WHERE CAN I GET TICKETS?
Tickets will not be available at the Gate this year! You may purchase tickets in advance by clicking the ticket tab above which will take you to the Trustees of Reservations website where you can purchase them there. You will need your tickets to get in. You will also need a parking pass for each car to park on the grounds. THERE WILL BE NO ON-SITE TICKETS THIS YEAR!
DO I NEED A TICKET TO GET IN?
Yes, you must have your ticket which will be mailed to you from Trustees of Reservations. All guests will be required to have a ticket. You will likely be turned away if you do not have a ticket.
DO I NEED A PARKING PASS?
Each car parking on the grounds will need a parking pass for your car. These will need to be purchased in advance. If you do not have a parking pass, you may be turned away. If you are taking a shuttle from commuter rail, then you won't need one. If you are riding in someone else's car, they will need one, but you will only need one per car.
WHAT IF IT RAINS?
This year the event is rain or shine. We will have some amount of tenting available this year in case of rain.
CAN I GET A REFUND?
Sorry there are no refunds for this event. You may transfer your tickets to someone else, but they must have the physical tickets to get in.
CAN I BRING IN FOOD?
Yes Picnicking is encouraged! Bring your blanket and a picnic basket, but leave the grill at home. And please police the area and try to keep the grounds clean. Hike it in, hike it out.
CAN I BRING IN ALCOHOL?
Sorry, outside alcohol is not permitted at this event. However, we'll have Mill River Wine and Ipswich Ale available on site! Bags and coolers will be inspected and we will ask you to return any alcohol to your vehicle. Thermoses of lemonade and the like are allowed, but please leave 6-packs of beer, etc. at home.
CAN I BRING MY DOG?
Sorry Fido, Rover, Rin Tin Tin, Dino and Scooby Doo need to stay home. And that also goes for pet pythons, leashed and civil iguanas, well-tempered cats, cuddly chinchillas, rabbits, and parrots (sorry, pirates).
WILL THERE BE FOOD AND DRINKS AVAILABLE ON SITE?
There will be food on-site, please see our Edibles page.
WHAT IS THE LINDY HOP?
The Lindy Hop is a dance based around an 8-count basic, and incorporates all of the elements of East Coast Swing, as well as some Charleston, Fox Trot and other ballroom dances. It is a wholly American dance; its vernacular is dictated by the dances of the 1920s and 1930s which were in turn derived from the jazz music of the time. And just as jazz music was a fusion of Western symphonic music and African rhythms, so too is this dance. The Lindy Hop is mixture of ballroom, Charleston and African dance.
WHAT IS THE CHARLESTON?
The Charleston is the most iconic dance of the 1920s. "The Charleston" was a song from the 1923 musical, Runnin' Wild, and it's accompanying choreography quickly grew into a National craze. Flappers adopted the dance as an act of rebellion to flaunt their carefree abandon to those who were "dry". The Charleston is an 8-count set of steps that can be danced solo or with a partner. During our lesson, we will teach a solo Charleston basic.
DO I NEED PARTNER?
No partner is required. The swing dancing community is very friendly and the dance floor will be full of people who want to dance with others. This is what we call social dancing and we change partners almost every song.
Ask someone to dance and more than likely they will say, "yes." Saying "no" is always an option as well, and you can always turn someone down who is rude to you in any way. You can also turn someone down politely if you are tired, need water, or aren't feeling that particular song. Just say, "I'm sitting this one out, maybe later. Thanks."
If you do not wish to dance with someone other than your significant other, that is fine. But please don't be alarmed when someone asks you or your significant other to dance. Asking people to dance is part of the culture...remember they are just asking you for a dance, they are not asking you out on a date.
DO I HAVE TO DRESS UP?
No, you are free to do as you like. Have fun! If you want to dress up, dress up. If you want to wear shorts and a t-shirt, that's fine too...just come out and have a good time!
CAN I BRING IN FOOD?
Yes Picnicking is encouraged! Bring your blanket and a picnic basket, but leave the grill at home. And please police the area and try to keep the grounds clean. Hike it in, hike it out.
CAN I BRING IN ALCOHOL?
Sorry, outside alcohol is not permitted at this event. However, we'll have Mill River Wine and Ipswich Ale available on site! Bags and coolers will be inspected and we will ask you to return any alcohol to your vehicle. Thermoses of lemonade and the like are allowed, but please leave 6-packs of beer, etc. at home.
CAN I BRING MY DOG?
Sorry Fido, Rover, Rin Tin Tin, Dino and Scooby Doo need to stay home. And that also goes for pet pythons, leashed and civil iguanas, well-tempered cats, cuddly chinchillas, rabbits, and parrots (sorry, pirates).
WILL THERE BE FOOD AND DRINKS AVAILABLE ON SITE?
