Abilene Wide Open: Swingin' Sweethearts celebrate Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day got an early start Saturday night at the Abilene Country Club.

"Swingin' Sweethearts" was a dinner-dance featuring the National Swing Band of Texas.

After cocktails and a dinner, the group of 100 or so couples kicked up their dress shoe, boots or high heels on the dance floor.

The musicians alternated between songs reminiscent of the Big Band Era - think Tommy Dorsey or Glenn Miller - and western swing numbers such as those played by Bob Wills or Ernest Tubb.

Occasionally, the full band would sit in on a western swing tune; at other times a band song would get a West Texas mashup, treating the audience to a new sound on a familiar song.

However they played it, both the audience and the band appeared to be having a good time.

This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Abilene Wide Open: Swingin' Sweethearts celebrate Valentine's Day