Hop to the Beat Latest News

Latest News

Beantown Camp Registration Opens

Beantown Camp 2011 Highlight ReelRegistration opens Wednesday, February 29 at 8:00pm EST. Be one of the first campers to register to get the best prices.

The registration process is completely new for 2012. New payment options and new discounts available! You can check out details on the Beantown website.

Beantown Camp 2012 is going to be AWESOME! Check out the full schedule to see all the great stuff to look forward to.

Our last night falls on July 4th, making it an excellent opportunity to attend the full week. If you want to be challenged, inspired and have a ton of fun, Beantown is for you!

Check out the website for information.

Join Second Week of New Session Lindy Hop/Swing Classes

Swing Dance ClassAs always, it is still possible to join our new session of classes in the second week. Classes for this session 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.

It is great to have so many of the Level 1 students back this session, although we again need leaders, especially the Monday Boston class! The Level 2 classes are close to even and there is room to join.

Also on Sunday in Newton, we are teaching The Lindy Chorus, a fun partner routine choreographed by the man himself, the one and only Frankie Manning! This class also needs leaders!

Free parking available in both locations as well as near public transportation.

Registration is open. Check the website for more information.

March Uptown Swing with Baby Soda

Baby SodaWe are really excited about our next Uptown Swing dance, welcoming back Baby Soda from NYC! This month our dance is on Saturday, March 17 at our wonderful venue, Brookline Tai Chi, across from the Washington Square T stop in Brookline. We’ll be going green in honor of St Patrick’s Day.Tongue Out Come join in the fun! Everyone is very welcome to attend and no partners are necessary. If you are new to dancing, please join us early for the lesson.

Uptown Swing Dance information.

Cab Calloway Biography

C. Calloway Brooks and Hop to the BeatThere is an excellent American Masters documentary currently playing on PBS called Cab Calloway: Sketches. We encourage everyone to watch it. You can also see it online: American Masters  Cab Calloway: Sketches

Several years ago we and Martin & Suzanne had an opportunity to work with C. Calloway Brooks, his grandson who is also featured in the program. It wasn’t quite the same as Cab himself, but it was fun.Cool

Lindy Hop/Swing Classes Starting This Week

Swing Dance ClassOur 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.

Beantown Camp Registration Opening Day

Beantown CampWe are very excited to announce that registration opening day is set for Wednesday, February 29! Registration opens at 8:00pm EST. Lots of new changes for 2012! The registration format has been revised, the registration process is brand new, payment options are new, AND there are new discounts available! You can check out details on the Beantown website.

If you would like to get the best prices, be one of the first campers to register!

Beantown Camp 2012 is going to be AWESOME! With our last night falling on July 4th, this will be an excellent opportunity to attend the full week. Check out the full schedule to see all the great stuff to look forward to:
 http://www.beantowncamp.com/schedule/information

The countdown begins…6 days to go!

Check out the website for information.

Uptown Swing this Saturday

The Love DogsCome 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.Cool

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.

Lindy Hop/Swing Classes Start Next Week

Swing Dance ClassOur next 6 week session of classes will be starting next Sunday, February 26 in Newton Lower Falls and next Monday, February 27 in Boston (near Fenway Park). Both locations include a class in Beginner Swing/Intro to Lindy Hop Level 1, appropriate for brand new dancers, those with some previous experience and continuing students. If you would like to work on building a solid foundation of dance skills, this will be an ideal class. Six count basics will be covered along with a variety of fun steps to add to your repertoire and get you out on the dance floor!

Lindy Hop Level 2 is also offered in both locations. This class is aimed at more intermediate level Swing dancers and no prior Lindy Hop experience is required. 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.

For both Level 1 and Level 2 classes, there are about 7 or 8 different sessions of each. They do not need to be taken in any particular order and it is okay to join with any session.

Also on Sundays, we’ll be teaching the Lindy Chorus, which is a classic partner routine choreographed by Frankie Manning and known to Lindy Hoppers around the world. We first learned the Lindy Chorus in 1999 when we joined about 120 couples in NYC to perform for Frankie at his 85th birthday celebration. We have had several opportunities to perform it since then, including beside Frankie himself! In his honor, we’ll be teaching it this session. Join us for this fun class! This class is aimed at intermediate to advanced Lindy Hoppers and you do not need to attend with a partner.

If you have any friends interested in getting into dancing, lessons are a great way to get started. Please pass on the info!

Registration is open. Check the website for more information.

Beantown Camp Registration News

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.)

Beantown CampPart 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.

Pages

Subscribe to Hop to the Beat Latest News