There will be food on-site, please see our Edibles page.
WHAT IS THE LINDY HOP?
The Lindy Hop is a dance based around an 8-count basic, and incorporates all of the elements of East Coast Swing, as well as some Charleston, Fox Trot and other ballroom dances. It is a wholly American dance; its vernacular is dictated by the dances of the 1920s and 1930s which were in turn derived from the jazz music of the time. And just as jazz music was a fusion of Western symphonic music and African rhythms, so too is this dance. The Lindy Hop is mixture of ballroom, Charleston and African dance.
WHAT IS THE CHARLESTON?
The Charleston is the most iconic dance of the 1920s. "The Charleston" was a song from the 1923 musical, Runnin' Wild, and it's accompanying choreography quickly grew into a National craze. Flappers adopted the dance as an act of rebellion to flaunt their carefree abandon to those who were "dry". The Charleston is an 8-count set of steps that can be danced solo or with a partner. During our lesson, we will teach a solo Charleston basic.
DO I NEED PARTNER?
No partner is required. The swing dancing community is very friendly and the dance floor will be full of people who want to dance with others. This is what we call social dancing and we change partners almost every song.
Ask someone to dance and more than likely they will say, "yes." Saying "no" is always an option as well, and you can always turn someone down who is rude to you in any way. You can also turn someone down politely if you are tired, need water, or aren't feeling that particular song. Just say, "I'm sitting this one out, maybe later. Thanks."
If you do not wish to dance with someone other than your significant other, that is fine. But please don't be alarmed when someone asks you or your significant other to dance. Asking people to dance is part of the culture...remember they are just asking you for a dance, they are not asking you out on a date.
DO I HAVE TO DRESS UP?
No, you are free to do as you like. Have fun! If you want to dress up, dress up. If you want to wear shorts and a t-shirt, that's fine too...just come out and have a good time!
THE POSTER DESIGN IS COOL, CAN I GET ONE?
Yes you may, you can order a poster in advance. See the ticket tab and fill out the form below where you order tickets for pricing. After the event, email: info@bostonswingcentral.org and we can ship one out for a small additional cost.
WILL THERE BE PARKING AND IS THERE A FEE?
A Parking Pass is required this year and must be purchased through the Trustees site. There about 700 spots divided between 3 lots, which we think is plenty, please carpool if you can and save some gas and money. And to avoid sitting in a long line, please try to get there early, (don't forget your tickets), but no early than 2pm as we won't be letting anyone in before then.
CAN I GET THERE VIA PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION?
Yes! You can take a commuter rail from North Station to Ipswich via the Newburyport Line. From there, you'd need to take the Ipswich Essex Explorer.
WILL THERE BE A LONG LINE TO GET IN?
We're going to be opening up early to reduce congestion and getting people on to the Estate. Please have your parking pass and tickets ready to go. You can start entering the grounds at 2pm. We are also going to try to improve our flow through and efficiency.
CAN I BRING MY CHILDREN?
Children 10 and under are free and all children are welcome to attend, but please note there are no specific activities designated for children.
CAN I BRING MONOPOLY or PARCHEESI?
Sure, why not? Monopoly was invented in 1933 (so not 1920s accurate) and Parcheesi has been around for hundreds of years, but Ouija and Mahjongg were probably more de rigueur...
Keep calm and Charleston!
Yes you may, you can order a poster in advance. See the ticket tab and fill out the form below where you order tickets for pricing. After the event, email: info@bostonswingcentral.org and we can ship one out for a small additional cost.
WILL THERE BE PARKING AND IS THERE A FEE?
A Parking Pass is required this year and must be purchased through the Trustees site. There about 700 spots divided between 3 lots, which we think is plenty, please carpool if you can and save some gas and money. And to avoid sitting in a long line, please try to get there early, (don't forget your tickets), but no early than 2pm as we won't be letting anyone in before then.
CAN I GET THERE VIA PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION?
Yes! You can take a commuter rail from North Station to Ipswich via the Newburyport Line. From there, you'd need to take the Ipswich Essex Explorer.
WILL THERE BE A LONG LINE TO GET IN?
We're going to be opening up early to reduce congestion and getting people on to the Estate. Please have your parking pass and tickets ready to go. You can start entering the grounds at 2pm. We are also going to try to improve our flow through and efficiency.
CAN I BRING MY CHILDREN?
Children 10 and under are free and all children are welcome to attend, but please note there are no specific activities designated for children.
CAN I BRING MONOPOLY or PARCHEESI?
Sure, why not? Monopoly was invented in 1933 (so not 1920s accurate) and Parcheesi has been around for hundreds of years, but Ouija and Mahjongg were probably more de rigueur...
Keep calm and Charleston!