Don’t let the snow scare you away!
Come and dance the night away!

Ok. We admit, the opening line is a bit cheesy but we got your attention. Here’s the deal. It’s Friday!  Yay!  It’s another snowstorm.  Boo!  But the good news is that we’re still running the dance tonight and the p.m. Stompers are still planning to bring their high energy swing to the Whistle Stop. 

Boston Swing Central welcomes another new band called The p.m. Stompers. The p.m. Stompers are an offshoot of Baby Soda formed by the drummer Phil McGowan (hence the p.m., but also a nod to the evening time and hence the lack of capitalization). Anyhow Phil has modelled his band on Count Basie’s late 1930s Kansas City Seven…He assures us it’s going to be “HOT”…and swinging! Can’t wait to see you there!!!

Lesson (included in the price of admission): 8:00pm – 9:00pm
Dancing: 9:00pm – 12:30am
General Admission: $15
Students and Seniors (with Valid ID): $13

The Crosby Whistle Stop
24 Roland Street
Charlestown, MA 02129

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Joyous Kwanzaa, or whatever you might celebrate.   Tonight our DJs aim to give you their best Holiday Swing tunes and general good cheer. As the mercury falls, so falls the snow…and we’ll need some swing dancing to keep our popsicle toes warmed. This will also help us dance off all of the extra holiday treats and meals we plan on consuming…Devona Cartier is our guest DJ for the evening.

Lesson (included in the price of 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

Boston Swing Central is proud to announce the Crosby Whistle Stop debut of Beantown Swing Orchestra! Yes it’s been a while since we’ve been able to host a big band with so many musicians, and tonight they told us they are bringing a 4-piece string Quartet with them in addition to the regular big band! So the sound is going to be MASSIVE!   Just like the good ole days before amplification when the bands were BIG to fill a hall with sound.

They’re also bringing with them 3rd Season, American Idol finalist, John Stevens to do the vocal chores…John has a melifluous voice which reminds us a lot of Rat Pack icons, Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, and the more contemporary artist: Harry Connick Jr.

Frank Hsieh, bandleader for BSO, promises a few Holiday tunes in the mix as he is using this outing as a tune-up for their upcoming corporate gigs.  To add to the fun and because they love playing for dancers we’d like to take heed a little reminder from Reuben and tell you…. “don’t forget to clap at the end of songs.”

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

The Jailhouse Five Plus Two returns with their authentic and enthusiastic Dixieland jazz…and we’re ready for a night of great music and fine dancing. This fantastic band brings an air of authenticity, as you can easily tell this is the music that they grew up with, cherish, and love and have played for many years.

The name, The Jailhouse Five Plus Two is inspired by the lawless characters of the prohibition era when Dixieland was adopted as the popular music of the time, “The Roaring Twenties.” This time is also fondly remembered as the Great Gatsby era which also happens to be the theme of our upcoming New Year’s Eve bash…

Bootlegging, speakeasies, bath tub gin, Bonnie & Clyde and other lawless activity was the way of life in major U.S. cities. The Jailhouse Five Plus Two tries to capture the exhaltation of the era. Happy, fast, boisterous, free, and improvisational are all descriptors of their music. Come on out and feel their electricity…

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

Yes, it’s that time of year when thoughts of turkey appear in our heads and a lot of it ends up in our tummies. Tonight we’re going to dance off the previous nights yams and pies (or at least try to). What better way to burn off all those added calories than taking a spin on the dance floor? So if you happen to be in town, come on out and share some camaraderie with those of us who aren’t travelling on this hectic holiday weekend.

This also kicks off a big swing dancing weekend where we welcome some of our favorite teachers Skye Humphries and Naomi Uyama, and we’re hoping that they get a chance to stop by. For those of you attending their workshops think of it as a chance to get a little extra practice in and perhaps dazzle us with some fancy foot work.

