It is almost a cliche to write "The band was Hot, Glen Echo was Hot..." Regardless that was the case on Saturday August 21, 1998. We had a great time, and we were thrilled to hear the band introduce Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen to their repertoire. Tom did a great job on the Ziggy Elman trumpet solo --- so good, that I think that we should start calling him "Ziggy Cunningham"

Photo by Mercedes Clemens

From: Elizabeth Weaver Engel

It's become cliche to mention it, but MAN OH MAN was it H-O-T on Saturday! Yikes! I'm surprised we didn't lose some band members! Everyone was looking pretty sweaty by about, oh, say 9:05 pm, and it just got worse as the evening wore on. These humid evenings are just killers! Anybody else really looking forward to fall?

We had friends in town from Charlottesville who had done Carolina Shag and some swing years ago, and were quite anxious to dance. Despite the fact that it was very hot and some of the tunes were a bit fast for them (they are more comfortable at Carolina Shag pace), they had a wonderful time, and really enjoyed the band, the jam, and particularly the amateur dance contest.

My back is finally feeling pretty much normal - I'm able to get by day to day without Aleve, only needing a mega-dose before and after dancing to keep things quiet - so the Engels were back in the jam after a few weeks off. Yes, we were rusty and didn't do anything particularly interesting, but at least we got out of the rut of not going out. And I was actually able to dance with some people other than Jim this week again finally, which was nice. That's another rut it's good to stay out of. With the sore back and shoulders, I was avoiding dancing with other fellas so I wouldn't have to go into the whole explanation thing - besides if Jim led roughly while I was injured, I could feel free to tell him to cut it out!

Anyway, it was a wonderful evening despite the heat, and it was grand to be able to dance without pain for the first time in almost a month!

Photo by Mercedes Clemens

From: Mercedes Clemens

I'm sending you some Glen Echo pics from Saturday night -- I brought my digital camera this time since my regular camera did such a poor job at Forest Glen. I hadn't done any inside shots with it before and found out it's got a great flash. My husband is working on his dance photography -- right now he's cutting off everyone's legs . He promises to work on his technique, so hopefully we'll get some good pics from him at future dances. What a great job for a non-dancer, eh?

Photo by Mercedes Clemens

From: Mercedes Clemens

I have to say that Cunningham and crew were especially *hot* this weekend. At America on Friday night I thought they would spontaneously combust, they were just amazing. And with lots of folks attending the Hangar Dance up in Frederick, there was room on the floor to dance. Saturday was fantastic as well -- they made it a wonderful dance weekend.
Cheers,
---Mercedes

Photo by Mercedes Clemens

From: Steve Devoney

Another great night at Glen Echo with the Tom Cunningham Orchestra. I particularly like those evenings when John is at the piano. Unfortunately, the weather was repulsive, and Steve and I had some pre-dance errands to run. We came after the jam and the wall of heat and humidity which hit us when we entered was stifling. We did come in time to hear TCO's unusual version of Bei Mir Bist du Schoen. The break fooled everyone who is much more used to hearing the arrangement off of Swing Kids. TCO's version does not change tempo.

Photo by Mercedes Clemens

From: Mercedes Clemens

Mike Henry and I headed to the Vienna Grille after Glen Echo and had a great time (despite our exhaustion). The band was great, and at that late hour there was room for dancing. The air conditioning was a welcome relief, as was the opportunity to sit down at a table like civilized human beings. We were hoping more folks would show up from Glen Echo -- it was such a nice way to end an evening.

Photo by Dave Clemens

Trista Snowhill always looks just great in vintage. When she goes away to college in Ottawa, We and our camera are going to miss her a whole lot.

Chris was just back from the beach with a great tan. They look fantastic together!

Photo by Mercedes Clemens

From: Sue Fedor

The High point for me was dancing with Adrian (Mr. Backflip), the guy in the sleeveless referee shirt. He did this wonderful little forward/back sugar push. He's got a million smooth moves on the dance floor. If Steve and Chris Cowles don't hog him up all the time, maybe he can dance with the rest of us.

Photo by Mercedes Clemens

Saturday's event was preceeded by a birthday party for Luke White. Mike Henry made up stickers with Luke's picture, and everyone had a good time celebrating.

Photo by Mercedes Clemens

We sort of have an interest in covering Luke's birthday because (1) We like him and his parents, Jody and Royce and (2) we sold him the great looking tuxedo that he was wearing.

Photo by Mercedes Clemens

From: Sue Fedor

It was another spectacular dance contest. The first song Jump Jive and Wail featured some great dancing, particularly from Teacher Steve and his partner who switched off with Adrian and his partner midway, Chris Cowles and his partner, Matt and Nina and Luke and Alex, to name a few. Tom played Mack the Knife during the second song, and I can attest that Debra and I were too busy on stage hamming it up, singing the song (I was using Frank's hat as a cheap prop), that we did not notice the dancing at all. I love Mack the Knife and I'm very happy that I am old enough to remember Bobby Darrin singing it.

Photo by Mercedes Clemens

The dance contest was so close that it required a third dance to decide whether Matt and Nina or Luke and Alex had actually won.

Contestants in the dance contest are judged by audience applause. A big part of this is the way the couples come out to be recognized. Lately, fancy aerials have been a larger and larger component of "Taking a Bow". Luke and Al;ex put on a whole "mini-routine" here. Showmanship is the name of the game!

It was close, but Alex and Luke finally won the dance contest. Congratulations to both of you!

Alex and Luke got to retire the Old Glen Echo Lindy Cup. Wait until next time to see the New Trophy that we have cooked up...

From: Alex

Glen Echo was HOT on Saturday, baby! I finally brought my ole mommy so she could see exactly why I rush out of the house every Monday and Saturday night with little skirts and saddle shoes on. Luke White turned eighteen, and was having a little birthday gathering out on the picnic tables at 7, so we had something to do for a few hours while waiting to get in (this crowding is really getting out of hand!). Once we finally got in, Tom Cunningham was groovin as usual, but showed some signs of heat exhaustion (I wonder why). As my mom basked in the compliments of some strange sweet-talkin men, I did my best not to pass out. The jam was . . .shall we say . . .interesting . . . with some good dancing by Teacher Steve and Laura, but some serious struggling by birthday boy Luke, Rob, and that guy with the bandana. It's ok though, it's all in fun . . . The dance contest was definitely memorable for me and Luke because we won (I couldn't believe it!!!) We screwed up some aerials BIGTIME, but I guess the crowd doesn't really judge by technical proficiency (amen) . .. . So anyway, the contest had perfect timing , in that my mom was not going to let me do the VSO, but now, after seeing a little preview, she's going to . . . YAY!! I'll see you all there!
Love,
---Alex

Angela and Brian caught our eye due to this "Jackie O" prom dress.