“Our look and styleIt’s a melding of classic '50s Americana with the mid-century Caribbean influence.
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Next week, Cuban Pete will join forces with Swing Out South Florida, a similarly retro-minded group dedicated to hosting weekly swing dance lessons out of Lauderdale Tennis Club, for the annual HallowSwing Dance.
Though
When they finally decided to form a band together, they brought on bass player “The D” Denny Hechevarria and pianist “Zabadoo” Michael Marks. The four began rehearsing in a studio in
“I try to channel Jerry Lee Lewis as much as I can,” says Marks of one of his and the band's biggest influences. “But I also do my own thing, too. I want to out-psycho Jerry Lee. If I can be crazier than him, I know I have something going on.”
And while, at 50, he could easily pass as the rest of the band's dad, Marks insists they all get along as if they were the same age. “It solidifies the point that music cuts across cultural barriers, age barriers, and language barriers,” he says Marks. “They are Cuban. There is nobody who can be whiter than me. There is nothing Cuban about me, but we can completely converse on this rock 'n' roll level. Not only
The group mainly writes songs about their beloved hometown of South Florida. “My Boat Don’t Float,” for instance, is a tongue-in-cheek homage about a guy who buys a boat from an old man in Little Havana, which sinks as soon as he puts it in the water.
“We decided on Cuban Pete because they are a hot band with a unique style,” says HallowSwing organizer Julian Ehrlich. “Having an exceptional live band always brings a special kind of energy that helps captivate the essence of the swing era. We are constantly doing our best to embody that original spirit.”
In addition to the live music, Swing Out will also feature a costume contest with dance passes and lessons as prizes, lots of sweet treats, and an introductory swing lesson for any beginners in the house. They're hoping this event will continue to grow the swing dance scene in South Florida and introduce newcomers to the songs and artists that encapsulate the genre.
“One thing we are always striving for is uniqueness, which can be a challenge with the constraints of the styles we play,” admits
HallowSwing with Cuban Pete and the Hialeah Hooligans
Monday, October 26, at Lauderdale Tennis Club, 600 Tennis Club Dr., Fort Lauderdale; swingoutsouthflorida.com. Admission is $15, $20 at the Door (cash only).