Mark Hoffman will keep busy this Oktoberfest.

In addition to performing with Lisa and Mojo Filter, Hoffman will play guitar and sing with jazz outfit Swing This! The group plays a collection of classics from the American song book in the acoustic swing style of guitarist Django Reinhardt and the Hot Club of France.

“I call it the American song book on steroids,” said Hoffman, a Syracuse Area Music Awards (SAMMY) Hall of Fame inductee.

Along with singer Becky Keefe-Fitzsimmons, five-time New York state fiddle champion Hal Casey, bassist Bob Purdy and drummer Garnet Grim, Hoffman plans to energize the Oktoberfest crowd at the Sherwood Inn this weekend.

“It's fairly high energy music, but an acoustic kind of energy,” he said. “Very toe-tapping and happy.”

Swing This! formed out on a foundation of shared passion for this style four years ago at an open mic night at Shifty's in Syracuse. Though the members have weathered a few lineup changes, together they've recorded several songs and expect to release some of their repertoire - which includes both covers and originals - in the near future.

The group sticks closely to the central New York area. As an alumni of Jam Factory, an Epic Records recording artist that toured across the country, Hoffman is relieved to cut down on his travel. But when he comes to Skaneateles with Swing This!, Hoffman expects to see other people moving.

“It appeals to a wide audience of old and young, and makes them want to dance,” he said. “We love to have people dance.”

David Wilcox

253-5311 ext. 245

david.wilcox@lee.net

If you go.

What: Oktoberfest

When: 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5

Where: Sherwood Inn, 26 W. Genesee St., Skaneateles

Cost: Free

Info: Call 685-3405