Comments

Mini-Camp & Northeast Lindy Hop Championships

Thanks for organizing the camp again this year. It is always the high point of my year. The mini-camp was great, but a little too short. Next year, I'll try to do the full week.

Darra, MA

The new ladies that were in our townhouse were very impressed by it all! Now I have new swing friends! Thank you for everything you do.

Steph, MA

We had a blast this year! I liked the campus and I think the change went over well...The competitions were also terrific! I was really impressed with some of the routines and there seemed to be a lot more energy this year...Thanks again for another fun year!

Greg, PA

Wishing I was still there at camp. We wanted to email you guys and tell you how much fun we had this past weekend. The classes were great and the location is perfect. Everyone in the classes seem to enjoy learning Shag, which makes it fun as teachers as you guys well know. We want to thank you for making us feel right at home.

Michael & LeAnn, SC

I enjoyed the mini-camp weekend classes very much...Thanks again for organizing such a fun event, and I look forward to taking part in it next year.

Jane, MA

Congratulations on a wonderful NELHC. I had a great time.

Paulette, MI

Another great mini-camp of meeting and dancing with old friends and new dancers at a new location... What happened? Way too much fun for our own good! There was so much great dancing to be done and in some ways, it was more of a reunion of friends than a weekend of dancing...it was nice to be walking outside between classes and going to and from the meals and we didn't have to drive anywhere to find food. It was certainly a downer to have to leave on Sunday...It was a lot of fun and I, for one, didn't want it to stop. I've said it before and I'll say it again: I'll be there next year!

Benson, MA

Beantown Camp

I had a blast! Hope to see you next year!

Stacey, NY

I had an awesome time, thank you!

Lindsay, VA

Thank you, too for all the work and planning you put into swing dance camp. We enjoyed it immensely.

Linda & Winfield, MA

Camp 2003 was a great experience.

Robbin, GA

First of all I want to say thank you for a great camp! žIt was so much fun...I DID have a great time at Beantown!! I'm hoping to make it an annual event!

Beth, CA

It was a great camp this year...challenging and inspiring, and fun!

Marilee, MA

Congratulations on another excellent year. Beantown was great!...All the LA folks had a blast.

Charles, CA

Thanks for a great time at camp. I don't think I have ever laughed as hard as when I was watching the talent show. So many nice people! You did a fabulous job. Thanks again!

June, MA

This year was better than ever. The standard was incredibly high and the teaching excellent. As always, the atmosphere which you both work so hard to create was unbeatable: friendly, encouraging and inspirational.

Anita, Cheltenham, England

Beantown 2003 was totally great! We learned a ton, it was a great atmosphere and bunch of people, and the AIR CONDITIONING was a huge blessing.

Richard, MD

I had a wonderful time at Beantown camp and want to thank you for that. I learned so much at Beantown and hope to come back next year.ž

Ali, CA

Camp was so terrific I don't know where to begin! As before it was a week-long grand and glorious party. As to instruction, I felt that it all came together for me for the first time. Of course I still have an infinite amount to learn, but once I've had a chance to absorb what was taught, I'll feel like a real dancer - with grace, precision, partner connection, and musicality. Even walking down the aisle of the supermarket is a lot more fun!

Ben, MA

Thank you for making Beantown such a great experience. It was my first year and I cannot wait to go back.

Kathryn, PA

I had the best time at Beantown. Thank you again for all you do.

Dan, PA

We had such a wonderful time at Beantown this year (again), and are already making plans to bring more folks with us next year! We really appreciate all your hard work and dedication to high quality instruction.žWhat a great group (track) we had this yearÞ.such great folks, AND great dancers. At least I didn't cry this year when I had to leave!!! Of course, the students that we brought were on cloud nine the entire time and didn't stop smiling until they left the camp. We REALLY loved the performance classes with Kenneth and Helena this yearÞgreat idea to do that! I think it really was a nice culmination for the campers to cheer everyone else on in their performances... (and of course, you know we adore Eric FennÞ.so positive, such an encouraging instructor!)

Jen & David, NC

I had one of the best vacation weeks of my life! Dancing with old and new partners was just wonderful...and I know my high was shared by most if not all! C'etait merveilluex...and with the greatest respect for all the teachers. Thank-you.

Alison, MA

Beantown rocks!! I had an awesome time...thanks for all your hard work. Also -- I really appreciate the diversity of teachers...and the new location is awesome.

Stacey, MA

Best Camp ever. The facility was great, the instruction was superb and sections were very well matched. Even Broadway Night seemed to be of higher caliber. See you next year.

Tom & Mary, VA

I would like to thank you very much for all the good time I had at the Bean Town Camp this year. I thought the atmosphere was very relaxed and fun and I like the classes a lot, as well as all the talks with dancers and DJs.

Olivier, Paris, France

Thanks again for a wonderful camp. We had just a fantastic time ... and you were right, this was exactly the way to bring our dancing up a level.

Phil, MA

Dan and I wanted to drop you an email and say thank you so much for the invite this year and we really enjoyed ourselves. It was such a wonderful year (again!) and we had a hell of time!...thanks and congrats on a great year!!!!!

