Lexington United Methodist Church to host Big Band Dance in support of Mission Lexington

October 6, 2021

Lexington United Methodist Church invites you to a night of music and dance to support Mission Lexington from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on October 25, 2021 at Lexington United Methodist Church’s Wesley Hall. Tickets for the Big Band Dance are $10 and can be purchased at https://missionlexingtonsc.org/.

The Big Band Dance will include performances from The Charlie Gatch Big Band, The Swing Set Band, and demonstrations of ballroom and shag by local dancer, Tracy Steele and his team. The dress code for this event is dressy casual. Desserts and refreshments are available for purchase.

“Partnerships with our churches are vital to our mission,” says Executive Director Robin Bowers. “All proceeds of this event will impact the basic needs of some of our Lexington neighbors who are in crisis.”

Organized in the 1950s, the Charlie Gatch Big Band is composed of sixteen musicians and features two singers. Formerly known as the Jimmy Farr Orchestra, the ensemble is led by LUMC member and retired principal of Lexington Middle School, Charles Gatch. Attendees can expect performances of songs from the 40’s and 50’s of the traditional big band era, favorites from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s, and of course, classic beach music. The Charlie Gatch Big Band continues the tradition of the Jimmy Farr Orchestra of performing for Governor McMaster’s inaugural ball.

The Swing Set Band is a nine-member variety band that plays similar music as the Charlie Gatch Big Band, but emphasizes more up-to-date music and rock and roll. Over the last ten or more years this band has performed for dances, wedding receptions, and other events from North Carolina to Texas.

Tracy Steele, former member of LUMC, has been a professional ballroom dance instructor for twenty years. Steele has taught and competed in over fifteen types of partnered dance, such as waltz, tango, salsa, and swing. He has performed in and or choreographed over fifty productions for various Columbia theaters. Steele will be choreographing Town Theater’s production of “Jekyll & Hyde” this Spring.

 

About Mission Lexington

Mission Lexington is the hub of care for Lexington County, assisting families and individuals with basic human needs (food, shelter and clothing), resources, and guidance. We meet over 30,000 needs in Lexington County each year, ranging from helping an elderly couple with food to funeral expenses for a child. Our partner network includes local businesses and government agencies, corporations, organizations, individuals and more than 65 member churches who sustain our vision daily. To learn more, visit www.missionlexingtonsc.org or call us at (803) 957-6656.

 

About Lexington United Methodist Church

Lexington United Methodist Church celebrates a long history of “Living God’s Word and Sharing God’s Love” within the Lexington community, and beyond!  With willing hearts and enthusiastic spirits, the lay leadership and staff of Lexington UMC strive to offer uplifting worship experiences, inspiring Sunday School opportunities, enlightening Adult studies, powerful music ministries, a diversity of spiritual growth opportunities, along with a multiplicity of caring and compassionate outreach ministries, including an ongoing partnership with Mission Lexington!  Through our  webpage, www.lexumcsc.com we invite you to check out all of the exciting and inspired ways the people of LUMC are serving as the hands and feet of Jesus Christ to our surrounding community, and even to the world!  And of course, most importantly of all, we invite you to join us for one of our three spiritually enriching worship services on Sunday mornings – we meet at 8:30am and 11am in the sanctuary, and also at 11am in Wesley Hall.  Live streaming of our services is available as well.