Events

Knoxville Events

We host quarterly events in Knoxville! Workshops, parties, festivals, and more!

Hard Knox Lindy Rox (Spring Workshop)

Hard Knox is Knoxville’s premier workshop weekend held every spring. People from around the country come in to learn from top-notch teachers in a laid-back atmosphere that only Knoxville can provide. Take classes, hear great music, and dance all night! Check out the website.

Regional Events

January

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February

Lollies & Lemonade
Feb 2 – 4, 2018
Auburn, AL
Join AUSDA for a sweet lineup of regional instructors and live music. We have an entertaining weekend planned, Lollies and Lemonade will be oriented towards beginner and intermediate balboa dancers. Squeeze into your cars and head to Auburn for a refreshingly good time.
Instructors: Abigail Browning & Adam Speen (NC) Erica Vess (Richmond) & Robert David Jemian (AL), Kadie & Joe Pangburn (Huntsville)

Blues Geek
Feb 16 – 18, 2018
Nashville, TN
A revamped blues workshop aimed at exploring blues idioms, reshaping our competitions, and creating spaces to get educated and nerd out to your heart’s content. Class Focus: Blues Idioms 101; Musical Focus: Celebrating the powerful contribution of Female blues vocalists and artists; Class tracks: Knowledge, Skill, and Learning Styles; Competition variants focused on specific idioms and across multiple levels; Special Presentations and Panels spread throughout the weekend so you can learn dance, history, and context.
Instructors: Damon & Kelsy Stone (MN), Laney Barhaugh (NY), Mike & Dan Legenthal (Boston), Krystal & Adam Wilkerson (Huntsville), Julie Brown (Boston), Ross Blythe & Sarah Lokay (Chicago), Cierra Ruffin (Denver), Katrina Rogers, Nathaniel Abrea

Dayton Swing Smackdown
Feb 23 – 25, 2018
Dayton, OH
Featuring over 9 hours of dancing, 13 hours of instruction, Solo Jazz Competition, Jack N Jill Competition, and The Battle of the Swing Cities Team Routine Competition. In addition to a dedication to providing a quality weekend, it is one of Smackdown’s core goals to be accessible to everyone, from the experienced dance community, to brand new dancers.
Instructors: Laura Glaess & Brooks Prumo (Austin), Mandy Hogan & Danny Beyrer (Indianapolis), Cate Rauschenberger (Atl) & Dave Barry (Richmond)

March

Brickyard Blues
Mar 9 – 11, 2018
Atlanta, GA
Match your blues idiom dances to the regions that birthed the corresponding music — Come learn Piedmont in the Piedmont! Live music from Mudcat in select Piedmont Blues intensive and general blues track classes. Dance Sunday at Blind Willie’s Blues Club, a prior recipient of the Blues Foundation’s W.C. Handy Award for “Blues Club of the Year.”
Instructors: Damon Stone, Kenneth Shipp, Laney Barhaugh, Krystal Wilkerson

Lindyfest
Mar 16 – 18, 2018
Houston, TX
Lone Star Championships at Lindyfest is the largest and most dynamic Lindy event of its kind. “Where Epic Party Meets World Class Instruction!” Learn from some of the best dancers in the world, dance all night to amazing bands and DJs, compete in divisions specific to your level, and watch top-level competitions and performances.

School of Hard Knox
Mar 23 – 25, 2018
Knoxville, TN
A vintage dance workshop in the heart of the TN valley, where the southeast meets the midwest, featuring great music, tons of social dancing, competitions, leveled Lindy Hop classes, and electives in Balboa, solo jazz & more.
Instructors: Ryan Calloway (San Francisco), Annie Trudeau (Montreal), Kevin St Laurent (San Francisco), Kelly Arsenault (Knoxville), Jon Tigert (Baltimore)

Live Love Lindy
March 30 – April 1, 2018
Winstem-Salem, NC
We are going to celebrate life through loving Lindy Hop!

