOCATION:Grant Park\, Spirit of Music Garden\, 601 S. Michigan Avenue\, Ch icago\, IL 60605 PRIORITY:5 SUMMARY:John Burnett Orchestra UID:summerdance_20090621@blog.germuska.com URL:http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/even ts/dca_tourism/JohnBurnett.html END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DESCRIPTION: \nThe 13th annual Chicago SummerDance Series presents free Sz atmari Dances from Hungary dance lessons by Ignac Kadar & Barbara Baranyai and live music by the Tü\;krö\;s Hungarian Folk Ensemble\, perfor ming authentic Hungarian village music. Formed in 1986\, this 6-member ban d from Budapest has been instrumental in the revival of Hungarian village music. "There is no need to improve it\," explains Tü\;krö\;s' vio la player Péter Á\;rendá\;s\, "only to play it as authentical ly as possible. " The group's line-up of violins\, violas\, double bass\, cimbalom (cymbal) and vocals will transport you into the village lives of the films\, Gadjo Dilo and Latcho Drom. Perhaps Béla Bartó\;k descr ibed it best\; "beautiful to the ear\, beautiful to the eye." The music th ey play comes from the villages of Hungary and Transylvania\, and was play ed by Hungarians\, Gypsies and Romanians for parties\, weddings\, funerals \, christenings\, army draftees and any major event occurring in a village calendar. In some areas of Hungary and throughout Transylvania\, this mus ic and tradition can still be found today. Tü\;krö\;s is part of a revival of village/peasant music and dance that has been happening in Hun gary over the last 20 to 30 years. In 2001 the band was awarded the distin ction of “Young Masters of Folk Arts.”\n\nRelated Websites: www.cdroot s.com/fono-tukros.html \n \nThis event is part of the 13th annual Chicago SummerDance festival. Chicago SummerDance is an eleven-week festival featu ring one-hour dance lessons by professional instructors\, followed by two hours of live music and dancing on a open-air dance floor\, every Thursday \, Friday and Saturday evening\, 6 to 9:30 pm\, and Sunday afternoon\, 4 t o 7 pm\, weather-permitting. DTEND:20090626T023000Z DTSTART:20090625T230000Z GEO:41.874496;-87.62415 LOCATION:Grant Park\, Spirit of Music Garden\, 601 S. Michigan Avenue\, Ch icago\, IL 60605 PRIORITY:5 SUMMARY:Tükrös Hungarian Folk Ensemble UID:summerdance_20090625@blog.germuska.com URL:http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/even ts/dca_tourism/tukros.html END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DESCRIPTION:The 13th annual Chicago SummerDance Series presents free Salsa dance lessons by Latin Rhythms and live music by Naborí\, performing tra ditional salsa music.\n \nNabori was formed in Milwaukee in 2005 by Wichy Ayala\, Robert Figueroa and Tony Ayala to reignite the creative musical pr ocess and dedicate its vision to the execution of original material. All s ongs performed by Naborí are composed and arranged by local musicians or partnerships between Milwaukee and Chicago talent. Their music is deeply r ooted in the genre of traditional salsa music referred to by many as Salsa Brava. This type of salsa holds true to form where the musical arrangemen ts are structured with the dancer in mind. The songs are structured with a ggressive percussion\, upbeat tempos and vibrant brass and chord progressi ons as standards. \n \nRelated Websites: www.myspace.com/naborisalsa\n \n This event is part of the 13th annual Chicago SummerDance festival. Chicag o SummerDance is an eleven-week festival featuring one-hour dance lessons by professional instructors\, followed by two hours of live music and danc ing on a open-air dance floor\, every Thursday\, Friday and Saturday eveni ng\, 6 to 9:30 pm\, and Sunday afternoon\, 4 to 7 pm\, weather-permitting. DTEND:20090627T023000Z DTSTART:20090626T230000Z GEO:41.874496;-87.62415 LOCATION:Grant Park\, Spirit of Music Garden\, 601 S. Michigan Avenue\, Ch icago\, IL 60605 PRIORITY:5 SUMMARY:Nabori UID:summerdance_20090626@blog.germuska.com URL:http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/even ts/dca_tourism/Nabori.html END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DESCRIPTION:The 13th annual Chicago SummerDance Series presents free East Coast Swing dance lessons by Margot McGraw-Toppen & Riley Wimes\, Jr. and live music by Swing Nouveau\, performing high energy ‘30s\, ‘40s and ‘50s Jump Swing. Formed in 1997\, Swing Nouveau is Milwaukee's premiere big band that plays danceable\, high-energy\, jump and swing tunes of the 30s\, 40s\, 50s\, and 90s. Solid rhythms combined with an awesome horn sec tion in this 15-piece "big band" is what helps draw enthusiastic "standing room only" crowds at the top clubs throughout the Milwaukee area. With th e band swinging\, dancers jumping\, and the audience decked out in vintage wear\, the scene is hot\, cool\, and fun.\n \nRelated Websites: www.swing nouveau.com\n \nThis event is part of the 13th annual Chicago SummerDance festival. Chicago SummerDance is an eleven-week festival featuring one-hou r dance lessons by professional instructors\, followed by two hours of liv e music and dancing on a open-air dance floor\, every Thursday\, Friday an d Saturday evening\, 6 to 9:30 pm\, and Sunday afternoon\, 4 to 7 pm\, wea ther-permitting. DTEND:20090628T023000Z DTSTART:20090627T230000Z GEO:41.874496;-87.62415 LOCATION:Grant Park\, Spirit of Music Garden\, 601 S. Michigan Avenue\, Ch icago\, IL 60605 PRIORITY:5 SUMMARY:Swing Nouveau UID:summerdance_20090627@blog.germuska.com URL:http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/even ts/dca_tourism/Nouveau.html END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DESCRIPTION:The 13th annual Chicago SummerDance Series presents free Salsa and Tropical Rhythms dance lessons by Lisa “La Boriqua” and live musi c by Picorelli’s Pa’ La Rumba\, performing old school salsa and mambo. \n \nJuan L. Picorelli was born in San Juan in 1983. Guided by his father and uncles he learned to play bongos\, congas\, and then timbal accordingl y. In 2003 Picorelli became part of the Phillarmonic Orchestra of Puerto R ico\, then played with artists such as Victor Manuelle\, Michael Stuart\, Cano Estremera\, Lalo Rodriguez\, and more. Picorelli currently lives in C hicago where he performs with Aretha Franklin\, Luisito Carrion\, Eddie Sa ntiago\, Tony Vega\, Johnny Rivera\, the Chicago Afro-Latin Jazz Ensemble\ , and more. His most recent project is Pa’ la Rumba\, a great new salsa band with an old school sound. This event is part of Chicago Salsa Festiva l\, June 23-28\, 2009. For more info\, visit www.chicagosalsafestival.com. \n \nRelated Websites: www.myspace.com/jpicorelli\; www.chicagosalsafestiv al.com\; www.latinstreetmusic.com\; www.laboriqua.com\n \nThis event is pa rt of the 13th annual Chicago SummerDance festival. Chicago SummerDance is an eleven-week festival featuring one-hour dance lessons by professional instructors\, followed by two hours of live music and dancing on a open-ai r dance floor\, every Thursday\, Friday and Saturday evening\, 6 to 9:30 p m\, and Sunday afternoon\, 4 to 7 pm\, weather-permitting. DTEND:20090629T000000Z DTSTART:20090628T210000Z GEO:41.874496;-87.62415 LOCATION:Grant Park\, Spirit of Music Garden\, 601 S. Michigan Avenue\, Ch icago\, IL 60605 PRIORITY:5 SUMMARY:Picorelli's Pa' La Rumba UID:summerdance_20090628@blog.germuska.com URL:http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/even ts/dca_tourism/Picorellis.html END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DESCRIPTION:The 13th annual Chicago SummerDance Series presents free Argen tine Tango dance lessons by ARTango Center and live music by Otros Aires\, performing Tango Electronico.