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Uptown Swing Dance

Professor Cunningham and his Old SchoolThe next Uptown Swing dance will be on Saturday, July 19. This will be a special event featuring the fabulous Professor Cunningham and his Old School from NYC as well as a dance performance with Mickey Fortanasce & Kelly Arsenault, one of the most exciting and creative Balboa couples worldwide. Mickey & Kelly will be in town for Balboa workshops hosted by Boston Balboa.

Mickey & Kelly workshop information.

Uptown Swing is held at KI, our wonderful venue conveniently located on Harvard Street, just a few blocks from Coolidge Corner in Brookline. (Dance entrance on Williams Street.) There’s AC, a fabulous, huge wood floor, plus free street parking. Beginners are very welcome and there is a lesson included at the beginning of the evening. You do not need to have a partner to attend. The music will be excellent for Lindy Hop, Swing, and Balboa. Bring your friends and introduce them to a fun night!

Buy Tickets NowUptown Swing information.

Join the Facebook event.

Summer Class Session

Hop to the Beat classSummer classes start on Monday, July 14 at Ruggles Baptist Church in Boston. Ruggles is on Beacon Street near the Boston-Brookline border. It’s near BU and Fenway Park with lots of choices on public transportation plus free on street parking.

Classes include Beginner Swing/Intro to Lindy Hop Level 1 and Lindy Hop Level 2. Don’t forget to plan on staying for practice time!

In September we will resume Sunday classes at our usual Newton location as well as continuing Mondays at Ruggles.

Register NowFull class details on website.

Uptown Swing Dance with Boston Swing Express

Uptown Swing DanceCome on out this Saturday, June 7 to Uptown Swing Dance, featuring Boston Swing Express. Led by guitarist Mike DiBari, this tight knit combo hones in on the classic guitar driven Swing of the 30’s and 40’s. Their sound derives from guitar stylists such as Charlie Christian, Django Reinhardt and Les Paul, while also paying tribute to Swing era greats such as Lionel Hampton and the King Cole Trio. With rave reviews, the band continues to get better with each appearance at Uptown Swing.

Please note that there will be a different start time in June. Both the Swing lesson and the band will start at 9:30pm and the dance will run until 12:30am! The time adjustment is due to restrictions at KI having to do with sundown. We’re thinking that a little flexibility is worth having the use of this beautiful venue!

Buy Tickets NowBeginners welcome, no partner needed
Location: KI (Congregation Kehillath Israel), 384 Harvard Street, Brookline, MA 02446; entrance on Williams Street
Band: Boston Swing Express
Date: Saturday, June 7, 2014
Time: 9:30pm-12:30am
Swing Lesson: 9:30-10:00pm
Admission:
$15 ($10 with Student ID)

Uptown Swing details on website.

Join the Facebook event.

Move on the Cha-Cha's

Move on the Cha-Cha'sDid you know we have a star among us? Local dancer Diane Ripstein is headed with her new one woman show to the prestigious Edinburgh Fringe Theatre Festival for the month of August. Tickets are on sale now for two preview performances in Watertown on June 13 and 14.

Buy Tickets Now

Expenses are high for putting on a show. If you would like to contribute to this wonderful endeavor, every bit will be greatly appreciated. Please contribute here.

Frankie 100

Frankie 100Frankie 100 in NYC was truly spectacular from start to finish! The organizers did an amazing job with every little detail and extra. One of the major highlights was the countdown to Frankie’s birthday and the big balloon drop. Just incredible as all those people from 47 countries, spread out over 3 floors, joined together to celebrate this extraordinary man. Frankie was definitely smiling down on us at that moment!

Savoy Ballroom PlaqueAnother very special highlight was the gathering at the sight of the Savoy Ballroom, the inauguration of World Lindy Hop Day, and the parade through Harlem. We just wanted to soak it all in, walking the neighborhood where both Frankie and Norma grew up. It is mind boggling to think how what happened there has had such an impact on our lives today.

For us as Lindy Hoppers for just over 20 years now, it was so special to reunite with so many people from around the world that we have met and become friends with. It was a wonderful reminder of our early days and all the excitement that came with that and the amazing opportunities we had traveling to Sweden and England and other parts of the U.S. Frankie and Lindy Hop changed our lives and has given us so much. We are incredibly grateful to be a part of this worldwide community and to Frankie for teaching us how to dance and how to live!

Uptown Swing Dance with Boston Swing Express

Uptown Swing DanceThe next Uptown Swing dance is coming up on Saturday, June 7 with Boston Swing Express! This will be our last dance prior to Beantown Camp!

Please note that there will be a different start time in June. Both the Swing lesson and the band will start at 9:30pm and the dance will run until 12:30am! The time adjustment is due to restrictions at KI having to do with sundown. We’re thinking that a little flexibility is worth having the use of this beautiful venue!

Buy Tickets NowUptown Swing details on website.

Join the Facebook event.

Uptown Swing Dance this Saturday with Sax Gordon Band and Frankie Manning 100th Birthday Celebration

Frankie Manning
Frankie Manning

Join us this Saturday for the next Uptown Swing dance at KI in Brookline! All profits from the dance will go to the Frankie Manning Foundation.

In honor of Frankie Manning’s 100th birthday this May, Lindy Hoppers around the world will be celebrating his life, his positive spirit, and the wonderful joy he spread wherever he went. Uptown Swing will be hosting a local celebration this Saturday, May 10th and welcome all dancers to join in!

It’s always a fun night when Sax Gordon is in the house! Get ready for some Shim Sham, Big Apple, and an awesome night of dancing!

The atmosphere is fun and friendly and beginners are very welcome! 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.

Buy Tickets NowBeginners welcome, no partner needed
Location: KI (Congregation Kehillath Israel), 384 Harvard Street, Brookline, MA 02446; entrance on Williams Street
Band: Sax Gordon Band
Date: Saturday, May 10, 2014
Time: 8:15pm-12:00am
Swing Lesson: 8:15-8:45pm
Shim Sham Lesson:
8:45-9:15pm
Admission:
$15 ($10 with Student ID)

Uptown Swing details on website.

Join the Facebook event.

May Uptown Swing Dance: Frankie Manning 100th Birthday Celebration

Frankie Manning
Frankie Manning

This May, Lindy Hoppers around the world will be celebrating Frankie Manning’s 100th birthday. Uptown Swing will be hosting a local celebration on May 10th and welcome all dancers to join in!

All profits from the dance will go to the Frankie Manning Foundation.

Get ready for some Shim Sham, Big Apple, and a joyful night of dancing!

Buy Tickets NowUptown Swing details on website.

Join the Facebook event.

The Dirty Dozen this Weekend in Providence

Dirty Dozen WeekendProvidence Swings is hosting The Dirty Dozen Weekend on April 25-27. Four world class instructors, Peter Strom & Naomi Uyama, Jeremy Otth & Laura Keat. Two nights of live music with Gordon Webster. One epic mash-up Jack & Jill competition. Always a super fun weekend! We’ll be there working the sound and helping with the competitions.

If you missed out on registering for the now sold out workshops, there are still spaces to attend the two evening dances with Gordon Webster. Check out the website for the latest information.

Dirty Dozen Weekend information.

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