April

Blues Shout (Blues)
Apr 6 – 8, 2018
Chicago, IL
An annual celebration of Blues Dance, striving to bring you the best of the blues dance world every year through classes, competitions, and dances. bluesSHOUT! instructors are the very top of the industry and are in demand nationally and globally. You can expect the very best bands and musicians from Chicago and beyond, providing three nights of live blues music, and keeping the floor packed all night long.
Instructors: Damon Stone (Minneapolis), Dan Legenthal (Boston), Daniel Repsch (Montreal), Heidi Fite (San Francisco), Jennifer Sowden (NY), Julie Brown (Boston), Mike Grosser (Boston), Mike Legenthal (Boston), Ruth Evelyn (Boston), Timothy O’Neill (LA)

Down South Camp Meeting
Apr 13 – 15, 2018
Atlanta, GA
Good, down-home Lindy Hop, made to order! Down South Camp Meeting combines red hot lindy hop and old-fashioned Southern Hospitality to bring you a great dance weekend! Register a la carte, or get a discount with a full-weekend registration, you’re sure to have a great time at DSCM.
Instructors: Nina Gilkenson (Baltimore), Andy Reid (NOLA), Heather Ballew (Denver)

DC Lindy Exchange (DCLX)
Apr 20 – 22, 2018
Washington, DC
This year we’re celebrating with cherry blossoms, a carousel, and (obviously) a lot of bands. We’ve got some tricks up our sleeve, so keep a look out for more announcements as the event gets closer!

Swing Into Spring
April 27 – 29, 2018
Columbia, SC
The final weekend in April will be filled with dances, lessons, and and overall wonderful time.
Instructors: Naomi Uyama & Peter Strom (Minneapolis), Jenny Shirar & Christian Frommelt (St. Louis)

Midwest Lindy Fest
April 27 – 29, 2018
Minneapolis, MN
All talent & all levels are invited to come out to beautiful Minneapolis and throw down at the premier social and competitive event of the Lindy Hopping Midwest. This year hosting the Collegiate Jitterbug Championship.
Instructors: Nina Gilkenson (Baltimore) & Andy Reid (NOLA), Ann Mony & Ryan Calloway (San Francisco), Delilah Williams & Kenny Nelson (Denver), Jenny Shirar & Christian Frommelt (St. Louis)

May

Charleston Lindy Exchange (CHEX)
May 18 – 20, 2018
Charleston, SC
Join us for another weekend of great music, dancing, beach days, dear friends, and a pocket full of memories. Join us in lovely Charleston, SC for our TENTH lindy exchange! We’ll have awesome music, friendly dancers, and delicious food – all on the BEACH. We’ll see you here in May!

Richmond Lindy Exchange (RLX)
May 25 – 28, 2018
Richmond, VA
In addition to hosting dances with fantastic live and DJ’ed music, RLX is known for our brewery dance on Saturday afternoon, and our Sunday Funday with games, popsicles, and a moonbounce. Really. Make sure you stick around for Memorial Day, when we’ll relax by the James River and go swimming!

Seaside Stomp
May 25 – 29, 2018
Pensacola, FL
Come join us for a fantastic weekend of lessons, dancing, and the beach in the beautiful Pensacola, Florida.
Instructor: Lainey Silver

June

Red Hot Blues & BBQ (Blues)
June 1 – 3, 2018
Washington, DC
BBQ. Blues dancing. Sunshine. Laying in the grass. Chocolate mousse. More blues dancing. More food. More friends and fun community time.

The Atlanta Lindy Exchange
June 1 – 3, 2018
Atlanta, GA

All Balboa Weekend (Balboa)
June 14 – 17, 2018
Cleveland, OH
A huge event focusing solely on Balboa for a weekend of classes with international instructors, dances to live

Greenville Lindy Exchange (GVLX)
June 22 – 24, 2018
Greenville, SC
Get excited for your favorite swing dance event of the summer! The Greenville Lindy Hoppers are proud to present the 7th annual Greenville Lindy Exchange! We’re going to have 3 killer live bands, the ever popular Modern room, a Soul party, exciting performances, and so much more!

July

Southbound Blues Exchange
July 20 – 22, 2018
Nashville, TN
Join us in Music City this August for a world class lineup of bands, DJs, and competitions showcasing the blues and providing a fun-filled weekend for Vol. II. 6 bands plus DJ Showcase, Friday Soul Room, Nashville Musician Jam Band, Southern Brunch Themed Late Night Food.

August

Bal-Ast Off (Balboa)
Aug 3 – 5, 2018
Huntsville, AL
LET THE COUNTDOWN SEQUENCE COMMENCE….. This year we have *SIX* tracks of Balboa classes planned for you, taught by some of the best instructors in the world! Including a beginner friendly balboa flight school!
Instructors: Jeremy Otth (LA) & Laura Keat (Denver), David Rehm & Kate Hedin (Boston), Bobby White (NY), Shani Brown & Jacob Wigger (LA), David & Chelsea Lee (DC), Corey & Susan Manke (Nashville), Matt Mitchell & Jenn Barnett (Austin)

Cincy Hop
Aug 11 – 13, 2018
Cincinnati, OH
CincyHop is an annual weekend of vintage swing dancing in Cincinnati, OH. There will be over 24 hours of dancing (in one weekend!) to great live bands and talented DJs in different venues all around the city. The full-weekend pass gets you into EIGHT dances, featuring music from Chelsea Reed and the Fair Weather Five, The Jazz Coasters, Noah Wotherspoon, and our talented DJs!