\n \nOtros Aires is an audiovisual electroni c tango project created in Barcelona by the Argentinian musician/architect Miguel di Genova in 2003. Influenced at first by the style known as “me stizaje” this project was made by the mix of historic Argentinian roots\ , the tango\, the old neighborhood sound\, Gardel\, the milongas\, the typ ical orchestras and several electronic rhythms. The current formation feat ures Miguel Di Genova (voice\, guitar and sequences)\, Emmanuel Mayol (dru ms and percussion)\, Omar Massa (bandoneon) and Diego Ramos (piano). \n \n Related Websites: www.otrosaires.com\; www.tangoshusheta.com/newsletter/\n \nThis event is part of the 13th annual Chicago SummerDance festival. Ch icago SummerDance is an eleven-week festival featuring one-hour dance less ons by professional instructors\, followed by two hours of live music and dancing on a open-air dance floor\, every Thursday\, Friday and Saturday e vening\, 6 to 9:30 pm\, and Sunday afternoon\, 4 to 7 pm\, weather-permitt ing. DTEND:20090703T023000Z DTSTART:20090702T230000Z GEO:41.874496;-87.62415 LOCATION:Grant Park\, Spirit of Music Garden\, 601 S. Michigan Avenue\, Ch icago\, IL 60605 PRIORITY:5 SUMMARY:Otros Aires UID:summerdance_20090702@blog.germuska.com URL:http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/even ts/dca_tourism/Otros.html END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DESCRIPTION:The 13th annual Chicago SummerDance Series presents free East Coast Swing dance lessons by Tommye Giacchino and Gregory Day of Chicago D ance and live music by Lesley Byers & The Jazz Cats\, performing music mad e famous by Billie Holiday\, Sarah Vaughn\, Duke Ellington\, and more. Les ley Byers & The Jazz Cats recreate music made famous by Dinah Washington\, Billie Holiday\, Sarah Vaughn\, Duke Ellington\, and Ella Fitzgerald. Sin ging professionally for nearly 20 years\, Lesley Picchietti Byers has perf ormed all over the country including\; Irving Plaza in New York City\, The Derby in L.A. and The Chicago House of Blues. From St. Louis to Seattle\, San Francisco to Boston\, she spent 1997-2000 performing an average of 18 0 shows per year. In the fall of 2000\, Lesley Byers and the Jazz Cats was formed with Byers and some of Chicago’s most talented jazz musicians.\n \nRelated Websites: www.lesleybyers.com\; www.chicagodance.com\n \nThis event is part of the 13th annual Chicago SummerDance festival. Chicago Sum merDance is an eleven-week festival featuring one-hour dance lessons by pr ofessional instructors\, followed by two hours of live music and dancing o n a open-air dance floor\, every Thursday\, Friday and Saturday evening\, 6 to 9:30 pm\, and Sunday afternoon\, 4 to 7 pm\, weather-permitting. DTEND:20090704T023000Z DTSTART:20090703T230000Z GEO:41.874496;-87.62415 LOCATION:Grant Park\, Spirit of Music Garden\, 601 S. Michigan Avenue\, Ch icago\, IL 60605 PRIORITY:5 SUMMARY:Lesley Byers & The Jazz Cats UID:summerdance_20090703@blog.germuska.com URL:http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/even ts/dca_tourism/Lesley.html END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DESCRIPTION:The 13th annual Chicago SummerDance Series presents free Rumba dance lessons by Bob & Penny Urbon of Chicago Ballroom Dance Co. and live music by Steve Cooper Orchestra\, performing Ballroom-era highlights. The Steve Cooper Orchestra has been performing in the Chicago area for more t han twenty years. Steve and the band perform the most loved songs by both swing and sweet bands and play the musical arrangements of Glenn Miller\, Tommy Dorsey\, Woody Herman\, Count Basie\, Sammy Kaye\, Dick Jurgens\, Ed die Howard\, Chuck Foster\, Jan Garber\, Hal Kemp\, Red Nichols\, Bob Cros by and many others. The band also plays rock and roll tunes (in ballroom s tyle) and songs from current Broadway shows and popular movies.\n \nRelate d Websites: www.nbea.com/SCO.htm\n \nThis event is part of the 13th annual Chicago SummerDance festival. Chicago SummerDance is an eleven-week festi val featuring one-hour dance lessons by professional instructors\, followe d by two hours of live music and dancing on a open-air dance floor\, every Thursday\, Friday and Saturday evening\, 6 to 9:30 pm\, and Sunday aftern oon\, 4 to 7 pm\, weather-permitting. DTEND:20090706T000000Z DTSTART:20090705T210000Z GEO:41.874496;-87.62415 LOCATION:Grant Park\, Spirit of Music Garden\, 601 S. Michigan Avenue\, Ch icago\, IL 60605 PRIORITY:5 SUMMARY:Steve Cooper Orchestra UID:summerdance_20090705@blog.germuska.com URL:http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/even ts/dca_tourism/SteveCooper.html END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DESCRIPTION:The 13th annual Chicago SummerDance Series presents free Bhang ra dance lessons by Shamila Khetarpal and live music by Funkadesi\, perfor ming East Indian\, funk\, and reggae sounds.\n \nChicago’s own Funkadesi represents the diverse multi-ethnic communities within the city. What dis tinguishes Funkadesi as a group is each band member’s unique and uncompr omised cultural/musical contribution merging to create one unifying sound and vision. Funkadesi’s one-world sound\, roots-watering vision\, and po sitive vibe make the band a unique and compelling musical force. The 5-Tim e Winner of The Chicago Music Awards\, Funkadesi has been hailed by Time M agazine\, and even caught the attention of then U.S. Senator Barack Obama\ , who noted\, "Funkadesi really knows how to get a crowd going. I can't sa y enough how energizing this band is. There's a lot of funk in that desi!" Related Websites: http://www.funkadesi.com\n \nThis event is part of the 13th annual Chicago SummerDance festival. Chicago SummerDance is an eleven -week festival featuring one-hour dance lessons by professional instructor s\, followed by two hours of live music and dancing on a open-air dance fl oor\, every Thursday\, Friday and Saturday evening\, 6 to 9:30 pm\, and Su nday afternoon\, 4 to 7 pm\, weather-permitting. DTEND:20090710T023000Z DTSTART:20090709T230000Z GEO:41.874496;-87.62415 LOCATION:Grant Park\, Spirit of Music Garden\, 601 S. Michigan Avenue\, Ch icago\, IL 60605 PRIORITY:5 SUMMARY:Funkadesi UID:summerdance_20090709@blog.germuska.com URL:http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/even ts/dca_tourism/Funkadesi.html END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DESCRIPTION:The 13th annual Chicago SummerDance Series presents free Zydec o dance lessons by Buddy Bates & Rebecca Unger and live music by Cedric Wa tson & Bijou Creole\, performing original Louisiana-style Creole music.\n \nCedric Watson's eponymous CD release of 2008 has received a Grammy Nomin ation in the Best Cajun or Zydeco Music Record category. One of the most n oted young talents to emerge in Cajun or Creole music in the past few year s\, Cedric Watson is a fiddler\, vocalist\, accordionist and songwriter of seemingly unlimited potential. Cedric has been making a name for himself reviving old Creole fiddling styles\, injecting a healthy dose of his own personality and ingenuity\, and bringing them to an ever-broadening audien ce. Cedric will also be playing at the 2009 Folk & Roots Festival presente d by the Old Town School of Folk Music on Saturday\, July 11\, 2009. http: //www.chicagofolkandroots.org/\n \nRelated Websites: http://www.cedricwats on.com\n \nThis event is part of the 13th annual Chicago SummerDance festi val. Chicago SummerDance is an eleven-week festival featuring one-hour dan ce lessons by professional instructors\, followed by two hours of live mus ic and dancing on a open-air dance floor\, every Thursday\, Friday and Sat urday evening\, 6 to 9:30 pm\, and Sunday afternoon\, 4 to 7 pm\, weather- permitting. DTEND:20090711T023000Z DTSTART:20090710T230000Z GEO:41.874496;-87.62415 LOCATION:Grant Park\, Spirit of Music Garden\, 601 S. Michigan Avenue\, Ch icago\, IL 60605 PRIORITY:5 SUMMARY:Cedric Watson & Bijou Creole UID:summerdance_20090710@blog.germuska.com URL:http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/even ts/dca_tourism/CedricWatson.html END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DESCRIPTION:The 13th annual Chicago SummerDance series presents free Zydec o dance lessons by Buddy Bates & Rebecca Unger and live music by Curley Ta ylor & Zydeco Trouble\, performing Zydeco.