Beantown Camp Latest News

Latest News

What's New at Beantown Camp for 2015

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.

Important Beantown Camp Registration News

Registrations have continued to come in from all over the U.S. and beyond! Lots of returning campers and lots of first-timers!

That’s the good news. The not so good news is that we are going to have to start a wait list for weekend and extended weekend followers. Here’s the situation:

Followers wanting to register for the weekend or extended weekend will have to go on a waiting list unless also registering with a leader. The leader does NOT have to register for the same registration period.
Registration is open for followers registering for the week and whole shebang, however, registering with a leader will be helpful to avoid having to start a wait list.
The sooner we can accumulate leaders, the sooner we can accept those on the wait list.

There is a solution! Leaders, please register so that we can accept all follows who would like to attend. The last thing we want to do is have to close someone out. There is time, however, the sooner the better so everyone is able to make their plans for attending.

If you are already registered and know of leaders you can encourage to sign up, we would very much appreciate your help!

Early Bird prices are in effect until April 30. If you would like to get on the 3 month installment plan, the deadline is April 25.

View the website for more information!

Join the Beantown Camp 2015 Facebook event.

Next HTTB Class Session

Hop to the Beat Class

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.

Uptown Swing in April

The next Uptown Swing dance will be on Saturday, April 18 with the Solomon Douglas Heptet. Solomon keeps a busy schedule playing at dances and events around the country and it will be a special treat to have him here right in our own backyard!

Joining us this month are dancers attending the Second Rate Swing Exchange, although they promise to behave themselves and act first rate:-) Our friends from Providence Swings will also be in the house along with a bunch of their students. Yeah visitors!

KI is one of the best venues for dancing in New England with its spacious smooth wood floor, wonderful room and excellent location. It has it all! Top that off with the fabulous Solomon Douglas this month, fun and friendly dancers, and you’ve got all the ingredients for an awesome night of Swing!

Full Uptown Swing details.

Join the Facebook dance event.

Uptown Swing this Saturday

Come on out to Uptown Swing this Saturday with the fabulous Shawn Hershey, Josh Fialkoff & The Fried Bananas! Shawn first created the Fried Bananas back in his Boston days and we had some great nights dancing to them. Josh also played for us with his own previous band. Now these two have teamed up with a whole new group. They played at the last Montréal DanceFest and had the place swingin’ hard and we’ve been trying ever since to get them back to Boston!

In addition to the Fried Bananas, Paul Loschak will be our guest DJ for the band breaks. It is going to be an excellent night of dancing!

CHECK FOR TWO SPECIAL DEALS FROM BOSTON TEA PARTY FOR BOTH BTP WEEKEND ATTENDEES AND UPTOWN SWING ATTENDEES.

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 usually 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: Shawn Hershey, Josh Fialkoff & The Fried Bananas
Guest DJ: Paul Loschak
Date: Saturday, March 21, 2015
Time: 8:15pm-12:00am
Swing Lesson: 8:15-9:00pm
Admission: $18 ($14 with Student ID)

Full Uptown Swing details.

Join the Facebook dance event.

Boston Tea Party this Weekend

Champion level instruction with 80 workshops. West Coast Swing, Lindy Hop and Balboa. Over 1400 attendees. Live music with the White Heat Swing Orchestra and Eight to the Bar, plus some of the country’s top DJs. Three separate ballrooms and all-night social dancing. All that and more!

Where is this all happening? Right here in Newton, MA, March 19-22! This is going to be one big dance party!

BOSTON TEA PARTY SPECIAL DEALS

Deal 1: Purchase a weekend pass to BTP and you also receive FREE admission to Uptown Swing! That’s a 2 for 1 deal on Saturday night. All you have to do is show your wristband, sign in, and dance to the fabulous Fried Bananas! BTP has arranged to have their Saturday night band play from midnight to 3:00am so as not to overlap and there will be plenty of time to dance the night away.

Deal 2: Uptown Swing attendees who are not registered for BTP get half off the evening rate in the downstairs ballroom, which opens right after the comps. Eight to the Bar plays from midnight to 3:00am and dancing continues until 5:00am or whenever the last few couples collapse, whichever comes first! It will be after hours and registration will be closed. Please bring $20 exact change, if possible, to help door security volunteers.

Boston Tea Party information.

The Dirty Dozen Weekend Junior

Providence Swings is back with a new edition of The Dirty Dozen Weekend - Junior Style, April 24-25. Saturday workshops with two of our favorite Canadians, Jonathan Caron & Lunou Samson Poirot. Two nights of live music with Sarah Sullivan & The New Old Fashioneds from Baltimore. One epic mash-up Jack & Jill competition. Always a super fun weekend!

Dirty Dozen Weekend information.

Beantown Camp 2014: Highlight Reel

Just a glimpse of some of the Highlights at Beantown Camp 2014.

Next HTTB Class Session

Hop to the Beat Class Our next class session will be 5 weeks instead of the usual 6 (due to snow cancellations messing up the schedule) and will be starting on Sunday, March 8 at the Lower Falls Community Center in Newton and Monday, March 9 at Ruggles Baptist Church in Boston (on Beacon Street near Kenmore Square). There are classes for all levels, no partner required as classes will rotate.

Beginner Swing/Intro to Lindy Hop Level 1
Appropriate for anyone starting out as well as those with some 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, newer variations, and a focus on partnering, technique and style. Meets in Newton only.
Lindy Hop/Jazz Routine
This routine class will have a mix of partner and solo dancing. The focus while learning the steps will be on rhythm and musicality. Learning choreography is fun, challenging and a great way to work on your dancing! An interest in performing is not needed to take this class. It is aimed at intermediate to advanced Lindy Hoppers and does not require a partner. Meets in both locations.

Part 2 of this class will continue in the following session in Boston only. The focus will be on performance, teamwork, formation and practice. Besides having taken the first class, it will require an audition and partner.

Singles and couples welcome. No partner necessary. 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.

Swing & Soul Dance at Uptown Swing this Saturday

Come on out this Saturday, February 21 to Uptown Swing’s special Swing & Soul Dance, featuring the Racky Thomas Band! Racky loves playing for dancers and is great at keeping a Swing groove to everything played. His delivery has always been “soulful” and for this dance he’ll be reaching into his bag of tricks to add some classic Soul selections.

Guest DJ Javier Johnson will be playing some get-up-and-dance Soul music during the band breaks. Javi is a founding member of the Hartford Underground as well as Hart & Soul, an annual dance weekend event which debuted in September 2013. In addition, he teaches both locally and internationally, and dances with a smooth, joyful, rhythmical style which is always a standout on the dance floor.

The atmosphere at Uptown Swing is fun and friendly and beginners are very welcome! KI is a beautiful large venue with a smooth wood floor and a convenient location on Harvard Street in Brookline (entrance on Williams Street).

Full Uptown Swing details.

Join the Facebook dance event.

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