Boston Swing Central is excited to welcome back Glenn Crytzer! Glenn is one of the top band leaders for swing in country and when he last played for us, it was quite amazing to experience. His expert eye and hard-nosed attention to details in keeping the music as authentic as possible. Here he is performing “Grass is Always Greener” with his Syncopaters from a gig at BSC back in 2012:

Glenn Crytzer is a guitarist and band leader from Seattle who has been tearing it up at large National Lindy Hop events around the country. Glenn likes to keep things high energy and swingin’ hard and his bands feature some BSC regulars so keep your eyes open for some familiar faces!

Lesson (included in the price of admission): 8:00pm – 9:00pm
Dancing: 9:00pm – 12:00am
General Admission: $17
Students and Seniors (with Valid ID): $15

The Crosby Whistle Stop
24 Roland Street
Charlestown, MA 02129

We’re really excited to welcome the White Heat Sextet, a smaller version of the White Heat Swing Orchestra, led by Craig Ball on clarinet. This is one of the best big bands in the Boston area, and they’re exciting charts include the explosive hits of an era long gone. Check ’em out here, tearing it up with “Rockin’ the Blues”…

We also recommend you check out their webpage here: here and listen to what we are sure will make you dance around the room in preparation for a fun night ahead!

Lesson (included in the price of admission): 8:00pm – 9:00pm
Dancing: 9pm-midnight
General Admission: $15
Students and Seniors (with Valid ID): $13

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The Crosby Whistle Stop
24 Roland Street
Charlestown, MA 02129

This Memorial Day weekend marks what would have been the 100th birthday of Frankie Manning and the lindy hop community throughout the world will be spending the weekend celebrating the life and legacy of its founding father.

Frankie Manning was one of Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers in the 1930s and ’40s and the choreographer of one of the most famous lindy hop clips ever in “Hellzapoppin'” and spent the last 20 years of his life inspiring and teaching the Lindy Hop to an entire new generation of swing dancers. This includes a great many dancers who are currently dancing. As we get farther and farther away from his life, it becomes all that more important that we keep his memory and legacy alive by spreading the joy of the dance. Frankie was known throughout the world for his welcoming attitude and big smile.

We encourage dancers everywhere to take a moment this weekend to celebrate Frankie’s legacy! We will be hosting a tribute to Frankie for his 100th birthday with music DJd by Alex Abdoulaev and Andrew Selzer.

Swing Bud Films produced a short video tribute to Frankie, “Frankie Manning: Ambassador of Swing” for to dedicate to his legacy:

Frankie leads the Shim Sham:

Find out more about Frankie Manning.

Lesson (included with admission): 8:00pm – 9:00pm
Dancing: 9:00pm – 12:30am
General Admission: $10
Students and Seniors (with Valid ID): $8

The Crosby Whistle Stop
24 Roland Street
Charlestown, MA 02129

Phil McGowan & the Easy Winners, BSC favorites, will be back at the Whistle Stop for another high energy gig in May. With their New Orleans inspired hot jazz tunes, they will get you out onto the floor all night! The Easy Winners always get the crowd moving when they play for us and and this Friday will be no exception! Digging deep into their catalog of hits from the past, they’ll light fire to tunes like the 1921 Eddie Cantor hit: “Margie” and Louis Armstrong’s “You Rascal You”.

Here are the Easy Winners back in March, with a high energy version of “Everybody Loves My Baby”:

Lesson (included w/ admission): 8:00pm – 9:00pm
Dancing: 9:00pm – 12:00am
General Admission: $15
Students and Seniors (with Valid ID): $13

The Crosby Whistle Stop
24 Roland Street
Charlestown, MA 02129

Emily Asher and her group of all star musicians, Garden Party, bring their style of red hot trad jazz back to the Whistle Stop this week! While Emily and her sassy style of trombone playing may look familiar from her many other appearances at the Whistle Stop with the likes of Baby Soda and others, leading the Garden Party brings out the best in Asher, whose vocals and trombone take front and center in this ensemble.

The Wall Street Journal called Asher “red hot” and “very exciting” and we could not agree more!

Check out their version of “Struttin’ With Some Barbeque” at the Whistle Stop from back in February.