Great Lakes Balboa Escape (Balboa)
Aug 17 – 19, 2018
Chicago, IL
Take classes with at least three sets of international instructors specifically tailored to meet your dancing goals. Class tracks include: Solid Fundamentals, Social Dancer, Pure Bal, The Competitor, Slow Bal, and Teacher Training. Come shuffle with us and enjoy our Midwestern friendliness!
Instructors: Mickey Fortanasce (NY), Kelly Arsenault (Knoxville), Jen Barnett (Austin), Matt Mitchell (Austin), Laura Keat (Denver), Jeremy Otth (CA), Corey & Susan Manke (Nashville), Andreas Olsson (Sweden), Olga Marina (Sweden), Desiree Roffers (Chicago), Douglas Matthews (Chicago)

International Lindy Hop Championships (workshops, competitions)
Aug 23 – 26, 2018
Washington, DC
4-days of dance experiences that include amazing competitions, high-level workshops, thought provoking LED talks and tons of social dancing to top notch live music. Come join us in Washington DC and watch the best of the best Lindy Hoppers in the world strut their stuff every August!
Instructors: Ramona (Australia), Remy (France), Skye (NY), Nick (OC), Alice (France), Todd (New Orleans), Vincenzo, Moe, Kevin (San Fran), Jo (San Fran), Naomi (Minneapolis), Pamela, Laura (Austin)

September

I Heart Balboa (Balboa)
Aug 31 – Sept 2
Richmond, VA
Join us in lovely Richmond, Virginia over Labor Day weekend for our 2nd Annual I *Heart* Balboa dance weekend! with live music by the Mint Julep Jazz Band
Instructors:  Nelle Cherry & Adam Speen (Raleigh), Abigail Browning (Raleigh), Annabel Quisao & Michael Quisao (DC), Kadie Pangburn & Joe Pangburn (Huntsville), Jennifer Barnett (NYC)

Classic City Swing
Sept 21 – 23, 2018
Athens, GA
This year’s slate includes 8 hours of workshops and 5 dances with outstanding music, all for one incredible deal!  The weekend will have classes appropriate for both new and experienced swing dancers in 4 track levels: beginner, intermediate, intermediate/advanced, and advanced.
Instructors: Peter Kertzner (LA) & Elze Visnevskyte (Lithuania), Naomi Uyama & Peter Strom (MN), Jenna Applegarth (Vienna) & Jon Tigert (Baltimore)

Knoxville Lindy Exchange (KLX)
Sept 28 – 30, 2018
Knoxville, TN
Knoxville’s own weekend swing music and dance festival! Dancers from around the country will join us in our home town for another year of fantastic music, awesome venues, ridiculous competitions, delicious late night food, and great times. Don’t miss it!

Lindy Hop on the Plains
Sept 22 – 24, 2017
Auburn, AL
Beginner/intermediate Lindy Hop workshop, unbelievable amount of fun in “The Loveliest Village on the Plains.”

Swing In
Sept 22 – 24, 2017
Indianapolis, IN
SwingIN’s TENTH Year as one of the largest dance events in the Mid-West. We’ll be pulling all the stops to make our “Big 10” the largest year ever.

Dance St Lou Blue (Blues)
Sept 29 – Oct 1, 2017
National Blues Museum visit discounts, live music, 3 tracks (with incredible instructors that you won’t want to miss), and countless hours of social dancing. Experience St. Louis charm as we Dance St. Louis Blue.

October

Rhythm is Our Business
Oct 12 – 14, 2018
Nashville, TN
Live music is, arguably, one of the most pivotal parts of Lindy Hop. But when it comes to the partnership between dance and live music, we’re missing something – and Rhythm Is Our Business looks to bridge that gap.  We’re here to bring you the best in partnership – the partnership between dancers and live music, the partnership between song form and flow of movement, the partnership between dancers and their dance partners, and the way all of these come together to create a perfect dance.