\n \nBy age 25\, Louisiana’s C urley Taylor had played drums for some of Louisiana's finest legends inclu ding CC Adcock\, Steve Riley\, John Hart\, "Lil" Bob of the Lollipops\, an d his uncles\, "Lil Buck" Senegal and Wayne "Blue" Burns. While traveling with Louisiana legend CJ Chenier\, Taylor started playing the accordion. T aylor’s latest group\, Zydeco Trouble includes himself (vocals\, accordi on)\; Matt Sonnier (rubboard)\; Charlie (rubboard)\; Errol Taylor (bass)\; Keith Clement (keyboard)\; and Erick Minix (drums). Curley will also be p laying at the 2009 Folk & Roots Festival presented by the Old Town School of Folk Music on Sunday\, July 12\, 2009. \n \nRelated Websites: www.curle ytaylor.com\; www.myspace.com/curleytaylorandzydecotrouble\; www.chicagofo lkandroots.org\n \nThis event is part of the 13th annual Chicago SummerDan ce festival. Chicago SummerDance is an eleven-week festival featuring one- hour dance lessons by professional instructors\, followed by two hours of live music and dancing on a open-air dance floor\, every Thursday\, Friday and Saturday evening\, 6 to 9:30 pm\, and Sunday afternoon\, 4 to 7 pm\, weather-permitting. DTEND:20090712T023000Z DTSTART:20090711T230000Z GEO:41.874496;-87.62415 LOCATION:Grant Park\, Spirit of Music Garden\, 601 S. Michigan Avenue\, Ch icago\, IL 60605 PRIORITY:5 SUMMARY:Curley Taylor & Zydeco Trouble UID:summerdance_20090711@blog.germuska.com URL:http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/even ts/dca_tourism/CurleyTaylor.html END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DESCRIPTION:The 13th annual Chicago SummerDance series presents free East Coast Swing dance lessons by Arthur Murray Dance Center and live music by Chicago Grandstand Big Band\, performing music from the Big Band era. \n \ nChicago Grandstand Big Band specializes in big band styles ranging from t he 1940s to the present\, with a library in excess of 1000 tunes. They foc us particularly on music from the Stan Kenton Orchestra and also feature t he music of Glen Miller\, Artie Shaw\, Woody Herman\, Count Basie and Duke Ellington. They have been an integral part of Chicago's entertainment com munity for over 25 years.\nRelated Websites: chicagograndstandbigband.com\ ; www.chicagoarthurmurray.com\n \nThis event is part of the 13th annual Ch icago SummerDance festival. Chicago SummerDance is an eleven-week festival featuring one-hour dance lessons by professional instructors\, followed b y two hours of live music and dancing on a open-air dance floor\, every Th ursday\, Friday and Saturday evening\, 6 to 9:30 pm\, and Sunday afternoon \, 4 to 7 pm\, weather-permitting. DTEND:20090713T000000Z DTSTART:20090712T210000Z GEO:41.874496;-87.62415 LOCATION:Grant Park\, Spirit of Music Garden\, 601 S. Michigan Avenue\, Ch icago\, IL 60605 PRIORITY:5 SUMMARY:Chicago Grandstand Big Band UID:summerdance_20090712@blog.germuska.com URL:http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/even ts/dca_tourism/ChicagoGrandstand.html END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DESCRIPTION:The 13th annual Chicago SummerDance series presents free Son H uasteco\, Son Jarocho\, Son de Tarima\, Polka\, and Waltz dance lessons by Lorena Iñiguez and live music by Sones de México Ensemble\, performing Mexican Son.\n \nSones de México Ensemble specializes in Mexican ‘son ’ including the regional styles of huapango\, gustos\, chilenas\, son ja rocho\, and more. The group formed in 1994 to keep the tradition of Mexica n ‘son’ alive in its many regional forms. As performers and recording artists\, the ensemble has developed and popularized many original arrange ments of Mexican traditional tunes. Some of its original work has experime nted cross-culturally with symphonic\, Irish\, folk\, C&W\, jazz\, and roc k music\, though never abandoning its roots in Mexican son. Also a not-for -profit organization\, the ensemble is committed to teaching. The ensemble members reach out to young and old with many of its educational programs nationwide.\n \nRelated Websites: http://www.sonesdemexico.com\n \nThis e vent is part of the 13th annual Chicago SummerDance festival. Chicago Summ erDance is an eleven-week festival featuring one-hour dance lessons by pro fessional instructors\, followed by two hours of live music and dancing on a open-air dance floor\, every Thursday\, Friday and Saturday evening\, 6 to 9:30 pm\, and Sunday afternoon\, 4 to 7 pm\, weather-permitting. DTEND:20090717T023000Z DTSTART:20090716T230000Z GEO:41.874496;-87.62415 LOCATION:Grant Park\, Spirit of Music Garden\, 601 S. Michigan Avenue\, Ch icago\, IL 60605 PRIORITY:5 SUMMARY:Sones de México Ensemble UID:summerdance_20090716@blog.germuska.com URL:http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/even ts/dca_tourism/Sones.html END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DESCRIPTION:The 13th annual Chicago SummerDance series presents free Zydec o dance lessons by Louie Stallone & Monica Vachlon and live music by Terra nce Simien & The Zydeco Experience\, performing Zydeco.\n \nFor more than 2 decades Grammy award-winning artist Terrance Simien\, 8th generation Lou isiana Creole\, has been shattering the myths about what his indigenous Cr eole Zydeco music is and is not. Leading his Zydeco Experience Band\, Simi en has become a highly respected\, internationally recognized touring and recording artist and Cultural Ambassador for his state. He has presented t housands of performances\, toured millions of miles to over 40 countries a nd reached at least a million people during his eventful 25-year career. R elated Websites: http://www.terrancesimien.com\n \nThis event is part of the 13th annual Chicago SummerDance festival. Chicago SummerDance is an el even-week festival featuring one-hour dance lessons by professional instru ctors\, followed by two hours of live music and dancing on a open-air danc e floor\, every Thursday\, Friday and Saturday evening\, 6 to 9:30 pm\, an d Sunday afternoon\, 4 to 7 pm\, weather-permitting. DTEND:20090718T023000Z DTSTART:20090717T230000Z GEO:41.874496;-87.62415 LOCATION:Grant Park\, Spirit of Music Garden\, 601 S. Michigan Avenue\, Ch icago\, IL 60605 PRIORITY:5 SUMMARY:Terrance Simien & The Zydeco Experience UID:summerdance_20090717@blog.germuska.com URL:http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/even ts/dca_tourism/TerranceSimien.html END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DESCRIPTION:The 13th annual Chicago SummerDance series presents free Salsa dance lessons by Tommye Giacchino & Gregory Day of Chicago Dance and live music by Chicago Afro-Latin Jazz Ensemble\, performing Salsa\, Merengue\, and Latin Jazz. Inspired by Dizzy Gillespie’s United Nations Orchestra \, the fifteen-piece Chicago Afro-Latin Jazz Ensemble continues its multin ational quest of incorporating Afro-Cuban jazz\, Brazilian jazz\, flamenco \, Central American and Peruvian folkloric rhythms into their compositions while staying true to Latin jazz traditions. Founded by Mexican-born trum peter/composer\, Victor Garcia and Nicaraguan-born pianist/composer\, Darw in Alejandro Noguera\, the group features some of Chicago’s finest Latin jazz performers. Related Websites: www.calje.org\; www.chicagodance.com\n \nThis event is part of the 13th annual Chicago SummerDance festival. Chi cago SummerDance is an eleven-week festival featuring one-hour dance lesso ns by professional instructors\, followed by two hours of live music and d ancing on a open-air dance floor\, every Thursday\, Friday and Saturday ev ening\, 6 to 9:30 pm\, and Sunday afternoon\, 4 to 7 pm\, weather-permitti ng. DTEND:20090719T023000Z DTSTART:20090718T230000Z GEO:41.874496;-87.62415 LOCATION:Grant Park\, Spirit of Music Garden\, 601 S. Michigan Avenue\, Ch icago\, IL 60605 PRIORITY:5 SUMMARY:Chicago Afro-Latin Jazz Ensemble UID:summerdance_20090718@blog.germuska.com URL:http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/even ts/dca_tourism/ChicagoAfro.html END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DESCRIPTION:The 13th annual Chicago SummerDance series presents free Tango dance lessons by Manny Lopez-Marquez and live music by Nancy Hays & The R omance of Dance Orchestra performing classics by Irving Berlin\, Cole Port er and George Gershwin along with Latin favorites.Nancy Hays & The Romance of Dance Orchestra perform ballroom classics by Irving Berlin\, Cole Port er and George Gershwin along with Latin favorites. Vocalist Nancy Hays has performed throughout the United States and Europe and has worked as an op ening act for celebrities including Kenny Rogers\, Tomy Tune\, The Smother s Brothers and Rita Rudner\, and more.