Get A Really Good Social Life!: Boston Tea Party Swings!

Photography by Jim Chow

Boston Tea Party is a legend among swing dance conventions all over the whole world.

In its 13th year, this event has refined the Art of SWING!

Twelve hundred people traveled across America, flew from Canada and Europe and turned the Marriott in Newton, MA into a gigantic bop-arama!

The lessons were awesome. How could they not be with the best teachers at the top of their game? Here are just a few!

Photo by Megan Smith

Jordan Frisbee & Tatiana Mollmann, Robert Cordoba & Deborah Szekely, Kyle Redd & Sarah Vann Drake, John Lindo & Jessica Cox.

On the Lindy Hop side: Andy Reid & Nina Gilkenson, Peter Strom & Naomi Uyama, Nick Williams & Carla Heiney.

But the “Greatest Story Ever Told” is about Jordan and Tatiana. They have developed a critique session that blew me away. Where have you guys been all our lives! Wow – this is what we so Desperately Need!

People take a lot of lessons – spend a fortune on privates, and yet, a coupla pros like these guys can short-cut the whole process in minutes. It made my whole weekend worthwhile. This should be part of every dance event!

There was more social dancing than in the past.

Ken Mercik deserves the Nobel Peace Prize for his “Trickle Down Theory” of Dance Economics!

When Ken instituted the 90% dancing/10% competition formula into his weekend event “Swingin’ Into Spring” – the community RAVED! It caused a "trickle down" of additional dancing at the other events! http://www.sis.djkenm.com

No event is complete without the Jack n’ Jills. Its a Love-Hate relationship!

It's “The Thrill of Victory and (Usually) the

Agony of Defeat.”

It's “That Which Does Not Kill You, Makes You Stronger.”

It's a reason to get dressed up and go out and BE SOMEBODY!

Congratulations To Our Newer Competitors!

Newcomer

1st Marlon Mills & Colleen Vernon

2nd Justin Davis & Sara Carrero

3rd Steven Jin & Charlotte MacConnell

4th Benoit Lapointe & Marilyn Smith

5th Evan Haas & Amanda Townsend

Novice

1st Steve Yi & Kristin Bianco

2nd Nicolas Besier & Michelle Fetcher

3rd Jim Chow & Irinia Avdeeva

4th Paul Chapman & Mariel Manzone

5th Billy Marti & Shoshi Kushnir

Special Congratulations to Yulia Falkovich for making semis!

Erik & Anna: http://www.swingshoes.net/

Watching Erik & Anna Novoa, who won 2nd in Open Strictly (and Erik won 2nd in Allstar with Lynne Anderson), was truly a site to behold. What smashing talent!

Most of us will never look like Tatiana Mollman or Jessica Cox.

Heck, we’ll never even look like John Lindo! But Anna is someone we CAN emulate.

Photo by Megan Smith

Night time dancing was amazing!

Just wandering around in the ballrooms, listening to the amazing music of DJs Victor Loveira, Louis St. George, John Lindo, John Festa, Joe Mahoney, Eric Cudmore.

Lindy DJs included Andy Reid, Kate Hedin, Naomi Uyama, Peter Strom, David Frutos, Alain Wong, Alex Abdoulaev.

Photo by Megan Smith

There was no end to the dance partners. Just when you thought you had danced with everyone you knew – and begged for a dance from everyone who looked really hot – there was always someone else.

It was like an endless bag of Halloween candy - or a bottomless Christmas stocking!

People would reluctantly drift off to bed only because of the unbelievable workshops to attend the next day.

The Newton Marriott Hotel is very special. But, how can two hotels - two Marriotts - within 15 miles of each other can be so different? The Burlington Marriott was a CRAPPER! (See my scathing review re: New Year’s Dancing Eve.) The Newton Marriott was (comparatively) Shangri-la! The worst you can expect in service is mere competence. It offers a convenient location and every amenity.

The WorldWide Bus, located in Manhattan at 31st & 8th Ave., drops at the Newton Riverside Bus/Train station in 4 hours and only costs $40 RT. The hotel is happy to send the shuttle. If you are lucky, John P. will be driving. He makes sure everyone has a fresh pillow and a mint. http://www.worldwidebus.com

Starbucks is in the lobby right by the free internet area - and it stays open most of the time (wonderful baked goodies). The riverfront restaurant has wonderful food (chicken quesedillas, mmmmmm!) and superb service.

And the BAR - classy, spacious, airy – a great place to socialize and relax.

Maid service is quick and efficient. No arguments here about extra towels! If there is the slightest problem, the manager is on it immediately. This place is run by a Pro (and he isn’t bad looking either, sort of like Kevin Cosner).
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/bosnt-boston-marriott-newton/

But best of all, Dunkin Donuts is a short walk down the street! Right by the liquor store, pizza place, and Shaw’s supermarket with a deli. What more could we ask for?

In the warmer months, Paddle Boston rents rowboats and kayaks to take out on the Charles River. http://www.paddleboston.com/

The area around the hotel is wooded and fun to explore if you can drag yourself away from the ballrooms. New England Dance Festival is held at the Newton Marriott in August and is a fantastic event. http://www.nedancefestival.com/

It's country but with a full swing room run by Robert Cordoba and all the local (wonderful) dancers are there.

This event was great on sooooo many levels. Its not just the dancing – its not just the terrific people – it’s the opportunity to study from the best of the Best of the BEST!!!