The Swing Shift Shuffle is a radio program of swing, big band, jazz, boogie woogie and other popular music from the 1930's and 40's that airs every Wednesday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. (US Central Time) on WEVL 89.9 FM in Memphis, Tennessee, with a live webcast at wevl.org. In addition to the radio show, this blog is dedicated to all aspects of the Swing Era, including art, automobiles, cartoons, comics, history, movies, music, news, science, technology, and anything else that happened during that time. It also includes announcements about events in the Memphis/Mid-South area related to the Swing Era, such as classic movies, concerts, dances, lectures, etc. If you see something that fits the description, send it to me at tim@wevl.org. If you would like more information about the radio show, just go to the Radio Show FAQ page.

Monday, December 14, 2009

Music and Holiday Merriment at Otherlands

The Side Street Steppers and the Bluff City Backsliders will be playing at Otherlands on Friday, December 18, 2009, 8:00 p.m.  Admission is $7. 

As an added treat, Memphis' own 1940's-inspired burlesque and pin-up troupe, the Memphis Belles, will have a Winter Wonderland photo station so you can have your picture taken with your favorite Belle in swing era holiday style. 

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Tom and Jerry (but not THAT "Tom and Jerry") in Barnyard Bunk

As do many of the early animated shorts, this one ranks fairly high on the weird-o-meter when compared to the classic cartoons of later years.  The original names of these characters were Tom and Jerry, not Dick and Larry as the title card indicates.  Apparently, Van Beuren Studios re-released the 1930s cartoons featuring these decidedly non-cat and mouse characters in the 1950s with different names.  Gee, I wonder why?  Anyway, demonstrating that music does have power to change lives (one way or another), from the Internet Archive and 1932, here are "Tom and Jerry" in Barnyard Bunk.

Friday, December 11, 2009

Dinner and a Movie at the Majestic Grill

The holidays get so busy I miss good things.  I almost missed posting about the Majestic Grille's "Sunday Suppers and a Movie" series, running through December 20.  I confess I have yet to attend one of these events, but it certainly looks appetizing on several levels.  The special menu below is available at 6:30 p.m., and the movie starts at 7:00 p.m. 

Sunday, December 13, 2009
Christmas in Connecticut starring Barbara Stanwyck
- Grilled Romaine Salad with charred red onions and 1000 island dressing
- Roasted Lamb Sirloin with rosemary roasted potatoes, sun-dried cranberry sauce
- Garlic Mashed Potatoes
- Broccoli Rabe
- Apple Strudel with vanilla ice cream and cinnamon sugar
$24.95

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Playlist for December 9, 2009

Click HERE for the Swing Shift Shuffle playlist from last night's show.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Lindy Hop Friday

The weekly Red Hot Lindy Hop lesson and session continues this Friday. 

This Friday, December 11, 2009:
Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Free admission before 7:00 p.m., $5 after 7:00 p.m.
Free dance lesson at 7:00 p.m. with Kirk and Erin, followed with music by DJ Alexis until 9:30 p.m.  Salsa at 9:30 p.m.

303 South Main Street
Memphis, TN 38103

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

The More the Merrier on TCM

As always, Turner Classic Movies has some nice, swing era classics this week, but I had to mention The More the Merrier.  I saw it earlier this year, and it is a charming, feel good comedy.  It has Jean Arthur as cute as she can be, and Charles Coburn in his mischevious, but good natured, old-fogey mode. 

The More the Merrier (1943) - The World War II housing shortage brings three people together for an unlikely romance.  Cast: Jean Arthur, Joel McCrea, Charles Coburn, Richard Gaines Dir: George Stevens BW-104 mins, TV-G

Monday, December 7, 2009

"A date that will live in infamy"

Sixty-eight years ago today, Japanese planes attacked U.S. military installations in and around Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; brining the United States into World War II.  The Library of Congress American Memory site has a wide variety of information on this world-changing event, many of which are included on the Today in History page marking the date. 

Photo:  Left to right: USS West Virginia, severely damaged; USS Tennessee, damaged; and USS Arizona, sunk.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Playlist for December 2, 2009

Click HERE for the Swing Shift Shuffle playlist from last night's show.

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving! Break Time!

Happy Thanksgiving!  For your holiday approval, with contributions from the Depression Era to World War II Collection of the Library of Congress American Memory site:  my own personal "Thanksgiving Pilgrims Progress."


Get the food.  Don't you wish these 1940 prices were still around?







Eat the food.  Big crew!









Sleep it off.

Speaking of rest, due to all the craziness of the holidays, I'll be taking a brief break from the daily Shuffle posting for a week, but I'll be back; and there will still be a few posts next week. 

I hope you have a happy and safe start to your holiday season.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Playlist for November 25, 2009

Click HERE for the Swing Shift Shuffle playlist from last night's show.