Lesson (included in the price of 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

Yes- it’s November, we’re almost at the end of the decade and perhaps our themes are running a little nutty (tweed, slick)… Perhaps we’ll redefine ourselves as we leave the oughties behind. For now, we’re going to pay tribute to former Monday Night Practice stalwart and DJ, Mike Smith, aka Slick Mike.

This past summer, Slick Mike ended his reign as the most prominent DJ in the Boston Swing Scene (moving his family West sort of like in the Grapes of Wrath) and  “Consarn it!”, we miss his reliable and steady hand in the DJ booth.  For over 10 years, Mr. Smith was as sold as a rock delivering us the hoodle-addle of classic swing music.  If you don’t remember his DJing or never experienced his DJing, don’t worry, we’re talking about some iconic tracks that are inspiring to dance to. So tonight, we’re going to party like it’s 1999, or 2002, or 2004, or 2008!  Slick Mike had a great tenure here as our own King of Swing and maybe someday he will show up and really DJ for us! For now we’ll have to settle for this well-researched and fitting tribute.

Lesson (included in the price of 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

It’s a tweed tweed tweed world and we at Boston Swing Central just
live in it. Not really, but, it’s time to get dressed up again and
this time it’s tweed that we’re celebrating. Why tweed you ask and
not gabardine or suede? Well, tweed is for distinguished ladies and
gents. And it reminds us of a time when we were dancing in the
parlour. We were also inspired by several discerning dancers who went on the Tweed Ride http://bostontweed.blogspot.com/.

As incentive, we’re offering a $1 discount to those who bust
out their best Harris, Donegal or herringbone outfits. And if you come
adorned in a tweed headcoat not only will our jaws drop to the floor, we might
have to jam you dear chap. Pip pip and cheerio…

Lesson (included in the price of admission): 8:00pm – 9:00pm
Dancing: 9:00pm – 12:00am
General Admission: $10 ($9 donning the tweed)
Students and Seniors (with Valid ID): $8 ($7 clad in tweed)

The Crosby Whistle Stop
24 Roland Street
Charlestown, MA 02129

Baby Soda Jazz Band makes their BSC debut tonight! And we couldn’t be more excited – we’ve been trying to get them to play at the BSC for almost a YEAR!  Some of you may remember them when they played at Uptown Swing Dance during BIX this past May, and oh what a fabulous evening it was.

Their heart pounding brand of hobo street jazz makes us swoon! From the traditional sound of the trumpet and trombone to the one string box bass this band has a sound that is sure to keep your feet moving all night long. Listen to them here.

So get excited; we are!   And get ready for another high energy night of dancing, we want you to bring it, because we know Baby Soda Jazz Band will.

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

The Crosby Whistle Stop
24 Roland Street
Charlestown, MA 02129

Calling All Zombies*! It’s time to heed the bell toll for another ghastly and ghoulish Halloween party at Boston Swing Central. It’s our 3rd year and this time we’re in 3-D (I think we always were, but that seems to be the thing to do when you get to that third sequel in the series). Rise up all you creepy crawlies and pay tribute to the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson and dance to the shocking sounds of Shawn (of the Dead) Hershey and the Fried Bananas.

The lesson will feature Michael Jackson’s Thriller line dance as taught for the third straight year by the reanimated duo of Jason Provost and Diana Byrne. The lesson begins promptly at 7:30pm – 9pm and then performed later on in the evening (performing is optional – we won’t force ya!) So, start studying YouTube now… Don’t miss this party as it will be one of the best of the Fall!

Get $2 OFF ADMISSION if you come in costume.  But no lame costumes like, “I came as a swing dancer”, or “I came as myself” or putting a couple socks on your shoulder and being “static cling”.  Discount is at the discretion of the door staff, so put in some effort!

