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Photo courtesty of George Beeler



    Saturday February 16th, 8:00 PM - 12:30 AM
    The 6th Annual Shiny Stockings Ball
    Lake Merrit Dance Center
    200 Grand Ave,
    Oakland, CA 94610

    $20 pre-sale; $25 at the door
     

    The Northern California Lindy Society (www.ncls.com) is proud to sponsor the 6th Annual Shiny Stockings Ball in conjuction with the Frankie Manning Weekend. Come spend a great night of dancing with one of the original Lindy Hoppers, Mr. Frankie Manning! The ballroom of the Lake Merrit Dance Center will be packed with swing dancers from all over the Bay Area to boogie the night away to the swinging sounds of the Royal Society Jazz Orchestra.
     

    Pre-sale tickets are available now at http://www.ncls.com/fm2008/reg/index.html
     



    March 3 & 4, 2008, Monday Afternoon, and Tuesday Evening
    Ahwahnee Heritage Holidays 
    Ahwahnee Hotel, Yosemite National Park

    The Royal Society Jazz Orchestra will be performing once again in Yosemite Valley for the annual three-day Ahwahnee Heritage Holidays at the Ahwahnee Hotel. This is an event to remember! Experience the high-style rustic charm of the Ahwahnee Hotel nestled in the majestic Yosemite Valley, and the heart-stirring music of the Royal Society Jazz Orchestra! This rare event is co-sponsored by the Art Deco Society Of California, and together with historian Tom Bopp, they have organized many fascinating lectures, demonstrations, and musical presentations related to the early years of the last century in Yosemite. This year's special theme is Winter in Yosemite. Special presentations will show that from the start, winter activities were concocted with delightful creativity, indoors and out. Ice skating, tobogganing, ski-joring, and snowshoe-baseball drew guests outside, while ballroom dancing, musical events, and the Bracebridge Dinner enhanced the evening hours.

    Music schedule — these Yosemite events are FREE to the public!:
     

    • March 2, Sunday evening, 7:00 to 10:00 PM, Janet Klein and her Parlor Boys perform in the Ahwahnee Hotel Bar
    • March 3, Monday afternoon, 3:00 to 5:00 PM Tea Dance, Don Neely's Royal Society Sextet with Carla Normand in the Great Lounge at the Ahwahnee Hotel.
    • March 3, Monday evening, 8:00 to 11:00, in Ahwahnee Hotel Bar, Speakeasy Entertainment with Tom Bopp, Sara Klotz de Aguilar, Frederick Hodges, Ann Gibson, and more! 
    • 6:00 PM, Gala Dinner in Ahwahnee Dining Room featuring vintage menu and same line-up of artists.
    • March 4, Tuesday evening, 8:00 to 11:00 PM, Royal Society Jazz Orchestra plays for the Grand Ball, Great Lounge, Ahwahnee Hotel. Includes dance performance by the DecoBelles.

     
    • RESERVATIONS. Please call the main reservation number and ask for Ahwahnee Heritage Holidays. Phone number: 559-253-2075. Website is www.YosemitePark.com Also you may call the Art Deco Society Of California for information at 415-982-DECO (3326) or www.artdecosociety.org
    • Briefly, lodging packages are for the Ahwahnee Hotel or Yosemite Lodge, for either two nights or three. Prices are on web site Yosemitepark.com/heritage and include the gala dinner in the breathtaking Ahwahnee Hotel dining room.
    • All music, lectures, and presentations at the Heritage Holidays event at the Ahwahnee Hotel are free to the public, except for the dinner. You can camp in or outside the valley, and still attend the events free.
    • Singer and pianist Tom Bopp, who regularly performs at The Wawona Hotel in Yosemite will be singing with the Royal Society Jazz Orchestra and performing in the Ahwahnee Hotel Dining Room during the Gala Dinner and afterwards in the Ahwahnee Bar. Speakeasy music in the bar will feature various artists from the RSJO including Frederick Hodges, plus singers Sarah Klotz de Aguilar, and Ann Gibson.


