Valentine’s Dinner and Swing Dance to benefit Tusculum College band program

Dinner, dancing and romance are on the agenda for the Valentine’s Day Dinner/Swing Dance, set for Saturday, Feb. 13 at 6:30 p.m., at the General Morgan Inn.

The evening event includes a reception, free dance lessons and a steak and shrimp dinner. Following dancing, a special dessert course will be served. Providing the music will be the Tusculum College Pioneer Jazz Band, along with special guests.

“When we decided to do a fundraiser for the band program, we were looking for a way to also provide entertainment to the Greeneville community,” said David Price, director of music at Tusculum College. “Spending a night dancing and eating good food with your sweetheart is what Valentine’s Day is all about.”

For anyone interested in honing skills for the dance floor, basic swing dance instruction will be offered immediately prior to the event from 6-6:45 p.m. by Dr. Bob and Christine Thorpe. The Thorpes have participated and competed in dance events across the southeastern United States for more than 20 years.

The Thorpes have been dancing together for 20 years and seize every opportunity to attend workshops, competitions and dance events from Pittsburgh to Cincinnati
and all over the southeastern US. They have taken private instruction in many styles of dance including Ballroom East and West Coast Swing, Waltz, Foxtrot, Carolina Shag and Latin Rumba, Cha-Cha and Tango.

Ticket prices for the event are $50 per person and include dance tickets, free dance lessons, an opening reception, dinner and a special dessert. Please call in advance to request a vegetarian substitution. A cash bar will be available.

Tickets are available for purchase at the General Morgan Inn or by contacting Price at 423-636-7303 or emailing daprice@tusculum.edu. A hotel package special is also available by contacting the General Morgan Inn at 423-787-1000.

Special table reservations are available for larger group seating by contacting Price.

The Pioneer Band Program at Tusculum College began in 2010, with the creation of the Pioneer Pep Band. The Pep Band became a much-enjoyed feature of the 2010 Pioneer football and basketball seasons, as the band performed at the Pioneer Club tailgate parties before each home football game and during pregame and half-time festivities.

Since that time a concert band, jazz band, marching band, handbell choir and several small ensembles have been added to the program. The groups play several events on campus each year, as well as events in the community.