May 26, 1914 was the date Frankie Manning came into this world. If he was still alive today we would be celebrating his 97th Birthday this Friday night and most of us would likely be in New York at a special celebration. Sadly he passed away just shy of his 95th birthday.

But a great many of us will never forget him and his impact on our dancing lives. Who was Frankie Manning?

He was one of the original Lindy Hoppers who helped shape the dance back at the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem in the 1930s. He was a member of the electrifying dance troupe, Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers, who can be seen here in this clip from Hellzapoppin.

He was a dancer, choreographer, teacher and an inspiration, sharing his stories, his effervescent personality and joyous dance moves with a new generation of dancers at camps like Beantown and Herrang. He was a real first class act.

Tonight, we pay tribute to his memory by doing his favorite line dance, the Shim Sham. Here he is leading the dance in Houston from several years ago…

We’ve enlisted Tony & Aurelie Tye of Hop to the Beat studios and Beantown Dance Camp to teach the Shim Sham in our regularly scheduled lesson slot. If you’ve seen the Shim Sham performed and always wanted to learn it, now is your chance! Later on in the evening we’ll do a communal performance tribute to Frankie, and for those who knew him, we can give him some of our thoughts.

Lesson (included in the price of admission): 8:00pm – 9:00pm
Dancing: 9:00pm – 12:30am
General Admission: $10
Students and Seniors (with Valid ID): $8

The Crosby Whistle Stop
24 Roland Street
Charlestown, MA 02129

Gordon Webster is back again, and this time he’s bringing the same line-up that he used to record his most recent CD, Live in Philly.  It’s an exciting album and an even more exciting band.  For one reason or another, he has not been able to bring this band to Boston Swing Central before, so we’re really really excited, even more so than usual.  This is his full-blown hot-jazz 7-piece band, trombone, trumpet, 2 vocalists, guitar, bass, drums and Gordon behind the 88-black & whites (and if you’re counting that, that adds up to 8, it’s because Jesse Selengut plays trumpet and sings in this lineup).  We will also be treated to Matt Musselman on trombone and Brianna Thomas on vocals.  An all-star Gordon Webster lineup!  And what a great way to spend a Friday in Mid-May!   I know, nothing is gettting between us and this dance…our calendar has been marked for months.

Lesson (included in the price of admission): 8:00pm – 9:00pm
Dancing: 9:00pm – 12:30am
General Admission: $17
Students and Seniors (with Valid ID): $15

The Crosby Whistle Stop
24 Roland Street
Charlestown, MA 02129

We are happy to welcome back Miss Tess and the Bon Ton Parade.  Many of you will remember her from the Sweet & Lowdown.  This Friday she returns with the band she leads, the Bon Ton Parade, which promises to keep things lively and swinging with their reimagined 21st century Golden-age jazz.  You will leave with a smile on your face and a spring in your step.

Lesson (included in the price of admission): 8:00pm – 9:00pm
Dancing: 9:00pm – 12:30am
General Admission: $15
Students and Seniors (with Valid ID): $13

The Crosby Whistle Stop
24 Roland Street
Charlestown, MA 02129

Boston Swing Central is excited to be offering a weekend “crash course” workshop for 2.5 hours on Sunday May 1st, 1pm-3:30pm. Perhaps you haven’t had time to take some Lindy Lessons during the week or maybe you always wanted to try Lindy Hop but were a little bit afraid, fear no more…We’re going to break it all down for you in simple easy steps. In this hands-on, intensive workshop we will start with Lindy Hop basics and progress to some partner Charleston moves to give you a little bit of flash on the floor.

Crosby Whistle Stop
24 Roland St
Charlestown, MA 02129