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Skye & Naomi Workshop Weekend

Skye and Naomi

Information is now available for the Skye & Naomi weekend coming up November 30 to December 2. This is our 5th time with this dynamic duo along with Gordon Webster to play for us at Saturday’s Uptown Swing. Every time this weekend somehow just gets better and better and is surely one of the best highlights of the year!

There is a full schedule of workshops with classes for all levels. All classes will be held at the Newton Lower Falls location.

Friday, November 30, 2012

   A. 7:30-8:30pm Rhythm Time!
      Contrast the basic rhythm against stylish syncopations.
      (no partner needed, intermediate+, previous experience required)

   B. 8:45-9:45pm Dancing Together
      The art of social dancing! This class will get you working with your partner
      on the dance floor through rhythm and movement.
      (no partner needed, intermediate+, previous experience required)

Saturday, December 1, 2012

   C. 1:00-2:00pm Lindy Hop Fundamentals
      Starting at the beginning, Skye & Naomi style. For beginners
      and anyone wanting to review or refine basics.
      (no partner or experience needed)

   D. 2:15-3:15pm Building On Your Basics
      Building on fundamentals, follows on from C.
      (no partner needed, all levels)

   E. 3:30-4:30pm Charleston Foundation
      Work on the rhythm and structure of Charleston. For beginners
      and anyone wanting to review or refine Charleston basics.
      (no partner or experience needed)

Sunday, December 2, 2012

   F. 1:00-2:00pm Solo Jazz Routine
      An excellent class for working on individual dance skills, movement and
      rhythms. Always a fun class!
      (non-partner, intermediate+, but open to all levels)

   G. 2:15-3:15pm Variations Galore
      Add some style to your dancing with some fun variations.
      (no partner needed, intermediate+, previous experience required)

   H. 3:30-4:30pm Instructors’ Choice
      Custom-built instruction especially for workshop attendees.
      (no partner needed, intermediate+, previous experience required)

   I. 4:45-5:45pm Lindy Hop Partner Routine
      Bring a partner, challenge yourself and learn a cool Lindy Hop
      routine. A perfect ending to the weekend!
      (partner required, int/adv to adv, previous experience required)

The early bird discount date is October 31. If you register soon, you can even take advantage of a 2 part installment plan to make your payments online.

Check the website for all details and registration.

BSDN Dance this Saturday!

The Love Dogs

The next Boston Swing Dance Network dance is this Saturday, Oct 6 in Watertown. Check out the new time and new location! Here’s the info from BSDN:

Come dance to The Love Dogs from 8:30-11:30pm. This local seven-piece, high-energy band, combines elements of Jump Blues, New Orleans R&B, and early Rock ‘n’ Roll into their own powerhouse sound. And don’t forget our beginner’s Swing dance lesson at 7:45pm. Our new hall has great acoustics, plenty of parking, luxurious bathrooms, and 20% more Swing! No partner necessary, and beginners are always welcome.

NEW TIMES
Lesson: 7:45-8:30pm
Dance: 8:30-11:30pm
Admission is $15, $10 for students with a current ID.

NEW LOCATION
Armenian Cultural Center
47 Nichols Ave
Watertown, MA

Full information on BSDN website.

Uptown Swing at KI

Solomon Douglas

Thank you so much to everyone who joined us at Uptown Swing on Saturday at our new venue! What a wonderful night filled with great music, people and fun!

We are off to an excellent start at our beautiful new venue at KI (Congregation Kehillath Israel), located just a few blocks from Coolidge Corner in Brookline. Feedback is very positive and everyone seemed to enjoy the large space and the awesome floor. Solomon and his band did a great job of keeping the dance floor filled all night.

Next month we will be at another new location just for October. This one is at the Extreme Dancesport studio in the Fresh Pond area of Cambridge. Beautiful new sprung wood floor, large room, AC and tons of nearby parking. It is a short walk from the Alewife T. Uptown Swing will be on the 2nd Saturday for October and feature Boston Swing Express.

November takes us back to our new home at KI for another fun night with Racky Thomas.

Uptown Swing Dance information and directions.

Sunday Schedule Change/Join Second Week of New Session Lindy Hop/Swing Classes

Swing Dance Class

Due to missing last Sunday, our 2nd week of the session is this weekend and it is still possible to join any of the classes.

Classes for this session include Beginner Swing/Intro to Lindy Hop Level 1, Lindy Hop Level 2 and a new class for experienced Lindy Hoppers on Interesting, Fun and Fancy Turns.

Both Level 1 and Level 2 need leaders.

Full class details and registration.

This Saturday Uptown Swing Dance with the Solomon Douglas Quintet

Solomon DouglasWe are excited for our first Uptown Swing dance this Saturday, September 15 at our new venue. This place is gorgeous with an excellent wood floor. It is BIG, so there will be plenty of room for your dancing pleasure:-) This month features a special treat with the Solomon Douglas Quintet and Alison Dreyfuss on vocals. We are thrilled to have Solomon back in Massachusetts. He makes his home in Seattle these days but he does get around the country quite a bit playing for dancers with his own and other bands. Please spread the word and help us to celebrate both our new season of dancing and the debut of our new venue.

