Another year gone by and here we are in 2015! The past year was full of challenges, amazing high points and the joy that comes with including dance as a way of life. Most of all we are grateful for all the wonderful people we have met, friends we’ve made, and times we’ve shared with our incredible worldwide dance community.

As the year started, we had to deal with a lot of snow, always seeming to fall just in time to disrupt our monthly Uptown Swing dance. We did make up for it at Beantown Camp in June when we had the most beautiful weather ever for our entire week at Endicott College.

All year long we celebrated Frankie Manning’s 100th birthday. The highlight was the celebration in NYC, Frankie 100, bringing together Lindy Hoppers from 47 countries and over 2000 in attendance. It was an absolutely spectacular event, more than we could have imagined. Plus a phenomenal reunion, meeting up with people we had met back in our earliest days and a reminder of so many fabulous experiences we have had over the years. Plus of course immersing in everything Frankie! It was so uplifting, celebrating the life and legacy of a truly exceptional individual.

The first half of the year was largely occupied with preparing for Beantown Camp. Every year brings its challenges, and this one was no exception, especially figuring out how to compensate with the loss of our main dance space and dining hall due to major renovations underway. In addition, we were filled with plans to complete for our own week long tribute to Frankie. One way or another, and with help from some of our wonderful friends, it all worked out to be an absolutely glorious week, embodying all the heart, soul and joy that makes it all worthwhile.

The year closed out with another fantastic Skye-Naomi-Gordon, weekend, somehow seeming even better than ever. We couldn’t have ended our dance year on a higher note, full of friends, fun, inspiration, spirit and sheer bliss!

The new year provides a chance to re-energize and we’re looking forward to the great adventures that 2015 will bring.

On Saturday, February 21, 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 Javier Johnson, bringing a great mix of fun get-up-and-dance music.

In addition to Uptown Swing, there will be 2 workshops on Saturday afternoon with Javier to get the Swing & Soul vibe rolling. Workshops will be held at Ruggles Baptist Church on Beacon Street in Boston, not far from the dance location.

• A. 3:15-4:15pm Diggin’ on James Brown
  Not only a great bandleader, but a superb dancer, James Brown is a huge inspiration. His funky songs have interesting rhythms and influences which go beyond the standard Swing/Blues formula. We’ll learn to dance like James and really get down.
• B. 4:30-5:30pm Awesome Sauce
  (noun): The thing which transforms average into awesome. This class will show you how to take simple dance movement ingredients and make them into an awesome partnered dance.

Workshop details and registration.

Join the Facebook workshop event.

Come on out this Saturday, November 29 to Uptown Swing Dance. We are thrilled to have back the very fabulous Gordon Webster Band with the beautiful vocals of Naomi Uyama! Naomi’s first time singing with Gordon’s band was at Uptown Swing during the first Skye & Naomi weekend in 2008. It is a tremendous pleasure to have them back for the 7th year.

Also featured during the evening will be a performance with Skye & Naomi and a surprise opening act! Special for this dance, Uptown Swing has been extended to run until 12:30am.

• Beginners welcome, no partner needed
• Location: KI, 384 Harvard Street, Brookline, MA 02446 (Entrance on Williams Street!) 
• Band: Gordon Webster Band
• Guest DJ: Paul Loschak
• Date: Saturday, November 29, 2014
• Time: 8:15pm-12:30am
• Swing 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.

If you are planning to attend, please respond on the Uptown Swing Facebook Event page. Thanks!

Uptown Swing Dance information and directions.

Come on out this Saturday to Uptown Swing with the entertaining and energetic Sax Gordon Band. It’s always a good night when Sax Gordon is in the house!

The atmosphere is fun and friendly and beginners are very welcome! KI is a beautiful large space with a smooth wood floor and a convenient location on Harvard Street in Brookline (entrance on Williams Street). For those taking the T, it is close to both Coolidge Corner and Harvard Ave stops on the Green Line. If you want to come early for dinner or a drink, there are plenty of places nearby. Parking is free after 8:00pm (some areas after 6:00pm) and there is plenty of street parking and several town lots in the vicinity.

Bring your friends and introduce them to the joy of dancing!

• Beginners welcome, no partner needed
• Location: KI, 384 Harvard Street, Brookline, MA 02446 (Entrance on Williams Street!)
• Band: Sax Gordon Band
• Date: Saturday, November 15, 2014
• Time: 8:15pm-12:00am
• Swing Lesson: 8:15-9:00pm
• Admission: $17 ($13 with Student ID)
• Parking: Town lots and street parking available. Some free after 6:00pm, others free after 8:00pm.

If you are planning to attend, please respond on the Uptown Swing Facebook Event page. Thanks!

Uptown Swing Dance information and directions.

This fall will mark 2 years since Uptown Swing moved to KI for our monthly dance. We feel very fortunate to have this beautiful space with one of the largest dance floors in New England, plus an excellent location near Coolidge Corner in Brookline. Starting in July, the rent is going up significantly, almost double the current rate. It would be a shame for the Boston community to lose this exceptional venue. Although this necessitates an increase in our dance admission, we will continue to keep our prices as low as feasible. The price will vary depending on the band, with out-of-town and larger bands at the higher end. With your support, we’ll be able to continue to provide many more fun nights at Uptown Swing!