\n \nRelated Websites: www.theroman ceofdance.com\n \nThis event is part of the 13th annual Chicago SummerDanc e festival. Chicago SummerDance is an eleven-week festival featuring one-h our dance lessons by professional instructors\, followed by two hours of l ive music and dancing on a open-air dance floor\, every Thursday\, Friday and Saturday evening\, 6 to 9:30 pm\, and Sunday afternoon\, 4 to 7 pm\, w eather-permitting. DTEND:20090720T000000Z DTSTART:20090719T210000Z GEO:41.874496;-87.62415 LOCATION:Grant Park\, Spirit of Music Garden\, 601 S. Michigan Avenue\, Ch icago\, IL 60605 PRIORITY:5 SUMMARY:Nancy Hays & The Romance of Dance Orchestra UID:summerdance_20090719@blog.germuska.com URL:http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/even ts/dca_tourism/NancyHays.html END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DESCRIPTION:The 13th annual Chicago SummerDance series presents free Afric an Diaspora dance lessons by Kimosha P. Murphy of the ALYO Children’s Da nce Theater and live music by Kokolo at the Spirit of Music Garden in Gran t Park. Kokolo is well-known for their explosive live shows and innovative sound.\n \nSince forming in 2001\, Kokolo has evolved into a prolific int ernational recording and touring machine\, with over 50 releases on their discography and live performances in dozens of countries around the globe. Their well-known reputation for mounting explosive live shows has seen th em perform on some of the world’s most prestigious stages\, such as The Montreal Jazz\, Glastonbury Festival and scores of others\, where they sha red the spotlight with variety of acts ranging from Roots Manuva\, Taj Mah al and Issac Hayes to Zap Mama\, Chic\, Pete Rock\, Roy Ayers and Seun Kut i & Egypt 80.\n \nRelated Websites: www.kokoloonline.com\; www.alyochildr ensdance.com/\n \nThis event is part of the 13th annual Chicago SummerDanc e festival. Chicago SummerDance is an eleven-week festival featuring one-h our dance lessons by professional instructors\, followed by two hours of l ive music and dancing on a open-air dance floor\, every Thursday\, Friday and Saturday evening\, 6 to 9:30 pm\, and Sunday afternoon\, 4 to 7 pm\, w eather-permitting. DTEND:20090724T023000Z DTSTART:20090723T230000Z GEO:41.874496;-87.62415 LOCATION:Grant Park\, Spirit of Music Garden\, 601 S. Michigan Avenue\, Ch icago\, IL 60605 PRIORITY:5 SUMMARY:Kokolo UID:summerdance_20090723@blog.germuska.com URL:http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/even ts/dca_tourism/Kokolo.html END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DESCRIPTION:The 13th annual Chicago SummerDance series presents free Texas and Western Swing dance lessons by The Galaxie and live music by the West ern Elstons.\n \nThe Western Elstons music mixes classic honky tonk\, west ern swing and rockabilly. This leading American roots music group features Scott Ligon\, (guitar and lead vocals)\, Casey McDonough\, (guitar\, keyb oard and vocals)\, Joel Paterson\, (pedal steel guitar)\, Jimmy Sutton\, ( upright bass and vocals)\, and Alex Hall\, (drums).\n \nRelated Websites: : www.myspace.com/thewesternelstons\; www.galaxiechicago.com\n \nThis even t is part of the 13th annual Chicago SummerDance festival. Chicago SummerD ance is an eleven-week festival featuring one-hour dance lessons by profes sional instructors\, followed by two hours of live music and dancing on a open-air dance floor\, every Thursday\, Friday and Saturday evening\, 6 to 9:30 pm\, and Sunday afternoon\, 4 to 7 pm\, weather-permitting. DTEND:20090725T023000Z DTSTART:20090724T230000Z GEO:41.874496;-87.62415 LOCATION:Grant Park\, Spirit of Music Garden\, 601 S. Michigan Avenue\, Ch icago\, IL 60605 PRIORITY:5 SUMMARY:Western Elstons UID:summerdance_20090724@blog.germuska.com URL:http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/even ts/dca_tourism/WesternElstons.html END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DESCRIPTION:The 13th annual Chicago SummerDance series presents free salsa combinations dance lessons by Nino DiGiulio of MayIHaveThisDance and live music by Hector Silveira y su Orquesta.\n \nHector Silveira is a talented singer\, orchestra director\, composer\, arranger and multi-instrumentali st from Camaguey\, Cuba. Since his arrival to the U.S.\, he has quickly es tablished himself as one of the main Cuban artists in Chicago. Silveira ha s played to enthusiastic crowds all over the world\, blending Cuban dance music and folkloric rhythms into his own unique sound.\n \nRelated Website s: http://www.hectorsilveira.com/\; www.mayihavethisdance.com This event is part of the 13th annual Chicago SummerDance festival. Chicago SummerDan ce is an eleven-week festival featuring one-hour dance lessons by professi onal instructors\, followed by two hours of live music and dancing on a op en-air dance floor\, every Thursday\, Friday and Saturday evening\, 6 to 9 :30 pm\, and Sunday afternoon\, 4 to 7 pm\, weather-permitting. DTEND:20090726T023000Z DTSTART:20090725T230000Z GEO:41.874496;-87.62415 LOCATION:Grant Park\, Spirit of Music Garden\, 601 S. Michigan Avenue\, Ch icago\, IL 60605 PRIORITY:5 SUMMARY:Hector Silveira y su Orquesta UID:summerdance_20090725@blog.germuska.com URL:http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/even ts/dca_tourism/HectorSilveira.html END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DESCRIPTION:The 13th annual Chicago SummerDance series presents free Horas \, Sirbas\, Geamperalele\, Rachenitzi and Chochechi dance lessons by Paul Collins of Ethnic Dance Chicago and live music by the Steve Gibons Gypsy R hythm Project\, which mixes a compelling\, energetic concoction of music f rom Romania\, the Balkans and the oriental gypsy world.\n \nSteve Gibons b rings together jazzmen and traditional Rroma musicians to wed elements of modern composition and improv with European Gypsy and folk music. Gypsy Rh ythm Project mixes a compelling\, energetic concoction of music from Roman ia\, the Balkans and the oriental gypsy world.\n \nRelated Websites: www.s tevegibons.com\; www.ethnicdance.net\; www.gypsyrhythmproject.com\n \nThis event is part of the 13th annual Chicago SummerDance festival. Chicago Su mmerDance is an eleven-week festival featuring one-hour dance lessons by p rofessional instructors\, followed by two hours of live music and dancing on a open-air dance floor\, every Thursday\, Friday and Saturday evening\, 6 to 9:30 pm\, and Sunday afternoon\, 4 to 7 pm\, weather-permitting. DTEND:20090731T023000Z DTSTART:20090730T230000Z GEO:41.874496;-87.62415 LOCATION:Grant Park\, Spirit of Music Garden\, 601 S. Michigan Avenue\, Ch icago\, IL 60605 PRIORITY:5 SUMMARY:Steve Gibons Gypsy Rhythm Project UID:summerdance_20090730@blog.germuska.com URL:http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/even ts/dca_tourism/SteveGibons.html END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DESCRIPTION: \nThe 13th annual Chicago SummerDance series presents free Ea st Coast Swing dance lessons by Big City Swing and live music by the Boile rmaker Jazz Band. The Boilermaker Jazz Band is an ecstatically fun band pe rforming authentic hot jazz and swing.\n The Boilermaker Jazz Band is an e cstatically fun band performing authentic hot jazz and swing. The group ha s a wide repertoire that can make an audience swing to a classic jazz stan dard\, get sentimental over an old-time ballad\, boogie to a hot jump tune \, or get low-down with a gritty blues.\n \nLeading the Boilermaker Jazz B and on clarinet and vocals is Paul Cosentino\, a full time bandleader/perf ormer who founded the band in 1988 at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsb urgh. The band also features singer Jennie Luvv\, who thrills with her smo oth and sultry vocal stylings. Paul and the Boilermakers have recorded six critically acclaimed CDs and have received rave reviews for their excelle nt live performances.\n \nRelated Websites: www.boilermakerjazzband.com\; www.bigcityswing.com\n \nThis event is part of the 13th annual Chicago Sum merDance festival. Chicago SummerDance is an eleven-week festival featurin g one-hour dance lessons by professional instructors\, followed by two hou rs of live music and dancing on a open-air dance floor\, every Thursday\, Friday and Saturday evening\, 6 to 9:30 pm\, and Sunday afternoon\, 4 to 7 pm\, weather-permitting. DTEND:20090801T023000Z DTSTART:20090731T230000Z GEO:41.874496;-87.62415 LOCATION:Grant Park\, Spirit of Music Garden\, 601 S. Michigan Avenue\, Ch icago\, IL 60605 PRIORITY:5 SUMMARY:The Boilermaker Jazz Band UID:summerdance_20090731@blog.germuska.com URL:http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/even ts/dca_tourism/boilermaker.html END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DESCRIPTION:The 13th annual Chicago SummerDance Series presents free mambo and cha cha dance lessons by Miguel Mendez of Dance Academy of Salsa and live music by the Salsa Chicago Mambo All Stars. The Salsa Chicago Mambo A ll-Stars play a vast repertoire of music including Salsa\, Merengue\, Bach ata\, Mambo\, Latin Jazz\, Boleros\, Cha Cha Cha\, Guajira\, Cumbia and mo re.