Dan Gabel‘s High Society Orchestra is the premiere large ensemble hot jazz group in New England. Founded in 1976 by Warren “Bud” Trow, trombonist, arranger, and jazz historian Dan Gabel took the baton in 2006. Hot jazz numbers and rarities are mixed with dance music and original Gabel arrangements. The band is influenced by the unique music of Duke Ellington, Fletcher Henderson, Archie Bleyer, Bill Challis, Bix Beiderbecke, Louis Armstrong, Cab Calloway, and Paul Whiteman. Vocalist Elise Roth lends her expert talents on vocal numbers of the era, bringing back rarely heard verses and a classic vintage singing style. The band sports a period look with tuxedos, red vests and bowties, banners with the band logo, and a bastion of vintage 1920’s curios, including megaphones, temple blocks, mutes, hats, and clarinet trios. The band has played all over New England, from Scullers Jazz Club to the Isles of Shoals, Portsmouth NH, and has been featured on “Chronicle” and local TV stations. Always a favorite for dancers, the band enjoys playing for vintage dances across New England, enjoyed by all styles from ballroom to lindy hop.

Here they are playing on the Boston Vintage Society’s Dixieland Cruise!

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

Extreme Dancesport
26 New Street, Suite 3
Cambridge, MA 02138

This Friday, come out to Boston Swing Central, guest DJ Ali Connell will be spinning a set for us!

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

Extreme Dancesport
26 New Street, Suite 3
Cambridge, MA 02138

Get ready to swing out hard….Rocco and the Stompers are back! The 7-piece swing band specializes in the music of Duke Ellington and the bands his notable sidemen fronted, including Johnny Hodges, Cootie Williams, Rex Stewart, Barney Bigard and others.  Only from the Stompers will you hear the hottest songs of the swing era brought back from obscurity, covering hip tunes by the Artie Shaw Gramercy Five, and the Count Basie and Benny Goodman small groups. Led by Boston-based arranger/composer Danny Rocco Fratina and stocked with the best local players, Rocco and the Stompers are here to get you on your feet with music for swing dancers of all experience levels.

Here’s a nostalgic flashback to 2009, Rocco is making his comeback with brand new band members and set lists! Get excited for an awesome swing dance!

Click on the logo below to be redirected to their first album on Spotify!

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

Extreme Dancesport
26 New Street, Suite 3
Cambridge, MA 02138

The Foxtet is a six piece band led by trombonist Dan Fox and comprised of some of the best local musicians who have decades of combined experience playing for swing dancers.The Foxtet also features the lovely Amy Kucharik on vocals and ukulele. Fox has worked as a sideman at Boston Swing Central with Adrian Cunningham, The Lowdown Stompers, the Easy Winners and with Shawn Hershey. Expect a rock-solid beat and sweet, swinging horns playing tunes from the ’20’s and ’30’s at just the right tempos.

Joining Dan on vocals for this evening is Amy Kucharik, a singer-songwriter based in Somerville, MA known for sweet ukulele sounds and sassy lyrics, delivered with a voice and style that recall early jazz and blues performers. Amy has performed at swing dance venues in Somerville, Cambridge, and the greater Boston area as well as Philadelphia, Baltimore, Dallas and St. Louis.

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

Extreme Dancesport
26 New Street, Suite 3
Cambridge, MA 02138

The Swing Legacy, a six piece “little big band” has been a fixture of the Boston swing dance scene since 1991 and BSC since the beginning, playing with a style informed by 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” for BSC!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EP8MnMiI-tA

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

Extreme Dancesport
26 New Street, Suite 3
Cambridge, MA 02138

Boston Swing Central is very excited for one of our most beloved  swing dances of the year! This night is guaranteed to be in our memories for a long time so dress to impress in some red and pink and get ready to send your friends (and secret dance crushes) some Valentines!

As our musical guests, we present Emily Asher’s Garden Party!

Trombonist and vocalist Emily Asher is a rising personality in New York City. This week, she and her group of all star musicians, Garden Party, bring their style of red hot trad jazz back to Boston! This vibrant and versatile musical ensemble has been been called “red hot!” and “very exciting” by the Wall Street Journal. We definitely agree!

