Tuesday, November 11th is Veteran’s Day and we’d like to say a big Thank You at our Friday dance to our Vets (and active service men and women) by throwing a special USO style* swing dance, like they did back during WWII. Though we have no political agenda here at BSC, it seems appropriate to show our respect to those who serve and protect so the rest of us can keep on swingin!

The USO is a private organization that has provided morale and recreational services since 1941. Their first priority has always been supporting America’s troops. USO centers and clubs opened around the world as a “Home Away from Home” for GI’s, and was a place to go for dances and social events.

In the 1940’s big bands were the cat’s pajamas. Tonight, our Boston DJs are going to honor the past by spinning our favorite classics all night long!

Servicemen and women who show up in their Dress Uniforms get in for FREE!
Veterans of WWII, Vietnam, Korea, and Desert Storm get in for FREE!
All other veterans and active military (as well as police and fire) personnel get in for $5 off!

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

*Please note that Boston Swing Central is not associated with the United Service Organization.

The Lowdown Stompers Swing Orchestra is an expanded version of the 5-piece Lowdown Stompers small group, a dixie/swing outfit hailing from New York City, the Lowdown Stompers feature 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 speakeasies, 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.

Please note: Late start time!  Everything is skewed by an hour…AND THE LESSON IS SHORTER

Check this out. Hot!

Lesson (included in the price of admission): 9:00pm – 9:30pm
Dancing: 9:30pm – 1:00am
General Admission: $16
Students and Seniors (with Valid ID): $14

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

Calling All Zombies! It’s time to heed the bell toll for another ghastly, ghoulish and grim Halloween party at Boston Swing Central. It’s Halloween Night AND our 7th year and this time we’re going to be a HOT (costumed) MESS with Jessy Carolina.

Jessy Carolina & The Hot Mess is a New York City 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.

The lesson tonight will feature the creeeeepy choreography of Michael Jackson’s Thriller line dance!  To show of your mad MJ skills, Thriller will be performed later on in the evening (performing is, of course, optional).

Here’s Jessy. Loving her voice…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8myRM1eYWt8

To get you excited about Thriller, past BSC madness…

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

EXTENDED Lesson (included w/ admission): 7:30pm – 9:00pm

Dancing: 9:00pm – 12:00am
General Admission: $20
Students and Seniors (with Valid ID): $17

Get $2 OFF ADMISSION if you come in a full Halloween costume! Discount is at the discretion of the door staff, so please display some true Halloween spirit.

No coupons or passes will be accepted for this evening.

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

Get ready to be inspired by the much anticipated return of singer/songwriter and swing lover, Johnny Boyd! 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 has assembled a band that he swears “cuts glass”. Sharp as a diamond, and gleaming too…

How can you resist this?

Lesson (included w/ admission): 8:00pm – 9:00pm
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

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!

Check them out!

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

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

Join us on Friday for some super social dancing as we settle into our new home at Extreme Dancesport! This is a special Lindy Hop AND Balboa dance, featuring DJ Nelle Cherry! Extra bonus: There will be some out-of-towners here visiting the city for Boston Balboa’s Tinkerbal event. Come dance with them!

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

Come join us Sunday night back at the Whistle Stop for one last night of dancing to close out a fun-filled weekend at Dirty Water. Your favorite DJs will be playing a variety of songs for us to dance to and bid a fond farewell to our out of town friends and our beloved Crosby Whistle Stop.

Until 2015…

No Lesson tonight
Dancing: 8:00pm – Midnight
General Admission: $10
Students & Seniors: $8

Sorry no passes or coupons accepted during the exchange.

The Crosby Whistle Stop
24 Roland Street
Charlestown, MA 02129

With some of the most beautiful views of downtown Boston, Piers Park is a hidden gem of a park in East Boston that we love to swing out in. Come join your friends, new and old, for our annual Dirty Water Sunday afternoon outdoor dance on the harbor with tunes spun courtesy of DJ RetroMike. Since we will be dancing right on the water and it is autumn, we recommend that you bring a jacket with you.

Dancing: 2:30pm-5:00pm
FREE!

Piers Park
95 Marginal Street
East Boston, MA 02128

Take the Blue Line to Maverick
Free parking

After dancing all night in white, head down the highway down to Cambridge for another bluesy late night, co-hosted by Blues Cafe, featuring Jesse Selengut & Tin Pan Band with special guest Gordon Webster

Jesse is most well known for his trumpet playing alongside Gordon Webster, but for this late night, he and his Tin Pan Band take center stage for another special late night event.