Extended Lesson Time (included in the price of admission): 7:30pm – 9:00pm
Dancing: 9:00pm – 12:30am
General Admission: $17 ($15 with costume discount)
Students and Seniors (with Valid ID): $15  ($13 with costume discount)

Crosby Whistle Stop
24 Roland St
Charlestown, MA 02129

*Being a zombie is one of the easiest costumes we can think of…so no excuses!

Gordon Webster is back once again with his stellar Quartet featuring vocalist Brianna Thomas. Gordon is one of the most in demand swing band leaders in the country, maybe even in the world. He’s played at every camp, exchange and special event from Sweden to Seoul and we’re lucky he’s made Boston a regular stop on his tour.

This time he brings Brianna Thomas, who reminds us of a young Ella Fitzgerald. This combination is swing dancing nirvana! And dancing to their music is what we imagine it might’ve been like to see Ella live back in 1948. Something like this. (Except, of course, unlike Benny Goodman and Duke Ellington, we wouldn’t be sitting down). So come with us tonight and let’s enjoy the lightning they’ve caught in a bottle and will unleash at the Crosby Whistle Stop, because it is pure magic!

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

The Crosby Whistle Stop
24 Roland Street
Charlestown, MA 02129

If you have not yet heard the Sweet & Low Down, you are in for a treat, and if you have heard them, then you know how great they are. The harmonies of Miss Tess and Rachel Price are the “Sweet” part and the rhythm section brings the “Low Down”. A mixture of blues and swing that is simply intoxicating.

And if that weren’t enough, we’re bringing back our “Bring a Friend, Get in FREE” Promotion.  This was popular earlier this spring, and we want to see what you guys can do this fall.  See qualifying details below.  Why are we doing this?  Because most people hear about us through a friend.  And we know how hard it is to get your friends on the dance floor – we’ve all been there.  So for those of you that can weed through all of those excuses and get someone new to our dance, you’re finally getting rewarded! 

Promotion Qualifying Details:

1)      In order to get free admission when bringing a friend, you (the dancer) needs to have attended at least one BSC Dance prior to October 15, 2010.  Your friend must have NEVER, EVER, NOT EVEN ONCE been to a BSC dance.  How will we know?  Oh, we’ll know!

2)      You must get there with your friend BEFORE 8:20PM so they can take our beginning lesson that starts at 8PM.

3)      If you bring a friend and you have also NEVER been to our dance, you DO NOT qualify for the discount.

4)      The person must be your friend and of the homo sapiens.  Imaginary friends, Lassie, ET, pet rocks, etc. do not qualify.

5)      You must mention this promotion at the door when paying admission to receive it.  You can’t come back later and ask for it if you forget (if ya snooze, ya lose).

6)      Who gets in free?  Well that’s up to you…and how good of a friend you are.  Show up with a friend and only one admission has to be paid (buy one, get one free).  How you settle up is at your discretion, but please resolve any disputes by peaceful means (i.e. thumb wrestling, drawing straws, and dance offs).

7)      May not be combined with any other promotions or discounts(i.e. get in free or half off coupons/passes, discounts received for angeling or DJ’ing, etc.  Board Members do not qualify.)

8)      If you get caught gaming the system, you may be subject to the consequences thought up on the spot by BSC staff.  May include but are not limited to the following activities with your new “friend”:  wearing matching ski sweaters throughout the entire dance,  doing a Charleston duet to “You Can’t Touch This” to be posted on YouTube, dancing in your bare feet.

New people coming by yourselves or with other people are still of course welcome!  And what a great night to come out with lots of other new people.  We’re sorry you won’t qualify this time, but if we run this again in the coming months, and you attend our event this Friday, you will qualify for next time!  