\n \nThe Salsa Chicago Mambo All-Stars was started in 2006 by Chicago S alsa Instructor\, and background vocalist Miguel Mendez and Chicago Pianis t\, Composer\, Arranger & Musical Director\, Eliezer "Pepe" Armijos. The S alsa Chicago Mambo All-stars play a vast repertoire of music including Sal sa\, Merengue\, Bachata\, Mambo\, Latin Jazz\, Boleros\, Cha Cha Cha\, Gua jira\, Cumbia and more.\n \nRelated Websites: www.salsachicago.com\; www. danceacademyofsalsa.com \n \nThis event is part of the 13th annual Chicago SummerDance festival. Chicago SummerDance is an eleven-week festival feat uring one-hour dance lessons by professional instructors\, followed by two hours of live music and dancing on a open-air dance floor\, every Thursda y\, Friday and Saturday evening\, 6 to 9:30 pm\, and Sunday afternoon\, 4 to 7 pm\, weather-permitting. DTEND:20090802T023000Z DTSTART:20090801T230000Z GEO:41.874496;-87.62415 LOCATION:Grant Park\, Spirit of Music Garden\, 601 S. Michigan Avenue\, Ch icago\, IL 60605 PRIORITY:5 SUMMARY:Salsa Chicago Mambo All Stars UID:summerdance_20090801@blog.germuska.com URL:http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/even ts/dca_tourism/SalsaChicago.html END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DESCRIPTION:The 13th annual Chicago SummerDance series presents free Engli sh Waltz dance lessons by Kris & Ela Kasperowicz of Kasper Dance Studio an d live music by the Ron Smolen Orchestra.\n \nThe Ron Smolen Orchestra has been performing professionally since 1969. Based in Chicago\, this popula r 10-piece dance orchestra has played numerous functions throughout the co untry. They combine their big band sound with classic arrangements and cre ate an atmosphere of nostalgia\, fun and entertainment.\n \nRelated Websit es: http://www.ronsmolenorchestra.com/\; www.kasperdancestudio.com \nThi s event is part of the 13th annual Chicago SummerDance festival. Chicago S ummerDance is an eleven-week festival featuring one-hour dance lessons by professional instructors\, followed by two hours of live music and dancing on a open-air dance floor\, every Thursday\, Friday and Saturday evening\ , 6 to 9:30 pm\, and Sunday afternoon\, 4 to 7 pm\, weather-permitting. DTEND:20090803T000000Z DTSTART:20090802T210000Z GEO:41.874496;-87.62415 LOCATION:Grant Park\, Spirit of Music Garden\, 601 S. Michigan Avenue\, Ch icago\, IL 60605 PRIORITY:5 SUMMARY: Ron Smolen Orchestra UID:summerdance_20090802@blog.germuska.com URL:http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/even ts/dca_tourism/RonSmolen.html END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DESCRIPTION:The 13th annual Chicago SummerDance series presents free mambo dance lessons by Andy Cruz and live music by Salsa Celtica. Salsa Celtica is a vibrant 11-piece world music fusion band that mixes traditional Iris h and Scottish music with salsa.\n \nSalsa Celtica is a vibrant 11-piece w orld music fusion band from Edinburgh\, Scotland. Their synthesis of Scott ish and Irish traditional music with all the Latin American elements of sa lsa has taken them and their music all over the world. In the last ten yea rs the group has been a hit equally at major Celtic\, jazz\, world music a nd salsa festivals. Their albums have topped the New York and L.A. salsa c harts and European world music charts. The lineup combines some of Scotlan d and Ireland's most exciting traditional musicians mixed with a stellar g roup of world\, jazz and salsa musicians from the U.K. and Latin America.\ n \nRelated Websites: http://www.salsaceltica.com/\; www.andymambo.com\n \ nThis event is part of the 13th annual Chicago SummerDance festival. Chica go SummerDance is an eleven-week festival featuring one-hour dance lessons by professional instructors\, followed by two hours of live music and dan cing on a open-air dance floor\, every Thursday\, Friday and Saturday even ing\, 6 to 9:30 pm\, and Sunday afternoon\, 4 to 7 pm\, weather-permitting . DTEND:20090807T023000Z DTSTART:20090806T230000Z GEO:41.874496;-87.62415 LOCATION:Grant Park\, Spirit of Music Garden\, 601 S. Michigan Avenue\, Ch icago\, IL 60605 PRIORITY:5 SUMMARY:Salsa Celtica UID:summerdance_20090806@blog.germuska.com URL:http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/even ts/dca_tourism/SalsaCeltica.html END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DESCRIPTION:The 13th annual Chicago SummerDance series presents free Cha C ha Cha dance lessons and live music by Papo Santiago y Orquesta Infraverde which is dedicated to the preservation of the sonero tradition.\n \nPapo Santiago started his musical journey in Ponce\, Puerto Rico\, the birthpla ce of some of the most celebrated musicians in Latin music history. After mastering the saxophone and all its variants\, he honed the craft of flute playing with Banda Municipal de Ponce 1985. Santiago moved to Chicago in the late 1980's. His career as a musician\, singer\, composer and director has spanned more than 25 years.\n \nRelated Websites: http://www.myspace. com/infraverde\n \nThis event is part of the 13th annual Chicago SummerDan ce festival. Chicago SummerDance is an eleven-week festival featuring one- hour dance lessons by professional instructors\, followed by two hours of live music and dancing on a open-air dance floor\, every Thursday\, Friday and Saturday evening\, 6 to 9:30 pm\, and Sunday afternoon\, 4 to 7 pm\, weather-permitting. DTEND:20090808T023000Z DTSTART:20090807T230000Z GEO:41.874496;-87.62415 LOCATION:Grant Park\, Spirit of Music Garden\, 601 S. Michigan Avenue\, Ch icago\, IL 60605 PRIORITY:5 SUMMARY:Papo Santiago y Orquesta Infraverde UID:summerdance_20090807@blog.germuska.com URL:http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/even ts/dca_tourism/PapoSantiago.html END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DESCRIPTION:The 13th annual Chicago SummerDance series presents free Chica go Steppin’ dance lessons by Pete & Linda Frazier of the Majestic Gents and live music by The Nu Blu Band. Based in Chicago\, The Nu Blu Band play s some of the most popular rock 'n' roll\, blues\, and R&B tunes.\n \nThe Nu Blu Band features Dan Henley\, drums\; Marc Maddox\, guitar\; and Carli se Guy\, vocals. Based in Chicago\, the band performs across Illinois\, In diana\, Michigan and Wisconsin. Maddox and Henley have been playing togeth er for over twenty years. In 2000\, they formed Blind 2 Color\, which evol ved into The Nu Blu Band. Carlise Guy\, daughter of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Buddy Guy\, met Henley and Maddox in the late 1980's\, helpi ng to form the foundation of this band.\n \nRelated Websites: www.nubluban d.com/home\; www.majesticgents.net\n \nThis event is part of the 13th annu al Chicago SummerDance festival. Chicago SummerDance is an eleven-week fes tival featuring one-hour dance lessons by professional instructors\, follo wed by two hours of live music and dancing on a open-air dance floor\, eve ry Thursday\, Friday and Saturday evening\, 6 to 9:30 pm\, and Sunday afte rnoon\, 4 to 7 pm\, weather-permitting. DTEND:20090809T023000Z DTSTART:20090808T230000Z GEO:41.874496;-87.62415 LOCATION:Grant Park\, Spirit of Music Garden\, 601 S. Michigan Avenue\, Ch icago\, IL 60605 PRIORITY:5 SUMMARY:The Nu Blu Band UID:summerdance_20090808@blog.germuska.com URL:http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/even ts/dca_tourism/NuBluBand.html END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DESCRIPTION:The 13th annual Chicago SummerDance series presents free Salsa \, Merengue\, and Bachata dance lessons by Lisa “La Boriqua” of Latin Street Dancing and live music by Mannix Martinez y su Orquesta. One of Pue rto Rico’s legendary voices\, Mannix Martinez is best known for his hit singles with Orquesta La Terrifica and Sonora Pocena.\n \nManuel “Mannix ” Martinez is a singer and musical director from Ponce\, Puerto Rico. He is well known for his work with Orquesta La Terrifica and later with the legendary Sonora Poncena. He has performed in Madison Square Garden\, Coli seo Poliedro in Venezuela\, Bellas Artes in P.R.