KARLA SHIRVANIAN | staff writer

The third annual “Swing Valentine Swing” took place at the Pomona Valley Mining Company Thursday evening. The night combined romantic atmosphere, good food, lively music, and a chance to raise money for a good program.

With a 180-degree view across the valley, the Pomona Valley Mining Company serves as a great location for a romantic Valentine’s Day Dinner. The event not only provided dinner for people who wanted to spend a nice night out with a significant other, but also provided a fundraising opportunity for the Azusa Pacific University Jazz Ensemble. The event is designed to help the students go on tour and provide supplementary equipment the ensemble might need.

The Ensemble is made up of 20 undergraduate and graduate students from APU. The night is different from usual ensemble performances because people not a part of the big band were given the opportunity to audition and sing with the ensemble. Music professor Leticia Ugwueke sang for the event.

Members of the Azusa community, as well as APU students were in attendance. It was a night of romance but there were also many there to show support for the singers and band members.

Support came from near and far. Carolyn Grover and her husband traveled five hours to see their daughter sing at the event.

People came for other varying reasons. There were those connected to the band in more ways than one.

“My fiancée is in the band and this is the way that I get to spend Valentine’s Day with him and I am here to support my school,” alumna Rebecca Sloat said.

There were several avenues of fundraising with all proceeds going directly to the Jazz Ensemble. The main source came through ticket sales with single tickets at $65 each and couples at $120 a pair. Another form of fundraising was through a 50/50 raffle, where those attending bought raffle tickets and at the end of the night the winning ticket took half of the collected money home in their pocket. Fresh roses were sold at the event.

The event was hosted by the Jazz Ensemble Director David Beatty. The night began promptly at 7 p.m. with a small jazz band playing background music while dinner was served. The meal was served in three courses. After the meal was completed, it was time for the main attraction.

The big band played two sets with alternating singers playing a variety of classics to more modern songs. People were timid to get out on the dance floor at first, but when Keisha Nugent sang “At Last” the seats were empty and the dance floor was filled. The dance floor was packed for the rest of the night. Before the final song, the raffle drawing took place. The winner walked away with $153 in his pocket. Although there was only one raffle winner, everyone left with smiles on their faces.

“I love the music, the food was good, and there’s a great spirit to the singers and dancers. It is not humdrum and people actually get up and dance with vim and vigor,” marriage and family counselor Claudine Johnson said.

In all, the night was easily deemed a success by both the host and those who attended.

“I would say it was a successful night. I was especially happy with how many people stayed until the last song,” Beatty said.