The Lawn on D is an outdoor interactive space designed to bring together different communities, audiences and area residents for innovative programming and events. It is located on D Street in South Boston and is owned and operated by the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority.

The grand opening weekend kicks off this Friday, May 15, with activities including a dance party to live Swing bands, including the always entertaining Sax Gordon, lessons, including Hop to the Beat, food trucks, lawn games, plus Lincoln Tavern serving summer eats, beer and wine under The Tent. Also featured is the return of Höweler + Yoon’s Swing Time, with this year’s swings having a new eco-twist using solar energy to illuminate their magnificent lights.

We do not yet have details on all of the specifics, however, a very fun night is in store. Plus it’s free!

Check the website for more info.

Join the Facebook event.

Head on down to Boston Swing Central for Revival Day Weekend, May 8-10. There are workshops on Saturday and Sunday with the fabulous Virginie Jensen & Alain Fragman as well as some of the Boston Lindy Hop instructors. Two nights of live music with the always fantastic Gordon Webster Band. Other activities include competitions in Strictly Lindy and Solo Charleston, and a storytelling hour. There are even free classes for your Mom!

There is still room to register for competitions and leaders are needed for the workshops. Be sure to check out the Revival Day website for information about all the activities as well as locations.

Full Revival Day Weekend details.

The Solomon Douglas Heptet is a tight-swinging little band that plays music inspired by the great later Swing small groups and early modernists of the late 1940s. Although Solomon has been playing for Swing dancers for many years with his own band as well as with others, he formed this new NYC-based group just last September and we’re looking forward to having them here in Boston.

Guest DJ Stan Yen will be handling the band breaks to keep the great music flowing through the night.

Also happening this weekend and attending Uptown Swing will be dancers from the Second Rate Swing Exchange! However, there are some folks who will NOT be at the exchange and therefore NOT at Uptown Swing either.

Never fear. Solomon Douglas Heptet, DJ Stan Yen, Second Rate Swing Exchangers, Providence Swings and many other friendly dancers will all be in the house. (You may even see 1 or 2 of those listed on the video:-) Sounds like a first rate evening of fun!

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.

Beginners welcome, no partner needed
Location: KI (Congregation Kehillath Israel), 384 Harvard Street, Brookline, MA 02446 (entrance on Williams Street)
Band: Solomon Douglas Heptet
Guest DJ: Stan Yen
Date: Saturday, April 18, 2015
Time: 8:15pm-12:00am 
Swing Lesson: 8:15-9:00pm
Admission: $18 ($14 with Student ID)

Full Uptown Swing details.

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There’s always something new at camp! Each year we take a good look at what we’ve done, listen to your feedback and keep an eye on what’s going on in the greater Lindy scene. There are always improvements that can be made as well as changes and additions to keep things fresh and use the strengths of our amazing staff. Plus as many previous campers know, Endicott College is always up to something and we think everyone is going to be very happy with the changes. The beautiful setting and wonderful facilities add to the awesome time we have at Beantown each year!

What’s new for 2015:

• Two new mini-tracks have been added. Gaby Cook will be teaching choreography for performance with Gaby’s Chorusline Ladies. Nathan Bugh will be doing a routine for newer and experienced tappers with Nathan’s Awesome Tap Routine!
• All Lindy Hop tracks will have some classes designated with a particular topic, including musicality, dance technique, partner connection and movement as well as the usual track routines.
• New specialty classes are in the works and will be added to the schedule.
• Competition preliminaries have been moved to an earlier evening time slot to allow for more prime time social dancing.
• Auditions and track placements will be under the direction of Jenna Applegarth and new procedures are in the works to help improve the process as well as track balances.
• The Callahan Center renovations are complete and the main room has been transformed. It is much bigger, more open and looks very different. New AC has been installed as well. The lobby is gone and the main entrance is in the center of the front side of the building.
• The dining hall has also been completely transformed. It is bigger and configured differently than in the past. The serving area is now gone and food stations are located throughout the main part of the room. There is all new seating and the entire look is very modern. The entrance is now off the street side of the building on the 2nd floor and leads directly into the dining hall.
• A brand new space has been created called Gully’s, located in the center of the campus in the same building as the large auditorium. The entrance is across from the lake and the Amphitheater. About half the room holds the newly located pub and the other half is an open dance space. We’ll be using it for a class space as well as for some of the evening activities.

Although the basic schedule is up, many of the class descriptions, specialty classes and presentations are in the process of being added. Other refinements are likely to be made as plans are finalized. We are very excited with how it is all coming together!

Beantown runs from June 25 to July 2. Do the week to get the full experience! There is so much that you won’t want to miss. Most campers stay on campus, which is highly recommended and adds to the fun of coming to camp!

View the website for more information!

Join the Beantown Camp 2015 Facebook event.

We’ll be having another 5 week class session instead of the usual 6 (due to lingering effects of snow cancellations), starting on Monday, April 13 at Ruggles Baptist Church in Boston (on Beacon Street near Kenmore Square) and on Sunday, April 19 at the Lower Falls Community Center in Newton.

This will be our last session prior to Beantown Camp! No partner required for Levels 1 and 2 as classes will rotate. The 2nd part of the routine class will be with a partner.

• Beginner Swing/Intro to Lindy Hop Level 1
  Appropriate for anyone starting out as well as those with 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 (including Charleston), newer variations, and a focus on partnering, technique and style. Meets in Newton only this session.
• Lindy Hop/Jazz Routine, Part 2
  Part 1 has been challenging, but a lot of fun! Part 2 will continue to work on movement, rhythm and musicality. In addition, focus will be on performance, teamwork, formation and practice. The class is for those who took the first part and will be continuing with a partner.

Singles and couples welcome. Both locations are conveniently accessible by car or T with free parking available. Missed classes may be made up at the alternate location.

Full class details.