Yes, it is August, but we still have some wonderful summertime left! We’ve been lucky this year with lots of great weather to keep us smiling. Hope everyone has found opportunities to get out and enjoy! Life is so crazy busy these days and we can’t neglect to take some time to rejuvenate and relax.

We have been having a lot of fun with our Monday class session in Boston this summer. Although we are not quite ready to be concentrating on September, we did want to announce that our new classes are now up and we’ll be back to our schedule of Sunday and Monday classes. The new 6 week session starts Sunday nights on September 9 in Newton Lower Falls and Monday nights on September 10 at Ruggles Church (near Fenway Park). There are classes for all levels, no partners required.

Here’s what’s up for the next session:

• Beginner Swing/Intro to Lindy Hop Level 1: For those who are brand new to Swing dancing, this is the place to start! Also ideal for those with some experience who would like to brush up on skills and build a repertoire of fun moves. Six count basics will be covered along with a different selection of steps each session providing a foundation of the basic elements of Lindy Hop such as rhythm, style and partner connection. There are 7 different sessions at this level building a good base for social dancing. Level 1 classes may be taken in any order. It is recommended that students stay at this level long enough to feel very comfortable with the material taught before moving to Level 2. Discount after 2 sessions. No experience or partner required. This class meets in both Newton and Boston.
• Lindy Hop Level 2: Level 2 focuses on the core fundamentals of Lindy Hop, including a mix of 8 and 6 count basics. Emphasis is on technique, partner connection, musicality and building skills. No previous Lindy Hop experience required, although must competently social dance any style of triple-step Swing. There are 8 different sessions at this level which continually change over time and can be taken in any order. Each session includes a range of classic Charleston to newer variations, all with a touch of flash! Discount after 2 sessions. No partner required. This class meets in both Newton and Boston.
• Interesting, Fun and Fancy Turns: This new class features a variety of moves from open and from closed which include the element of turning for follows, leads and sometimes both. We’ll be moving in and out, twisting and turning and passing while working on connecting with flow, stretch and momentum. (All that good stuff!) For experienced Lindy Hop dancers with solid basics, no partner required. This class meets on Sundays in Newton.

Full details and registration.

Summer is certainly here and we hope that everyone is getting out and enjoying the weather. This time of year we often get distracted with other activities, but there is still plenty of fun dancing to be had in the Boston area! Check out the regular venues which continue to run through the summer and the special outdoor concerts and events that may bring some different opportunities to get your groove on.

Our new 6 week session of Lindy Hop classes started Monday and it is still possible to join in the 2nd week. Classes for this session include Beginner Swing/Intro to Lindy Hop Level 1 and Lindy Hop Level 2. They are offered on Monday evenings at the Ruggles Baptist Church near Fenway Park in Boston.

Both classes were close to balanced on the first evening. We have a nice mix of new and returning students and are looking forward to a fun session!

Please let us know if you are planning on joining either of the classes or submit an on-line registration. Thanks!

Class information and registration.

This will be our only summer class session. In September we’ll be back at Newton on Sundays and continuing in Boston on Mondays.

We are just back from Beantown Camp, catching up on sleep and sorting through the camp follow up. The entire week has once again exceeded expectations and we’ll have more to say once we’ve got our thoughts together.

Our summer session starts this Monday, July 9 in Boston! The session meets for 6 weeks and includes Beginner Swing/Intro to Lindy Hop Level 1 and Lindy Hop Level 2. Each class is followed by a half hour practice time, a fun time to work with classmates on what you just learned. The location is the Ruggles Baptist Church on Beacon Street near Fenway Park (just at the Boston/Brookline border), close to several public transportation choices. Street parking is available as well as in the church lot.

Class information and registration.

This will be our only session this summer. Sundays in Newton will resume in September.

Our next monthly Uptown Swing dance at Brookline Tai Chi will be on Saturday, July 21 featuring The Love Dogs, always a fun time! The music will be great for Lindy Hop, Swing, Balboa and even some Blues. BTC has a wonderful smooth wood floor perfect for dancing and AC to beat the summer heat.

Uptown Swing Dance information.

Some of you may know Guy Ben-Aharon from Uptown Swing, but you might not know that he is a producer/director of a brand new musical! We went to the show this past weekend with some friends and we all loved it! The cast is excellent and the show is full of laughs. It runs through June 24 at Club Café in Boston. Now that we are unofficially in summer, Cupcake will get you in that summertime spirit. Here is more info:

Cupcake is a flirty love-letter to Summertown, a free-spirited seaside resort where every mouth waters for Tom and his irresistible cupcakes. But rookie Officer Stone, looking hot in his spotless uniform, is on the prowl: the law clearly states that street sales of food are taboo. The locals, especially the hunky Lifeguard and the sexy-nerdy Librarian, relish Tom’s contraband cupcakes and help their adored baker boy avoid arrest. If anyone is going to get their hunger satisfied, they’d better hurry: this is Summertown, and the short, short season is almost at an end.

Guy Ben-Aharon (Israeli Stage) produced/directed the world premiere of this new musical by Bradley Seeman, Michael Wartofsky (CAR TALK: THE MUSICAL!!!), David Reiffel, featuring Karen MacDonald (A.R.T. Founding Member), Mark Linehan (New Rep favorite), Grant MacDermott (Lyric Stage favorite) and the up-and-coming talent Max Sangerman and Hallie Brevetti.

Cupcake is playing at Club Café Boston through June 24, 2012. Tickets at: www.cupcakethemusical.com