The Tusculum College Pioneer Jazz Band will host a Valentine’s Day Dinner/Swing Dance benefit on Tuesday, Feb. 14, at the General Morgan Inn. The reception begins at 6 p.m. and dinner at 6:30 p.m. The event includes dinner and a performance by the Pioneer Jazz Band, along with special guests.
The event is a fundraiser to raise money for much-needed equipment for the entire Tusculum band program, according to David A. Price, director of music at Tusculum College.
“This will be our fourth year for this event and it has proven to be a popular and enjoyable way to celebrate Valentine’s Day,” said Price. “Each year we have had tremendous feedback on the quality of the food, as well as the fun of dancing the night away to the sounds of jazz standards.”
Ticket prices for the event are $55 per person or $400 for a table of eight guests. Ticket or table purchases 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.
There will be dance lessons starting at 5:30 p.m. taught by Dr. Bob and Christine Thorpe the night of the dinner dance. This year in preparation for the event we are also featuring swing dance lessons at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 31 and Thursday Feb. 9, in the Chalmers Conference Center in the Niswonger Commons on the Tusculum College campus. The lessons are free to anyone that has tickets and has signed up to attend the event. Dance lessons only are $10 per person.
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.
