#TuesdayBluesDay 10.20.15 Begin the Beguine

What's Playing at the Flamingo?

This week's #TuesdayBluesDay suggestion came from me!

It's Girl Week, so I wanted to do something a little special.

Please feel free to include your contact information in your submissions, along with the hashtag #TuesdayBluesDay so I know what it's for!
You can submit them:

Here on the blog as a comment!

On Twitter @nonsteader!

Through fan mail on Tumblr!

Email me at nonsteader@gmail.com!

The Scene:

It's just after nine pm on rain-slicked October night in 1938. A couple is on a date for the evening, and they have arrived at the Flamingo Club NYC.

The dance floor is barren and the murmur over drinks is noticeable as an orchestra sets up on stage. Seeming a bit nervous, the band leader makes some last-minute adjustments. As the brass section finishes polishing their hardware, they take their seats. Drinks and conversation seem to lull as an attentive crowd faces the assembled men and instruments.

Our couple is in love and high on champagne. They happen to be standing, their coats and hats already checked, on the edge of the wooden square which extends out from the stage. The band skips the tuning, the front-man steps to the microphone and says in a pleasing tenor, "And now ladies and gentleman, our own version of Cole Porter's Begin the Beguine..."

He turns to cue the orchestra and our young lovers don't waste a moment. Music begins to swirl from the stage to the floor and they are drawn, smiling, out onto the sprung floor.

Let's listen in...

Artist: Artie Shaw, written by Cole Porter

Song: "Begin the Beguine"

Released: Recorded 1938

Chart: US No. 3

Label: Bluebird Records


http://ow.ly/TDVG2

#TuesdayBluesDay

Well, I've decided to open yet another new feature here on this blog... What's Playing at the Flamingo?

Every Tuesday, we will showcase a classic from 1929 to 1975. These will be songs that could have swept Archie Goodwin and Lily Rowen (or any number of willing suspects- er, partners) into a passionate embrace. They may be fast or slow, vocal or instrumental, well known, or hidden gem.

They will (attempt to) be songs that would have been heard in the fabulous dinner/dance clubs of NYC during this period of history. I know the real Flamingo was in London, but we're working with the fictional one created by Rex Stout.

I will try to make it historically accurate and even set the scene a little with some pictures if I can figure that out. We will call it #TuesdayBluesDay and I'll always be looking for suggestions over the weekends before each post.

If you danced the night away to a special song during this era, please let me know. Send a message here, Twitter, Tumblr, G+. Just use the hashtag so I know what it's for! Include artist, title and if possible where and when you heard it!

If you spend time watching shows set in this time-span, you probably have some great suggestions!

If you love the blues, jazz or big band, pick some favorites from that era and educate some youngsters!

If you love stockings, high heels and anything with some glamour, poke around for a song or two!

If you are all about all things noir, this is the perfect way to set the mood!

Please, ask your parents, your grandparents, aunts, uncles, whoever, and get those answers in!

Thank you in advance for helping me recreate this tiny slice of history.