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2004 Photo Album

We are pleased to report that the 2004 photo album is now up! We are sorry for the delay as we found all of our spare time devoted to finding a new 2005 camp location. Plus we had over 1,700 photos to select from, none of which were taken by us! Thank you so much to everyone who sent us photos as well as comments. We truly appreciate it and think that this year's album is the best yet at capturing the fun we have at camp! Also check the Beantown 2004 Results page for the results of the Northeast Lindy Hop Championships and other competitions held during Beantown 2004.

Wow! What a camp we had! Thanks to everyone who participated and helped us to make our 8^th Beantown the best ever. Even the weather co-operated! At final count we had 11 countries represented and 27 states.

We kicked off with the 3^rd annual Mini-Camp and Northeast Lindy Hop Championships. There was a big diversity of classes and instructors to choose from and everyone seemed to have a great time. The competitions each year just keep getting better. Highlights included the new Balboa Division and an awesome Showcase Division at the Saturday Dance Party!

The full week camp was phenomenal! Classes were top-notch attended by many returnees as well as new campers from around the world. A highlight of the week was once again the class performances on the last night of Kenneth & Helena's routines. Even the beginner track had a routine this year and they were great! It is amazing what can be accomplished with a week of classes from among the world's best instructors in a setting really conducive to learning.

There were so many highlights, including Lindy Hop Heaven, the Beantown Brawlers, volleyball, late night parties, and too many more to mention. Most important was the wonderful spirit of the camp. So many nice people coming together to share this phenomenal experience. We are very fortunate to have this opportunity and we really want to thank everyone who helped us to make it happen. We would also like to give a special thanks to our local crew who help us not just at camp but throughout the year: Meredith Patneaude, Suzanne Gaudet, Rachelle Gaudet, Denyce Zabrecky, June Joyce, Joe Toth, Martin Fréchette and Mike Richters. I don't know how we would manage without you all! Also, thanks to Dave Lasagna for adding your special touch, Ben Fox for jumping in last minute when we needed you, Chris Hugo for all the video taping and to everyone who helped assemble the floors and worked at camp.

click here to view Videos & Photos from other years

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Comments

Beantown was my first dance camp experience back in the summer of 1999, and I have gone back every summer since. My earliest memories are of being in awe of Ryan Francois and Steven Mitchell and inspired by Marc D'Olimpio's music and leaving camp feeling like a completely different, improved and confident dancer. It is an amazing experience that I will never forget and would recommend to anyone who has never been to a dance camp. I have made many friends that I am still close with to this day, and I even met my wonderful girlfriend Erin there in 2000.

An intensive week completely focused on dancing is a unique experience. Challenging and inspiring classes kick your butt all day long, and the magical social dancing goes as late as you can dance (and then some!). Dining is always a highlight as it gives you an opportunity to get to know so many new dancers off the dance floor as you eat all of our meals together. Then there is the icing on the cake: Broadway night, late night snacks, air conditioned dance halls, Lindy Hop Heaven, Norma Miller. By the end of camp, you am thoroughly exhausted, and your dancing has improved by leaps and bounds.

Each year now I look forward to going back to see old friends, make new ones, continue to improve my dancing, DJ for all the enthusiastic dancers and just enjoy that special summer camp atmosphere.

Jesse Miner, CA

We just returned home and we wanted to thank you so much for having us at Beantown again. We had such a good time. The students were so much fun and the organization was great.

Erik Robison & Sylvia Skylar, CA

First, thanks again for having us at Beantown! We had a total blast... Ben too much of one because he was almost spent by the first Sunday .. not sure how he made it through the rest of the week although he probably would have recovered if he decided to relax and not play so much basketball, volleyball, and dance so much (he's addicted to fun)...

Anyhow, lessons learned so we can pace ourselves better next year! We're very excited about coming back. Jenny Kim (our "mother" and "daughter" all at once) had a complete blast and couldn't (and still cannot) stop talking about it...