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

This week we’ve appropriated the title from the Nancy Sinatra classic as our theme for tonight’s stellar line up of lady DJs!  We had a similar evening earlier this summer which was a huge success. Since we weren’t able to fit all of the ladies we wanted to invite on the first night- we’ve planned a second night.  That means they’ll be teachin’ (Gina will be teaching), swingin’ (we’ll have a special lady steal jam mixer) and spinnin’ (DJ’ing) all over Boston Swing Central.  Tonight, we have Gina Helfrich, Tina Desourcy, Abby Cohen and Amy Kucharik all taking a turn behind the DJ desk.  And if that weren’t enough we have a special price for ladies tonight, and the gents will have to pony up.  So grab a friend or just come on out solo.  It promises to be a really fun night!!!  Boots and/or partner not required.

Lesson (included in the price of admission): 8:00pm – 9:00pm
Dancing: 9:00pm – 12:00am
General Admission: $9 for ladies, $11 for gents
Students and Seniors (with Valid ID): $7 for ladies, $9 for gents

The Crosby Whistle Stop
24 Roland Street
Charlestown, MA 02129

Are you feeling lucky? At Boston Swing Central, we are feeling so lucky!
…and for you we’ve got a Fortune Cookie Surprise!  That’s right, we’ll be passing out REAL, ORIGINAL, Boston Swing Central fortune cookies just for you dancers!  Come tonight and see what the future holds…we’re up to our old tricks and believe you me, you’re going to leave with a smile on your face…because that’s just what a good night of dancing does to us: makes us feel like we’re walking on air… Tonight we’ve got RetroMike spinning the first half of the evening followed by the soft-spoken bearded sage, DJ John Brooks taking us home with some of his lucky favorites…

Lesson (included in the price of 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

Boston Swing Central is looking forward to the return of Toni Lynn Washington. This summer she played 3 glorious sets for us and inspired by all of the great dancing, she kept on playing right up until closing time at 12:30am! Toni Lynn gives us her all! She is a local legend, an institution, a master, a treasure, and the hottest blues diva in town! You won’t want to miss this night of great grooves.

Like some of the more well-known blues divas like Etta James, Ruth Brown and Koko Taylor, Toni Lynn is the real deal. At age 72, she continues to rock the house, belting it out and delivering the goods…behind a crackerjack band that is tough to beat.

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 

Labor day marks the end of summer.  Time to start moving the fun activities inside (Although, those of us who love to dance don’t ever stop, do we?)

Here’s the schedule for September.  Sign up today at http://newschoolswing.com .  If you missed the first week of classes on Sept 7th, you can still sign up and join in this week!  Check out this month’s offerings below.

Tuesdays

7-8pm Advanced Beginner Charleston with Paul Mandel and Amanda Gruhl
8-9pm Lindy Hop Basics and Fundamentals (6 count) with Shawn Hershey and Nicole Zuckerman
9-11pm will be our open practice session for $3 per session, $10 for the whole month if you sign up in advance through NSS.  Teachers will stay 30 minutes after class to answer any questions and provide one on one help.

Wednesdays

7-8pm Intermediate/Advanced Fast Lindy Hop with Shawn Hershey and Amanda Gruhl
8-9pm Fundamentals of Balboa with Shawn Hershey and Nicole Zuckerman

Cost:  See http://newschoolswing.com for pricing details and for a discount if you sign up online!  $3 for practice session at the door.  FREE if you are taking a NSS class this month!
Place: The Crosby Whistle Stop where else?

It’s gotten back to us that the Jimmy Fund will be in Copley Square this Sunday.  Unfortunately, the City of Boston issued us a permit on this day forgetting there was a major conflict with this space.  It also looks like Sunday will bring rain, so perhaps it’s all for the best anyway.  But if you’re up for some dancing this weekend, you can come on out Friday to the BSC for the Back Bay Rhythm Makers!

We hope you enjoyed our free summer series which took us to East Boston, Copley Square, and ZUMIX.  Next year we are hoping to add a location in Charlestown.

