ABERDEEN, S.D. -  On Friday, Nov. 17, the doors of the historic Ward Hotel will open for the last time for the jazz ensembles of NSU and swing dancers for the fall Swing Dance.

Doors for the event will open at 6 p.m., with music beginning at 7 p.m. Featured will be the NSU Jazz Combo, directed by Frederic Hemke, the NSU 1 O’clock Jazz Ensemble directed by Dennis McDermott, and the 2 O’Clock Jazz Ensemble, directed by Dr. Grant Manhart. Dr. Wendy van Gent’s Vocal Jazz Ensemble will be performing swing music throughout the evening. This year’s event also features the student jazz/rock/funk group “Jet Lagged,” led by Daniel Jimenez.

Soloists at the Swing Dance include NSU vocal faculty member Dr. Darci Bultema, as well as several NSU music majors including Elsa Swanson of Chaska, Minn.; Katie Appl of Aberdeen; Brooke Thielbar of Hardwick, Minn.; Sierra Reed-Quongsing of Rock Rapids, Iowa; Naomi Davis of Watertown; Christine Powers of Hot Springs; and Colton Schaefer of Wilmot.

“The Jazz Swing Dance is truly an event not to be missed, especially since we will be leaving the grand and elegant surroundings of Aberdeen’s historic Ward Hotel. Look for exciting future plans for our Swing Dance Party, coming soon,” mentioned Dr. Kenneth Boulton, dean of the NSU School of Fine Arts.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under and will be available at the door. The event is open to the public. The Ward is located at 104 S. Main St.

This is the final Swing Dance at the Ward Hotel Grand Ballroom, which will be converted into living spaces in the spring.

The spring Swing Dance is scheduled for April 27, and plans are being made to convert the second floor NSU Auxiliary Gym into a large dance floor, with NSU Foundation concessions. There will be lights and other decorations to make the evening a version of the classic Ward Ballroom.

For more information about the fall Swing Dance, contact Manhart at grant.manhart@northern.edu.

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