5-03-2025 4:07am

Boyertown Musicians Invite You To Swing at Sunnybrook Ballroom

Lesley Misko Editor

by Nancy Mest *

If you missed the Valentine’s Day Swing Dance at the Sunnybrook Ballroom, you have another opportunity to catch the THE SOUNDS OF SUNNYBROOK 17-piece HOUSE BAND!

The Sunnybrook Ballroom has a rich history featuring the likes of Glenn Miller, Jimmy and Tommy Dorsey, Louis Armstrong, and Frank Sinatra. It is the perfect event to enjoy big band music as well as dance the afternoon away in this classic venue.

Big Band’s originated as early as the 1910’s and dominated jazz into the 1940’s when swing took over the world by storm! These bands played a variety of styles of jazz, but played for the purpose of dancing. They started as accompaniment for the dance called the “Lindy Hop”!

Some selections on the “set list” for the afternoon event are “Woodchopper’s Ball," “That Old Black Magic,” “Sing Sing Sing,” “Come Fly with Me," ” In the Mood," and many other favorites. Dance Instruction will be offered from 3-4 PM, with the open dance beginning at 4:00 PM and lasting until 7:00 PM on Sunday, May 4, 2025. The band is under the direction of Boyertown's Jim Dugan.

Dugan shares,” The band is always happy to perform at this prestigious venue." This performance will also include male and female vocalists. The evening will conclude with the nostalgic “Moonlight Serenade,” released in 1944 and made famous by the Glenn Miller Band with its smooth swinging harmonies.

Because this is a “family-friendly” atmosphere, and the dance floor is always full of participants of various abilities and ages, Sunnybrook will be offering Kid Pricing of $10.00 for the first time at this event. Tickets are available in advance for $15.00 at souljoels.com or $20.00 at the door.

* Nancy Mest is a longtime local music educator, graduate of the Boyertown Area Senior High School class of 1978, and lifetime member of the Boyertown Alumni Marching Unit. She serves as an assistant to the band captain and directs the Ceremonial Band at many local community events. Mest also performs with "Finely Fluted," a flute ensemble that serves many of the local churches in the area. When she's not making music, she enjoys gardening and sports, as well.