The Instrumental Music Program at Western Nebraska Community College hosts its annual community dinner and dance, Jump, Jive & Swing, Sunday, May 4 at the Gering Civic Center at 5:15 p.m. Tickets go on sale Tuesday, March 18. There will be a cash bar throughout the evening.
Arrive at 5:15 p.m. for open bar cocktails, accompanied by live music by WNCC's own "Sultry Sounds," a community favorite. Sultry Sounds was formed in the fall of 2011, when a group of students chose to stay at school and "jam" between their afternoon and evening rehearsals, rather than go home and come back again. Within a very short time, the group was performing at College and community events. Soon thereafter, they were requested for office parties, employee appreciation dinners, wedding receptions, etc.
A buffet dinner is served at 6:00 p.m., and includes pulled pork sandwiches, broccoli and bacon salad, Italian pasta salad, strawberry and spinach salad, brownies and other dessert bars, as well as coffee, tea, and water.
The main show also begins at 6:00 p.m. with a performance by the Monumental Rock Combo, featuring vocalists Nick Brady, Nik Chizek, and Debby Wagner. Following the Combo's performance, the Fire in the Pan Swingers will take the stage for a performance featuring soloists Nik Chizek on baritone sax and Santana Tamarak on trombone. The evening will conclude with a dance, accompanied by traditional swing music played by the Fire in the Pan Swingers.
The Combo recently returned from its second tour to northern Colorado and eastern Wyoming, where they entertained students from preschool through 12th grade. Next week, they begin touring locally. The Fire in the Pan Swingers are performing with the Bluffs Middle School Jazz Band on March 27 for their annual commemoration of "Music in the Schools Month."
This is the sixth annual Jump, Jive & Swing concert. The event began in 2009 after WNCC Instrumental Music Director Dr. Nathaniel Johnson received numerous requests for a community dance. Reserved seats are $20 per person and can be purchased with cash, check, or credit card in the WNCC Business Office or by calling 308.635.6020 during business hours. For more information, contact Johnson at johnsonn@wncc.edu or 308.635.6046.