    The RSJO has an excellent new recording, Deja Vu?, which features songs written by Don Neely that have become sensations at the Ahwahnee Heritage Holidays, including "Wawona Waltz," "Hetch Hetchy," and "Redwood. " 



    March 8th, Saturday afternoon, 2:30 to 5:00 PM 

    Dixieland Montery
    28th Annual Festival

    DeAnza Ballroom
    Monterey Conference Center
    One Portola Plaza
    Monterey, CA 93940
    Phone: 831.646.3770

    For information please call (831) 633-5053 or toll free at 888-349-6879.
    email@dixieland-monterey.com
    www.dixieland-monterey.com



    Sunday, March 30, 2007. 3:00 to 6:00 PM
    Broncho Billy Tea Dance

    Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum 
    37417 Niles Boulevard
    Fremont, CA 94536


    Broncho Billy Tea Dance with authentic dance music of the teens, twenties, and thirties, featuring Don Neely’s Royal Society Five

    • Don Neely, clarinet and sax
    • Frederick Hodges, piano
    • Andrew Storar, trumpet
    • Marty Eggers, bass
    • Steve Apple, drums


    Tickets available during weekend museum hours,
    Suggested donation $20, by phone at 510-494-1411, and through web site: http://www.nilesfilmmuseum.org

    This event is a benefit for the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum, 37417 Niles Boulevard, Fremont, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization.



    Saturday, April 19, 2008


    Merced Art Council's Black and White Ball


    7:30 to 11:30 PM

    Don Neely and the Sextet play for the 25th Annual Black and White Ball in Merced. This year's ball is sure to be great fun, because it has the 1920s for its theme! The event is sponsored by the Merced Multicultural Arts Center and the proceeds will go to benefit art programs for youth.

    Attire requested will be vintage-retro style. Use your imagination, be creative! Have fun! 

    Location
    Merced Multicultural Arts Center
    645 West Main Street
    Merced, CA 95340
     

    Tickets
    $75 each 
    Includes two glasses of wine 
    & a dance lesson
    Gourmet Desserts
    Sloe Gin Fizz & Martini Bar 
    Raffle Prizes & Silent Auction

    Music by
    Don Neely's Royal Society Jazz Sextet

    Hors d’oeuvres by
    STARFISH CATERING
    7:30 —11:00pm

    Dance Lesson
    Saturday, April 12
    11:30am—1:30pm
     

    FOR MORE INFORMATION click here
    or call the Arts Center at: (209) 388-1090

    Band features
    Carla Normand, vocalist
    Frederick Hodges, piano
    Steve Apple, drums (yes, it is too a real instrument!)
    Dix Bruce, guitar, banjo
    Andrew Storar, trumpet, vocals
    Marty Eggers, legendary bass player



    Sunday, April 20th, 2008

    Dance at the Ashkenaz

    5:00 to 8:00 PM 
    The Ashkenaz 
    1317 San Pablo Avenue 
    Berkeley, CA 94702

    Don Neely's 10-piece Royal Society Jazz Orchestra, with Carla Normand and Frederick Hodges, will be providing lively dance music for another wonderful dance at The Ashkenaz, Berkeley's legendary dance hall. Ashkenaz has a friendly and relaxing ambience with a great dance floor and excellent sound system. They serve tasty snacks, wine, beer, coffee and more. We'll be delighted to see you, and you'll be happy you came.

    Admission $20.

    For additional information please see web site:

    http://www.ashkenaz.com
    or call 510-525-5054

         Don Neely, leader, reeds, vocals, arranger
         Steve Apple, Drums, vocals
         Frederick Hodges, Piano, Vocals
         Carla Normand, Vocals
         Andrew Storar, 1st Trumpet, vocals
         Brent Bergman, Trombone
         Dick Mathias, Lead alto sax, reeds
         Kent Mikasa, 2nd Cornet
         Dix Bruce, Guitar, Banjo
         Marty Eggers, Bass, Tuba
         Tex Benecke, Tenor sax, reeds



     April 26th, Saturday evening 8:00 to 12:00 midnight
     Art Deco Preservation Ball 

    Don Neely's Royal Society Jazz Orchestra, 10 pieces, with Carla Normand and Frederick Hodges. 

    Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. Berkeley, CA
    Old California and its Mexican/Spanish History will be the theme of this year's unique event.

    There will be a special performance by the Decobelles dance troupe. You'll also see and hear vocalists Ann Gibson and Sara Kltoz de Aguilar.

    More to be announced. 

    For information please call 415-982-DECO or visit www.artdecosociety.org



    Saturday May 3, 2008

    2:00 pm 

    El Campanil Theatre, Antioch, downtown, 2nd and G St.


    Concert Matinee 

    Community Concerts Present
    Don Neely & The Royal Society Jazz Orchestra
    10 pc. with Carla Normand and Frederick Hodges

    Adults: $ 22   Seniors: $ 20  Children: $15

    For tickets, please visit the theatre website:
    www.elcampaniltheatre.com

    or telephone:

    925-757-9500

    We are delighted to be returning for a concert performance at the beautiful El Campanil Theatre, built in 1927 and fully restored to its original charm. This is the perfect theatre to see the RSJO! Located on the Sacramento Riverfront in old Antioch.