Rocktober
Oct 12 – 14, 2018
Columbus, OH
Delve deep into the world of leading and following through 6-8 concentrated hours of instruction with one set of teachers. Focused attention designed to help master movement, concepts and ideas. Video auditions accurately pre-place experienced dancers in tracks with peers of similar dance ability. Intense instruction also offered for open level dancers, no audition required.
Instructors: Nina Gilkenson (Baltimore) & Andy Reid (New Orleans), Jenny Shirar & Christian Frommelt (St Louis), and Adrienne Weidert & Rafal Pustelny (NY)

New Orleans Swing Dance Festival
Sept 29 – Oct 1, 2017
New Orleans, LA
Live jazz and blues all day and night, multiple dance rooms, dance workshops with live music, open jam sessions for musicians and vocalists, 2nd line parade, and more to be announced after the new year.

Backwater Blues (Blues)
Oct 6 – 8, 2017
Huntsville, AL
Huntsville’s Ballroomin’ Blues event is BACK for 2017!
Instructors: Mike & – Dan Legenthal (Boston – former Knoxville!), Campbell Miller (Austin), Shawn Hershey (NY), Laney Barhaugh (NY), Kenneth Shipp (Nashville)

Jammin’ On The James
Oct 20 – 22, 2017
Richmond, VA
3 levels of lindy hop workshops from top of the line instructors, Jammin’ on the James has something to offer everyone, from complete beginners to the more advanced. We’ll be blowing your face off with 2 nights of some of the best live music the swing scene has to offer. Jammin’ on the James 2018 will also feature new comps, food truck fun, and more, so check back here and follow us on Facebook to stay tuned! We’ll see you in October!
Instructors:  Ann Mony & Ryan Calloway (San Fran), Jenny Shirar & Christian Frommelt (STL)

Atlanta Varsity Showdown (AVS)
Oct 26 – 28, 2018
Atlanta, GA
A a swing dance workshop and competition weekend primarily focusing on Lindy Hop but also featuring other swing era dances such as Balboa and Charleston. The goals of Atlanta Varsity Showdown are to create a well-rounded dancer who can freely express themselves through movement and musicality and to foster a strong sense of community.
Instructors: Annabel Quisao (DC), Bobby White (NY), David Lee (DC), Jenna Applegarth (St Louis), Jon Tigert (Baltimore), LaTasha Barnes (NY)

November

Nevermore Jazz Ball
Nov 2 – 5, 2017
St Louis, MO
A one-of-a-kind celebration that features four nights of dancing to live music, two days of workshops, a jazz crawl with live bands on Cherokee Street, vintage vendors, crazy contests, and lots of St. Louis goodness. Nevermore Jazz Ball is a celebration of jazz music and dancing, but also of home and how art helps us belong in a place. With the integration of the Cherokee Street Jazz Crawl and Community Dance Day, Nevermore Jazz Ball is a few festivals in one–come see what it’s all about!
Instructors: Erin Morris & Nathan Bugh (NY), Joshua Mclean (Seattle), Mandy Hogan & Danny Beyrer (Indianapolis)

Holy City Blues Exchange (Blues)
Nov 2 – 5, 2017
Charleston, SC
Aw snap, the Blues is back! Join us in beautiful Charleston, SC as we celebrate the joy of Blues. We are happy to bring together musicians, dancers, and friends from across the Southeast and beyond to commence a weekend of hot, fierce, soul shakin’ music! Come on down, and join the party y’all!

Whistle Stop
Nov 17 – 19, 2017
West Lafayette, IN
An affordable university event with Lindy and Solo tracks. Instructors: Erin Morris (STL), Gabby Cook & Nathan Bugh (NY), Mike “Falty” Faltesek (Chicago) & Lainey Silver (NY), Jenna Applegarth (STL) & Jon Tigert (Baltimore), Dan Repsch (Montreal) & Jenny Sowden (NY)

Pittstop Lindy Hop (exchange)
Nov 17 – 19, 2017
Pittsburgh, PA
PittStop welcomes dancers of all ages and experience to a high-energy weekend of swing dancing with 30 hours of music and dancing fun!

December

Regional Meetup & Swing Triathlon
Dec 16, 2017
Huntsville, ALIt’s that time again! Time for the Huntsville Regional Meetup! We want all of our neighboring scenes to come visit us for fun classes, dancing, dj battles, competitions, lasagna, and more! Stay tuned for more announcements on what we have going on!

Lindy Focus (Lindy, Blues, Bal, Music)
Dec 26 – Jan 1
Ashevile, NC
One of the biggest swing dance parties in the world, right here in the Southeast. 5 days of workshops/add ons, 5 nights of live big band music followed by live music late nights, dancing until 10 am, New Years Day karaoke, and over a thousand dancers from all over the world.

International Events