\, El Pascual Guerrero in Cali Colombia\, Peru\, Venezuela\, Panama\, Europe and Brazil.\n \nRelated Websites: www.latinstreetmusic.com\; www.laboriqua.com\n \nThis event is part of the 13th annual Chicago SummerDance festival. Chicago SummerDance is an eleven-week festival featuring one-hour dance lessons by profession al instructors\, followed by two hours of live music and dancing on a open -air dance floor\, every Thursday\, Friday and Saturday evening\, 6 to 9:3 0 pm\, and Sunday afternoon\, 4 to 7 pm\, weather-permitting. DTEND:20090815T023000Z DTSTART:20090814T230000Z GEO:41.874496;-87.62415 LOCATION:Grant Park\, Spirit of Music Garden\, 601 S. Michigan Avenue\, Ch icago\, IL 60605 PRIORITY:5 SUMMARY:Mannix Martinez y su Orquesta UID:summerdance_20090814@blog.germuska.com URL:http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/even ts/dca_tourism/Mannix.html END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DESCRIPTION:The 13th annual Chicago SummerDance series presents free jitte rbug dance lessons by Big City Swing and live music by the Flat Cats\, who perform swinging jazz\, jump blues\, and more toe-tapping music.\n \nThe Flat Cats are one of Chicago’s most exciting musical acts. The group is comprised of local musicians with years of performing\, arranging\, and co mposing experience and has a classic appeal of top quality musicianship\, look\, and spirit. The Flat Cats’ blend of vintage and modern music incl uding the hottest swinging jazz\, jump blues\, steamy standards\, modern c lassics\, ballads\, and toe-tapping western swing is guaranteed to enterta in.\n \nRelated Websites: www.flatcatsmusic.com/\; www.bigcityswing.com T his event is part of the 13th annual Chicago SummerDance festival. Chicago SummerDance is an eleven-week festival featuring one-hour dance lessons b y professional instructors\, followed by two hours of live music and danci ng on a open-air dance floor\, every Thursday\, Friday and Saturday evenin g\, 6 to 9:30 pm\, and Sunday afternoon\, 4 to 7 pm\, weather-permitting. DTEND:20090816T023000Z DTSTART:20090815T230000Z GEO:41.874496;-87.62415 LOCATION:Grant Park\, Spirit of Music Garden\, 601 S. Michigan Avenue\, Ch icago\, IL 60605 PRIORITY:5 SUMMARY:The Flat Cats UID:summerdance_20090815@blog.germuska.com URL:http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/even ts/dca_tourism/FlatCats.html END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DESCRIPTION:The 13th annual Chicago SummerDance Series presents free foxtr ot dance lessons by Bob & Penny Urbon of Chicago Ballroom Dance Co. and li ve music by the Weiss Brothers. The Weiss Brothers have been playing beaut iful dance music for close to half a century.\n \nThe Weiss Brothers Orche stra has been playing beautiful dance music for close to half a century\, originally as the Freddy Mills Orchestra. The Weiss Brothers took over the band after Freddy Mills’ retirement and have since played regularly at the Willowbrook Ballroom as well as many other venues in the area. Noted f or their full sound and danceable music\, the Weiss Brothers Orchestra hav e been featured at the Chevy Chase Country Club\, The Martinique\, Navy Pi er and Grant Park.\n \nRelated Websites: www.ballroomchicago.com\n \nThis event is part of the 13th annual Chicago SummerDance festival. Chicago Sum merDance is an eleven-week festival featuring one-hour dance lessons by pr ofessional instructors\, followed by two hours of live music and dancing o n a open-air dance floor\, every Thursday\, Friday and Saturday evening\, 6 to 9:30 pm\, and Sunday afternoon\, 4 to 7 pm\, weather-permitting. DTEND:20090817T000000Z DTSTART:20090816T210000Z GEO:41.874496;-87.62415 LOCATION:Grant Park\, Spirit of Music Garden\, 601 S. Michigan Avenue\, Ch icago\, IL 60605 PRIORITY:5 SUMMARY:The Weiss Brothers UID:summerdance_20090816@blog.germuska.com URL:http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/even ts/dca_tourism/Weiss.html END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DESCRIPTION:The 13th annual Chicago SummerDance Series presents free Oros\ , Horos\, Kolos\, and o eks dance lessons by John Kuo & Galia Miloucheva- Kuo of Balkanski Igri and live music by Orchestra Chalgija. Orchestra Cha lgija was formed in 2008 by Balkan folk clarinetist Jim Stoynoff. Chalgija is a unique genre within Macedonian Folk Music\, representing a 200-year- old blending of traditional Macedonian dance rhythms and vocal themes. It is influenced by Ottoman music and performed on traditional instruments fr om that era. Stoynoff is joined by vocalist Elena Manovska\, formerly of T ANEC National Macedonian Folk Ensemble and accompanied by veteran Balkan a nd Middle-Eastern musicians from the Chicagoland area.\n \n \nThis event i s part of the 13th annual Chicago SummerDance festival. Chicago SummerDanc e is an eleven-week festival featuring one-hour dance lessons by professio nal instructors\, followed by two hours of live music and dancing on a ope n-air dance floor\, every Thursday\, Friday and Saturday evening\, 6 to 9: 30 pm\, and Sunday afternoon\, 4 to 7 pm\, weather-permitting. DTEND:20090821T023000Z DTSTART:20090820T230000Z GEO:41.874496;-87.62415 LOCATION:Grant Park\, Spirit of Music Garden\, 601 S. Michigan Avenue\, Ch icago\, IL 60605 PRIORITY:5 SUMMARY:Orchestra Chalgija UID:summerdance_20090820@blog.germuska.com URL:http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/even ts/dca_tourism/Orchestra_Chalgija.html END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DESCRIPTION:The 13th annual Chicago SummerDance Series presents free Chica go Bop dance lessons by Dawud Shareef & Lura Satterfield and live music by the Chicago Catz.\n \nThe Chicago Catz are one of the Windy City's best k ept secrets and treasures. For more than twenty-one years\, this group of professional musicians has performed at some of the most prestigious priva te parties and events in Chicago. The Chicago Catz serve up and dish out t he hottest "get out of your seat and dance" music in town!\n \nRelated Web sites: www.chicagocatz.com\n \nThis event is part of the 13th annual Chica go SummerDance festival. Chicago SummerDance is an eleven-week festival fe aturing one-hour dance lessons by professional instructors\, followed by t wo hours of live music and dancing on a open-air dance floor\, every Thurs day\, Friday and Saturday evening\, 6 to 9:30 pm\, and Sunday afternoon\, 4 to 7 pm\, weather-permitting. DTEND:20090822T023000Z DTSTART:20090821T230000Z GEO:41.874496;-87.62415 LOCATION:Grant Park\, Spirit of Music Garden\, 601 S. Michigan Avenue\, Ch icago\, IL 60605 PRIORITY:5 SUMMARY:Chicago Catz UID:summerdance_20090821@blog.germuska.com URL:http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/even ts/dca_tourism/ChicagoCatz.html END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DESCRIPTION:The 13th annual Chicago SummerDance Series presents free jitte rbug dance lessons lead by Margot McGraw-Toppen and Riley Wimes Jr. and l ive music by the New Millennium Swing Collective.\n \nThis event is part o f the 13th annual Chicago SummerDance festival. Chicago SummerDance is an eleven-week festival featuring one-hour dance lessons by professional inst ructors\, followed by two hours of live music and dancing on a open-air da nce floor\, every Thursday\, Friday and Saturday evening\, 6 to 9:30 pm\, and Sunday afternoon\, 4 to 7 pm\, weather-permitting. DTEND:20090823T023000Z DTSTART:20090822T230000Z GEO:41.874496;-87.62415 LOCATION:Grant Park\, Spirit of Music Garden\, 601 S. Michigan Avenue\, Ch icago\, IL 60605 PRIORITY:5 SUMMARY:New Millennium Swing Collective UID:summerdance_20090822@blog.germuska.com URL:http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/even ts/dca_tourism/New_Millennium.html END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DESCRIPTION:The 13th annual Chicago SummerDance Series presents free foxtr ot and jitterbug dance lessons by Nino DiGiulio of MayIHaveThisDance and l ive music by the Sam Burckhardt Nonet\, who brings together influences fro m jump blues to Thelonious Monk in a lively mix of jazz\, blues and swing. \n \nThe Sam Burckhardt Nonet first played in 1999 and recorded the critic ally acclaimed Chicago Swing the same year. They have since played at vari ous venues\, including Chicago’s famous Green Mill. The