Lesson (included in the price of admission): 8:00pm – 9:00pm
Dancing: 9:00pm – 12:00am
General Admission: $15
Students and Seniors (with Valid ID): $13

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The Crosby Whistle Stop
24 Roland Street
Charlestown, MA 02129

Baby Soda Jazz Band makes their BSC return and we are thrilled to have them! Baby Soda gets every dancer dancing, every foot tapping, and every hand clapping throughout their performances, which are best known for the uptempo style of street jazz. “With an eclectic set of influences ranging from 30’s era swing, New Orleans jazz, and southern gospel. The ensemble doesn’t desire to recreate the past, rather they bring the concept and joy of the music to the present.”

Since they are based on New York and wildly popular, seeing them in town in Boston is a great treat so come on out and dance with us!

Here they are with “Shimmy Like My Sister Kate” from a 2012 gig with us!

Lesson (included in the price of admission): 8:00pm – 9:00pm
Dancing: 9:00pm – 12:00am
Admission: $17
Students and Seniors (with Valid ID): $15

The Crosby Whistle Stop
24 Roland Street
Charlestown, MA 02129

Local dancer and songstress Jan Marie and her four piece band, the Mean Reds, are coming back to the Whistle Stop on April 25th!

Since she made her Boston Swing Central debut last year, Jan Marie has been featured in the Boston Globe and Boston Phoenix for her excellent singing and vintage fashion sense. As an experienced dancer, she knows what we want more than we know what we want! We have a pretty good feeling that Jan Marie and the Mean Reds will keep us dancing all night long as she has during her previous gigs with us.

Lesson (included with admission): 8:00pm – 9:00pm
Dancing: 9:00pm – 12:00am
General Admission: $15
Students & Seniors: $13

The Crosby Whistle Stop
24 Roland Street
Charlestown, MA 02129

We are a few weeks into spring and by now it should be feeling like it! BSC has a fun DJ lineup consisting of Andrew Selzer, Sarah Elise, and Paul Loschak ready for this Easter weekend so bunny hop on over to the Whistle Stop for some springy swing tunes.

Want to get festive? Come donned in your fine pastels, flowers, or any other springtime wear!

Lesson (included w/ admission): 8:00pm – 9:00pm
Dancing: 9:00pm – 12:00am
General Admission: $10
Students and Seniors (with Valid ID): $8

The Crosby Whistle Stop
24 Roland Street
Charlestown, MA 02129

Swing Legacy is one of Boston’s longest running swing bands and a true fixture to the scene. They have been playing since 1991 all around the city and with BSC since its early days.

Their repertoire concentrates on classic big band swing music including many Duke Ellington and Count Basie numbers ideal for Lindy Hop and swing dancing. Much of their great catalog of songs showcases their outstanding singer, Debby Larkin. They are regulars for a reason…they keep us swingin’!

Here they are playing “Undecided”:

Lesson (included w/ admission): 8:00pm – 9:00pm
Dancing: 9:00pm – 12:00am
General Admission: $15
Students and Seniors (with Valid ID): $13

The Crosby Whistle Stop
24 Roland Street
Charlestown, MA 02129

BSC is turning six this year, so it’s our sugar and iron anniversary. Use that knowledge however you will!

In the past year, BSC has come so far and grown so much. It is even wilder to think back to where we started six years ago back in the YWCA, St. Mary’s Church, the YMCA, Extreme Dancesport, and then eventually are awesome home at the Whistle Stop. It’s great to have had a space to call home for a few years and to have a growing dance community support us! Come celebrate!

We launched our amazing journey with the Beantown Swing Orchestra and we’re hosting them again for a night of fabulous music!

Since it is a party night and celebration, dress up if you want to make it even more memorable!

Here is a Beantown Swing Orchestra’s 2014 video demo, which showcases the depth of their talent:

Want some old school BSC flavor? We’ve got it below:

Lesson (included in the price of admission): 8:00pm – 9:00pm
Dancing: 9:00pm – 12:00am
General Admission: $15
Students and Seniors (with Valid ID): $13

The Crosby Whistle Stop!
24 Roland Street
Charlestown, MA 02129

Phil McGowan & the Easy Winners, BSC favorites, are back in action with their first gig with us in 2014. With their New Orleans inspired hot jazz tunes, they will get you out onto the floor all night! The Easy Winners always get the crowd moving when they play for us and and this Friday will be no exception! Digging deep into their catalog of hits from the past, they’ll light fire to tunes like the 1921 Eddie Cantor hit: “Margie” and Louis Armstrong’s “You Rascal You”.

