NEWSLETTER
Midsummer Swing!
Hudson, NY — Hudson Hall at the historic Hudson Opera House is clearing the floor for a summer night of live music, dancing, and full-body joy. In a nod to its past as a home to cotillions, balls, and social dances, Hudson Hall partners with Got2Lindy Dance Studios to present Midsummer Swing!, an evening of swing dancing and live music in its historic 1855 theater.
The event takes place Saturday, July 25, 2026, starting at 6:30 PM with a beginner swing dance lesson led by Chester and Linda Freeman of Got2Lindy Dance Studios. No partner or experience is needed. After the lesson, Connecticut-based swing band Eight to the Bar takes the stage for a night of music and dancing, with a special performance by the Got2Lindy Hoppers at 8 PM.
Midsummer Swing! brings the spirit of the social dance hall back to Hudson Hall, where revelers have gathered for performances, celebrations, community events, and nights on the dance floor for generations. The evening is designed for dancers of all levels, from seasoned Lindy Hoppers to first-timers who just want to try a few steps and enjoy the band.
Swing dancing emerged alongside the rise of jazz in the late 1920s and 1930s, filling ballrooms across the country with improvisation, rhythm, and social connection. Lindy Hop, which developed in Harlem's legendary Savoy Ballroom, became one of the defining dances of the swing era. Today, swing dancing continues to bring people together on dance floors around the world, carrying forward a rich tradition rooted in African American culture.
“Dancing is a form of community connection and an expression of pure joy,” says Hudson Hall Executive Director Adam Weinert. “Chester and Linda make swing dancing accessible to everyone — young or old, experienced or a true beginner. It’s exactly the ethos of Hudson Hall: everyone is invited, and everyone is welcomed. So come and dance with us!”
Live music will be provided by Eight to the Bar, a longtime favorite on the swing dance circuit. Drawing from swing, boogie-woogie, blues, roots music, and classic Motown, the band is known for tight vocal harmonies, high-energy performances, and a repertoire built for the dance floor.
About Got2Lindy Dance Studios
Got2Lindy Dance Studios is led by Chester and Linda Freeman, who have been teaching swing and ballroom dance professionally since 2004. Based in the Hudson Valley, they specialize in Lindy Hop, the authentic form of swing dance born out of Harlem’s Savoy Ballroom, and offer private lessons, group classes, workshops, monthly dances, and special events. Known for their fun, welcoming, and engaging teaching style, Chester and Linda make swing dancing accessible to dancers of all ages and experience levels.
Event Details
Midsummer Swing!
Presented in partnership with Got2Lindy Dance Studios
Saturday, July 25, 2026 at 6:30PM
6:00pm Doors open
6:30pm Swing dance lesson for beginners (no partner needed)
7:00pm – 10pm live music by Eight to the Bar
8:00pm Performance by Got2Lindy Hoppers
Tickets: $37 (plus $5 fee)
Hudson Hall
327 Warren Street
Hudson, NY 12534
For more information, visit hudsonhall.org/event/
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About Hudson Hall
hudsonhall.org
Hudson Hall is a cultural beacon in the Hudson Valley, offering a dynamic year-round schedule of music, theater, dance, literature, film, workshops for youth and adults, as well as family programs and signature events such as the Hudson Jazz Festival and the Handel on the Hudson opera series. Built in 1855, Hudson Hall is a landmarked building housing New York State’s oldest surviving theater. @hudsonhallny
Image: Linda & Chester Freeman of Got2Lindy Dance Studios