The Back Bay Rhythm Makers make their Crosby Whistle Stop debut!  You might remember them, as they’ve played Boston Swing Central dances quite a few times over the last couple of years.  To refresh your memory, BBRM is a smaller combo featuring members of White Heat Swing Orchestra.  Fueled by the high energy clarinet of leader Craig Ball, these cats know how to swing!  Be prepared to cut loose!  Check out their sample video here.

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 

Alright, so technically this Friday is not after Labor Day (which is when school starts), but school is just around the corner you can feel it in the air. DJ RetroMike plans to kick off the school year with some of his favorite songs that he has discovered recently while studying for his PhD in swingology (which is code for perusing his vast collection of vintage jazz looking for new songs).

So come on out, get ready for an exciting new season of dancing at Boston Swing Central. And to celebrate Back to School, we’ll be teaching a few mini lessons throughout the evening, 5 or 10 minute swing snippets, if you will…add some cool new moves to your repetoire…

After tonight, we’ll feature a lot more bands as the cooler weather returns, the vacation season finishes and school starts up. Next week we kick off the Fall Season with the Back Bay Rhythm Makers featuring Craig Ball and his other White Heat Swing Orchestra brethren. Upcoming we’ll have Gordon Webster, Sweet & Lowdown, Toni Lynn Washington, Baby Soda and many more…

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

Since we have an extra Tuesday in September, we’re doing combination guided practicas and auditions for our fast theme from 7-9pm at Whistle Stop!

For $5, you’ll get some one-on-one time with a New School Swing instructor who will give you feedback about your dancing and tips about what you should work on next. The rest of the time will be open dance practice.

If you’re interested, auditions for any/all… of our fast theme classes and performance this fall will be taking place at the guided practicas.   If you’re not interested in auditioning, just come, dance, and get some one-on-one feedback!

NOTE: If you would like to do the classes or performance in October or November, you must attend these auditions! We don’t want to hold auditions every month, so we’re doing them all in one shot. (Fundamentals of Balboa is the only Wednesday class that does not require auditions.)

For more information about the awesome classes and performance we have planned, see our website at www.newschoolswing.com or email amanda@newschoolswing.com with any questions!

It’s nearly the end of summer and Boston Swing Central is singing it’s swan song to the end of August with the DJ duo of Julie Brown and Nicole Zuckerman.  They’ll start off spinning swing tunes and sink into the soulful grove of motown and blues as the hours tick on. We’ll be recreating the feeling of those old summer night parties with the lights turned low, and the music drifting you into a sense of long summer night timelessness: all it’s going to take is our beautiful venue and two of our favorite New School Swing teachers cooking up amazing set lists from their mp3 collections.  Come and say a long goodbye to summer with us.

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 

Bring out the hat, gloves and cane!  We’ll be making like Fred and Ginger on this classic swing night.  Just like the movie from 1935, everyone is encouraged to wear black and white fancy dress tonight.  It’s also our own Abby Cohen’s birthday, so she picked tonight’s theme.  Come out in your finery and make it a fun night!

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

Everybody loves summer and what summer is complete without watermelon.

This Friday Boston Swing Central will bust out all our summer favorites including “Watermelon Man”.  And in the spirit of great competitions we’ll have a watermelon seed spitting contest out back on our patio…so practice up (if you are lucky enough to find a place that sells seeded watermelons, a feat unto itself in this day and age!)  Or if you’re not game for seed spitting, just enjoy snacking on some of the seedless we’ll have available as well.  It’s a summer celebration! 

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

Sidney Bechet has his day!  Tonight, Boston Swing Central welcomes Alex Abdoulaev back to help us pay tribute to New Orleans Jazz progenitor and saxophone and clarinet giant.  BSC DJs have been slipping his tracks into their playlists with superb effect for years.  Everytime, they play “Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho” or “Blues My Naughty Sweetie Gives to Me” the dance floor fills with excitement…and afterwards a few people come up and ask who was responsible…and for those of you who do not know this amazing artist, perhaps this evening will help you to recognize his infectious clarinet and sax solos.

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