Get your weekend jitterbug and jive going on at Swingin’ on the Charles this Saturday night.
Hosted by Community Boating Inc. and Boston Swing Central, this event welcomes professionals and novices alike to turn back the clock and enjoy an evening of good ol’ fashion dancing. Tickets, on sale online for a discount, start at $18 with proceeds benefitting the Community Boating’s Dock Repair and Junior Sailing Programs as well as Boston Swing Central’s Lindy Hop Preservation Program.
Starting just as the sun goes down, a one-hour lesson will be offered to prepare those who are new or haven’t exactly “swung” in a while. Vice president of Boston Swing Central Michael Hibarger says that “there was easily 100 people at the lesson last year, it was pretty packed.” And don’t fret about the dancing partner situation as none are necessary to join in on the practice.
Swing, which is actually made up of a group of several dances, has basics which can “be easy to learn in an hour” according to Hibarger. East Coast Swing is taught in the beginner’s lesson at a six-count beat, but Lindy hop is the usual go-to dance for Boston Swing Central. “It’s a fully American swing dance that incorporates several other dances like the Charleston and foxtrot,” explains Hibarger. Experienced dancers will venture into more complicated moves as the night unfolds.
Musical stylings are provided by DJ’s throughout the evening hours. Hibarger plans on “round-robining with others” through classics like “Sittin’ On the Dock of the Bay” by soul-singing legend Otis Redding.
“Swingin’ on the Charles is really great night to be on the water,” he adds. “It’s very fun for us as we can let loose a bit from our normal structures.”
If you go:
Aug. 19, 7 p.m.-11 p.m., Community Boating Inc., 21 David Mugar Way., Boston, $15-$23, swinginonthecharles.blogspot.com
