396416 Sat Apr 28 19:15:35 -0700 2007 11 2 Los Angeles Area 0 2524386 Parents 50th anniversary coming up. Would love to show them a good ol' time. Thanks in advance for your rec's Sat Apr 28 19:15:36 -0700 2007 12855 joea 1 2524387 I've seen big band (swing) and swing dancing at the Derby in Los Feliz (Los Angeles). I bet they still have swing night. I don't know about dinner, but they did have drinks, back in the day. The Derby (323) 663-8979 www.the-derby.com 4500 Los Feliz Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90027 There is also the Dresden. They used to have a lounge singer and pianist, and I think they offered dinner. This is also in Los Feliz. The Dresden (323) 665-4294 http://www.thedresden.com/lounge.html 1760 N Vermont Ave Los Angeles, CA 90027 I have not been to either place in years, but you might look into their websites for more info. Sat Apr 28 19:17:36 -0700 2007 2524386 57689 katkoupai 1 2524561 At Vibrato in the Glen, you can get dinner and jazz... Sun Apr 29 01:23:26 -0700 2007 2524386 15572 Emme 2 2524584 Again, not big band, but Spazio on Ventura also has live music a fair amount of the time... Sun Apr 29 02:24:31 -0700 2007 2524561 15572 Emme 1 2524581 Not big band, but Red White + Bluezz in Pasadena is another restaurant that has a has a live band regularly. Sun Apr 29 02:17:35 -0700 2007 2524386 50350 SauceSupreme 1 2525016 Too bad Merv Griffin's Coconut Club is no longer in existence (RIP 2002?)- it would have been perfect- loved that place. Agree with both the Vibrato and Red White + Bluezz recommendations. Catalina Bar and Grill is similar...Colombo's in Eagle Rock also has music (love Erik Ekstrand)..tho' no dance floor. The Dal Rae in Pico Rivera has a small/medium size dance floor in their lounge, great food,...definitely fun and a Las Vegas dinner club feel from the 50's....but doubtful they have big band scheduled- generally lounge lizard or jazz/pop combos. You might check out the Pasadena Jazz Institute- great music events, including jazz/big band type ....located in the Paseo Pasadena. They only have a bar, but you could eat somewhere else and go there afterwards... unfortunately no dancing. Paul Lines who runs the place and his staff are very accessible, answers all email, so you could check with him re details. My dad, now 83, LOVES their events. Places with dinner/dancing, BUT only including these for background, ...well, I'd definitely not consider them serious contenders for a special evening: Las Hadas in Northridge and the Alpine Village in Torrance still have true Big Band (15 plus members with a big horn section, etc.). Generally BB is on week nights, not weekends; fun if all you're focus in being there is to dance. Take your sense of humor (the bands are always good- the environment is festive - but think Cinco de Mayo for Las Hadas, and Oktoberfest for Alpine Village). Also the Elks Club in both Pasadena and Redondo Beach have live BB, you don't need to be a member...again, not a dinner/dance club by any stretch of the imagination-focus is on dancing. Memories in Whittier has live swing bands, dancing and dinner...(relatively younger crowd and not big band- wouldn't be a place my parentals would enjoy). Nix on the Derby- no question -great music, equally entertaining lindy and balboa dancers to watch, and love the horseshoe bar (good martinis). Bands are primarily if not solely Jump Swing, and now only on Sunday nights (alas the Derby of the mid 90's swing surge has disappeared along with the Hollywood Athletic Club and other swing meccas)... The room can get crowded, esp. the front room... dance floor which is relatively small becomes almost competitive for the good dancers- if you don't have a table next to the floor, you won't be able to see the dancers...there's not much seating in the back room, they pipe the band music in, so you only hear them....my parents are good sports, love a good dance exhibition, but wouldn't consider it a "good ol' time". Hope it works out! www.pasjazz.org www.dalrae.com Sun Apr 29 09:41:54 -0700 2007 2524386 15170 Local 2 2525112 For Las Hadas, also think "disgusting food and lousy service". That place should not be allowed to serve the food that comes out of the kitchen...eventually, anyhow. What about the Sportsman's Lodge? (also not so great food) Sun Apr 29 10:23:55 -0700 2007 2525016 11201 Diana 3 2525142 dunno, but doesn't appear to be much traditional BB at Sportmen's these days... http://www.sportsmenslodge.com/special-events.htm Sun Apr 29 10:38:46 -0700 2007 2525112 15170 Local 4 2525700 one more thought... definitely all about the music but if the parentals are truly big band fans maybe this might be a reasonable alternative? http://lajazzinstitute.org/images/e1.pdf - single-event prices/times are on pg.6. Sun Apr 29 14:43:19 -0700 2007 2525142 15170 Local 1 2525724 The Sky Room in Long Beach used to have "big band" type entertainment a couple of years ago, I haven't been in a while, but it might be worth a call (http://www.theskyroom.com/). I believe that there is a "supper club" in Agoura Hills (The Canyon Club). They have a wide variety of live acts, some are "big band"/swing (Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, etc.) I've not been there personally, so maybe someone else on the board can provide feedback. Sun Apr 29 14:58:37 -0700 2007 2524386 26590 socalqtpi 1 2525728 ou know, it might be even better to get a pre-made picnic basket from a nice place (lots of fancy joints will do it, resteraunts, high en grocery stores, or places like the little next door) and get tickets for a great show at the bowl. I LOVE eating there whilst concert watching. Sun Apr 29 14:59:29 -0700 2007 2524386 11201 Diana 2 2525753 wow, we're on the same page- went to Pasadena Pops at Descanso- great location amongst the oaks, easy access, and tho' some take the opportunity to get dressed up, it's pretty casual...not big band, but still an enjoyable evening! and you can have Patina catering if you don't want to byo. http://www.pasadenapops.com/ Sun Apr 29 15:11:35 -0700 2007 2525728 15170 Local