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New Monday HTTB Classes

Uptown Swing Dance

Registration is open for the next session of Monday classes. We have a new level 1 class, open to first time and returning students. The specialty topic featured in this session is breaks. How to do them, how to fit them in musically, and fun variations to add. For more experienced dancers, we’ve got a Lindy Hop class on Fast Dancing. There’s no reason to let those faster tempos keep you off the dance floor!

Classes will be starting on Monday, April 24 to leave April 10 open for the first day of Passover and April 17 open for Patriot’s Day.

Monday Classes, 6 weeks
April 24 - June 5 (no class on May 29)
Ruggles Baptist Church
874 Beacon Street
Boston (near Fenway Park) 

  • Lindy Hop Level 1 / Beginner Swing
    Featured topic for this session: breaks!
  • Lindy Hop Fast Dancing
  • Lindy Hop/Jazz Routine, Part 3 
    Rehearsal time! Stay after for extra practice.

Free parking available, as well as near public transportation. Singles and couples welcome. No partner needed as classes will rotate.

Register Now

Uptown Swing this Saturday with Brennen Ernst & The Roaming Tones!

Brennen Ernst and The Roaming Tones - Back Home Again in Indiana

Join us this Saturday, April 15 for Uptown Swing. This month features Brennen Ernst & The Roaming Tones, a young Jazz band based in Philadelphia, playing music from the ’30s and ’40s with a supremely danceable rhythm. Although some of the members have played for us in the past, including Brennen, the bandleader, this will be the first time for this particular group. The band’s excited, we’re excited, and we hope you will be as well!

  • Beginners welcome, no partner needed
  • Location: KI, 384 Harvard Street, Brookline, MA 02446
  • Band: Brennen Ernst & The Roaming Tones
  • Guest DJ: Stan Yen
  • Date: Saturday, April 15, 2017
  • Time: 8:30pm-12:00am
  • Lesson: 8:30-9:10pm
  • Admission: $18 ($14 with Student ID)
  • Parking: Town lots and street parking available. Some free after 6:00pm, others free after 8:00pm.

SPECIAL NOTE FOR THIS MONTH: KI has given us permission to use their beautiful venue for our dance during Passover week with the stipulation that absolutely no food or drinks be brought into the building. The only exception is bottled water. We will not be able to provide snacks this month or a jug for water. The only drinks for sale will be bottled water. It is permissible to bring your own bottled water. (NOT tap water in a personal water bottle!) It’s important that we respect KI’s restrictions and very much appreciate everyone’s cooperation so that we may have our dance this month. Thanks!

All levels are very welcome. A lesson is included to start off the night. Our venue, KI, is a beautiful, very large space conveniently located on Harvard Street, just a few blocks from Coolidge Corner in Brookline. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly!

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Gordon Webster's Indiegogo Campaign

Gordon Webster at Beantown Camp 2016

Gordon Webster has two new albums in the works and an Indiegogo Campaign to help make them happen!

Many of us in the Boston area have known Gordon for a long time and watched him grow into one of the most in demand musicians on the worldwide Lindy scene. Not only is he a superb musician and bandleader, he’s a super nice guy. We are fortunate to have him play in our area multiple times a year. He’s been a long time Beantown regular, and this year for the first time he’s on the instructor lineup, teaching some musicality classes. In more recent years, his band has been closing out the week with two fabulous nights of music. You always want to go out on a high note, and with Gordon, you know it will be magical!

Now is our chance to show Gordon some Lindy love and support! He has an Indiegogo campaign to raise the much needed funds to complete the production of his albums. Plus there are perks! Be sure to check it out, and if you would like to contribute, there are only 10 days left!

Next Uptown Swing with Brennen Ernst & The Roaming Tones

Brennen Ernst and The Roaming Tones

Uptown Swing will be back at KI on April 15 with a new addition to the lineup! Brennen Ernst & The Roaming Tones are a Jazz band based in Philadelphia, playing music from the ’30s and ’40s with a supremely danceable rhythm.

