MIDDLETOWN, OH: The “Jump ‘n’ Jive Big Band” will kick off Central Connections’ 2017 Thursday night dance season on Thurs., April 13, in the Central Connections banquet center at 3907 Central Ave., in Middletown.

Dances will take place on the second Thursday of the month April through October 2017 and feature a variety of bands and DJs playing a mix of music genres—from Latin, beach, rock, and soul to classic country and jazz.

“Jump ‘n’ Jive Big Band” performs swing music as well as contemporary music. The swing band features more than a dozen professional musicians—trumpets, trombones, saxophones, drums, bass, guitar, piano—as well as a conductor and singers.

The swing band will perform from 7:00‒9:00 PM on April 13. Doors will open that night at 4:30 PM for food, festivities, and prizes. The dinner menu for opening night of the dance season will offer chili or a fish fry with hush puppies and fries; food will be served till 6:00 PM.

Snacks and beverages (soda pop, beer, and water) will be available for purchase at all dances. Meals will be available only on April 13, May 11, and July 13.

For each dance, admission at the door will be $5 per person. Doors will open at 5:30 PM unless otherwise noted.  The public is invited to all dances.

A split-the-pot raffle and drawing for door prizes will be held during intermission of each dance.

The 2017 dance season schedule includes: 

SWING NIGHT Thurs, April 13, 7:00‒9:00 PM with “Jump ‘n’ Jive Big Band.” Swing music. Doors open at 4:30 PM for food, festivities, and prizes. Food served till 6:00 PM. Two food selections: chili OR fish fry with hush puppies and fries.

LATIN NIGHT Thurs, May 11, 6:00‒9:00 PM with “DJ Luis.” Salsa, merengue, R & B, and pop music. Doors open at 4:30 PM. Food served till 6:00 PM.

BEACH PARTY Thurs, June 8, 6:00‒9:00 PM with “DJ Brian Hellmann.” Beach Boys, Jimmy Buffet, and more! Doors open at 5:30 PM. Snacks and beverages.

ROCK THE BLOCK Thurs, July 13, 6:00‒9:00 PM with “Blair Carman & The Belleview Boys.” 50s and 60s rock and rock-a-billy. Doors open at 4:30 PM. Food served till 6:00 PM.

SOUL REVUE Thurs, Aug 10, 6:00‒9:00 PM with “Soul Express.” 60s and 70s soul. Doors open at 5:30 PM. Snacks and beverages.

FALL CLASSIC Thurs, Sept 14, 6:00‒9:00 PM with “Finton & Collins.” Classic country and rock, jazz. Doors open at 5:30 PM. Snacks and beverages.

HALLOWEEN FEST Thurs, Oct 12, 6:00‒9:00 PM with “B-Caged.” 50s and 60s rock and country. Dance in costume, win prizes for best costumes! Doors open at 5:30 PM. Snacks and beverages.

For more info on dances at Central Connections, call 513-423-1734.

Central Connections, a 501(c)3 nonprofit senior center in Middletown, Ohio, and a United Way Agency Partner, promotes whole-person wellness and serves the needs of adults over age 50 with nutritious meals, movement classes, transportation services, health screenings, recreation, volunteer opportunities, and social and educational events and programs. Central Connections also provides a banquet center, meeting rooms, and catering services for private, corporate, and organization gatherings. For more information, call 513.423.1734 or visit www.centralconnections.org.