Richmond

Live at Jammin’ on the James

Now that we’ve recorded A Bull City Holiday and can look forward to that release in November, 2019, I’m on to the next recording project! Looking forward to recording a live album with Michael Gamble and the Rhythm Serenaders at Jammin’ on the James in Richmond, VA over the weekend of October 18 and 19, 2019 – we’ll be working with sound engineer Rob Moreland (who we’ve worked with at Lindy Focus and the Nevermore Jazz Ball) to capture the energy of this band in a Craftsman era ballroom that will be filled to the brim with dancers. Thanks so much to the Jammin’ on the James organizers for conceiving of this project and going above and beyond to make it a reality!

Fall 2017

There’s a nice mix of performances coming up, a little dancing, a little listening, a little of both – hope to see you at one of these upcoming dates!

September 29-30, 2017 with Michael Gamble and the Rhythm Serenaders at Classic City Swing, Athens, GA – a wonderful workshop weekend at the University of Georgia, it will be a mix of visiting with family and performing with this swingin’ band.

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MJJB at the Duck Jazz Festival in 2015

October 7, 2017 Mint Julep Jazz Band at the Duck Jazz Festival, Duck, NC – the festival is expanding to add a performance on Saturday afternoon (us!) with a swing dance lesson between sets, come join us on the coast for this wonderful festival with enthusiastic jazz fans.

October 8, 2017 Ella at the Savoy: A Centennial Tribute, UNC’s Kenan Music Building rehearsal hall, Chapel Hill, NC – one of my pet projects honoring the unparalleled Ella Fitzgerald and her early work with the Chick Webb Orchestra and with Ella Fitzgerald and her Famous Orchestra.

October 19, 2017 Mint Julep Jazz Band at the North Carolina State Fair, Raleigh, NC – this is not only our first performance at the State Fair, but my first time ever at the State Fair! As a lifelong North Carolinian, I’m looking forward to finally being able to attend.

October 20-21, 2017 Mint Julep Jazz Band at Jammin’ on the James, Richmond, VA – excited to be performing for the first time with the Mint Julep Jazz Band at an event that is near and dear to my heart. My very first workshop weekend as a baby Lindy Hopper was at JOTJ and organizers Rita Shiang and Andy Nishida put on a top notch event, now in its 15th year.

Double Header Weekend – I Heart Bal and Camp Hollywood

CH-Flyer_2017_Front copy I may be a madwoman, but if I don’t make it I’m at least going out in a blaze of glory – this Labor Day weekend I will embark on a trip to perform at two dance events in the same weekend. Perhaps this is not so much a feat for full time musicians, but as a full time attorney with a side hustle as a musician, this is new territory for me! I’m excited because these events are near and dear to my heart – I Heart Bal in Richmond, VA (with the Mint Julep Jazz Band), for being a most endearing and nerdy Bal event in the sister city of Richmond, and Camp Hollywood in Los Angeles, CA (with Michael Gamble and the Rhythm Serenaders), which is an event that has been on my bucket list since I was a wee Lindy Hopper. Both of these events are run by women I admire and respect, Erica Vess and Hilary Alexander, respectively. Both of these events also call for special wardrobing – I can’t say that I will have unicorn, pirate, and beach pajamas outfits in my suitcase for every performance weekend! I can’t wait to see my east coast and west coast dance and music friends all in one weekend!

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I Heart Balboa – September 3, 2016

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Graphics we can only assume were created by the event mastermind, Erica Vess

If you like your Balboa events peppered with cats with laser beam eyes, dinosaurs, world-class instruction, and lots of foodie restaurants, join us for a fun, nerdy weekend of Balboa dancing and instruction at I Heart Balboa in Richmond, Virginia. The event runs September 2-4, 2016 and the Mint Julep Jazz Band will be performing at the Saturday night dance on September 3, 2016 – we are excited to be back to perform for their second year!

Dogtown Dance Theater
109 West 15th St
Richmond, VA

Time: 8:30 p.m. to midnight

Admission: For more information, visit the I Heart Balboa website.

Photo by Kadie Pangburn.

The Process in Richmond, VA – July 22, 2016

The Mint Julep Jazz Band is returning to The Process in Richmond, Virginia this year, to perform at the Friday night main dance on July 22, 2016! This Lindy Hop workshop weekend is unique in that it focuses on “the process of learning, teaching, and performing,” but definitely offers more than just workshops – there’s a ton of live music, including MJJB, Michael Gamble and the Rhythm Serenaders (who I’ll be joining for the Friday late night!), the Low Down Sires, the Resonant Rogues, and 504 Supreme. Come swing out with us for a weekend of focused learning and amazing dancing!

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Jammin’ on the James – October 17-19, 2014

For my birthday weekend I’ll be heading north to our sister scene in Richmond, Virginia to DJ for the 12th annual Jammin’ on the James – a weekend of Lindy Hop workshops and dances in one of my favorite venues, the Lewis Ginter Recreation Association. This year’s instructors are Marie Mattsson, Skye Humphries, Naomi Uyama, Peter Strom and live music provided by Naomi & Her Handsome Devils, the Blue Crescent Syncopators, and the Doctors of Jazz. Not to mention all the excellent vintage shopping – come check out this cool city and swing out with us!

The Process – July 18, 2014

The Mint Julep Jazz Band will kick off the weekend festivities at The Process, a Lindy Hop workshop weekend in Richmond, Virginia on Friday, July 18, 2014 at 9:00 p.m. The Process is a new event, in its first year, and seeks to answer the question, “What is the process guiding Lindy Hoppers to rapid improvement?” in its workshops throughout the weekend. With a great lineup of instructors (Casey Schneider & Mike Faltesek; Jaya Dorf & Michael Gamble; Chelsea & David Lee; Mike Herring; Abigail Browning & Adam Speen; and Sparrow Pants) and live music by The Low Down Sires, 504 Supreme, and Gypsy Roots, it looks like it will be a rumpus in Richmond! For more information visit The Process website.

Jammin’ on the James – October 18-20, 2013

I’m back in the DJ booth with my partner in crime DJ Bill Speidel for another wonderful weekend of workshops and dances in Richmond – Jammin’ on the James is the weekend of October 18-20, 2013, with international instructors Marie Nahnfeldt Mattsson, Skye Humphries, Mike Faltesek, and Casey Schneider rounding out the teaching roster. We’ll be enjoying live music from DC’s Blue Crescent Syncopators, Baltimore’s Bumper Jacksons, and Richmond’s own Doctors of Jazz. This is always such a fun, quality weekend of dancing, I hope you’ll join us!

Mint Julep Jazz Band Dates – Raleigh, Richmond, DC!

It’s a dream to be able to perform with my band at Glen Echo’s Spanish Ballroom

After a pretty low-key summer, the Mint Julep Jazz Band is kicking things into high gear – starting Labor Day weekend, we have gigs four weekends in a row:

August 30, 2013 – Music on the Porch – This is our last outdoor gig of the season and a rare chance to perform in Raleigh. Join us with your pic-a-nic baskets and come hang out on the grass!
3301 Pollock Place
Raleigh, NC
Time: 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Admission: $7.00 for adults, kids get in free

August 31, 2013 – Mint Julep Quintet at G2B Gastro Pub
3211 Shannon Road #106
Durham, NC
8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Admission: Free
We recommend making a reservation if you would like to eat or have a seat – please specify that you would like to be seated in the jazz lounge.

September 7, 2013 – Spanish Ballroom at Glen Echo Park – I can’t really tell you how excited I am that the Mint Julep Jazz Band is playing this wonderful, beautiful, historic ballroom! Special thanks to the Jam Cellar for bringing us up to perform.
7300 MacArthur Blvd
Glen Echo, MD
9:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.
Admission: $16.00

September 13, 2013 – Mint Julep Quintet at G2B Gastro Pub
3211 Shannon Road #106
Durham, NC
8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Admission: Free
We recommend making a reservation if you would like to eat or have a seat – please specify that you would like to be seated in the jazz lounge.

We’ll be at another historic ballroom on September 14 at the Lewis Ginter Recreation Association

September 14, 2013 – John Ennis and Ruth Brown’s Anniversary Swing Dance
Lewis Ginter Recreation Association
3421 Hawthorne Avenue
Richmond, VA
Time: 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Admission: $10.00

September 21, 2013 – This is not a Mint Julep Jazz Band gig, but Lucian and I will be returning to Glen Echo’s Spanish Ballroom to perform with the Craig Gildner Big Band!
7300 MacArthur Blvd
Glen Echo, MD
9:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.
Admission: $18.00

John and Ruth Want You at Their Wedding Celebration – September 7-8, 2012

No, seriously, they really do. John Ennis and Ruth Brown are getting married on September 8, 2012 and are opening up their wedding reception to be an open-to-the-public swing dance. For John and Ruth, there is no better way to spend their wedding weekend than surrounded by live swing music and dancing. To that end, they have planned a weekend doing just that and are inviting everyone who wishes to dance to amazing music to attend not one, but two dance events – the more the merrier!

Here’s the information from the Facebook invite:

John is a big fan of Fred Astaire and we’ll be performing at least one of his songs for the reception/dance

“Friday, September 7th, 2012
Live Band: Gypsy Roots
9:00pm – midnight
Beginner Lindy Hop lesson at 7:30

Saturday, September 8th, 2012
Live Band: The Mint Julep Jazz Band
2:00pm-5:00pm
Beginner Lindy Hop lesson at 1:00

Location:
Lewis Ginter Recreation Association
3421 Hawthorne Ave.
Richmond, VA

Admission:
General: $10 for one dance, $15 for both
Students: $7 for one dance, $10 for both

Spiffy attire encouraged for the Saturday dance (we’ll be in wedding attire)! Please wear comfortable shoes with smooth soles (please, no black rubber soles).

New to dancing? Have no fear! Ruth and John will be teaching the beginner lesson before the Friday night dance, while Erica Vess and Ryan Lemar will be teaching the beginner lesson before the Saturday afternoon dance. No dance partner required.

Erica Vess will also provide her excellent and nationally recognized DJ skills during the band breaks!

And of course, there will be cake…”

I am excited to be a part of the wedding festivities with the Mint Julep Jazz Band and am looking forward to dancing, cake, and performing at the historic ballroom at the Lewis Ginter Recreation Center!

Laura Windley

Hot jazz and swing vocalist