Bandleader Brennen Ernst, originally inspired by swing guitar luminaries such as Django Reinhardt and Charlie Christian, has been gaining recognition as one of the hardest swinging guitarists on the scene today. He was the guitarist in Solomon Douglas’ band for the last 2 years when they played at Uptown Swing. With Solomon off working for an Australian cruise line, we are looking forward to having Brennen back with his own band to play for us this year!

All levels are very welcome. A lesson is included to start off the night. Our venue, KI, is a beautiful, very large space conveniently located on Harvard Street, just a few blocks from Coolidge Corner in Brookline. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly!

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Uptown Swing this Saturday with Shawn Hershey, Josh Fialkoff & The Fried Bananas

Shawn Hershey, Josh Fialkoff and The Fried Bananas

The Fried Bananas was first assembled in 2006, right here in Boston, under the guidance of co-leaders Shawn Hershey and Josh Fialkoff, who are both dancers themselves. Together they carefully crafted the Bananas’ sound, drawing inspiration from Jazz greats like Louis Armstrong, Sidney Bechet, and Dr. Michael White. Since then, this versatile band has evolved to incorporate other swing influences from New Orleans to New York City, from the ’20s to the ’40s. So whether you’re looking to swing out or boogie back, The Fried Bananas has your back, and your dancing shoes.

  • Beginners welcome, no partner needed
  • Location: KI, 384 Harvard Street, Brookline, MA 02446  
  • Band: Shawn Hershey, Josh Fialkoff & The Fried Bananas
  • Guest DJ: Dang Mai
  • Date: Saturday, March 18, 2017
  • Time: 8:15pm-12:00am
  • Lesson: 8:15-9:00pm
  • Admission: $20 ($16 with Student ID)   
  • Parking: Town lots and street parking available. Some free after 6:00pm, others free after 8:00pm.

All levels are very welcome. A lesson is included to start off the night. Our venue, KI, is a beautiful, very large space conveniently located on Harvard Street, just a few blocks from Coolidge Corner in Brookline. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly!Buy Tickets Now

New HTTB Class Session is Up!

Uptown Swing Dance

It’s time already to start thinking about the next session of classes. The new schedule and registration for both our Boston and Newton locations are now up! We’ve got a nice mix of classes for all levels. Level 1 will have a focus on musicality and topics will include mixing 6 and 8 counts. For more experienced dancers, on Sundays we have a new class offering a mixed bag of moves, reflecting the wide variety of possibilities in Lindy Hop. Continuing on Mondays will be part 2 of the routine class. In this session, the focus will be on formation, teamwork and getting performance-ready.

Monday Classes: February 27 to April 3
Ruggles Baptist Church
874 Beacon Street, Boston (near Fenway Park)

Sunday Classes: March 5 to April 9
545 Grove Street, Newton Lower Falls

Class sessions are 6 weeks. No partner needed (except for the routine class) as classes will rotate. Couples and singles are welcome.

  • Lindy Hop Level 1/Beginner Swing (Boston & Newton)
    Featured Topics for this session: musicality, mixing 6s & 8s
    This class gets a mix of brand new dancers as well as continuing students. There are several different sessions at this level, each with new content, which can be taken in any order. Students are recommended to stay at this level long enough both to cover many of the important elements of Lindy Hop as well as to feel very comfortable with what’s taught before moving to the next level. The aim is to work on developing a solid foundation of dance skills while building a repertoire of moves for social dancing. Discount after 2 full sessions. No experience required.
  • Lindy Hop Variety Pack (Newton)
    Something very fun about Lindy Hop is the wide and unlimited opportunity for variations in your dancing. This session will feature a mixed bag of moves with an emphasis on partner connection to create them. Included will be rebounds in swing outs, a horse and cart into a medley of moves, and a classic Charleston with a twisty ending. Previous Lindy Hop experience is required, including knowledge of 8 count basics. (For intermediate and up.)
  • Lindy Hop/Jazz Routine, Part 2 (Boston)
    We’ve learned the routine and are moving to the next stage. The focus will be on performance, teamwork, formation and details, lots of details! This session requires attending with a partner. There will be opportunities to perform after the session is completed and that is what we’ll be aiming for. Performing requires practicing! Be prepared to practice as needed on your own time and in group rehearsals. It will take some commitment, and be challenging, but mostly it will be FUN!

