Our new 6 week session starts this Sunday, February 26 at the Newton Lower Falls Community Center in Newton and this Monday, February 27 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 learn new steps. 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. The class focuses on core moves, including a mix of 8 and 6 count basics, emphasizing technique and lead-follow connection. 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 moves and newer variations. This class meets in Newton and Boston.
• The Lindy Chorus - This is a new class aimed at more experienced Lindy Hop dancers and meets in the Newton location only. The Lindy Chorus is a classic partner routine choreographed by Frankie Manning and known to Lindy Hoppers around the world. We first learned it in 1999 when we joined about 120 couples in NYC to perform it for Frankie at his 85th birthday celebration. We have had several opportunities to perform it since then, including beside Frankie himself! We’ll be teaching it this session in Frankie’s honor and will also be telling all of our favorite Lindy Chorus stories:-) Join us for this fun class!

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.

Registration is open. Check the website for more information.

Come on out to Uptown Swing this Saturday, February 18 with The Love Dogs for our Tropical Swing Dance Party!
We have a few special plans in the works—be prepared for a very fun night! Everyone is encouraged to get in the spirit and dress for a warm night on a cool beach. You were wondering when you’d get a chance to wear that Hawaiian shirt, so here it is.

Uptown Swing is held at Brookline Tai Chi, which is our wonderful venue conveniently located directly across from the Washington Square T stop on Beacon Street. There’s AC, a fabulous floor for dancing, plus free street parking after 8:00pm. Beginners are very welcome and there is a lesson included at the beginning of the evening to get everyone started. You do not need to have a partner to attend. The music will be excellent for Lindy Hop, Swing, Balboa and even some Blues. Bring your friends and introduce them to the joy of dancing!

• Beginners welcome, no partner needed
• Special this month: Tropical Swing Dance Party!
  
• Location: Brookline Tai Chi, 1615 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA 02446
• Band: The Love Dogs
• Date: Saturday, February 18, 2012
• Time: 8:15pm-12:00am
• Swing Lesson: 8:15-9:00pm
• Admission: $15 ($10 with Student ID)

Uptown Swing Dance information.

If you want bang for your buck, we’ve got it! Most of the registration information is now up.

We told you about the incredible live music and amazing staff of instructors. Check out the schedule to get an idea of what is planned throughout the week. (Class details and other tweaking are still in the works.)

Part of the fun of attending camp is staying on campus! Although it is not required, it is highly recommended. There are several different dorm styles to choose from as well as choices for singles, doubles and triple/quads. All housing choices include full meals!

For those who will be commuting, it is possible to get on the full meal plan or a lunch only plan. Meal times are a great time to relax, enjoy some great food, and socialize with other campers. Meals are scheduled for everyone to eat together.

New discounts have been added including an additional early bird price break that everyone can take advantage of as well as 2 extra discounts for the first 2 groups of 50 registrations. With the 4th of July falling on our last night, this will be an excellent year to take advantage of the holiday and attend for the Whole Shebang or Week.

Soon we will be announcing the opening day for registration, which is planned within the next 2 weeks. The registration process will be all new and is being finalized now!

Make your plans for starting out the summer at Beantown Camp! We’ll be back on the beautiful Endicott College campus on the shore just north of Boston. Camp runs from June 28 through July 5th.

Check out the website for information.

Our next monthly Uptown Swing dance is coming up in Brookline on Saturday, February 18 featuring The Love Dogs, always a popular band! This month we are having a special Tropical Swing Dance Party and we hope you will join us! We have some special things planned and are looking forward to a very fun time. Everyone is encouraged to get in the spirit and dress for a warm night on a cool beach. You know you’ve been wanting to break out that Hawaiian shirt:-) Beginners are very welcome and you do not need to have a partner. The music will be great for Lindy Hop, Swing, Balboa and even some Blues. This will be an excellent night to bring your friends and introduce them to the joy of dancing!

Uptown Swing Dance information.

There are so many truly awesome things we could say about Beantown Camp #16, but right now we’ll just focus on the live music! We are so excited about this line-up!

• Gordon Webster & Friends featuring Naomi Uyama on vocals. Gordon and his band have become regulars at Beantown and it just wouldn’t be the same without them. They’ll be kicking things off on Friday night.
• Jonathan Stout and his Campus Five, featuring Hilary Alexander. Yes folks, they’ll be back! Saturday and Sunday! We had just too much fun last year to not do it again.
• Glenn Crytzer and his Syncopators, featuring Meschiya Lake on vocals and Solomon Douglas on keyboard. This will be their first Beantown appearance, although Solomon has played for us in the past. Our last night this year is July 4th and we just had to finish up with a bang.

To sum it up, some words from Jon Tigert…

Has anyone else noticed that Beantown Lindy Hop Camp has Gordon Webster, Glenn Crytzer w/ Meschiya Lake, and Jonathan Stout and his Campus Five, feat. Hilary Alexander?

HOLY BEJEEZUS!! Can we say best music lineup of the year?

Camp runs from June 28 to July 5th with multiple registration options. The website continues to be updated with the latest information. Registration opens in February, date TBA. 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, do it in 2012!

Check out the website for information.