Midsummer Night Swing 2016 Kicks Off in June

Three exciting nights of blues, rock 'n' roll, and rhythm and blues, including a special tribute to late music icon Allen Toussaint, will delight dancers at Midsummer Night Swing, New York's premier summer dance party, when it returns for its 28th season, June 21-July 9. Single tickets and multi-evening passes are now on sale.

For Midsummer Night Swing's opening night, Catherine Russell -a Grammy Award winning vocalist who has performed and recorded with David Bowie, Cyndi Lauper, Paul Simon, and others-pulls from her vast repertoire of vital interpretations to off-the-beaten-path song selections with the Catherine Russell Septet on June 21. The Allen Toussaint Band with guest vocalists Irma Thomas, Cyril Neville, and Deacon John brings the sounds of New Orleans to New York with a joyful musical celebration of Allen Toussaint on June 25. Musical Director Luqman Brown has assembled a stellar band to play a tribute to some of rock 'n' roll's most influential artists for the debut of The Black Rock Coalition Get-Down Revue on July 2. This jubilant celebration includes the cherished music of LaVern Baker, Ruth Brown, Big Joe Turner, Wilson Pickett, and more.

Midsummer Night Swing brings together people of all ages, at every skill level, from every corner of New York City and the world for 15 evenings of social dance. Acclaimed bands will play as dancers Lindy hop, salsa, hustle, Charleston, tango, and more in a gorgeous, open-air ballroom in Damrosch Park (West 62nd Street, between Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues).

Tickets: Multi-evening Midsummer Night Swing Passes are priced at $84 for six dances and $170 for the full season. Four-dance passes are available for $60. Tickets for individual evening events are $17. For $100, a group of four will receive the Dance Ambassador Package, which grants admission to the dance floor, free bag check for four, and one complimentary glass of wine or beer per guest.

Each evening of Midsummer Night Swing is a ticketed event. The night begins with a dance lesson at 6:30 pm for all skill levels with some of New York's foremost instructors. Lessons are included in the price of admission. Live music and dancing begins at 7:30 pm and lasts until 10:00 pm. Dancing continues until 11:30 pm on June 23 and July 2 for the Silent Discos.

The Swing box office is located in the lobby of David Geffen Hall at Broadway and 65th Street. Tickets for individual events and passes can be purchased in advance at the David Geffen Hall Box Office or beginning at 5:30 pm on the night of the event at a box office in Damrosch Park. All major credit cards will be accepted. Tickets and passes can also be purchased through CenterCharge, 212.721.6500, or at MidsummerNightSwing.org.