Artspectrum announces the 11th Motor City Jam featuring, the legendary, Norma Miller and Michigan premiere of Dreamtime Entertainment’s “The Queen of Swing” documentary.

Detroit, Michigan – April 10, 2007 – Artspectrum is pleased to announce the 11th presentation of  Motor City Jam (MCJ), a training ground for social and competitive dancers.

This year’s three-day event will be held on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, August 24, 25, 26, 2007 at the Doubletree Hotel, 5801 Southfield Rd at Ford Rd. in Detroit.

The weekend offers classes in Blues dancing, West Coast Swing, Lindy Hop, Club Ballroom and a special tap dance workshop.

Day, day-long, evening, weekend and individual tickets are available ranging in price from $5 to $99.

Call 313.790.2311 with questions and/or to purchase tickets or request a registration form be sent to you.

Logon to http://artspectrum.org, then click on the Motor City Jam logo for event details, online registration and downloadable forms.

Guests for this edition of Motor City Jam include:

Norma Miller has a newly released book called, Stompin’ at the Savoy: The Story of Norma Miller. 

The book chronicles a significant period of American cultural history. In the 1930 and ‘40s Norma was best known as a member of Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers, a group of dancers renown for performing an acrobatic styles of swing dance named after Charles Lindbergh’s “hop” across the Atlantic.

The second world war halted touring but Norma never stopped dancing. She is, also, an award-winning choreographer,  show producer, stand-up comedienne, and a television and film actress.

In 2003, the National Endowment for the Arts honored Norma with a National Heritage Fellowship, the highest form of  recognition for folk and traditional artists in America. Norma will be available for book signings and forum discussions on her memoirs and as yet untold experiences as a jazz dancer. Norma Miller at MCJ is funded in part by Michigan  Humanities Council, an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

The documentary, "The Queen of Swing," produced by Dreamtime Entertainment, will be shown at part of MCJ's schedule at 9:30 on Saturday, August 25.

Chester Whitmore is a teacher, choreographer, director and all-around entertainer. One of his teachers and mentors included the famous tap dancer Fayard Nicholas of the Nicholas Brothers. Chester has choreographed for the Commodores, Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Prince, the late Sammy Davis, Jr. as well as the 22nd NAACP Image Awards.

He has directed tributes to Lena Horne, Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, the Nicholas Brothers and Norma Miller.

This year Chester leads the two-day tap workshop which culminates in the Jam Showcase at 4pm on Sunday, August 26.

Andrea Deaton studied jazz,tap and ballet with Thommie Walsh (original "A Chorus Line" cast member, Joe Tremaine, award-winning choreographer and director Mallory Graham and while competing in Latin coached with Rick Valenzuela (from the "Dance With Me" cast). Andrea Andrea formed her own unique, sensual, funky style of West Coast Swing,  which has brought her the national acclaim as West Coast Swing dance champion and continues to win competitions
across the U.S. and abroad.

Paulette Brockington is a versatile performer who performs onstage, screen and television and does voice-over work.

She has competed in traditional ballroom, traditional Latin and swing dance competitions. She is winner of the 2004 World Swing Dance Championships West Coast Swing Jack and Jill, the 2000 Virginia State Open Swing Dance Championships Open Hustle Jack and Jill and the 2000 World Fast Dance Championship.

Peter Strom has been a featured instructor at dance camps and workshops over over the world. Also a champion dancer Peter been a winner of The American Lindy Hop Championships Classic Division and successfully competed at The  Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown, The U.S. Open Swing Dance Championships and many others.

Motor City Jam will host dancers from across the country.

It, also, gives spectators an opportunity to watch exciting dance contests and listen to some of Detroit’s  most popular bands du ring ev ening sessions. 

Larry Lee and the Back in the Day Band, scheduled for Friday, August 24, have been nominated as R&B Band of Year for 2005, 2006 and 2007 by the Detroit Music Awards. They were voted best live performance for 2006 by areas musicians, artists and entertainers. Dance party tickets for Larry Lee and the Saturday night band, TBA, are $20 per person in advance. Check web site for more information.

MCJ is looking for sponsors for its dance contests.

If interested please contact the event at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or by calling 313.790.2311.

Artspectrum is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Michigan which has produced many dance events including but not limited to the Detroit Dance Festival, Motor City Jam, The American Lindy Hop Championships,  The American Open, A Night at the Karaoke Opera and the Take Your Vitamins, Eat Your Wheaties dance weekend.

For details on this event and/or other Artspectrum events please logon to http://artspectrum.org for details on all of our events and to register or purchase merchandise.

For more information call 313.790.2311 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .