LAFAYETTE, Ind. — IN THE MOOD is coming to the Long Center for the Performing Arts, 111 North Sixth Street, Lafayette on Thursday, March 19th with its 13-piece big band orchestra and 6 singer/swing dancers performing the songs of the 1940s. Presented by Artbeat, a Washington not-for-profit arts presenter.

This retro 1940s musical captures the music that moved a nation’s spirit and helped win a war. More than a concert, IN THE MOOD is a Big Band Theatrical Swing Revue that brings to life the era when all of America was listening and dancing to the same kind of music: Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Artie Shaw, Benny Goodman, Harry James, Erskin Hawkins, The Andrews Sisters, Frank Sinatra, and other greats of the 1940’s. The show has a company of 22 including the In the Mood Singers and Dancers with the sensational String of Pearls big band orchestra on stage, and to quote the theater director at Luther College, “the show’s arrangements, costumes and choreography are as authentic as it gets!”

IN THE MOOD began as a celebration of an unusual era in American music, the 1940's.....the Swing Era.

Reserved seats cost $25.50 to $35.50, plus ticketing fees and can be purchased at www.longcentertheater.com or by phone 765-742-5664. The Long Center Box Office is open Monday through Friday, noon to 5 pm and is located at 111 North Sixth Street.

IN THE MOOD takes a look at the life and time of America’s greatest generation. This was a generation where everyone listened and danced to the same style of music which ranged from up-tempo big band rhythms to mellow intimate ballads, and inspired America with a vision for the future filled with hope, promise and prosperity. This was a time like no other in our Nation’s history, a time when music moved the Nation’s spirit. Come experience the swing, rhythm, jazzy, brassy, sentimental and romantic music of this important time.

IN THE MOOD began as a celebration of an unusual era in American music, the 1940s…..the Swing Era. On radio, in theaters and ballrooms, the Big Bands were drawing record crowds. Vocal groups and soloists sang a repertory of great songs, and for the last time in the 20th century, the entire country shared a common popular music. This body of song did much to sustain national morale during World War II, the pivotal event of the 40’s.

A great deal of attention is paid to authenticity and detail: The wigs and make-up are carefully researched for the era and many of the arrangements were commissioned to Vic Schoen who was the arranger for the Andrews Sisters. Many of the costumes are in fact actual uniforms from World War II.

The National Archives in Washington, DC brought IN THE MOOD to their audiences as part of their commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of WWII, and the response was extraordinary, with crowds lining up for hours before curtain time. The engagement was twice extended to extra performances.

In 1993, the Archives presented a repeat performance, out-of-doors on Constitution Avenue. Thousands attended, and many stayed to dance the night away. As a result, IN THE MOOD, in affiliation with the USO, began a series of tours which played to audiences across the United States during the 50th Commemoration of WWII. The show’s association with the National Archives and the USO was altogether appropriate, for much of the underpinning research was drawn from resources of these national organizations.

Since then, IN THE MOOD has visited Europe and in 1997, the band and singers were selected to be part of the entertainment for the 53rd Presidential Inauguration Ball. Touring since 1994, the show’s upcoming national and international performances will continue to portray the spirit of the music that moved the nation.

IN THE MOOD was developed by Washington, DC musical producer, Bud Forrest.

The Lafayette Performance is sponsored in part by WLFI – 18 and the Journal & Courier.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue’s jazz bands will play for local dancers Friday (Feb. 6) at the Jazz Swing Dance in the Recreational Sports Center’s South Gym.

The event will feature music from the American Music Repertory Ensemble, the Lab Jazz Band and the Concert Jazz Band from 7:30-10 p.m. Admission is free, and the dance is open to the public.

Purdue’s Night Train Swing Dance Club will offer free lessons and demonstrations from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Dancers from the club also will stay and dance along with the crowd for the rest of the evening.

The event’s music will be a mix of contemporary swing tunes like “Jump, Jive and Wail,” old favorites like “Rock Around the Clock” and some ballads for dancing.

Purdue Bands introduced the Jazz Swing Dance in 2001 as an informal dance evening for students and the community. The event is open to those who want to listen as well as dance, but seating will be limited.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue Bands’ annual Swing Dance at Elliott will open Elliott Hall of Music’s stage to dancers on Friday (Feb. 1).

Live music for dancing, provided by American Music Repertory Ensemble and Purdue’s Lab and Concert jazz bands, will run from 7:30-10 p.m. Members of the Purdue Night Train Swing Dance Club will offer a free swing dance lesson and demonstration prior to the event at 6:30 p.m.

Dancers from the club will stay and dance along with the crowd to provide inspiration to those wishing to duplicate their moves.

The Swing Dance at Elliott was introduced in 2001 as an informal dance primarily for Purdue students, and students and community members have responded in force, said Kathy Matter, Purdue Bands public relations director.

“We’ve had great crowds no matter what the weather,” she said. “When you’re feeling cooped up, when icy winds and weather are limiting your mobility, dancing is a great stress reliever. The casual atmosphere of the Elliott stage encourages people to just get out on the floor and have fun. Consequently, we have very few wallflowers at this event.”

The band department’s nickname for the annual event is the “underground swing dance” because it’s held in a location that’s usually off-limits to students and the public, Matter said. Those attending don’t use any of the traditional entrances to the building. Instead, signs will guide visitors to a loading dock entrance on the north side of Elliott.

The dance music will be a mix of contemporary swing, old standards, a few ballads for slow dancing and some specialties like the “Beer Barrel Polka.” Much of the evening’s music was popular in the 1940s when ballrooms were crowded with dancers.

Admission to the swing dance is free. The event is open to those who simply enjoy music from the big band era and want to listen, as well as to those who want to dance. Because of the nature of the event, however, seating is very limited and cannot be guaranteed.

Purdue Bands & Orchestra, which sponsors the event, will offer a more formal jazz and dance event during its Evening of Romance set for 8-10:30 p.m. Feb. 15 in the University Plaza Hotel Grand Ballroom, 3001 Northwestern Ave., West Lafayette. The cabaret-style event will include a dessert buffet and music for dancing by the Purdue Jazz Band. Tickets are $19.50 per person. For ticket information, call (765) 494-3933.