LOXLEY, Alabama — With a little bit of rhythm and a lot of soul, the City Rhythm Big Band will kick off its 2011-12 season on Saturday with an “Autumn Leaves Dance,” at the Loxley Civic Center.

The 18-piece band was formed in the fall of 2004 by Joey Knight, former band director for Robertsdale High School, now director of the Loxley Civic Center, and Dale BeVier, who served for years as the band’s manager and director.

The band is currently under the direction of Silverhill resident, RHS graduate and Golden Bear Marching Band alumnus Bill Clark.

The band rehearses on the first and third Monday of every month and anyone is welcome to come out and join the rehearsals, Knight said.

“We have a few regulars and a few who come out and rehearse with the band on a regular basis and are available to fill in whenever needed,” he said, “but anyone is welcome to join in.”

While there are a few smaller bands around, Knight said, as far as he knows, City Rhythm is the only full 18-piece band in the area playing a mix of big band music of the 1940s, Jazz, swing and ballroom style music. While they call Loxley home and rehearse at the Loxley Civic Center, they are available for dances, parties and special events. They have played for Honor Flight, at Civic Centers in Fairhope, Daphne and Mobile and at Foley’s Heritage Park, among other venues, Knight said.

Additional dances for this season are, Dec. 10, Christmas Dance; Jan. 21, Winter Dance; Feb. 11, Sweetheart Dance; March 17, March Dance; April 7, Spring Fling Dance; and May 19, May Flowers Dance.

All dances are held from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Loxley Civic Center. For more information visit http://www.cityrhythmbb.com, contact Clark at 251-945-7777 or the Loxley Civic Center, 251-964-4995 or 251-964-7733.