Dancing: 1:15pm – 4:30am
General Admission: $20
Students and Seniors (with Valid ID): $17

Sorry no passes or coupons accepted during the exchange.

Extreme Dancesport
26 New Street
Suite 3
Cambridge, MA 02138

Gordon Webster is coming to the Winchester Town Hall on Saturday Night at Dirty Water Lindy & Blues Exchange! This is a WHITE AS SNOW (from head to toe) Vintage Dress Party! Try to wear as much white as you can. A cravat, neck tie, pocket square, shoes, a dress! Gordon and Glenn will be sure to keep us hoppin’ all night.

Check out Gordon playing with Meschiya Lake at Dirty Water in 2012:

Lesson (included in the price of admission): 8:00pm – 9:00pm
Dancing: 9:00pm – 12:00am
General Admission: $30
Students and Seniors (with Valid ID): $25

Sorry no passes or coupons accepted during the exchange.

Winchester Town Hall
71 Mount Vernon Street
Winchester, MA 01890

After some serious swingin’ out with Glenn and Gordon, follow Gordon Webster over to Cambridge to soak up some sultry blues at our Friday late night blues party. Gordon and Friends will keep you dancing late into the night.

Dancing: 1:15pm – 4:30am
General Admission: $17
Students and Seniors (with Valid ID): $15

Sorry no passes or coupons accepted during the exchange.

Extreme Dancesport
26 New Street
Suite 3
Cambridge, MA 02138

Gordon Webster has long been a Boston favorite.  In the past few years he’s become an International Lindy Hop superstar and a must book for Exchanges, dance camps and competitions.  His Battle of the Bands against himself at this year’s Frankie 100 Celebration was off-the-hook!!

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

Glenn Crytzer’s Savoy Seven is the newest configuration of bands that Glenn plays with.  This 7 piece line up, with 1 trumpet, 2 reeds, and 4 piece rhythm section, really gives Glenn the opportunity to flex his muscles and have some fun as an arranger and composer.  It’s here that you’ll hear charts for all his latest compositions as well as his newest small-band arrangements of vintage classics by artists like Benny Goodman, Count Basie, John Kirby, Duke Ellington, and more. The Savoy Seven will have you in the groove and swingin’ like 1942!

Swing Lesson (included w/ admission): 8:00pm – 9:00pm
Dancing: 9:00pm – 12:30am
General Admission: $22
Students and Seniors (with Valid ID): $17

Sorry no passes or coupons accepted during the exchange.

The Crosby Whistle Stop
24 Roland Street
Charlestown, MA 02129

We’re really excited for the Boston Swing Central debut of Miss Ida Blue.  She’s a bawdy backroom New York City Blues singer who fronts a band that is smoking red hot and swingin’ blues. The band features some musicians who are regulars in Woody Allen’s band and the Vince Giordano’s Boardwalk Empire band.  Some of these players you may have seen at the Whistle Stop before…New York City’s finest…and we’re not talking about the cops.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bvTglOO004

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

Sorry no passes or coupons accepted during the exchange.

The Crosby Whistle Stop
24 Roland Street
Charlestown, MA 02129

BSC is excited to welcome back the Blue Vipers of Brooklyn! 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, plays 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 the 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

Straight out of the snowy Rockies, BSC is thrilled to welcome back Jeremy Mohney! His swing stylings, band leading, and saxophone playing were pretty impressive so we are excited to welcome him back.

Since he isn’t around these parts too often, catch him while you can!

Check out his quartet’s song “Breeze Please” below:

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

Drawing from beautiful forgotten tunes from the ’20s and ’30s, the SCRUB BOARD SERENADERS are Brad Lail (washboard/bones), Adam Brisbin (resonator guitar), Sean Cronin (bass) and Ricky Alexander (reeds). Although newly formed, the Serenaders already feature strong three-part vocal harmonies to go along with their distinctive washboard-driven percussive sound and street-style music.

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

The end of August is here and that means the start of school, cooler temperatures, Dirty Water (that’s exciting!), and the fall. No need to fret though! Let our DJs help you get some last swing outs in before the summer leaves us.

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

Jessy Carolina & The Hot Mess is a New York City 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 its name, Jessy Carolina & the Hot Mess are far from sounding like one. Maybe they should try Jessy Carolina & the Hot Jazz. Either way, be sure to come out tonight to decide for yourself! If you can’t wait until the 8th, check out this clip from their last gig at the Whistle Stop last year.

