Valentine's Day with Eight to the Bar

For years now, I’ve been following this band.  Even when it’s tough getting out of the house, I make a bit more of an effort when Eight to the Bar are playing.  They never disappoint the dancers and this was Valentine’s Day, after all.  Without complaints, I drove the full 45 minutes up to Leominster on a Sunday night to hear them.  When I entered, the band was swinging and the floor was filled with dancers, a smear of red:  Red hearts, red lights, red skirts and dresses twirling.  I even saw a red bowtie.

Alan and Luanne, founders of Dance2Swing, make a big night of February 14^th, complete with raffles, do-it-yourself valentine’s, chocolates and pizza for all.  The place was packed.  When I arrived, there wasn’t a seat to be had in the huge room.

The band is made up of Cynthia Lyons on vocals and keyboards, Brinna Jones on vocals and percussion, Tom Whalen on guitar and vocals, Michael Corsini on bass and vocals, Shawn Meehan on drums and Collin Tilton on sax.

Based out of the Hartford area, this swing band has a huge following of dancers.  They specialize in big band songs that are particularly danceable.  And they’re been busy. “The Romper Room,” released in Aug 2010, is the band’s 11^th CD.  Their songs are classic swing songs of the ‘50s as well as originals. I happened to capture “Candy man” on video, a personal favorite….

For more information on ETTB, go to http://www.eighttothebar.com/index.html