Why Lindy Hop and Solo Jazz
First, we are dancers, not just leaders and followers. We love the connection of Lindy Hop and the moments we share when we dance together.
We want to incorporate solo movement as an expression of this art form and an opportunity to improve partner dancing.
Class Content
We will focus on self-expression while promoting a deep appreciation and understanding of Swing and Jazz music and the African-American roots of this dance.
Amazing Teachers
You will learn with experienced and inspiring teachers, with an approachable, inclusive attitude. They all come from different backgrounds and will share their unique journey. You will have one Lindy Hop class with all the teaching couples and 1 Solo Jazz class with one of the teachers.
Themed Classes With Live Music
Our camp wants to encourage interaction and knowledge-sharing between dancers and musicians. You will have the option to go to choir class, a play in a band class and 2 hours of themed dance classes with live music.
Time to experiment
Full Pass: 6 hours of Lindy Hop, 1.5 hours of Solo Jazz and out of the box tasters from Friday morning to Sunday morning.
Solo Jazz Pass: 3h of Solo Jazz classes from Friday afternoon to Sunday morning. Since we sold out the hotel rooms so quickly last year, we decide to add this extra pass for people arranging their own accommodation/meals. Limited availability.
You’ll always find time to share, experiment and party.
Teachers
These are your Lindy Hop and Solo Jazz teachers! Every level will have a 90 minutes Lindy Hop class with each teaching couple (total of 6 hours) + 90 minutes Solo Jazz class with one of the teachers.
Gurutz and Aiala
Aiala and Gurutz are Lindy Hop and Authentic Jazz dancers from Vitoria-Gasteiz, small city in the north of Spain where they started dancing.
In 2017 they decided to move to Madrid and nowadays they have their own project called “la Demo Swing Lab” where they keep teaching and sharing their love and respect for this culture. They are also part of a dance company called Bababop Danza, a space and group of friends where they train and perform.
For them this is a path where you never stop learning and they are continuously looking to improve.
Tim and Clàudia
Clàudia has Swing music as her main source of inspiration, she embraces diverse playful ways to develop herself as a human being while connecting to the Swing language.
Clàudia admires and studies the Jazz roots, focusing on its music and dancing, as a never-ending process in her development of her communication and self-expression through Jazz.
She’s constantly revisiting her role in the Jazz world, redefining what that music gives to her so she can contribute back through her dancing. Making her individuality grow and sharing it with all the other dancers in the room, makes her feel alive in the Jazz world.
Tim found himself in a room full of people moving their bodies around to swing music, but there was one couple that was dancing! The next day, he found himself in the couple’s house learning this lovely dance called the lindy hop! Clearly he got obsessed with this dance and the culture surrounding it, and now he is competing, dancing, and teaching internationally! He was in the most recent instalment of the Swing Out Show in New York 2023, has performed at the Lincoln Center, and maintains good working relationships with most other instructors in the Lindy hop scene.
Alberto & Ana
Born in Italy, Alberto discovered Swing dance in 2015, and he hasn’t stopped since.
His dance journey took him to many festivals across Europe, where he learned from different artists and participated in competitions. Now based in Poland, he is teaching at ShimSham.pl, and finding inspiration in every lindy hopper he meets.
While he still enjoys competing and ‘throw down’ on the dance floor, his favorite moments are undoubtedly spent social dancing. Dancing fuels his energy and curiosity, driving him to continually explore the history and culture of the dance. His pockets are filled with rhythmic variations and good humour!
Ana is a guest in afro american dance culture: social dancer & teacher from Granada (Spain) currently residing in Berlin, where she is the founder of Rayuela Swing, the school where she teaches and organises events.
Her classes focus on communal sharing- learning by trying with more dancing than explanations taking place. In her classes she strives to create an environment where partnered and solo dance can feel like an exploration rather than mechanical repetition of patterns.
Her space in the classroom is dictated by her belief that by approaching the dance with humility and respect, we can honour its legacy and share its beauty with others in a meaningful and authentic way.
Levels
We know it’s hard to identify your level sometimes. Our classes will have interesting content for every group.
Level 1: Intermediate
You’ve been dancing Lindy Hop for around 9 months. You already learned in classes and social dance moves like: basic 6 counts with triple steps, swing out, circle and basic Charleston steps like tandem Charleston and hand-to-hand. You are excited to (maybe) go to your first festival and improve your dance by learning new vocabulary and discovering more about connection.
