It’s Beantown’s 17th yearand of course we have to make it the most awesome ever! With the stellar line-up of bands and DJs, it’s a can’t miss!

The week kicks off with the fabulous Baby Soda Jazz Band from NYC! It may be their first Beantown appearance, but we love them here in New England and can’t wait to share them with our Beantown friends!

Next we have the return of Jonathan Stout and his Campus Five! Not just one night, but for two! This year the truly wonderful and versatile Naomi Uyama will be the guest vocalist. There was no question after last year that we had to bring them back as this band knows how to rock the house!

Rounding out the live music will be Gordon Webster, a Beantown favorite! New this year, the Gordon Webster Quartet will be playing on Tuesday night for a special evening in the Lodge. On Wednesday night we’ll be celebrating another amazing week of Beantown Camp with the Gordon Webster Band featuring Naomi Uyama on vocals and special guest Mike “Falty” Faltesek.

Five nights of fabulous live music! That’s a lot to be excited about! But there’s more…

Allen Kerr will be running our DJ booth with an excellent crew which includes Mary Freitag, Joanna Lucero, Dan Newsome, Jesse Hanus, and Alain Wong! In addition, Peter Strom will be back hosting a late night Soul Party, a not-to-be-missed Beantown highlight!

Camp runs from June 27 to July 4 with multiple registration options. Join us for an amazing dance vacation. Register by May 31 to get the last discount prices!

The website continues to be updated with the latest info. Check out all the details.

If you were at Beantown last year, there is a good chance that you met Joshua Mclean. He was one of our Frankie Foundation Lindy Hop Ambassador Scholarship Winners. If there is anyone that exudes the joy of Lindy Hop, that would be Josh! He is currently a high school senior and is raising funds for a combined trip to Beantown as well as for a visit to Morehouse College where he has been accepted.

Go HERE to read more about Josh’s story and help fund his trip.

The Early Bird discount for camp registration expires on Tuesday, April 30. Payment (deposit or full) must be received by that date to qualify! Come to Beantown for a dance vacation! Everything you need is included on campus. No need for a car. No need to figure out where to eat. Immerse yourself in dancing, friends and having an amazing time. The setting is beautiful, right on the shore just north of Boston. World class instructors, incredible dancers, top bands, performances and entertainment, competitions and SO MUCH MORE!!!

Join us for our 17th year! There are multiple housing choices to choose from whether you want a single, double (2 beds) or to coordinate with a group of people.

Camp runs from June 27 to July 4 with multiple registration options. If you have always wanted to come to Beantown, this will be a phenomenal year to do so. If you’ve never done the full week, what better time than now? You will be glad you did!

The website continues to be updated with the latest info.

Full Camp Information & Registration

If you are planning to attend, please respond on the Beantown Facebook event page if you have not already done so. Thanks!

Our new 6 week session starts this Sunday, April 21 at the Lower Falls Community Center in Newton and this Monday, April 22 at Ruggles Baptist Church in Boston near Fenway Park. You do not need to attend with a partner for any of the classes. Here is what’s coming up:

• Beginner Swing/Intro to Lindy Hop: This class is for brand new dancers, those with some experience, and continuing students who would like to build a stronger foundation and gain more confidence on the dance floor. Six count basics are covered along with a different selection of fun steps each session. There are 7 different sessions at this level, which can be taken in any order, providing the opportunity to develop a good base for social dancing while continuing to refine lead-follow skills. If you have any friends who have been wanting to get started, please send them along! This class meets in both Newton and Boston.
• Lindy Hop Level 2: This class is aimed at intermediate level Swing dancers who can already comfortably social dance any style of triple-step Swing. It is not necessary to already know Lindy Hop to get started. The class focuses on core moves, including a mix of 8 and 6 count basics, emphasizing technique, lead-follow connection and musicality. There are 8 different sessions at this level which continually change over time and can be taken in any order. Each session includes a mix of classic Charleston and newer variations. This class meets in Newton and Boston.
• Variations Aplenty!: This is a new class aimed at more experienced Lindy Hop dancers and meets in the Newton location only. We’ll take fundamental moves such as swing outs, underarm turn, Texas Tommy and passes, adding twists and turns to create something new and unexpected. Included will be both classic and new footwork variations for swing outs. If you like to work on rhythm variations and new ways to change up your Lindy Hop, this will be a great class for you!

This is our last class session before Beantown Camp!

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.

Full details and registration.

Coming up this Saturday, April 20 is the monthly Boston Swing Dance Network dance. The BSDN dance is Boston’s biggest and longest running dance, bringing us live music for 26 years! This month features the Toni Lynn Washington Band, always playing an excellent night of Swing!

Boston Swing Dance Network dance information.