If you can’t wait until the swing dance – check them out here!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HS5kwlPsWQ#t=18

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

Extreme Dancesport
26 New Street, Suite 3
Cambridge, MA 02138

Jessy Carolina & The Hot Mess is a New York based ensemble specializing in American music from the late 1800s-1930s, 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.

Despite their name, Jessy Carolina & the Hot Mess are far from sounding like one. Check out this clip from a gig at the Whistle Stop.

Lesson (included in the price of admission): 8pm – 9pm
Dancing: 9pm – midnight
General Admission: $16
Students and Seniors (with Valid ID): $13

Extreme Dancesport
26 New St
Cambridge, MA 02138

Ah, New England, and Noreasters!   Not much you can do?  Now is there?  We’re all still riding high from Kind of a Big Deal!  Come out  and dance to some of our finest DJs!

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

Extreme Dancesport
26 New Street, Suite 3
Cambridge, MA 02138

Friday, January 23 – Extreme Dancesport, Gordon Webster & Hetty Kate

8pm-9pm  Beginner Lesson

9pm-10:30pm Gordon Webster & Hetty Kate

10:30-11:15pm Jack & Jill Prelims

11:15pm-12:30am Gordon Webster & Hetty Kate

Saturday, January 24 – Workshops at Cambridge Public Schools  Noon-6pm

Open Track (Beg-Int) – Andy & Nina (Fletcher Maynard Academy)

1.  Ya Gotta Start Somewhere (noon-1:15pm)

2. 60 Percent of the Time it Works Every Time (1:45pm-2:45pm)

3.  Charleston Ain’t just the Capital of South Carolina (3:15pm-4:15pm)

4. We Got the Moves Like Jagger (4:30pm-5:30pm)

1.  All Flash, No Trash (noon-1:15pm)

2. The Way We See It (1:45pm-3:00pm)

3. Fascinatin’ Rhythms (3:30pm-4:30pm)

4. Old Timer Dancing (4:45pm-5:45pm)

Saturday Night Dance – Arlington Town Hall with Gordon Webster & Hetty Kate

8pm-9pm  Beginner Lesson

9pm-10:30pm Gordon Webster w/ Hetty Kate

10:30-11:15pm Jack & Jill Finals

11:15pm-12:00am Gordon Webster w/ Hetty Kate

Sunday, January 25 – Workshops at Cambridge Public Schools Noon-6pm

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

This Saturday, Gordon Webster and Hetty Kate are back, this time in the beautiful Arlington Town Hall! Come get swungover with New York pianist Gordon Webster, and Melbourne’s charismatic songstress, Hetty Kate. Don’t miss it! This dynamic duo met on the bandstand at Jumptown Jam 2013 amidst a crowded dance hall and have since recorded an album together in New York. Gordon’s tremendous musicianship and passion coupled with Hetty Kate’s sweet and dangerously infectious voice are sure to keep us dancing all night!

Still need to register for Kind of a Big Deal Weekend Workshops? CLICK HERE.

Advanced Registration is closed.  Tickets available at-the-door for tonight’s dance!

Sorry, no passes or coupons will be accepted tonight.

Lesson (included w/ admission): 8:00pm – 9:00pm
Dancing: 9:00pm – 12:00am
General Admission: $27 at the door
Students & Seniors (with valid ID): $23 at the door

Arlington Town Hall
730 Mass Ave, Arlington, MA

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

Tonight, celebrated ‘King of Swing’, New York pianist Gordon Webster, meets Melbourne’s charismatic songstress, Hetty Kate. You won’t want to miss this! This dynamic duo met on the bandstand at Jumptown Jam 2013 amidst a crowded dance hall and have since recorded an album together in New York. Gordon’s tremendous musicianship and passion coupled with Hetty Kate’s sweet and dangerously infectious voice are sure to keep our dancing inspired all night!

You will definitely wanna be around:

Still need to register for Kind of a Big Deal Weekend Workshops? CLICK HERE.