    May 23-26, 2008
    We regret to inform our fans that the Royal Society Jazz Orchestra has not been invited to perform at the Sacramento Jazz Jubilee this year. We love performing at the festival and with great hope look forward to receiving an invitation to perform there again sometime in the future.

    If you would like to speak or write to the director of the festival, here below is the information:

    Festival Director: Gene Berthelsen
    Phone 916-372-5277 Ext. 11
    email jubileedir@sbcglobal.net
    2787 Del Monte Street
    West Sacramento, CA 95691

    If you have an opinion you'd like to share, please email us rsjo@sonic.net. We appreciate your support.



    July 18, 2008
    Friday Nights at the de Young

    Third Season of Cultural Encounters Friday Nights at the de Young presents

    THE ROYAL SOCIETY JAZZ ORCHESTRA and  CYNTHIA GLINKA 

    FREE ADMISSION!
     

    In Wilsey Court  Cynthia Glinka
    6:00 - 6:30 pm

    Cynthia Glinka dance coach and choreographer, instructs, entertains, and inspires during this event. With her dance tips and tricks, you won't miss a beat! Join us on the dance floor.

    Royal Society Jazz Orchestra 
    6:30 - 8:30 pm

    Don Neely and the 10-piece orchestra, with vocalist Carla Normand, are renowned for authentically capturing the exciting sound of big-band swing, hot syncopated jazz, blues, and music of the Cotton Club. Songs include the compositions of George Gershwin, Fats Waller, Irving Berlin, Hoagy Carmichael, Cole Porter, Walter Donaldson, Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer and many others from Tin Pan Alley, Broadway, vaudeville, and the silver screen.
     

    The de Young is located at 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive in the heart of San Francisco's Golden Gate Park.

    de Young
    Golden Gate Park
    50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive
    San Francisco, CA 94118

    415-750-7694
    e-mail nexcach@famsf.org
    For more information go online to www.deyoungmuseum.org 



    August 6, 2008

    Don Neely's Rhythm Aces ( Our new name for the sextet! )

    Bing Crosby's in Walnut Creek

    August 6th, Wednesday evening

    No cover charge!

    Dancing from 7:00 to 10:00 pm

    Dance lessons by Johnny Lee during intermissions

    Bing Crosby's is a fascinating place to visit with great ambience built on the concept of hollywood and Bing Crosby's career in film and music. 

    They serve marvelous dinners and have a stunning menu of martinis and other Rat Pack libations.

    Rhythm Aces lineup: 
    Don Neely on reeds and vocals
    Frederick Hodges, piano and vocals
    Andrew Storar, Cornet and vocals
    Steve Apple, Drums
    Dix Bruce, Guitar
    Marty Eggers, Stand up bass

    Address: 
    1342 Broadway Plaza
    Walnut Creek, CA 
    94596

    925-939-BING
    Web site www.bingcrosbysrestaurant.com



     

    Sunday, August 24, 2008

    Dance at the Ashkenaz

    5:00 to 8:00 PM 
    The Ashkenaz 
    1317 San Pablo Avenue 
    Berkeley, CA 94702

    Don Neely's 10-piece Royal Society Jazz Orchestra, with Carla Normand and Frederick Hodges, will be providing lively dance music for another wonderful dance at The Ashkenaz, Berkeley's legendary dance hall. Ashkenaz has a friendly and relaxing ambience with a great dance floor and excellent sound system. They serve tasty snacks, wine, beer, coffee and more. We'll be delighted to see you, and you'll be happy you came.

    Admission $20.

    For additional information please see web site:

    http://www.ashkenaz.com
    or call 510-525-5054

         Don Neely, leader, reeds, vocals, arranger
         Steve Apple, drums, vocals, sardonic observations
         Frederick Hodges, piano, vocals
         George Hamilton Green, xylophone
         Carla Normand, vocals
         Andrew Storar, 1st trumpet, vocals, attitude
         Brent Bergman, trombone
         Dick Mathias, lead alto sax, reeds
         Kent Mikasa, 2nd Cornet
         Irving Kaufman, vocals
         Dix Bruce, guitar, banjo
         Marty Eggers, bass, tuba
         Bob Embry, tenor sax, reeds



    Wednesday, September 10th, 2008

    5:30 to 9:00 PM

    Don Neely's full-size, ten-piece Royal Society Jazz Orchestra, with Carla Normand and Frederick Hodges