Register Now

Next Uptown Swing Dance, Swing & Soul, February 18!

Soul Competition

Join us for the next Uptown Swing dance, featuring a special Swing & Soul event. Racky Thomas will be back to help you get your groove on. Guest DJ Sarah Elise is on board to handle the band breaks. Samuel Coleman will be teaching a special Soul dance class. Here’s your chance to let loose with some really fun music that makes you want to dance!

On Saturday, February 18, Uptown Swing will be hosting a special Swing & Soul Dance at KI in Brookline. The dance will feature the fabulous Racky Thomas Band and guest DJ Sarah Elise, bringing a great mix of fun get-up-and-dance music.

The evening will be starting off with a special lesson with guest instructor Samuel Coleman, joining us from NYC! Stay tuned for details on the lesson. It will be open to all and included with admission.

Grab a partner and participate in the Soul Competition! No advanced registration and no added fee to enter. This will be a fun competition open to anyone who would like to participate. There will be prizes!

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Providence Swings 12th Anniversary Dance

Providence SwingsHead on down this Saturday to Providence Swings’ Pre-Dirty Dozen, Dozen Year Birthday Bash! Now how can you miss that!

Providence Swings hosts very fun and friendly dances and this is sure to be a good one! Check out this great team of DJs: Daryl Begin from Providence, Dang Mai from Boston and Wil Reed from Connecticut.

A beginner lesson is included starting at 7:00pm.

Full information on Providence Swings

March-April Lindy Hop/Swing Class Session

Hop to the Beat classThe next session of classes is now up! Tony has a busy work travel schedule which we wanted to get set first before announcing the new classes. At least this year we’ve been free of the many class cancellations due to weather that we had last winter. Hopefully the rest of this one will continue the same!

The new 6 week Sunday class session in Newton Lower Falls will be starting on March 13 and run through April 24. There will be no classes on March 27, Easter Sunday.

The new 6 week Monday class session in Boston will be starting on March 14 and run through April 25. There will be no classes on April 18, Patriots’ Day.

Here is what’s on for this session:

  • Beginner Swing/Intro to Lindy Hop Level 1 (Newton & Boston)
  • Lindy Hop Level 2 (Newton only this session)
  • Lindy Hop/Jazz Routine Part 2 (Newton & Boston)

Free parking available in both locations as well as near public transportation. Singles and couples welcome. No partner necessary. Classes will rotate partners, except this session’s routine class.

Register NowFull class details.

Uptown Swing Dance with the Beantown Swing Orchestra

Beantown Swing OrchestraOn Saturday, February 20, Uptown Swing will be hosting the Beantown Swing Orchestra at KI in Brookline. The dance will also feature guest DJ Andrew Selzer.

Beantown Swing Orchestra specializes in the performance of vintage Swing Era and Sinatra classics as well as popular and original songs custom arranged for big band. Most of the musicians and songwriters/arrangers are in their twenties and play with the energy and drive to keep everyone moving on the dance floor. It’s always a fun night with BSO in the house!

KI is a beautiful venue located just a few blocks from Coolidge Corner in Brookline. The dance entrance is on Williams Street. With an excellent wood floor and huge space, there is plenty of room for your dancing pleasure. Bring friends!

Buy Tickets NowFull Uptown Swing details.

Join the Facebook dance event.

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