About

The Hooked on Swing Society of Western Massachusetts is teaming up with local and regional swing dance organizations to provide swing dancers with a central location for all your swing dancing needs in Western Massachusetts. Here, you will find information about regular dances, as well as links to the swing groups that organize those dances, as well as swing dance instructors, and swing and jazz djs and bands.

Use the links at the top of the page to go to the local organizations participating in this Hooked on Swing Society venture.

To the left, you will find information about the regular dances held by local swing dance organizations, links and contact information for local swing dance instructors, links and contact information for swing and jazz DJs and bands, and finally, a google calendar with all local swing dance events for a few months out.

If you're a local swing dance organizer and you would like to be listed on this site, please don't hesitate to contact us at hoss@hookedonswing.org.

Sincerely,
The Hooked on Swing Society

4th Story Stomp featuring The O-Tones; April 19th

April 19, 2008

The Hooked on Swing Society is joining forces with the Lindy League of Western Massachusetts to bring you a very special dance to swing into spring! The April 2008 dance will feature regionally-renowned local swing and R&B band, The O-Tones! As always, The Lindy League's dance will be held on the fourth story of the Fitzwilly's building in downtown Northampton, Mass.

The evening starts at 6:30pm with Balboa and 6-count swing lessons. These are followed by simultaneous beginner and intermediate Lindy Hop lessons starting at 7:30pm.

The O-Tones play a mix of hot swing, jazz, R&B and Motown, so you'll be sure to be swinging out on the dance floor all night long! The band goes on at 8:30 pm.

All ages and all skill levels are welcome. No partner is necessary.

Schedule

  • 6:30pm -- Balboa with Mark and Christine
  • 6:30pm -- Beginner 6-Count Swing
  • 7:30pm -- Intermediate Lindy Hop with Adam and Camille
  • 7:30pm -- Beginner Lindy Hop
  • 8:30pm to 11:30pm -- live music with The O-Tones

Shoes: Please bring clean shoes with non-marking soles if you don't have shoes made specifically for dancing.

Cover Charge: $14 for the dance ($10 for students and seniors). One lesson is included in the price for the dance. If you choose to take a second lesson, add $5/person.

Location: The 4th Story Stomp is held on the 4th floor of the Fitzwilly's Building at 25 Main St (Rt 9), Northampton, MA 01060

For a map to the Fitzwilly's Building, click here.

Weekly Swing Dance Schedule

  • Wednesday

    Frequency: Weekly

    What: Northampton Wednesday Dance Mixed lessons & dance

    Where: Northampton Center for the Arts, downtown

    Who: Northampton Wednesday Dance

    Schedule:
    6pm-7pm: Beg. Lindy hop, Int. Lindy hop, Waltz;

    7pm-8:30pm: West Coast Swing, East Coast Swing, Salsa

    8:30pm-11pm: Open Dance

  • Friday

    Frequency: Most 2nd Fridays (see calendar)

    What: Smith Campus Swing Jam Beginner lesson & dance

    Where: Davis Ballroom, Smith Campus, Northampton

    Who: Lindy League

    Schedule:
    7pm-8pm: Beg. Swing lesson

    8pm-11pm: Dance

  • Saturday

    Frequency: 4th Saturdays

    What: 4th Story Stomp Swing lessons & dance

    Where: 4th Floor of the Fitzwilly's building, Northampton

    Who: Lindy League

    Schedule:
    6:30pm-7:30pm: Balboa, Beg. Swing lesson

    7:30pm-8:30pm: Int. Lindy hop, Beg. Swing lesson

    8:30pm-11:30pm: Dance

Swing Dance Organizations

The Hooked on Swing Society of Western Massachusetts

The Hooked on Swing Society of Western Massachusetts is a non-profit organization founded by dancers and dedicated to the promotion and preservation of swing dance.

The Lindy League of Western Massachusetts

The Lindy League of Western Massachusetts is a not-for-profit organization whose goal is to inspire, educate and connect people of all ages through promoting the appreciation of jazz and swing dance music and culture. They accomplish this by collaborating with local and regional individuals and organizations that share compatible goals, and by sponsoring events, teaching, and providing venues for live music, socializing, and dancing.

The Lindy League holds regular dances on the Second Friday and Fourth Saturday of each month

Lindy League Website

Northampton Wednesday Night Dance

The Northampton Wednesday Dance, run by Kent Divoll, is a regular dance event held every Wednesday night in Northampton

Crazylegs Lindy Hop Performance Group

Adam and Camille offer a Lindy Hop performance group series roughly each fall and spring. (Performances series seasons are based upon performance dates.) CrazyLegs, the performance group, is a lot of fun and a lot of hard work. The performance series is based on learning skills that will be used in the choreography and learning how to perform in front of an audience. The culminating performance is based on the average skill level of the class and is choreographed by Adam and Camille. All skill levels and ages welcome.

Swing Dance Instructors

Adam and Camille

Adam and Camille have been teaching swing dance in the valley since they moved to the area in 2001. They are well known for their clarity in teaching solid basics, lead/follow technique, connection and innovative and energetic dancing.

Camille and Adam are currently teaching swing lessons before each of the Lindy League's dances, as well as an intermediate lindy hop series at the Northampton Wednesday Dance.

Styles: Swing, Lindy Hop, East Coast Swing, Charleston

Contact Adam at adam@crazylegs.org

Beth Duryea

Beth is currently teaching beginner and intermediate West Coast Swing lessons at the Northampton Wednesday Dance.

Styles: Swing, West Coast Swing, East Coast Swing

Kent Divoll

Kent is currently teaching beginner and intermediate East Coast Swing lessons at the Northampton Wednesday Dance.

Styles: Swing, East Coast Swing

Contact Kent at wednesdayswing@hotmail.com

Mark and Christine

Mark and Christine are currently teaching swing and balboa lessons before the Lindy League's 4th Story Stomp, as well as a beginner lindy hop series at the Northampton Wednesday Dance.

Styles: Swing, Lindy Hop, East Coast Swing, Charleston, Balboa

Contact Mark at markopage@gmail.com

Sharon Alworth

Sharon Alworth

Styles: Swing, West Coast Swing, East Coast Swing

Tricia Lea

Tricia Lea currently teaches swing/lindy hop at the Pioneer Valley School of Performing Arts.

Styles: Swing, Lindy Hop, East Coast Swing, Charleston, Tango

Contact Tricia at leatricia@hotmail.com

Swing & Jazz DJs and Bands

Local Swing & Jazz Bands

The O-Tones

The O-Tones is a hot Swing, R&B, and Motown band from Western Massachusetts. With three singers as the core of the band, The O-Tones will melt your hearts with their powerful three-part harmonies.

Contact: Mary Witt (mewitt@gmail.com)

Local Swing & Jazz DJs

Camille Fontanella - Contact Camille at camille@crazylegs.org

Kent Divoll - Contact Kent at wednesdayswing@hotmail.com

Mark Page - Contact Mark at markopage@gmail.com

Tricia Lea - Contact Tricia at leatricia@hotmail.com

Western Massachusetts Swing Dance Calendar