Our new awesome space is at KI (Congregation Kehillath Israel), located just a few blocks from Coolidge Corner in Brookline and only a mile from our former location. There are stations nearby for both the B and C branches of the Green Line, and a bus which stops right out front. Plus there is street parking and several town lots nearby, free after 8:00pm. If you want to come early for dinner, there are plenty of good choices in walking distance on Harvard St and in Coolidge Corner.

We are excited for this new chapter and hope you will join us as we celebrate our first dance!

Uptown Swing Dance information and directions.

Sunday Schedule Change/Join Second Week of New Session Lindy Hop/Swing Classes

Swing Dance Class

Newton Parks & Recreation has informed us that the floor is being done this weekend and we cannot hold Sunday classes.

This moves our 2nd week to Sunday, September 23 and the session will be extended to go through October 21. Monday classes are not effected.

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.

Both of the Level 1 classes need leaders, as does the Sunday Level 2 class. Another follower for the Monday Level 2 would be nice:-)

Also on Sunday in Newton, we have a new class for experienced Lindy Hoppers on Interesting, Fun and Fancy Turns. This was a very fun class last Sunday and is close to even. There is room to joinl

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

Full class details and registration.

Lindy Hop/Swing Classes starting this Sunday/Monday

Swing Dance ClassThe new season of dancing is upon us! Plus September marks the 17th anniversary of Hop to the Beat. Wow! We never could have imagined back in those early days that this is where we would be today. This season brings our move to a new dance venue. Mark your calendar for our grand opening on September 15!

Our new 6 week session starts this Sunday, September 9 at the Newton Lower Falls Community Center in Newton and this Monday, September 10 at Ruggles Baptist Church in Boston near Fenway Park. You do not need to attend with a partner for any of the classes. If you have any friends who would like to get started, please pass on the info. Now is a great time to start 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. 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 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.
  • Interesting, Fun and Fancy Turns: This new class features a variety of moves from open and from closed which include the element of turning for follows, leads and sometimes both. We’ll be moving in and out, twisting and turning and passing while working on connecting with flow, stretch and momentum. (All that good stuff!) For experienced Lindy Hop dancers with solid basics, no partner required. This class meets on Sundays in Newton.

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 class details and registration.

Uptown Swing Dance with the Solomon Douglas Quintet

Solomon DouglasOur next monthly Uptown Swing dance is coming up in Brookline on Saturday, September 15 with the Solomon Douglas Quintet, featuring Alison Dreyfuss on vocals. Solomon makes his home in Seattle, but can be found traveling the country playing for Swing and Lindy Hop dancers. Most recently he played for us on the final night of Beantown Camp with Glenn Crytzer’s band. 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! The pre-dance lesson is included.

We weren’t really planning to move or looking to move, but hey, sometimes stuff happens! On the plus side, we found this beautiful large ballroom with an excellent wood floor only about a mile from our previous location. Our new venue is at KI (Congregation Kehillath Israel), located just a few blocks from Coolidge Corner in Brookline. There are stops nearby for both the B and C branches of the Green Line, and a bus which stops right out front. Plus there is street parking and several town lots nearby, free after 8:00pm.

We are excited for this new chapter and hope you will join us as we celebrate our first dance!

Uptown Swing Dance information and directions.

New Lindy Hop/Swing Class Session

Swing Dance ClassOur new 6 week class session starts Sunday nights on September 9 in Newton Lower Falls and Monday nights on September 10 at Ruggles Church (near Fenway Park). There are classes for all levels, no partners required.

  • Beginner Swing/Intro to Lindy Hop Level 1
    Newton & Boston
  • Lindy Hop Level 2
    Newton & Boston
  • Interesting, Fun & Fancy Turns
    Newton

Now is an excellent time to take classes. For complete details and registration:

Class details and registration.

Uptown Swing Dance Fall Schedule - New Location

Uptown Swing Dance

Big news for Uptown Swing! We are moving to a beautiful ballroom owned by Congregation Kehillath Israel (KI) in Brookline starting this September. It is a wonderful space with a very large wood floor, AC and conveniently located just a few blocks from Coolidge Corner on Harvard St. On street parking is available as well as several town lots nearby. Public transportation is very accessible with 2 nearby T stations and a bus that stops out front.

Please bare with us as our schedule will be a bit erratic for the fall. Also note that our October dance will be at a different venue in Cambridge. Starting in January we will be back to our usual slot with most dances on the 3rd Saturday of the month at our new home at KI.

Uptown Swing is friendly and fun with a live band each month. A lesson is included which starts at 8:15pm and the dance at 9:00pm. All levels are welcome and no partners are needed.

  • September 15: Solomon Douglas Quintet featuring Alison Dreyfuss
  • October 13: Boston Swing Express (special location)
  • November 3: Racky Thomas Band
  • December 1: Gordon Webster Band featuring Naomi Uyama

Uptown Swing Dance information and directions.

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