    U.S. Hornet, Aircraft Carrier
    Alameda, CA

    707 W Hornet Ave, Pier 3
    Alameda Point
    Alameda, CA 94501
    510-521-8448
    www.uss-hornet.org
     
     

    Dinner-Dance Benefit for Center for Elders Independence

    For ticket information, please contact:

    fbridges@cei.elders.org

    Web site: http://cei.elders.org/events.html

    510-839-3100



    September 13, 2008

    7:30 to 10:30 PM

    Dance Under The Stars
    Rose Bowl Dance 2008

    Featuring the full 11-piece Royal Society Jazz Orchestra 
    starring Miss Carla Normand -- America's Radio Sweetheart

    Escalle Winery,
    771 Magnolia Avenue
    Larkspur, California

    Tickets: $50 per person (limit 4 per person)
    Tickets Available Saturday, May 17: 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
    And Monday, May 19, 2:00 Pm to 7:00 PM at Larkspur City Hall

    Semi-Formal Vinage dress from 1910-1950 encouraged

    www.larkspurcityhall.org


    How to prepare for the dance 

    Find your tickets - View invitation
     

    Ticket Purchases - Unfortunately, due to the capacity of the venue the Rose Bowl Dance is sold out. Please call the Larkspur Recreation Department at 415-927-6746 to register your name on the wait list for tickets. 

    Sign up for dance lessons - View Announcement 
     

    Register at the Larkspur Recreation Department for one or more of our Thursday evening sessions, 927-6746. $15 per couple, $10 for singles, per session. 
     

    - August 28 - Hall Gym 7-8:30 PM
    - September 4 - Hall Gym 7-8:30 PM
    - September 11 - Neil Cummins Gym 7-8:30 PM

    Lessons provided by Cynthia Glinka 

    Select your vintage outfit - pick an era to emulate
     

    - Vintage Portraits Jude Mooney Photography will be on site to capture the moment
    - Remember to pick sensible shoes for uneven landscape
    - Coat check available to check your hats & gloves

    Read up on the history of the Rose Bowl Dance

    Remember the Rose Bowl Story by Jerry Flamm
    Rose Bowl Photographs
    Larkspur Firehouse Museum

    Transportation by San Francisco Trolleys
     

    Travel from City Hall to the dance by trolley all night from 7:30 - 1:00 AM
    Parking available at St. Patrick's church on Locust Avenue.
    Parking also available at the corner or Magnolia & Bon Air Road.
     


    September 14, 2008, Sunday, 2:00 to 6:00 PM
    Gatsby Summer Afternoon
    Dunsmuir House and Gardens, Oakland CA.

    The Royal Society Jazz Orchestra has performed at the famous Gatsby Summer Afternoon for over twenty years, and each year it becomes more interesting and fun. Patrons get into the spirit of the 1920s with music, dancing, period attire, picnics, cars, and imagination. Rolling hills, vast green lawns, oak trees, wooded paths, and charming Dunsmuir House provide the perfect setting for a memorable experience. Special guest Tom Bopp will sing with the band, as well as Frederick Hodges, Carla Normand, Don Neely, and Andrew Storar.

    For information please call the Art Deco Society Of California 415-982-DECO  or visit www.artdecosociety.org



    October 17th, Friday

    9:00 to 12:00 PM

    Don Neely's Royal Society Jazz Orchestra, with Carla Normand, and Frederick Hodges

    Collegiate Ball (Part of the 2nd annual, three-day "Shag Jam")

    Location:
    Verdi Club in San Francisco
    2424 Mariposa St. 
    San Francisco

    Fast, furious and flying feet will gather from far and near for the San Francisco Shag Jam. Nearly 80 years after the swing kids of the 1930s started dancing the Collegiate Shag, a melting pot of young and old convene to flip, flop and fly on the dance floor.

    The Verdi Club is located in the Portrero Hill district of San Francisco, and was built in the 1930s, and was for many years an Italian social club. 

    They have a huge dance floor, an elevated stage with proscenium arch, and a roomy bar where you can order a refreshing libation in between strutting your stuff on the dance floor.

    The Collegiate Ball features a Vintage Hair Styling Class for the Dolls and Vintage Clothes Styling Class for the Daddy O's, Dance Performances, Collegiate Shag Championships (Prelims & Spotlight Finals), Pin-Ups and Classic Cars! Join in on the history and dress in your best Vintage College/Varsity Sweater wear. 

    To gain more information please go to the delightful Shag Jam web site: 
    http://www.shagjam.com/

    This is going to be a fun event with great dancers!