ADVANCED REGISTRATION IS CLOSED, you can register on Friday at the Dance.

Sorry, no passes or coupons will be accepted tonight.

Get to this dance early or later, very limited number of at-the-door tickets available.

Lesson (included w/ admission): 8:00pm – 9:00pm
Dancing: 9:00pm – 12:00am
General Admission: $25 at the door
Students & Seniors (with valid ID): $23 at the door

Extreme Dancesport
26 New Street, Suite 3
Cambridge, MA 02138

Local dancer and powerhouse vocalist, Jan Marie and her talented band, the Mean Reds, are coming back to Boston Swing Central! Jan Marie made her BSC debut in 2013 and has since 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 & The Mean Reds will keep us dancing all night long.

Check out their performance of “Exactly Like You” at Boston Swing Central!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvBhNqRk4r4

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

Extreme Dancesport
26 New Street, Suite 3
Cambridge, MA 02138

Phil McGowan & the Easy Winners, BSC favorites, will join us at Extreme Dancesport for another high energy gig! 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 they are tearing it up with Boston Swing Central in 2012!

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

Extreme Dancesport
26 New Street, Suite 3
Cambridge, MA 02138

Mike has been dancing in Boston since forever.   He is responsible for the sound and books all the bands and DJs for Boston Swing Central’s awesome Friday night dances.  Over the years, he has also coordinated Swingin’ on the Charles and Roaring Twenties Lawn Party.  He has also DJed at many exchanges and camps outside of Boston, including Connecticut, New York and Montreal.  Mike hopes you enjoy dancing to the music he plays and he really loves it when people come up and ask, “what’s that song?” because they have to get the track for themselves….and in case you’re wondering who that is that he’s standing next to in this picture, it’s the late great, wonderful human being and Lindy Hop pioneer, Frankie Manning.

Email him at mike@bostonswingcentral.org

Natalie has always been drawn to arts, music and movement. She dabbled in folk, contra, ballet and ballroom dance, before discovering the Lindy Hop in 2009. This revelation has blossomed into a full-on dance addiction.

Natalie enjoys performing, competing and traveling to events all over the world. She holds several titles.  But her proudest achievements are being a big part of Boston Swing Central, organizing dance events, teaching, inspiring and supporting a wonderful family of dancers.  She is known for her energy, playfulness and joyful expression. Natalie believes in making every dance unique to each partner and music, and in creating an authentic dance conversation full of fun and happiness.

Email her at natalie@bostonswingcentral.org

Tonight our DJs are going keep the New Year’s party going with some great swing.  It’s going to be our first dance of the year and we’re looking forward to a great year.  Kevin Lin will make his DJing debut in the first set tonight!

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

Extreme Dancesport
26 New Street, Suite 3
Cambridge, MA 02138

Wayne started swing dancing in the 90’s after watching an old VHS cassette of Swingers one too many times.  After spending a number of years dabbling in dance, he found himself sucked in to Boston Swing Central by the extra-friendly people and pure fun.  Wayne’s philosophy of dance is that dancing is the most natural expression of joy, and as long as you and your partner are happy, you’re doing it right.

In addition to dancing, Wayne has a deep love of origami and jazz music.  If you see him at a dance, ask him to make you a crane, or ask him the difference between sweet, hot, and jump music.  You will make his day.

wayne@bostonswingcentral.org

Katie was truly inspired by joyful, high energy dancing back in middle school when she performed with the New Hampshire Dance Institute (NHDI), described as “somewhere between Broadway and the playground.” She truly missed it and just when she never thought she could find the “adult” version, she discovered Lindy Hop in 2009 and it was magic all over again! She fell deeply in love with social dance and couldn’t be happier. Lindy Hop, Balboa, West Coast Swing, you name it! Katie is a regular in the lively Boston scene, frequenting the weekly social dances, teaching, and competing. She really enjoys live music, the Tranky Doo, teaching beginners, and dancing like she means it! In addition to dancing, Katie adores her husband (who taught her the art of social dance), her rascal of a cat, Boo Boo, and digital scrap-booking.

katie@bostonswingcentral.org

The BSC New Year’s Eve Vintage Ball is a swing dance party harking back to the lively 20s, 30s, and 40s! Vintage black tie dress up is encouraged (but not required). We will all bring in the new year together with a midnight sparkling cider toast!

