Hop to the Beat's blog

Uptown Swing Dance this Saturday with the Solomon Douglas Quintet

Solomon DouglasCome on out to Uptown Swing this with the Solomon Douglas Quintet.  Solomon keeps a busy schedule playing at dances and events around the country and it will be a special treat to have him here right in our own backyard!

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.

Special 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 any 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!) We very much appreciate everyone’s cooperation so that we may enjoy this wonderful venue for our dance. Thanks!

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Full Uptown Swing details on website.

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Join 2nd Week of New Lindy Hop/Swing Classes

Frankie ManningIt is still possible to join the new session in the second week. This will be the last Newton session until September! Boston classes continue through the summer.

Classes include Beginner Swing/Intro to Lindy Hop Level 1 and Lindy Hop Level 2. These classes are offered both on Sunday evenings at the Newton Lower Falls Community Center and on Monday evenings at Ruggles Baptist Church in Boston.

For Sundays only, there is a new class for intermediate to advanced Lindy Hoppers on Frankie’s Favorites.  Included will be some Frankie stories and Frankie styling as we immerse ourselves in the joy that is Frankie Manning!

If you are planning to attend any of these classes and have not already done so, it is very helpful if you would submit an on-line registration to speed up check-in. You can pay in advance through PayPal or at the first class by cash, check or credit card. Thanks!

Free parking available in both locations as well as near public transportation. Singles and couples welcome. No partner necessary.

Full class details and schedule on website.

Register Now

April Uptown Swing Dance with the Solomon Douglas Quintet

Solomon DouglasWe are looking forward to Uptown Swing back at KI after a long break due to a snow cancellation and some scheduling issues. We are also happy to report that our upcoming dance schedule for the next year is overall looking good!

The next Uptown Swing dance will be on Saturday, April 19 with the Solomon Douglas Quintet. Solomon keeps a busy schedule playing at dances and events around the country and it will be a special treat to have him here right in our own backyard!

KI is one of the best venues for dancing in New England with its spacious smooth wood floor, wonderful room and excellent location. It has it all! Top that off with the fabulous Solomon Douglas this month, fun and friendly dancers, and you’ve got all the ingredients for an awesome night of Swing!

Buy Tickets Now

Full Uptown Swing details on website.

Join the Facebook event.

New Lindy Hop/Swing Classes this Week

Frankie ManningApril has arrived AND some actual signs of spring! The calendar is getting very busy with a lot of fun dance opportunities coming up.

New Hop to the Beat classes will be starting this week. Come check out our brand new floor in Newton! This will be the last session in this location until the fall. Boston classes will continue through the summer.

Special for this session is a new class of Frankie’s Favorites. There is no one who could light up a room quite like Frankie and we’ll be doing some of his classic moves and sharing the Lindy Love!

New classes start this Sunday, April 6 at the Lower Falls Community Center in Newton and this Monday, April 7 at Ruggles Baptist Church in Boston near Fenway Park. You do not need to attend with a partner for any of the classes.

  • Beginner Swing/Intro to Lindy Hop Level 1
    Appropriate for anyone starting out as well as those with some experience who are working on building a solid foundation of dance skills. Includes six count basics, an intro to eight count basics, along with a variety of fun steps to build your repertoire and get you out on the dance floor! Meets in both locations.
  • Lindy Hop Level 2
    For more intermediate level Swing dancers, some prior Lindy Hop experience is helpful. Eight and six count basics will be mixed along with a variety of classic Lindy Hop, newer variations, and a focus on partnering, technique and style. Meets in both locations.
  • Frankie’s Favorites
    Frankie Manning danced with passion and joy, something we all need in our lives. This class will feature classic moves from the man himself that every Lindy Hopper should know! Come share the Lindy love! For intermediate to advanced. Meets in Newton only.

If you are planning to attend any of these classes and have not already done so, it is very helpful if you would submit an on-line registration to speed up check-in. You can pay in advance through PayPal or at the first class by cash, check or credit card. Thanks!

Free parking available in both locations as well as near public transportation. Singles and couples welcome.

Full class details and schedule on website.

Register Now

Frankie Manning 100th Birthday Celebration

Frankie Manning
Frankie Manning leading the Shim Sham during a Hop to the Beat Dance at the Cambridge Friends School in 2005.

This May, Lindy Hoppers around the world will be celebrating Frankie Manning’s 100th birthday. Uptown Swing will be hosting a local celebration on May 10th and welcome all dancers to join in!

All profits from the dance will go to the Frankie Manning Foundation.

Get ready for some Shim Sham, Big Apple, and a joyful night of dancing!

Buy Tickets NowUptown Swing details on website.

New Lindy Hop/Swing Classes

Hop to the Beat ClassThe next session begins on Sunday, April 6 in Newton Lower Falls and Monday, April 7 in Boston. Classes have a relaxed atmosphere, are good exercise, and a fun opportunity to meet people!

  • Beginner Swing/Intro to Lindy Hop Level 1
    Appropriate for anyone starting out as well as those with some experience who are working on building a solid foundation of dance skills. Includes six count basics, an intro to eight count basics, along with a variety of fun steps to build your repertoire and get you out on the dance floor! Meets in both locations.
  • Lindy Hop Level 2
    For more intermediate level Swing dancers, some prior Lindy Hop experience is helpful. Eight and six count basics will be mixed along with a variety of classic Lindy Hop, newer variations, and a focus on partnering, technique and style. Meets in both locations.
  • Frankie’s Favorites
    Frankie Manning danced with passion and joy, something we all need in our lives. This class will feature classic moves from the man himself that every Lindy Hopper should know! Come share the Lindy love! For intermediate to advanced. Meets in Newton only.

Free parking available in both locations as well as near public transportation. Singles and couples welcome. No partner necessary.

Full class details on website.

Register Now

Frankie Manning 100th Birthday Celebration

Frankie Manning
Frankie Manning leading the Shim Sham during a Hop to the Beat Dance at the Cambridge Friends School in 2005.

The special Swing & Soul night at Uptown Swing was super fun! Racky Thomas provided excellent music, we danced the Electric Slide to Soul music, and the room was filled with happy faces. Thanks for the wonderful feedback! We’ll have to do it again.

This May, Lindy Hoppers around the world will be celebrating Frankie Manning’s 100th birthday. Uptown Swing will be hosting a local celebration on May 10th and welcome all dancers to join in!

All profits from the dance will go to the Frankie Manning Foundation.

Details to come!

Buy Tickets NowFull Uptown Swing details on website.

Uptown Swing cancelled tonight, Feb 15 due to snow storm

Uptown Swing DanceWe are very disappointed to report that Uptown Swing is cancelled for tonight. We’ve been in touch for weeks with Beantown Swing Orchestra and they were planning an excellent night for us. Mother nature is once again not cooperating.

Very sorry for all of those planning to come tonight and we hope to reschedule the band for another evening.

Our next dance will be a special Swing & Soul night on March 1st, held at Extreme Dancesport in Cambridge. Hope to see you there!

Stay warm and safe and enjoy your evening.

February Uptown Swing Dance with Beantown Swing Orchestra

Uptown Swing DanceThe next Uptown Swing dance will be on Saturday, February 15 with the Beantown Swing Orchestra. This is Big Band Swing at its finest! Most of the BSO musicians and songwriters/ arrangers are in their twenties and play with the energy and drive to keep everyone moving on the dance floor. What a special treat to have this wonderful big band back at Uptown Swing!

Full Uptown Swing details on website.

Join the Facebook event.

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