band features a five-piece horn section\; the rhythm section consists of piano\, guitar\, bass\, and drums. The Nonet plays music by Duke Ellington\, Count Basie\, Horace Silver\, and Sonny Rollins\, as well as Sam Burckhardt's own compos itions. Related Websites: www.samburckhardt.com\; www.mayihavethisdance.co m\n \nThis event is part of the 13th annual Chicago SummerDance festival. Chicago SummerDance is an eleven-week festival featuring one-hour dance le ssons by professional instructors\, followed by two hours of live music an d dancing on a open-air dance floor\, every Thursday\, Friday and Saturday evening\, 6 to 9:30 pm\, and Sunday afternoon\, 4 to 7 pm\, weather-permi tting. DTEND:20090824T000000Z DTSTART:20090823T210000Z GEO:41.874496;-87.62415 LOCATION:Grant Park\, Spirit of Music Garden\, 601 S. Michigan Avenue\, Ch icago\, IL 60605 PRIORITY:5 SUMMARY:Sam Burckhardt Nonet UID:summerdance_20090823@blog.germuska.com URL:http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/even ts/dca_tourism/SamB.html END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DESCRIPTION: \nChicago SummerDance in the Park 2009 presents free Salsa\, Merengue\, and Bachata dance lessons by Miguel Mendez and live music by Gr upo Kaña\, performing tropical salsa with a Latin Funk twist.Grupo Kaña (Sugar Cane) is comprised of skilled musicians whose objective is to succe ed in all areas of Latin music. Their repertoire is based on popular and up-to-the-minute songs in English and Spanish with a Latin Funk twist\, as well as their original songs. Grupo Kaña features Angel Sanchez on the congas\, Pedro Julio Silva on piano\, John Seydewitz on drums\, Negro Cast ro on bass\, and Kyle Samuelson and Dave Smith on trombones. The band als o features vocalists Miguel Colon and Frankie Rivera. This will be Grupo Kaña’s second year performing at Summer Dance and the group’s first C D will be released in the spring of 2010.\n \nRelated Websites: www.myspac e.com/grupokanasugarcane\; www.danceacademyofsalsa.com\; chicagoparkdistri ct.com \n \nChicago SummerDance in the Parks is presented as part of Chica go SummerDance. For more information visit ChicagoSummerDance.org. DTEND:20090702T020000Z DTSTART:20090701T230000Z GEO:41.90433;-87.702043 LOCATION:Humboldt Park Boathouse\, 1359 N. Sacramento Ave. Chicago\, IL 60 622 PRIORITY:5 SUMMARY:Grupo Kaña (Humboldt Park) UID:summerdance_20090701@blog.germuska.com URL:http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/even ts/dca_tourism/Grupo_Kana.html END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DESCRIPTION: \nChicago SummerDance In the Parks 2009 presents free Salsa a nd Cha Cha dance lessons by Urban Vibes and live music by Orquesta Iluzion es\, performing Latin Salsa. Orquesta Iluziones is an energetic and fun b and performing Latin salsa with a brass-band sound that has been an integr al part of the salsa community since 2002. The orquesta didn’t start off as an orquesta\, but as a seven member band. Orquesta Iluziones was reinv ented by director David Marrero and manager Luis Florez into the fourteen- member band it is today. Characterized by a dynamite brass section and tal ented vocalists\, this hot Latin salsa band from Northwest Indiana has gar nered acclaim for their energetic live performances.\n \nRelated Websites: www.myspace.com/orqiluziones\; www.urbanvibechicago.com\; chicagoparkdist rict.com\n\nChicago SummerDance in the Parks is presented as part of Chica go SummerDance. For more information visit ChicagoSummerDance.org. DTEND:20090709T020000Z DTSTART:20090708T230000Z GEO:41.782817;-87.576024 LOCATION:Jackson Park 63rd Street Beach\, 6300 S. Lake Shore Dr. Chicago\, IL 60622 PRIORITY:5 SUMMARY:Orquesta Iluziones (63rd St. Beach) UID:summerdance_20090708@blog.germuska.com URL:http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/even ts/dca_tourism/Orquesta_Iluziones.html END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DESCRIPTION: \nChicago SummerDance in the Parks 2009 presents free Salsa\, Merengue\, and Bachata dance lessons by Miguel Mendez of Dance Academy of Salsa and live music by Samuel del Real y su Orquesta\, performing tropic al salsa.Samuel Del Real was born in Barranquilla\, Colombia in 1953. At a ge 16 he began his professional career while performing as a pianist for t he legendary Pacho Galan Orchestra\, creator of Merecumbe\, tropical rhyth m considered today as a classic of the Latin music arena. Del Real started to develop his career in Venezuela\, where he and his orchestra received a commission to conduct and coordinate all the international shows. He exp anded his horizons by studying harmony and counterpoint at the Juan Jose L andaeta Conservatory\, along with notable guitarist and composer Antonio L auro. In 1985\, Samuel moved to Chicago where he rapidly formed his group with members of different nationalities. Such diversity has enriched his r hythmic style and harmonies.\n \nRelated Websites: www.samueldelrealmusic. net\; www.danceacademyofsalsa.com\; chicagoparkdistrict.com \n \nChicago S ummerDance in the Parks is presented as part of Chicago SummerDance. For m ore information visit ChicagoSummerDance.org. DTEND:20090716T020000Z DTSTART:20090715T230000Z GEO:41.946499;-87.716341 LOCATION:Athletic Field House\, 3546 W. Addison St. Chicago\, IL 60618 PRIORITY:5 SUMMARY:Samuel del Real y su Orquesta (Athletic Field House) UID:summerdance_20090715@blog.germuska.com URL:http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/even ts/dca_tourism/Samual_del_Real.html END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DESCRIPTION: \nChicago SummerDance in the Parks 2009 presents free Puerto- Rican Bomba dance lessons by AfriCaribe and live music by AfriCaribe\, Gru po Yuba and Nuestro Tambo. AfriCaribe\, Grupo Yuba and Nuestro Tambo prese nt a bombazo\, an Afro-Puerto Rican jam session. AfriCaribe is a non-profi t organization dedicated to the preservation\, research\, promotion and de velopment of the Puerto Rican and Caribbean cultures through music\, dance \, theatre and other artistic mediums. Both Grupo Yuba and Nuestro Tambo c elebrate the traditions of Bomba and Plena.\n \nRelated Websites: www.afri caribe.net\; www.myspace.com/grupoyuba\; www.myspace.com/nuestrotambo\; ch icagoparkdistrict.com \n \nChicago SummerDance in the Parks is presented a s part of Chicago SummerDance. For more information visit ChicagoSummerDan ce.org. DTEND:20090723T020000Z DTSTART:20090722T230000Z GEO:41.90433;-87.702043 LOCATION:Humboldt Park Boathouse\, 1359 N. Sacramento Ave. Chicago\, IL 60 622 PRIORITY:5 SUMMARY:Bombazo: AfriCaribe\, Grupo Yuba and Nuestro Tambo (Humboldt Park) UID:summerdance_20090722@blog.germuska.com URL:http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/even ts/dca_tourism/Bombazo.html END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DESCRIPTION: \nChicago SummerDance in the Parks 2009 presents free East Co ast Swing dance lessons by Margot Mc-Graw-Toppen & Riley Wimes\, Jr. and l ive music by the Boilermaker Jazz Band. The Boilermaker Jazz Band is an ec statically fun band performing authentic hot jazz and swing. The group has a wide repertoire that can make an audience swing to a classic jazz stand ard\, get sentimental over an old-time ballad\, boogie to a hot jump tune\ , or get low-down with a gritty blues. Leading the Boilermaker Jazz Band o n clarinet and vocals is Paul Cosentino\, a full time bandleader/performer who founded the band in 1988 at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. The band also features singer Jennie Luvv\, who thrills with her smooth a nd sultry vocal stylings. Paul and the Boilermakers have recorded six crit ically acclaimed CDs and have received rave reviews for their excellent li ve performances.