This event, held this year at the stunning  Arlington Town Hall, features the AMAZING Baby Soda Jazz Band from New York City. You  will feel like you have been transported back in time. This is sure to be a wonderfully festive night of great music and dancing.

Check out the band!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4Powr2Wa_k

Check out our beautiful venue!

Photo courtesy of Nicole Chan Photography

Our “Pay-What-You-Can” deal has been extended thru Christmas. For more details, visit the link below.

Get your tickets now! https://www.bostonswingcentral.org/newyears/

TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE at-the-door!

Swing Lesson (include w/ admission): 8:00-9:00pm
Dancing: 9:00pm – 12:30am

Arlington Town Hall
730 Mass Ave, Arlington, MA

BOSTON SWING CENTRAL IS CLOSED TODAY.

Many of our dancers, volunteers, and musicians are spending time with their friends and families today and we want you all to enjoy that time. Have fun drinking eggnog, wearing cheesy sweaters, hugs, and (hopefully) Lindy bombing your family gatherings.  Travel safe!

We look forward to ringing in the new year with our BSC community at our New Year’s Eve Vintage Ball! See you there!

Merry Merry Christmas, Happy Happy Hanukkah, Joyous Joyous Kwanzaa, or warm wishes toward whatever you celebrate this season!   Tonight our DJs aim to give you their best Holiday Swing tunes and general good cheer. As we  dream of a White Christmas, we definitely 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…

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

Extreme Dancesport
26 New Street, Suite 3
Cambridge, MA 02138

The 18-piece Beantown Swing Orchestra will be joining BSC yet again to share their gift of swinging big band tunes! The Beantown Swing Orchestra is known for their stellar performances of vintage Swing Era and Sinatra classics arranged for that big band sound that inspires great, memorable dances. The band even adds their own flair by adding in some original songs and arrangements! And, since the holidays are fast approaching, don’t be surprised if a few holiday tunes make it onto the set list. As usual, the BSO will have some of its well known and talented vocalists along with them!

Check out the below video for their version of Jimmie Lunceford’s “Tain’t What You Do” and see just how fun dancing to the Beantown Swing Orchestra is!

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

Extreme Dancesport
26 New Street, Suite 3
Cambridge, MA 02138

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 a style informed by 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” for BSC!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EP8MnMiI-tA

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

Extreme Dancesport
26 New Street, Suite 3
Cambridge, MA 02138

Gobble, gobble, gobble! As you emerge from your turkey coma (or tofurkey, if that’s how you swing), head on over to the Whistle Stop for a Thanksgiving dance party!

Join a special guest DJ (or two) and spin, turn, Charleston, and swing out the previous night’s cornucopia of Thanksgiving treats! We look forward to hosting those who stayed local as well as special out of town visitors at this week’s dance!

Believe it or not, the Turkey Trot was a real dance way back in the day! See it in action in this old movie clip and try it out Friday:

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

Extreme Dancesport
26 New Street, Suite 3
Cambridge, MA 02138

Jason Benjamin is a New York City-based trumpeter, bandleader and songwriter. Specializing in hot jazz from the 1920s and ‘30s, Jason co-founded the Red Hook Ramblers with clarinettist Marshall Wilson in 2005. The band blazed the hot jazz revival in NYC and became an in-demand act in the burlesque and swing dance circuit. His new project, Lime Juice Jazz continues to bring the Jazz Age into the modern era, specializing in hot jazz, traditional jazz, dixieland and swing!

CLICK HERE  to check out Jason’s Bandcamp page and get a feel for his sound!

Lesson (included w/ admission): 8:00pm – 9:00pm
Dancing: 9:00pm – 12:00am
General Admission: $16
Students and Seniors (with Valid ID): $14

Extreme Dancesport
26 New Street, Suite 3
Cambridge, MA 02138