Video excerpts from the First Friday dance held April 4, 2014 at SAC Park in Shrewsbury, MA. Dan Gabel and the Abletones with vocalist Elise Roth.
by C. S. Imming.
“First Friday Swing” – Dancing to Dan Gabel and the Abletones, authentic 18-piece Big Band, SAC Park, 438 Lake St., Shrewsbury MA. Plenty of free parking. Conveniently located between route 9 and route 20. 7:00 dance lesson, 8:00-10:30pm listen and dance to New England’s favorite big band attraction!
$15 per person/$10 students. Singles and couples welcome
Large wooden dance floor, full cash bar, table seating, handicap accessible.
More info: www.theabletones.com Or from Dan Gabel: 774-280-1502
See you at the Imperial Ballroom in Mendon on April 25, and back at SAC again on May 2, 2014.
Dan Gabel and the Abeltones with vocalist Elise Roth, by C. S. Imming
Video excerpts from the First Friday dance held December 6, 2013 at SAC Park in Shrewsbury, MA. The band played Christmas songs, as well as familiar tunes from their play list. Even though it was a dark, rainy, cold night on the outside, inside it was hot and jumping.
By C. S. Imming
(please excuse some operator clumsiness due to no tripod)
NOTE: Marce is no longer driving at night on unfamiliar roads or in the rain. Many thanks to C. S. Imming for pictures and videos of the Abeltones at the Scandinavian Athletics Club in Shrewbury, on December 6th, First Friday of the month.
If you’d like to help, we welcome any comments and pictures of Traditional, Dixieland, and Big Band in the New England Area. Marce
The first thing you need to know is that Lake Street, Shrewsbury, is NOT on the Lake. If you can see the lake, you’re either in Worcester or on Quinsigamond Ave. in Shrewsbury. Lake St. comes off Route 9 at one end and Rt. 20 at the other end – where it sharply veers off away from the Lake.
A=Scandenavian Athletic Club on Lake Street Shrewsbury
Back in the 40’s, is was The Gazebo, and featured famous artists such as the Artie Shaw Orchestra. It was a fitting setting for Dan Gabel and The Abeltones on this First Friday, November 1, 2013. It’s a warm, friendly place, with large shiny, slippery, wood dance floor, and full bar; perfect for dancing, listening, mingling and sharing all things Big Band.
This was the premiere of the First Friday Series at SAC Park. They began with dance lessons. Being the day after Halloween, the musicians all wore costume hats and performed powerful music to a delighted crowd of Swing and Ballroom dancers. Swing, Ballads, Boogies, Cha Chas, Waltzes, Tangos, you name it – they played it, with a new splendid singer, vocalist Elise Roth.
Video by C.S. Imming
Bill Doyle, guitar
The Halloween set included Artie Shaw’s Nightmare, Nelson Riddle’s Witchcraft. Moon songs, Moon River,Blue Ray.
Will Bradley’s Orchestra recorded this swingin’ jazz tune in 1940 – Celery Stalks at Midnight. Drummer Jim Gancarz took the vocals, while Gabel took over the drums!
Bill Doyle’s nightmarish headset was flashing green lights.
Tunes were dedicated to the Red Sox’s winning team, who had just captured the World Series. Massachusetts, and a tune that Dan wrote, Live Free or Die. There was a terrific tenor sax duel between Ed Harlow and Mike ? on a tango, Sally’s Song. Dan changed the words to Everybody Loves Rhode Island to Everybody Loves the Red Sox.
He wrote Abletones’ Jive – cleverly introducing each musician. They will return on the first Friday of every month, sharing all things Big Band. If you can’t wait, check out their CDs.