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

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

Boston Swing Central and Community Boating are proud to present Swingin’ on the Charles, a night of dancing under the stars on the banks of the Charles River. This is another summer classic you won’t want to miss. We’ll take over the docks at sunset, provide a lesson for newcomers and then we’ll dance until 11 pm.

Tickets will be available at-the-door!  Hello Beautiful Day!  This evening is going to be magical!

Lesson (included in the price of admission): 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Dancing: 8:00 pm – 11:0 0pm
General Admission (advance): $15
Students and Seniors (advance, with Valid ID): $13
(Rain date is Aug 16th)

Community Boating (on the banks of the Charles River between the Hatch Shell and Longfellow Bridge)
21 David Mugar Way (Charles MGH T-Stop)
Boston, MA 02114

MBTA Red Line: Get off at Charles / MGH Station. Turn left as you exit the station, and cross the road towards CVS. Turn right and cross Charles Street, heading towards the river. You will see stairs in front of you to a footbridge over Storrow Drive. Walk over the bridge; at the end, go down the stairs on your left. Walk along the path along the river toward the Hatch Shell, and Community Boating will be about 200 feet ahead, on the right.

Where to park – Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary parking lot. Please bring parking ticket to the dance for validation at a reduced rate of $7.

Validated Parking at Mass Eye & Ear is $7, please bring ticket to desk at CBI for validation.

Dan Gabel and The Abletones are a full big band, including a female vocalist, specializing in an authentic big band sound thanks to a high level of musicianship and a library of over 2,000 arrangements. Boston Swing Central is thrilled to have their 10 piece group make their BSC debut this week!

The band was founded and is led by trombonist Dan Gabel. Gabel recently returned from a year-long world tour with The Glenn Miller Orchestra as trombone player, soloist, and arranger.

Check out their authentic swingin’ sound 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

This event has been POSTPONED to its rain date of August 3rd. Hold onto your tickets, which are valid for the rain date!

The Roaring Twenties Lawn Party is an event presented by Boston Swing Central and the Trustees of the Reservation. While it is a party, it really is more than that: this is a festival, an experience and likely the event of the Summer! The event encompasses: Hot Jazz from Brooklyn’s own, Baby Soda Jazz Band, a vintage fair with clothing dealers and a very fine haberdasher, swing and Charleston dance lessons and performances, lawn games, picnicking and antique cars. And general frolicking in the sun.

The Roaring Twenties Lawn Party will take place at Castle Hill on the Crane Estate (290 Argilla Road Ipswich, MA) on Sunday, August 3rd at 3 p.m. The Lawn Party harkens back to the Jazz Age, the era in which the Crane Estate mansion at Castle Hill was built. The event will take place on the beautiful Grand Allee, a half-mile long landscaped lawn lined with statuary and hedgerows. It’s the perfect setting for an idyllic Sunday afternoon.

Boston Swing Central will start the festivities with a group swing dance lesson beginning at 3 pm, Baby Soda Jazz Band takes the stage at 4 pm and plays throughout the evening. Attendees are encouraged to come in twenties-style dress, bring a picnic supper or purchase one on-site, and spend the evening. There will be a vintage attire contest in the early evening where we will find our Great Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan.

Boston Swing Central is a dancer-formed, volunteer-run, non-profit dedicated to promoting swing dance. They hold regular dance parties every Friday at their studio in Charlestown and welcome new dancers. Please visit bostonswingcentral.org for more information.

Castle Hill, a 165-acre National Historic Landmark, was the summer home of Chicago industrialist Richard T. Crane Jr. and his family from 1910-1949. They entertained in grand style at their 59-room English-style mansion and its surrounding gardens. Now owned by The Trustees of Reservations, Castle Hill on the Crane Estate, is the perfect setting for a lawn party celebrating the music and dance from its hey-day.

Roaring Twenties Party – Crane Estate, Ipswich MA – July 2013 from Annaliese Rittershaus Brauman on Vimeo.

Rain date: August 3rd

Boston Swing Central will be welcoming back one of Boston’s best swing and blues divas, Toni Lynn Washington, this week!

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! Last time Toni Lynn played for us, we were dancing in the dead of winter but now she’s back and ready to get us moving with some summertime soul and jazz.

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

The Foxtet is a new 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 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 just at 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 venues in Somerville, Cambridge, and the greater Boston area as well as Philadelphia, Baltimore, Dallas and St. Louis.

We are thrilled to have Dan and his Foxtet make their live debut here at Boston Swing Central!

To hear some of Dan’s other work, click on the photo below.

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

The Crosby Whistle Stop
24 Roland Street
Charlestown, MA 02129