Jazz band will perform at Bent’s on June 15 for swing-dancing group, Lindy in the Village

Provided photo: Gordon Webster’s Jazz Septet will perform June 15 in Medina at Bent's Opera House.

Press Release, Medina Lindy in the Village

MEDINA – On Thursday, June 15, the Gordon Webster Jazz Septet, along with vocalist Julia Weatherholtz, will play a live concert at Bent’s Opera House in Medina with their seven-piece band from 7:30 to 11:00 p.m., performing three full sets of big band-style jazz and swing classics. The concert and dance, hosted by Medina Lindy in the Village, is open to the public.

Gordon Webster is a jazz musician and bandleader, a favorite in NYC since the mid-2000’s, and famous worldwide for his modern take on vintage swing music.

He has played 100 cities in over 20 countries, and is a regular at Snowball in Stockholm, also appearing in performances at Swingtime Ball in Beijing, Lindy Shock in Budapest, CCX Montreal, and the London Lindy Exchange.

If you’ve heard the song “Eight, Nine, & Ten,” chances are it was his version, recorded in 2014 by Gordon Webster’s band featuring Australian singer Hetty Kate. US-based Lindy Hoppers will know Webster well from events like DCLX, Beantown Camp, and Swing Out New Hampshire.

Gordon Webster’s appearance at Bent’s on June 15 marks the first live band event for Medina Lindy in the Village, an organization less than a year old and dedicated to bringing swing music and social dancing to the Niagara-Orleans-Genesee region.

The group hosts monthly dances on the third Thursday of each month at Bent’s, including one on Thursday, May 18th, with a free lesson at 6:30 and the dance starting at 7:30. The Gordon Webster Septet performance is Medina Lindy in the Village’s June event.

To celebrate the growth of the Medina Lindy in the Village dance community, throughout the evening three groups of dancers will share exhibition Lindy Hop performances at ability levels ranging from professional instructors to competitive amateurs to recent beginners. Attendees at the June 15 performance can enjoy the ambience of Bent’s newly-restored Opera House along with drinks and appetizers from Harvest Restaurant; those wishing to dance can take advantage of an open dance floor.

For those interested in learning more about Lindy Hop swing dancing, Medina Lindy in the Village will host a free beginner swing dance lesson included with ticket purchases from 7 to 7:30 p.m., and experienced dancers will be on hand all evening to assist beginners. An intermediate Lindy Hop workshop will also be offered, for an additional price, the same evening at Bent’s from 6 to 7 p.m. taught by special guest expert instructors Marta Pedrero, originally from Barcelona, Spain, and Doriel Pryntz-Nadworny of Rochester entitled “Sharing the Stage: Helping Your Partner Shine.”

Tickets for the concert/dance and the workshop can be purchased at www.medinalindy.com/tickets, with early bird pricing now through the end of May (use code “EARLYBIRD” at checkout), and discounted pricing available for students and families.

Also, while hotel rooms last, guests mentioning Medina Lindy while booking rooms for evening of June 15 at Bent’s will enjoy 20% off of regular room rates. For more information about the concert, dance, and lessons, email info@medinalindy.com or call Medina Lindy in the Village director Phil Berry at 978-793-2149. To book hotel rooms at Bent’s or make dinner reservations at Harvest, call 585-318-2110, or visit www.bentsoperahouse.com.