WRCBtv.com | Chattanooga News, Weather & SportsCatch Big Band Fever Saturday Night!

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WRCB-TV) - It is that time of year again...time for romance and for the Chattanooga Symphony's Big Band Fever. It is an all-swing music concert and in the spirit, everyone from teens to seasoned-citizens are invited leave their seats to move to the music.

"It's music that dares you to stay still," said Director Robert Bernhardt. And, as luck would have it, there is plenty of room to move around.

The big band occupies one half the Tivoli stage, the other half is transformed into a dance floor. Concert-goers are invited up to show off their swing dance moves. "It's great to play this music," said the maestro, "but it's even greater to play it the way it was intended to be...for people to get involved."

What's that you say? Not a dancer? "Dancing is not required," Bernhardt said with a smile. "Nobody takes names."

When we stopped by the Friday afternoon, vocalist Neshawn Calloway was rehearsing "Stormy Weather" and "Our Love is Here to Stay," both songs considered standards, both first recorded in the 1930's. Yet, even in 2012, when one thinks romance, chances are a big band is providing the background music. How so? "First of all, it's an American invention," said Bernhardt. "It's swing music out of the heart of jazz." Just perfect for a Valentine's Day weekend concert.

The musicians are some of the best around and some of the same ones you see playing Mahler and Beethoven with the Chattanooga Symphony. "When they write the notes," Bernhardt explained, and at the top of it, they say 'swing'...either you know what to do or you don't." And year after year, this group proves they know exactly what to do.

What would the director say to people who have not already made plans for Saturday night? Come on out and get Big Band Fever! "If you've got a few pre-teens or teenage kids who don't think they're going to like anything the CSO does," he said, "this is different. This is meant to be moved to, so I'd say bring your family!"

If you missed big band fever Friday night, catch it Saturday night at the Tivoli Theatre on Broad Street at 8:00PM.

For more information, check out the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera website.