\n \nRelated Websites: www.boilermakerjazzband.com\; chica goparkdistrict.com\n \nChicago SummerDance in the Parks is presented as pa rt of Chicago SummerDance. For more information visit ChicagoSummerDance.o rg. DTEND:20090730T020000Z DTSTART:20090729T230000Z GEO:41.782817;-87.576024 LOCATION:Jackson Park 63rd Street Beach\, 6300 S. Lake Shore Dr. Chicago\, IL 60622 PRIORITY:5 SUMMARY:Boilermaker Jazz Band (63rd St. Beach) UID:summerdance_20090729@blog.germuska.com URL:http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/even ts/dca_tourism/Boilermaker_Jazz_Band.html END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DESCRIPTION: \nChicago SummerDance in the Parks 2009 presents free Fox-Tro t dance lessons by Nicolle Gifford of MayIHaveThisDance and live music by Thomas Gunther Jazz Band\, performing Classic Swing.The Thomas Gunther Jaz z Band is best known for its hard-driving swing performances. Deeply roote d in the tradition of swinging jazz\, the band thrills its audiences with sophisticated arrangements of unforgettable songs performed with great dyn amic and feel. The band is well established in the Chicago Swing and Lindy Hop dance scene\, for which it has headlined many huge dance events like Chicago SummerDance and the Chicago Swing Exchange.\n \nRelated Websites: www.thomasgunther.com\; www.mayihavethisdance.com\; chicagoparkdistrict.co m\n \nChicago SummerDance in the Parks is presented as part of Chicago Sum merDance. For more information visit ChicagoSummerDance.org. DTEND:20090806T020000Z DTSTART:20090805T230000Z GEO:41.946499;-87.716341 LOCATION:Athletic Field House\, 3546 W. Addison St. Chicago\, IL 60618 PRIORITY:5 SUMMARY:Thomas Gunther Jazz Band (Athletic Field House) UID:summerdance_20090805@blog.germuska.com URL:http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/even ts/dca_tourism/Thomas_Guther.html END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DESCRIPTION: \nChicago SummerDance in the Parks 2009 presents free Samba d ance lessons by Passistas Samba Dance Group and live music by Swing Brasil eiro.Swing Brasileiro presents an evening of authentic Brazilian entertain ment\, including Brazilian Samba music and samba dancers in authentic cost umes.\n \nRelated Websites: www.swingbrasileiro.net\; www.planetaazulachic ago.com\; chicagoparkdistrict.com \n \nChicago SummerDance in the Parks is presented as part of Chicago SummerDance. For more information visit Chic agoSummerDance.org. DTEND:20090813T020000Z DTSTART:20090812T230000Z GEO:41.90433;-87.702043 LOCATION:Humboldt Park Boathouse\, 1359 N. Sacramento Ave. Chicago\, IL 60 622 PRIORITY:5 SUMMARY:Swing Brasileiro (Humboldt Park) UID:summerdance_20090812@blog.germuska.com URL:http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/even ts/dca_tourism/Brasileiro.html END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DESCRIPTION:Chicago SummerDance in the Parks 2009 presents free Chicago St eppin’ dance lessons by Pete & Linza Frazier of the Majestic Gents and l ive music by The Steve Butler Movement\, performing R&B favorites. The St eve Butler Movement plays funky\, smooth and soulful R&B that heralds arti sts like James Brown and Curtis Mayfield\, and heralds the roots of R&B. T he Steve Butler Movement is an eight-piece band composed of a full brass s ection and powerful vocalists that fuses the individual expression and fla vor of each artist. His debut album with trumpeter Ron Haynes\, Something for the People\, has a nostalgic feel of 70s R&B\, including the syncopate d rhythms from that era recognized as the hallmark of Chicago’s great St epping culture.\n \n \nRelated Websites: www.isound.com/steve_butler_movem ent\; www.majesticgents.net\; chicagoparkdistrict.com \nChicago SummerDanc e in the Parks is presented as part of Chicago SummerDance. For more infor mation visit ChicagoSummerDance.org. DTEND:20090820T020000Z DTSTART:20090819T230000Z GEO:41.782817;-87.576024 LOCATION:Jackson Park 63rd Street Beach\, 6300 S. Lake Shore Dr. Chicago\, IL 60622 PRIORITY:5 SUMMARY:The Steve Butler Movement (63rd St. Beach) UID:summerdance_20090819@blog.germuska.com URL:http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/even ts/dca_tourism/Steve_Butler_Movement.html END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DESCRIPTION:Chicago SummerDance in the Parks 2009 presents free African Di aspora dance lessons by Kimosha P. Murphy of the ALYO Children’s Dance T heater and live music by the Occidental Brothers Dance Band International. This popular band has been winning over listeners\, rockers\, dancers an d world music critics with their electrifying live shows.\n \nChicago’s Occidental Brothers Dance Band International play classic Central and West African dance music&mdash\;specializing in soukous\, Highlife\, Rumba\, D ry Guitar\, and other delights from the continent. This multi-racial band mixes their backgrounds in traditional African music\, jazz\, and undergro und rock to bring these classic sounds to life. The group has been winning over a diverse audience of listeners\, dancers and rockers\, and causing a buzz among established African music critics. Guitarist Nathaniel Bradd ock leads the group. Braddock teaches African guitar at Chicago’s Old To wn School of Folk Music and is a veteran of Chicago’s jazz and independe nt rock scene\, playing with Ancient Greeks\, Edith Frost\, and the Zincs. \n \nRelated Websites: www.occidentalbrothers.com\, chicagoparkdistrict.co m \nChicago SummerDance in the Parks is presented as part of Chicago Summe rDance. For more information visit ChicagoSummerDance.org. DTEND:20090903T020000Z DTSTART:20090902T230000Z GEO:41.779279;-87.615602 LOCATION:Washington Park\, 5531 S. Martin Luther King Dr. Chicago\, IL 606 37 PRIORITY:5 SUMMARY:Occidental Brothers Dance Band International (Washington Park) UID:summerdance_20090902@blog.germuska.com URL:http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/even ts/dca_tourism/Occidental_Brothers.html END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DESCRIPTION:Chicago SummerDance 2009 presents free Stepping dance lessons by Dawud Shareef and Lura Satterfield and live music by The Nu Blu Band\, performing R&B.\n \nThe Nu Blu Band is a classy\, entertaining\, and energ etic group performing R&B and oldies. The Nu Blu Band features Dan Henley on drums\, Marc Maddox on guitar and Carlise Guy’s vocals. Based in Chic ago\, the band performs across the Midwest. Maddox and Henley have been pl aying together for over twenty years. In 2000\, they formed Blind 2 Color\ , which evolved into The Nu Blu Band. Carlisle Guy\, daughter of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Buddy Guy\, met Henley and Maddox in the late 1 980’s\, helping to form the foundation of this band.\n \nRelated Website s: www.nubluband.com\; www.chicagosbestbeergarden.com\; www.navypier.com \n \nChicago SummerDance at Navy Pier is presented as part of Chicago Summ erDance. For more information visit ChicagoSummerDance.org. DTEND:20090723T030000Z DTSTART:20090722T230000Z GEO:41.892125;-87.609667 LOCATION:Navy Pier\, 600 E. Grand Ave. \, Navy Pier Beer Garden\, Chicago\ , IL 60611 PRIORITY:5 SUMMARY:The Nu Blu Band (Navy Pier) UID:summerdance_20090722@blog.germuska.com URL:http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/even ts/dca_tourism/NuBlu.html END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DESCRIPTION:Chicago SummerDance 2009 presents free East Coast Swing dance lessons by Tommye Glacchino and Gregory Day of Chicago Dance and live musi c by the Outcast Jazz Band\, which presents classic big band sounds. \n \ nOutcast Jazz Band is a talented and passionate group performing Big Band Swing. Their music focuses on the classic big band sounds of the 30s\, 40s and 50s\, but also includes favorites like Van Morrison\, Paul Simon and Ray Charles. The Outcast Jazz Band was founded on Chicago’s South Side b y the late Gilbert “Smokey” Robinson in the summer of 1981. The origin al OJB (actually Gilbert’s Social Outcast Band) was comprised of ten kid s\, ages thirteen to seventeen. They are currently seventeen members stron g\, boasting five saxophones\, four trombones\, four trumpets\, a full rhy thm section\, and several vocalists. The band has been swinging their way through some of the most prestigious ballrooms and events in the Chicagola nd area.\n \nRelated Websites: www.ojbmusic.com\; www.chicagosbestbeergard en.com\; www.navypier.com \nChicago SummerDance at Navy Pier is presented as part of Chicago SummerDance. For more information visit ChicagoSummerD ance.org. DTEND:20090820T030000Z DTSTART:20090819T230000Z GEO:41.892125;-87.609667 LOCATION:Navy Pier\, 600 E. Grand Ave. \, Navy Pier Beer Garden\, Chicago\ , IL 60611 PRIORITY:5 SUMMARY:Outcast Jazz Band (Navy Pier) UID:summerdance_20090819@blog.germuska.com URL:http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/even ts/dca_tourism/Outcast.html END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR