Music
Saturday, April 18
Illini Union Ballroom (2nd Floor)
7:30-10:30 PM
Outcast Jazz Band
The 18-piece Outcast Jazz Band have been swinging their way through some of the most prestigious ballrooms and events in the Chicagoland area for over 40 years. Their love of the classic big band sounds of Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller and more, have garnered them a loyal fan base of listeners and swing dancers, and regular performance dates across Chicagoland.
The band features only the finest Big Band dance instrumental songs, as well as the dual vocal punch of siblings Vince and Claudia Clark. Vince brings his own unique vocal interpretations to classics from Louis Jordan, Ray Charles, Joe Williams, Frank Sinatra and more; while Claudia’s powerful vocals breathe new life info great standards from Peggy Lee, Diann Schuur and others.
Event DJ
Mike Lidak
My love of jazz started over 14 years ago from habitually listening to my superb local jazz-specialized NPR station, with weekly programs ranging in some of the building blocks of American music, such as early jazz and blues, ragtime, and barrelhouse; to contemporary Jazz and Blues tunes. The exuberant sounds of Hot Jazz and Big Band Swing always stood out to me and inevitably got me interested in Lindy Hop, which has gone on to occupy a huge part of my life, both as a dancer and being on the organizer teams of two scenes. I currently DJ at a handful of scenes and events in Southern Michigan. As a DJ, I love music that gives dancers ample opportunity to be playful and sprightly, as well as less common recordings of beloved standards. Ask me to dance!