There’s still time to get a gift of dance this holiday season! Here’s what you will find in the Hop to the Beat Shop:

• Ryan and Jenny’s series of teaching DVDs. Ryan and Jenny are two of the best Lindy Hop teachers and performers in the world. These DVDs are jam packed with information with very clear presentation and tons of demonstration.
• Beantown Camp DVDs, including the 3 DVD set for 2011 covering class recaps, competitions, evening and class performances and Beantown Bounce (the awesome show)!
• Beantown Camp and Hop to the Beat T-Shirts.
• Gift Certificates which are customized to any amount.

Purchase at the Hop to the Beat shop.

Wow - Beantown this year! A wide range of levels and ages coming together for an awesome mix of Lindy Hoppers from 33 states and 8 countries. The energy on campus was full of happiness and joy and lots of Lindy Love. Frankie would be proud:-)

This was an emotion-filled time for us. Overriding everything has been losing my Dad in May. Preparing for Beantown sure kept us busy, but thoughts of my Dad have always been with me.

As for the week of Beantown - just incredible! Too much to mention, but it’s always fun to think of some highlights, so here’s a top ten in approximate order of occurrence:

1. Chillin’ outside at the Saturday Happy Hour as the sun finally came out in full force.
2. Gordon Webster followed by two nights of the Campus Five. It really doesn’t get any better.
3. Dave Lasagna’s happy dance in the middle of the circle during the finale of Beantown Bounce, the instructors’ show.
4. The surprise cake and ovation from everyone at the BBQ. It had been tough going for me up to that point and it really turned everything around. Thanks!
5. Spending time with Norma Miller, talking about all the things she is doing and her future plans. Like Frankie, Norma really shows us how to live your life!
6. Fun at the photo booth!
7. #039;s Got Talent: Synchronized Swimming" src="/sites/default/files/resize/remote/a513359f8606180cffb915086d823bc3-200x150.jpg" align="right" border="0" height="150" width="200" /> Michael Jagger’s expressions as he listened to the judges’ commentary after the synchronized swimming skit at Beantown’s Got Talent.
8. Late night Karaoke in the pub on Tuesday.
9. The Wednesday night track performances and feeling overwhelmed with the looks of joy and accomplishment as another week of camp winds down.
10. Catching up with old friends and getting to know some new ones:-)

Every year we find ourselves wondering how we can possibly top the last Beantown, but it has happened once again! It would not be possible without the help of so many. Our thanks go out to all the wonderful instructors, staff, bands, DJs and of course campers who all contributed to making Beantown an amazing week of dancing, classes, socializing, laughing and having an incredibly awesome time. Plus we must also thank Endicott College for providing such a beautiful venue and setting, feeding us excellent meals, and especially Patrick for going out of his way to help us make everything work. We feel so fortunate to have so many wonderful people in our lives.

Plans have already started for the next one. Beantown #16 will run from June 28 to July 5, 2012. The format will be similar, although minds are already churning and ideas are formulating. Please mark your calendar and plan to join us for what is sure to be another amazing week of good times and good friends!

Just after camp is a great time for reflection and we are always looking for ways to make Beantown the best experience possible. We welcome feedback and appreciate hearing your thoughts and ideas. Thanks!

Sincerely,
Aurelie & Tony

P.S. Thanks to Beth Diener, Tom Hagar, Rich Moffitt, Brad Kellogg, Bruno Avard, Renata Shraybman, John Russo and everyone else who has posted so many awesome pictures!

Our websites have a new IP address. The change appears to have propagated but if you are having difficulties accessing our sites please try flushing your browser’s cache and reloading the page. Thanks, -Tony

The countdown to Beantown Camp opening day continues! Only 2 weeks to go.

Beantown Camp News: Only 2 Weeks To Go

For everyone planning to attend who has not yet completed a registration, it would be a huge help if you get your registration and full payment in ASAP! There are packets to assemble and the college has rooms to prepare. We want your complete camp experience to be smooth sailing from the moment you arrive and the more we can do in advance, the easier for us to make that happen:-) The weekend includes competitions for all levels and it is still possible to sign up. The competitions are always a blast and come with a wonderful, supportive audience. Got soul? Why not sign up for the new Soul division? That does sound like fun! Also new for this year, we have sponsors providing prizes for each division and they are all awesome!

• International Lindy Hop Championships
• Lindy Focus
• Boston Tea Party
• Canadian Swing Championships
• Aris Allen

Join us for our 15th year - it’s going to be phenomenal! (Really, seriously, it is!) Camp runs from June 23 to June 30 with multiple registration options. If you’ve never done the full week, this will be the year to do it. There is so much that you will not want to miss! The schedule continues to be updated as the class descriptions are filled in. Be sure to check out the camp forum for ride sharing and other information. This is a great way to communicate with other campers and maybe organize a door-to-door airport shuttle or request a ride from a local. For our local campers, we would really appreciate if you check the forum to see if there are any visiting campers you can help out. It is wonderful when we all work together to make this an amazing experience for everyone:-) Beantown Camp information.

Salem Ferry to Beantown Camp

Traveling to camp from Boston? Take the Salem Ferry! What a great way to start off your camp adventure. The ferry terminal is only two stops on the Blue Line Subway from Logan Airport and easy to reach from any other Boston location. The regular fee with all charges added is $11.50 one way and $3 off with an Endicott College discount. Here are the details provided by the Event and Conference Services:

The Event And Conference Services Department is pleased to announce a partnership with the Salem Ferry (part of Boston Best Cruises), in offering a discounted rate for all residential groups who stay at Endicott. The Salem Ferry operates daily between Salem and Boston Harbor, and is an ideal way to arrive to the North Shore, or to go to the city and explore Boston in a casual and fun way. In 45 minutes, the narrated tour will even give you a historical overview of the areas you’re passing by, such as Salem Sound, Marblehead and the Boston Harbor. There even is a bar on board where you can purchase beverages or small snacks. From the Salem dock, it is only a 2.5 mile ride to Endicott College. To receive our special rate, please use code 3911 when booking the tickets online. This code does not work when buying tickets at the ferry terminal!

Salem Ferry Schedule. Happy dancing, Aurelie & Tony

One month and counting down to Beantown Camp! We are looking forward to welcoming everyone to the beautiful Endicott College campus. The campus is right on the shore, north of Boston, and provides a unique location for a fun week of immersing yourself in dancing. Everything is within an easy walking distance, even the 3 private beaches. Classes are held in a variety of buildings, although the main headquarters is at the student center where most of the evening dances are held and the the dining hall is located.