After a ‘brief hiatus’ since 2003, the 19-piece Compaq Big Band is STOKED to return to the venerable Rockingham Ballroom in Newmarket, New Hampshire on Saturday June 25th. This will be one of ‘The Rock’s’ now-monthly swing dance nights held at one of the few remaining classic ballrooms of New England, where all the great big bands of the Swing Era performed on their New England tours. Built in 1934, the venue features an incredible 4,000 square feet of floating wooden dance floor, it’s fully air conditioned, BYOB only, and they’ll have a light food menu available for purchase.

There’s an introductory, group-friendly swing dance lesson 7:00pm to 8:00pm presented by Greg Clarkson from Northshore Swing Dance. The band plays 8:00pm-10:00pm.

Advance purchase of tickets at $20pp is encouraged by going to www.rockinghamballroom.club. Walk-ins at $25pp (cash or credit card) welcome, as long as space permits. Maximum capacity 300, and they HAVE had sellouts! Doors Open 6:30pm.

On June 25th the band will play predominantly authentic swing, but will also program a few ballroom dance charts for steps such as cha-cha, waltz, tango, foxtrot, etc. This is going to be a lot of fun, and we encourage swing dancers of all levels to come out – singles couples, groups, and meet-ups are all welcome!
Out in front of the band will be the fabulous Lauren Meehan on vocals, including charts popularized by Elle Fitzgerald, Jeri Southern, the Andrews Sisters, Natalie Cole, Peggy Lee, and other greats. We’ll be complementing those with instrumentals from notables like Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, and more.

As is always the case when we perform, it will be the full, real big band instrumentation of 14 horns and four rhythm – no compromises there. And, we’ll be bringing our complete, state-of-the-art traveling sound reinforcement system and our full-time, experienced sound engineer to this vintage space.

More on Lauren at www.laurenjmeehan.com, info on the band at www.compaqbigband.com, and the Rockingham Ballroom at www.rockinghamballroom.club.