Big Band - Swing Connection

So many opportunities for dancing on a Saturday evening, it can be difficult to decide where. Such was the case this evening as we had four different venues with dances to consider. Would we be dancing to Little Hurricane at the Clean and Sober dance at the Lake Goodwin Community Center in Stanwood? Or to the Walrus at the Nooksack River Casino in Deming? Or would we stay in Bellingham and dance to the Swing Connection Big Band and vocals by our friend Annie Reed at the Leopold's beautiful Crystal Ballroom? Or would we join the Bellingham Ballroom Dancers at the Blue Moon Ballroom for a cha cha lesson followed by their monthly dance party? A group of us met at our local Bob's Burger and Brew for dinner to discuss our options.

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Here's Carolyn and Mickie at the Crystal Ballroom.

And Annie singing with the Swing Connection Band.

The Crystal Ballroom is my absolute favorite ballroom. The Leopold, one of Belligham's original hotels is rich with local history. Famous figures such as President William H. Taft, Prince William of Sweden, explorer Richard E. Byrd, actresses Sarah Bernhardt and Cicely Tyson are said to have stayed there, and the most famous people of all who they say left their marks at the Leopold were Clark Gable and Shirley Temple. It was reported that Shirley Temple said, "It's so pretty and nice that I might like to live here." Elegantly converted to an independent retirement and assisted living facility some years ago, I can see where it would be a very lovely place for older adults to live.