    Sunday, November 2, 2008

Dance at the Ashkenaz

5:00 to 8:00 PM 
The Ashkenaz 
1317 San Pablo Avenue 
Berkeley, CA 94702

Don Neely's 10-piece Royal Society Jazz Orchestra, with Carla Normand and Frederick Hodges, will be providing lively dance music for another wonderful dance at The Ashkenaz, Berkeley's legendary dance hall. Ashkenaz has a friendly and relaxing ambience with a great dance floor and excellent sound system. They serve tasty snacks, wine, beer, coffee and more. We'll be delighted to see you, and you'll be happy you came.

Admission $20.

For additional information please see web site:

http://www.ashkenaz.com
or call 510-525-5054

     Don Neely, leader, reeds, vocals, arranger
     Steve Apple, Drums, vocals
     Frederick Hodges, Piano, Vocals
     Carla Normand, Vocals
     Andrew Storar, 1st Trumpet, vocals
     Brent Bergman, Trombone
     Dick Mathias, Lead alto sax, reeds
     Kent Mikasa, 2nd Cornet
     Dix Bruce, Guitar, Banjo
     Marty Eggers, Bass, Tuba
     Tex Benecke, Tenor sax, reeds




    March 1st- 5th, 2009
    Ahwahnee Heritage Holidays 
    Ahwahnee Hotel, Yosemite National Park

    The Royal Society Jazz Orchestra will be performing once again in Yosemite Valley for the annual five-day Ahwahnee Heritage Holidays at the Ahwahnee Hotel. This is an event to remember! Experience the high-style rustic charm of the Ahwahnee Hotel nestled in the majestic Yosemite Valley, and the heart-stirring music of the Royal Society Jazz Orchestra! This rare event is co-sponsored by the Art Deco Society Of California, and together with historian Tom Bopp, they have organized many fascinating lectures, demonstrations, and musical presentations related to the early years of the last century in Yosemite. This year's special theme is Winter in Yosemite. Special presentations will show that from the start, winter activities were concocted with delightful creativity, indoors and out. Ice skating, tobogganing, ski-joring, and snowshoe-baseball drew guests outside, while ballroom dancing, musical events, and the Bracebridge Dinner enhanced the evening hours.

    Music schedule — these Yosemite events are FREE to the public!:
     

    • March 1, Sunday evening, 7:00 to 10:00 PM Don Neely's Royal Society Sextet with Carla Normand in the Great Lounge at the Ahwahnee Hotel.
    • March 2, Monday afternoon, 3:00 to 5:00 PM Tea Dance, Don Neely's Royal Society Sextet with Carla Normand in the Great Lounge at the Ahwahnee Hotel.
    • March 3, Tuesday evening, 8:00 to 11:00 PM, Royal Society Jazz Orchestra plays for the Grand Ball, Great Lounge, Ahwahnee Hotel. Includes dance performance by the DecoBelles.
    • March 4, Wednesday RSJO musicians play in small ensembles for reception, dinner, and speakeasy
    • March 5, Thursday evening, 8:00 to 11:00 PM, Royal Society Jazz Orchestra plays for the second Grand Ball, Great Lounge, Ahwahnee Hotel. Includes dance performance by the DecoBelles.

     
    • RESERVATIONS. Please call the main reservation number and ask for Ahwahnee Heritage Holidays. Phone number: 559-253-2075. Website is www.YosemitePark.com Also you may call the Art Deco Society Of California for information at 415-982-DECO (3326) or www.artdecosociety.org
    • Briefly, lodging packages are for the Ahwahnee Hotel or Yosemite Lodge, for either two nights or three. Prices are on web site Yosemitepark.com/heritage and include the gala dinner in the breathtaking Ahwahnee Hotel dining room.
    • All music, lectures, and presentations at the Heritage Holidays event at the Ahwahnee Hotel are free to the public, except for the dinner. You can camp in or outside the valley, and still attend the events free.
    • Singer and pianist Tom Bopp, who regularly performs at The Wawona Hotel in Yosemite will be singing with the Royal Society Jazz Orchestra and performing in the Ahwahnee Hotel Dining Room during the Gala Dinner and afterwards in the Ahwahnee Bar. Speakeasy music in the bar will feature various artists from the RSJO including Frederick Hodges, plus singers Sarah Klotz de Aguilar, and Ann Gibson.

Saturday 16 May 2009
Art Deco Ball

The Royal Society Jazz Orchestra

Appearing Live at the 
Art Deco Society's Annual Preservation Ball

Paramount Theatre
2025 Broadway
Oakland, CA
94612
(510) 465-6400

For information please call the Art Deco Society Of California 415-982-DECO  or visit www.artdecosociety.org



 

Telephone and FAX: 707-765-2055