Ben Yau & Sheri Kang, CA

Check out Ben & Sheri's pictures at one2swing.com

Thanks so much for letting me be a part of your mini-camp this year. I had a great time there. I was really impressed with your organization and your attitudes. Thanks for everything!

Heather Ballew, CO

I had a wonderful time at the NELHC weekend and I wanted to thank you again for inviting me to be a part of the staff. My classes were filled with eager students, and the contests and dance parties were great fun.

Sommer Gentry, MD

We just wanted to let you know how much we enjoyed Beantown (again). Such a wonderful event... great instructors, great participants, great classes, great dances, and sooo organized. Somehow I come to camp each year thinking that there's no way it could be as good as the previous year, and each year I'm even more blown away. Thanks for all that you and your dedicated crew do for all of us who get to enjoy your camp year after year.

Jennifer Coulombe, NC

I hope the two of you enjoyed Beantown this year. I had a great time this year as I have every year.

I think this was the best Beantown yet. It was a little smaller than some years. However, it was a great crowd, and I know many people really appreciated the ability to meet nearly everyone at the camp. I wanted you to know that I heard nothing but great comments about the camp. I think the Charles' parties added substantially to the fun factor this year, and were a big hit. The apres dancing hasn't ever been this good.

So, thanks again, both for another great Beantown, and for asking me to DJ.

Brian Mullin, MA

I've always liked this event because the event encourages people to mingle and talk off the dance floor so you don't feel like being rushed into a three-minute dance and then good-bye. I tried to sit at different tables for the meals so I would meet different people. I don't go to many dance weekends much these days, but I definitely make it a point to get to this one.

Benson Wong, MA

I cannot say enough good things about Beantown. It is the oldest camp on the east coast and it is a great place to work hard on your dancing with some of THE best teachers in the world. Beantown is the kind of camp where you will find yourself in hall after class practicing with new-found friends.

Greg Avakian, PA

Beantown Lindy Hop camp is (in my opinion) the best opportunity! Its a fantastic summer excursion that can be a weekend or a week, or both, but definitely offers the absolute best in Lindy Hop learning and partying. I highly recommend that any Lindy Hopper consider making Beantown a summer vacation. The great dancing, world's best instructors, and community feel make it great fun.

Last year I not only took classes with Ryan & Jenny, Steven & Virginie, Peter Strom and more, but I played basketball, volleyball, dined, & hula hooped with them as well!

You'll have a great lindy hoppin' time if you go!

Joel Domoe, GA

Beantown was "off the hook". I really wish that everybody from Boston could have represented, but I understand what those bills are like! This was my fourth Beantown and it was, without a doubt, the best one I have ever been to! It had a definite party atmosphere and most of the dancers that attended was up for the party. I will not get into some of the late night activities at L-Boogie, because the new motto for Beantown is "What happens in Beantown stays in Beantown"! Best of all, it was good clean fun!!!!

The instructors were great; I am even finding a way to get use to the Bryant campus, although I am still a little fond of Wheaton. My hat is off to you T-Bone and Aurelie for throwing a Kick A#& camp! Can't wait for 2005!!!!!!!!!

Charles, MA

I had such a great time...thanks for putting it all together. It's obvious you and Aurelie put a lot of work into making the week successful.

Stacy, MD

Thanks for hosting the camp -- I had a great time.

Ronnen, CA

Check out Ronnen's Mini-Camp pictures at ronnen.com

We truly appreciate the time and effort you put into making Beantown a great environment to "learn and play." You have helped me bring out an important part of my expression and love of life.

Maryann, MA

Had a great time again..of course..Still trying to recoup and get rested and come down from heaven!

Mariel still doing the 5 o'clock am go to bed routine!

She was so HAPPY! what fun!

Alison, MA

Beantown was really good this year, I enjoyed it a lot. Thanks again to both of you for your wonderful work to make it all happen. Oh, two more people that I would want to express gratitude to that I'm not sure got enough praise yet. First, Chris, the guy that was always running around video'ing everything. Second, Meredith running that café.