Here are the Easy Winners back in March, with a high energy version of “You Rascal You”:

Lesson (included w/ admission): 8:00pm – 9:00pm
Dancing: 9:00pm – 12:00am
General Admission: $15
Students and Seniors (with Valid ID): $13

The Crosby Whistle Stop
24 Roland Street
Charlestown, MA 02129

Making their BSC debut this week is The Lowdown Stompers!

A dixie/swing outfit hailing from New York City, features some of the best and brightest talent on the East Coast. Thoroughly rooted in the music of the 20s, 30s and 40s, the Stompers can be seen playing almost every night in the Big Apple in Speakeasys, back rooms, dance halls, as well as the McKittrick Hotel (the home of Sleep No More), where they serve as the house dance band in their 6th floor restaurant.

The Stompers pride themselves in entertaining their audiences with their exciting, original arrangements. Catch their version of “Bei Mir Bitsu Shein”:

Lesson (included in the price of admission): 8:00pm – 9:00pm
Dancing: 9:00pm – 12:00am
General Admission: $15
Students and Seniors (with Valid ID): $13

The Crosby Whistle Stop
24 Roland Street
Charlestown, MA 02129

BSC is excited to welcome back the Blue Vipers of Brooklyn this week! Trademarked by their rhythm section, led by a washboard and upright bass, these guys sure do know how to get the crowd swinging with their wide vocabulary of hot jazz tunes, ranging from the 20s and 30s, all the way to the Dixieland Era!

The band often busks on the street and play regular gigs around New York and buzzes around the wedding circuit so it’s a rare treat to have them travel to play for us!

Here’s a clip of the Blue Vipers playing Dweck Center for Contemporary Culture in New York:

Lesson (included in the price of admission): 8:00pm – 9:00pm
Dancing: 9:00pm – 12:00am
General Admission: $17
Students and Seniors (with Valid ID): $15

The Crosby Whistle Stop
24 Roland Street
Charlestown, MA 02129

Last summer, Johnny Boyd (from Indigo Swing) made a highly anticipated return to Boston at our beloved Whistle Stop and tore the house down. He had everyone swinging out better than ever and smiles were on every dancer’s face that night. It was a truly memorable night and we are thrilled to welcome Johnny back again to kick off our February dances!

Johnny Boyd and Indigo Swing were legendary back in the day. Indigo Swing was a very special band and left a legacy of great recorded music that is still played by many DJs at swing dances across the country. Johnny promised us last time that his new band “cuts glass”. Whatever that means, we are pretty sure he lived up to his promise and what he has in store for us this week will be just as special, if not more so, than last year! Do not miss this!

Here is “Red Light” from a more recent gig out in California:

Lesson (included w/ admission): 8:00pm – 9:00pm
Dancing: 9:00pm – 12:00am
General Admission: $17
Students and Seniors (with Valid ID): $15

The Crosby Whistle Stop
24 Roland Street
Charlestown, MA 02129

After a dynamic start to 2014, with seven straight weeks of some of the area’s best bands, we wanted to throw it back to the BSC DJs, who have been stockpiling their favorite tunes to play for us.

Come join us for some great music, fun dancing, and cool cats. It might be cold though, so remember to button up your overcoat!

