Let’s Dance Big Band Weekend is back

DeKALB – After a year off because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 15th annual Let’s Dance Big Band Weekend will kick off Friday, July 9, with Cary Sheley’s Little Big Band from Rockford.

All levels of ballroom dance couples and singles with friends are invited to enjoy Let’s Dance Weekend.

The Welcome Dance will run from 8 to 11 p.m. in Northern Illinois University’s Duke Ellington Ballroom, 340 Carroll Ave. in DeKalb. Recommended attire is casual up to formal. Leather soled shoes are required on the main floor.

At-door guests can register 30 minutes prior to any dance. Discounted balcony seats are reserved for listen-only guests. Free parking is available in nearby lots to Holmes Student Center.

On Saturday, July 10, ballroom dance faculty will be enriched by two new guest lesson instructors. Cathy Binko-DeRaimo and Frank DeRaimo own and teach at Brookfield Ballroom near Milwaukee. They will join Pat Ray of Aurora and another instructor. Some additional students will be accepted at 8:15 a.m. Saturday at the welcome desk located at the west entrance Duke Ellington Ballroom.

On Saturday afternoon, the Shananigans Dance Combo will play from 2 to 4 p.m. The cabaret dance is an opportunity for couples to practice new learned moves and relax with a live combo.

Leader and bass player Roger Hintzsche and vocalist Maureen Christine will be joined by Denny Vaupel on piano, Mike Bazan on reeds and Ken White on drums. The combo will accept music requests.

Saturday’s Grand Ball, to be held from 8 to 11:15 p.m., will feature host John Smith and the Shananigans Big Band of DeKalb. At 7:45 p.m., a patriotic salute will feature Nancy Killeen and guests on the “Star Spangled Banner” and Pledge of Allegiance.

The Sunday dance from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. will feature the Dick Elliot Orchestra, a 10-piece ensemble from Chicago.

For more information, visit http://justmakeithappen-dekalb.com.