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Shine up your dancing shoes and get ready to boogie at the “Magical Musical Tour – Dancing Through the Decades” 2017 gala, to celebrate David Lawrence Center’s 50 years of serving the mental health and addiction services needs of our community.

Being that music and dancing is at the forefront of this signature gala, to be held in the beautiful main ballroom at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples Beach Resort on January 13, the gala committee scoured the globe for the best band for the job – the highly sought-after, 13-piece band Big Swing and the Ballroom Blasters.

Nationally acclaimed, Atlanta-based Big Swing and the Ballroom Blasters is well-known for bringing a fresh and distinct style to a traditional swing band performance. With five vocalists, four horns, and a four piece rhythm section, the group combines swing, motown, soul, rock, and current dance music into a powerful and energetic non-stop “decades” show. This exhilarating performance pushes live music to another level— taking no breaks to keep the momentum of the party going.

Band Leader and Grammy Award Winning Artist Jerry Freeman started his career playing with big-band greats such as Lionel Hampton and Dizzy Gillespie. Jerry launched Big Swing and the Ballroom Blasters to bring back the big band and sound of swing and jazz, but in contemporary glory. Jerry wanted to recreate the excitement The Cotton Club had back in the 20’s-30’s in New York, when only affluent white audiences could go see African American greats like Count Basie, Duke Ellington and the likes. He envisioned a concept that had never been orchestrated before – a band that could play the classic big band hits with the same authenticity as today’s mega dance hits. Hence, Big Swing!

“Magical Musical Tour – Dancing Through the Decades” promises a memorable evening of dining, dancing, live music and entertainment inspired by the 1960s to today brought to you by Big Swing and the Ballroom Blasters. In addition to amazing music that includes blasts from the past and today’s best party music, attendees can expect decade-inspired surprises throughout the evening during this fun and interactive experience. To learn more about the 2017 gala, please visit DLCgala.org.