Lesson: 8pm to 9pm (included with admission)
Dancing: 9pm to 12 midnight
Admission: $10 (general), $8 (students and seniors with valid ID)

The Crosby Whistle Stop
24 Roland Street
Charlestown, MA 02129

Boston Swing Central is very excited for one of our most beloved dances of the year! This year we are thrilled that I <3 Swing, our Valentine's Day Ball, is falling on Valentine's Day! We will be featuring our super-groovy custom-made Valentines and our Cupids to deliver them to you (or your dance crush)! This night will be guaranteed to be in our memories for a long time, so dress to impress and put on some red and pink and get ready to send your friends and secret dance crushes some Valentines... And as our musical guests, this year we have Jessy Carolina & the Hot Mess! Jessy Carolina & the Hot Mess is a New York City based ensemble specializing in American music from the late 1800's-1930's, primarily jazz and blues reminiscent of The Ziegfield Follies, The Great American Song Book, and early medicine shows. Led by Jessy's unique talent for playing the washboard, the group is rounded out with the Hot Mess, which comprises of piano, banjo, guitar, woodwinds, and brass. If you can't wait until Valentine's Day, check out this clip from their last gig at the Whistle Stop back in May.

Lesson (included in the price of admission): 8pm – 9pm
Dancing: 9pm – midnight
General Admission: $17
Students and Seniors (with Valid ID): $15

The Crosby Whistle Stop
24 Roland Street
Charlestown, MA 02129

The Swing Legacy, a six piece little big band has been a fixture of the Boston swing scene since 1991 and BSC since the beginning, playing with style and informed of the great big bands from the swing era. Their repertoire concentrates on classic big band swing music including many Duke Ellington and Count Basie numbers ideal for Lindy Hop and swing dancing. Much of their great catalog of songs showcases their phenomenal singer, Debby Larkin. It promises to be a night full of killer-diller arrangements that will keep you dancing all night long!

Here they are playing “Roll ’em Pete” at the Whistle Stop…

Lesson (included w/ admission): 8:00pm – 9:00pm
Dancing: 9:00pm – 12:00am
General Admission: $15
Students and Seniors (with Valid ID): $13

The Crosby Whistle Stop
24 Roland Street
Charlestown, MA 02129

Gordon Webster needs little introduction.  He is one of the most world renowned jazz musicians playing in the lindy hop scene today.  He has recorded a LIVE album at our very own Crosby Whistle Stop and he performed an unforgettable set at the CD release party at Dirty Water back in September to celebrate that album.  He is a regular at BSC and we love having him whenever we can get him.

Gordon is known for surrounding himself with a band of excellent musicians who are the perfect fit for the jazz standards and originals that Gordon is so well known and loved for.

Unfamiliar with Gordon or just want a reminder of how awesome he is?  Check out this clip of him playing “Tishomingo Blues” with Meschiya Lake back in 2012:

Lesson (included w/ admission): 8:00pm – 9:00pm
Dancing: 9:00pm – 12:00am
General Admission: $17
Students & Seniors: $15

The Crosby Whistle Stop
24 Roland Street
Charlestown, MA 02129

Night two of Kind of a Big Deal Weekend will be just that, kind of a big deal!

After being wowed from the hot jazz from Gordon Au’s All-star band and the dazzling dancing from our competition participants on Friday night, Glenn Crytzer will be looking to up the ante.  The tables will flip and Gordon Au will join Glenn Crytzer’s Savoy Seven to bring the heat! We’ve got smoking competition finals! Glenn Crytzer’s Savoy Seven with Gordon Au which will be an unforgettable evening and we look forward to seeing you there!

Glenn Crytzer is well known throughout the swing world for leading the Rhythm Club, which represents several jazz ensembles, including the Syncopaters (and tonight, the Savoy Seven).  His groups have played all over the country, most notably at Lindy Focus, Midsummer Night Swing, and our very own Boston Swing Central.

Check out this Syncopaters performance from a previous gig at BSC (with Gordon Au on trumpet):

Still need to register for the weekend workshops and get an advance ticket for tonight?  Register here.

Lesson (included w/ admission): 8:00pm – 9:00pm
Dancing: 9:00pm – 2:00am
General Admission: $25 (adv.), $30 (at the door)
Students & Seniors: $22 (adv.), $27 (at the door)

Sorry, no passes or Groupons will be accepted tonight.

The Crosby Whistle Stop
24 Roland Street
Charlestown, MA 02129

Get ready for an outstanding Friday night dance to kick off Boston Swing Central’s second annual Kind of a Big Deal Weekend!

On Friday, Glenn Crytzer will meet BSC favorites Gordon Au and Tamar Korn!  Gordon Au has won us over with his excellent trumpet playing and band leading in top notch swing outfits, including Baby Soda, Mona’s Hot Four, and the Grand St. Stompers. 

