What's On The Menu?

I've been meaning to post this site for some time.  The New York Public Library has collected and scanned hundreds of menus dating from the 1850s to the 2000s.  The collection includes menus from restaurants, cafes, hotels, events, and the transportation industry.  This 1939 menu is from the Southern Pacific Railroad, so you can see how passengers on its trains dined, as well as what they paid.  There is a lot of interesting history in this collection, not only in the food, but also in the artwork. 

Sunrise Serenade: Give Me Some Skin

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Give Me Some Skin" by Lionel Hampton.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line. 

Paylist For April 22, 2015

The playlist for the April 22, 2015 broadcast of the Swing Shift Shuffle has now been added to the playlist filing cabinet.  

Former Harlem Dancer, Age 102, Sees Herself In Soundies

Boing Boing posted this item yesterday, and it is one of those things I could not delay sharing.  Ms. Alice Barker was a chorus dancer in Harlem during the heyday of the Swing Era.  She appeared in some Soundies, but had never actually seen the finished films.  In this video, Ms. Barker, who turned 102 in 2014, sees her film performances for the first time.  My favorite part is when she names the song - "Don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing."  A wonderful video. 

Sunrise Serenade: Swing Down Chariot

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Swing Down Chariot" by the Golden Gate Quartet.  Enjoy the video from YouTube. 

Sunrise Serenade: Swing Low, Sweet Chariot

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" by the Casa Loma Orchestra.  Click on the song title for a sample from emusic, or click here for the album page.

Red Hot Lindy Hops On

The Red Hot Lindy Hop lesson and session continues at the Rumba Room this Friday night.  Free beginner lesson at 7:00 p.m.  Free admission before 7:00 and $5 thereafter.  Dress like you are going out!

Rumba Room

303 South Main

Memphis, TN 38103

The Tiger Rag lessons and guided practice sessions are back at the Madison Dance Studio in Minglewood Plaza, 1555 Madison Ave Memphis, TN 38104.  Learn more and register here. 

Sunrise Serenade: Down By The Ohio

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Down By The Ohio" by the Andrews Sisters.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line. 

Hollywood Actress Cigarette Cards

A pack of smokes and a Hollywood starlet - what more do you need?  Retrogasm posted this collection of tobacco cards produced by Player's Cigarettes in the early 1930's, each of which features a painting of a Hollywood actress, the studio that had her under contract, and a brief biography.  This particular set of cards includes some very big names who were still relatively early in their careers when these cards came out.  This card shows Carole Lombard, and notes that she married actor William Powell (The Thin Man) in 1931.  Also included in this set are Marlene Dietrich, Jean Harlow, Myrna Loy (speaking of The Thin Man), Barbara Stanwyck, Katherine Hepburn, and Ginger Rogers.

Sunrise Serenade: Oh Baby, Sweet Baby (What Are You Doing to Me?)

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Oh Baby, Sweet Baby (What Are You Doing to Me?)" by Fats Waller.  Enjoy the video from YouTube.