Eric, MA

Just wanted to thank you again for such a wonderful time. Besides the great instruction/classes, I got to meet a bunch of really wonderful people, that I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with. Also, the both of you created such a warm and friendly/supportive environment.

I am definately planning on coming back next year.

Brian, CA

I wanted to thank you for beantown! Aiko and Ali and I all had a great time. I was esp appreciative that everyone was so nice to me about my shoulder. The instructors were so sweet about it--giving me modifications in class even as they tried to make sure I didn't overdo it. I was also overwhelmed by how much the whole camp came together as a group at the end. Made me realize all over again how marvelous and almost miraculous an event beantown is. You should feel really proud.

Mako, MA

We enjoyed it even more than last year as we had a little confidence this time around. We danced every evening this time whereas last year we were rather timid and didn't brave the dance floor until about Tuesday! The teachers were excellent and nobody disappointed us...

Broadway night was excellent - having a stage and theatre gave the whole production a very professional touch. Our thanks go to all those who entertained us...

Needless to say, we've already set aside vacation time for next years Beantown. Let's hope it becomes a 2 week event sometime.

Once again, thanks very much for everything.

Rob & Liz, France

Once again, I had a great, wonderful, fabulous, inspiring time at Beantown. Thank you SO MUCH for all the hard work you put into the camp!! Wooohoooo!

Beth, NC

This was my first time at Beantown and even though I only attended the mini-camp, it was a great experience and a lot of fun. Thanks so much for all your help with my questions. I look forward to returning next year.

Alina, NY

This was an outstanding week and the facilities, food, and especially teachers were phenominal...

I had such an awesome time at LindyHop Camp this summer that I'm anxious to plan next summer around the dates you set for next year.

Michelle, FL

Just wanted to let you know that Beantown was a blast this year. I really appreciate all that you guys do in putting it all together. I have tons of pictures, but I haven't had the time yet to get them up on my website. I hope to have that done sometime soon (hopefully in august). But the pictures just remind me of what a great time I had. And the new stretching class was really great, and I definitely enjoyed the Swing Walk class as well. And all the normal classes, well, I always enjoy them!

Thanks soo much for all you do! I can't wait to do it again next year!

Brian, NC

Beantown this year was the best! I thought last year was phenomenal, but this year's camp broke the mold. The classes, the comraderie, and of course the dancing were all so fabulous. I especially love how Beantown provides the ability to look back over that past year and see my progress, and the inspiration to progress further by next year's camp. That, and the fun of sharing my passion for lindy with so many other like-minded addicts! Thank you and your dedicated staff for creating such a memorable experience!

Kate, NC

I can't believe another Beantown is past already! I had a blast!! Kenneth and Helena's routines were great, they even had complete beginners performing by the end of the week! There was variety and contrast between all the teachers, making all the classes interesting and keeping us on our toes.

Rachelle, MA

I had a great time at mini-camp, and had a great time at the dances.

Pat, MA

I had a ton of fun again at the mini-camp! Especially finally getting a chance to try Tango-- Thanks for having me as a DJ this year, too. If only every camper had Peter's boundless energy we would have made it much farther past 4 AM Saturday night... ;)

Rob, CT

Thanks for putting on a great camp. I hope that next year I can stay for the whole week.

Reed, CA

Thanks for another fabulous week of camp. Everything was wonderful. We're looking forward to next year with a lot more people coming from Chi Town.

Carl & Karrie, IL

First of all, thank you for a wonderful week. This was my first Beantown session, loved every minute, and arrived home totally exhausted but having learned a lot. Thanks again for a great week.

Pat, VA

I had a great time at Beantown, my first.

Heather, NY

We had a great time at camp, as we have each year. It's such a good break from the daily routine.

Susan, MA

Thanks & congrats on another good year!

Gordon, FL

Thanks for another wonderful year at Beantown.

Linda, PA

Thanks for your tremendous effort in organizing Beantown. It was a great experience.

Donna, MA

I was at the mini-camp this year and had a great time.