Glenn Crytzer, best known as bandleader of the Syncopaters, will be joining this dynamic duo for the night and adding his own twist to the tunes Gordon and Tamar are planning to inspire our dancing with!

Need a preview?  Check out Gordon Au with the Grand St. Stompers:

Still need to register for the weekend workshops and get an advance ticket for tonight?  Register here.

Lesson (included w/ admission): 8:00pm – 9:00pm
Dancing: 9:00pm – 12:30am
General Admission: $20 (adv.), $25 (at the door)
Students & Seniors: $17 (adv). $22 (at the door)

Sorry, no passes or Groupons will be accepted tonight.

The Crosby Whistle Stop
24 Roland Street
Charlestown, MA 02129

Local dancer and songstress Jan Marie and her four piece band, the Mean Reds, are coming back to the Whistle Stop this Friday!

Since she made her Boston Swing Central debut this past March, Jan Marie has been featured in the Boston Globe and Boston Phoenix for her excellent singing and vintage fashion sense. As an experienced dancer, she knows what we want more than we know what we want! We have a pretty good feeling that Jan Marie and the Mean Reds will keep us dancing all night long!

Lesson (included with admission): 8:00pm – 9:00pm
Dancing: 9:00pm – 12:00am
General Admission: $15
Students & Seniors: $13

The Crosby Whistle Stop
24 Roland Street
Charlestown, MA 02129

Joining us at the Whistle Stop for just the second time ever this Friday are the Roc City Stompers!

The Stompers hail from Rochester, New York but play New Orleans-style trad jazz. And while it may be cold in January in both Rochester and Boston, the Roc City Stompers will be bringing us their best fiery hot jazz to melt away the winter blues.

Check them out playing their original tune “Less Like Weirdos (More Like People in Love)” from their Whistle Stop debut last year:

Lesson (included w/ admission): 8:00pm – 9:00pm
Dancing: 9:00pm – 12:00am
General Admission: $15
Students & Seniors: $13

The Crosby Whistle Stop
24 Roland Street
Charlestown, MA 02129

BSC IS OPEN TONIGHT! Snow won’t stop the swingouts!

To kick off 2014, Boston Swing Central will be welcoming back one of Boston’s best swing and blues divas, Toni Lynn Washington!

Hearing Toni Lynn’s soulful voice and her deep grooves is sure to warm up the dance floor! She is a local legend, an institution, a master, and a treasure. We are thrilled to have her grace the Whistle Stop stage once again!

Check out this clip of her at a local club, Johnny D’s:

Lesson (included in the price of admission): 8:00pm – 9:00pm
Dancing: 9:00pm – 12:00am
General Admission: $15
Students and Seniors (with Valid ID): $13

The Crosby Whistle Stop
24 Roland Street
Charlestown, MA 02129

Boston Swing Central is delighted to be hosting its fourth annual New Year’s Eve Great Gatsby Gala, which this year features one of our favorite bands, Baby Soda, as the band for the evening. If they get you swinging out hard during a regular Friday night dance, just imagine the energy they will be putting into their sets as we welcome in 2014!

What is the New Year’s Eve Great Gatsby Gala?…a swing dance party harking back to the roaring ’20s! Dress in your finest vintage black tie (if you can dance in it, of course…and it’s not required, but sure is fun!) and join us for a night of great music and dancing!

You can count on a fun packed night of dancing which includes:
*The Baby Soda Jazz Band from Brooklyn, NY
*Paper Moon Photo Booth and Props
*Midnight Sparkling Cider Toast
and more…

Tickets will be available at the door tonight!

Crosby Whistle Stop
24 Roland St
Charlestown, MA 02129
Admission: $35 general admission, $30 students/seniors (ID required)

Groupons and passes will not be accepted for this event.
Time: 8-9pm lesson, General dancing from 9pm to at least 12:30am.

We will be closed on Friday, December 27th for the holidays. Don’t fret though, you can go grab a friend or family member and get them dancing with you! And don’t forget to join us for our 4th Annual New Year’s Eve Gala. Buy your advance tickets here!