Caitlin, NY

The fun and inspiration we've gotten out of Beantown grows deeper every year. It's an honor to be part of your camp. Thank you for inviting us, and congratulations on another great year!

Laura, TX

Thanks so much for again putting on a fabulous camp! Carl and I learned so much and enjoyed ourselves immensely. Again we were both amazed at its smooth operation and organization.

Carl & Karrie, IL

With regard to the camp I want to thank you very, very much for all you and Tony and your staff do in putting together this great event. This was my fist time attending and I will be back every year you hold this event. I am a beginner and my only regret is that I did not start earlier. But better late then never. So thank you all again for a great job and adding a new Lindy Junkie to the ranks.

Brian, CT

This is just a little note to say thanks for organizing Beantown 2003...As beginners we had just one goal - to gain enough confidence to actually get out on the floor and dance without feeling completely inadequate and intimidated. We achieved that and a whole lot more...We should also like to thank the DJ's and especially Peter and the rest of the Band. One other thank you must go to the caterers at Bryant. We were really impressed by the food for all of the meals; it far exceeded our expectations. The only downside to the camp was having to come home...So there you go, two very happy campers who are already saving up for next years camp.

Rob & Liz, Crolles, France

...I had a spectacular time for the whole event...Thanks again for everything and I hope to be able to attend next year.

Robert, MD

First, let me say that I love Beantown. I almost wish it existed 52 weeks a year (like a Lindy commune). It is the highlight of my year...I thought that things went amazingly smooth considering that you had to work with and around a brand new venue (and campus staff). Congratulations on that count...Thanks again for all your hard work (both you and Tony, and also your entire staff). It was a great success, and I will definitely be back next year.ž

Jason, CA

I want to tell you (though do not have adequate words) how muchžIžliked Beantown. The classes and instructors-- with both a surprising important 'variation' and 'enforcing overlap' between them in their teaching styles and agendas-- coupled with the experience of participating with thatžlarge (and diverse) dance community-- was immenselyžinstructional and enjoyable. (It is true that one getsžthe most valuable progressive synergistic effect by doing the 'whole shebang'-- in good complement to our classes). I am grateful that you both-- with your innovative energy and total commitment-- have made this possible for us, along withžyour incredible classes and heartwarming dances that occur throughout the year. Thank you so much!!

Jerry, MA

The Beantown weekend was awesome, and the full week was even more amazing. What a great experience! I am so glad I went this year. Thanks also to the entire support staff and all of the instructors, dj's, Norma, Frankie, etc. Meeting and dancing with interesting folks from across the US and from all over the world was a unique and rewarding experience, as was the ready availabity of dining with the instructors and listening to fascinating stories from the likes of Norma and Frankie over lunch. It's such an open and supportive environment.

Bob, MA

Wow, what a great camp. It was awesome seeing all the past Beantowners again and meeting the first timers. The comps were great, I learned so much from all the terrific instructors. I'm already counting down for next year.

Dave, Saskatoon, Canada

Beantown: What a swingin' vacation!!! I have just returned from my first trip to Beantown, and WOW - it was amazing!...When I arrived I was a bit overwhelmed. With all the different styles of Lindy being taught, I quickly learned that there is no one set way to dance the Lindy - and that really makes it so much more fun!

But the trip wasn't just about learning the dance, it was also about meeting tons of people who really want to learn the Lindy. I met people from all over the US and the world - over 10 countries were present.žAnd the community was great too! We had breakfast, lunch, and dinner together, and then we tried our steps on the social dance floor every night into the wee hours of the morning. There were really some great dancers at Beantown! And then there were the great presentations and impromptu performances from other campers! We heard from Frankie Manning and Norma Miller, and then other campers did skits, choreographed dances, and all kinds of wonderful things just to add to the whole experience of being at Beantown. žIt was really really great!

Brian, NC
BrianSutton.com
(used with permission)

Also check out Brian's excellent Beantown 2003 photo album.

Beantown was soooo great! I took Big Apple and shim sham classes from Mr. Frankie Manning, and learned the Toulouse stomp, a very fun dance Laura and I will have to show everyone. I met people from all over the world, including an amazing group from France that made the week even better. I think I stopped dancing later every night, starting at 2am on Monday, and dancing until 7 this morning. Wow. The limbo contest at 6:30 am was a change from swing all night. To anyone on the fence about going to Beantown next year: the fun atmosphere and world class instruction are totally worth it!

Sarah, CT
SwingMonkey.com Jam Board, CT
(used with permission)

Beantown was wonderful. So glad I went. ... The classes scrambled my brain. Flip flops with S/V to Basics w/R/J to routines w/Kenneth/Helena. So much to try to hold on to. The dances were great. Top Djs and two nights of Peter Davis. Each night I stayed up later (12a, 1:30, 2:30, 2:45, 3:30 and I strolled out the last night at 7a). ... Banana pops, ice cream and coffee got me through the week. The routines the last night all rocked. I'm so glad I took part. ... Beantown: new venue, but still the same great lindy love.

Rodney, CT
SwingMonkey.com Jam Board, CT
(used with permission)