You might have tried or not some solo jazz classes or know some solo jazz moves and routines like the Shim Sham, but you are excited to learn and explore more about the routes of Solo Jazz.
Level 2: Intermediate-Advanced
You’ve been dancing for around 2 years, taking classes and social dancing. You are comfortable with the basics like swing out, circle, tuck-turn, outside turn and you already know a lot of moves that you cannot name. You are able to improvise and maybe add some Solo Jazz moves to your partner dancing. You can mix between triple steps and kicks, 6 and 8 count and you can dance fast and slow tempos. You are excited and open to receive new ideas around musicality, connection and to add diversity to your dance.
You have learned some basic routines like the Shim Sham, tried alone or in classes some Solo Jazz moves. You are ready to learn some more vocabulary or pick the harder challenges also provided in class.
Level 3: Advanced
You’ve been dancing for around 3 years, and you have been to some festivals already. There’s no doubt that dance is in your life to stay. You are comfortable with different tempos, different types of partner connections and you feel like you can improvise and stay connected with your partner, the music and yourself. Vocabulary is not your priority and you want to know more about the origins of the dance, to find your own style and to feel more free to express your dance.
You have learned some basic routines like the Shim Sham, tried alone or in classes some Solo Jazz moves. You are ready to learn some more vocabulary or pick the harder challenges also provided in class. If you already dance Solo Jazz frequently, the classes will have challenges for you too.
Level 4: Advanced+
To join the Advanced+ or Pro levels, you are required to audition on the first morning (Friday at 9:45 am). This is the best way to check all levels and be considerate to the majority of dancers, keeping the best balance possible. If you don’t stay on the Advanced+ level, don’t take it personally – We are sure you will still learn a lot on the Advanced level with our great teachers and you can always ask for extra challenges.
You’ve been dancing for around 5 years, and make sure to practice regularly.
You must be comfortable in all tempos, from very slow to very fast, and be an experienced social dancer. You are searching for your own voice in dance and actively look for more knowledge on the dance culture and history. You are eager to bring some homework to do after our festival and new tools to your dance.
You have taken Solo Jazz classes, regularly or not, dancing solo doesn’t scare you, although you might not have as much experience as you have with Lindy Hop. If you already dance Solo Jazz frequently, the classes will have challenges for you too.
Level 5: Pro
To join the Advanced+ or Pro levels, you are required to audition on the first morning (Friday at 9:45 am). This is the best way to check all levels and be considerate to the majority of dancers, keeping the best balance possible. If you don’t stay on the Advanced+ level, don’t take it personally – We are sure you will still learn a lot on the Advanced level with our great teachers and you can always ask for extra challenges.
You’ve been dancing for AGES and are ready to be challenged to your fullest potential!
You are a local teacher, with experience in performing and competing. You are eager to learn new approaches and to get fresh inspiration for your dance journey. You are developing your own voice in dance, and expect deeply nourishing classes that make you question what you know. These classes are meant to motivate you to work on your craft and empower others in your local scene.
You are comfortable in Solo Jazz improvisation and are not afraid of an extra challenge.
Taster Topics
Play in a Band
with Julien and Maka
Last year we sang and played the song “When You’re Smilling” and it was a blast. This year, we will have a new song composed by Julien Silvand (lyrics by Margarida Martins, Lewis Barfoot, Ana Gusmão and Inês Coimbra). The Riverside Band is going to lead you again into an amazing experience together, either you want to sing, play an instrument or just slap a hand-made bucket bass.
If you’re an amateur musician and want to play, send us a message with your phone number and we will gather you all in one Whatsapp group – This will be your channel to exchange music sheets and start to get to know each other.
Sing in a choir
with Margarida Martins
Margarida Martins is a Portuguese singer, guitarist, and songwriter.
Currently, she serves as the vocalist for the swing jazz band “Stomping at Six”, sings as a chorus member and soloist in the gospel choir “Soul Gospel Project”, is a vocalist, guitarist, and percussionist in the jazz and world music group “Dwop”, and performs for her solo rock project “Daisy”.
With the amazing skills of Margarida, we know you’ll find the chorus member in you! Come join this amazing group feeling of singing together.
Camp Choreo
Be the first to learn our camp choreography !
More details on these soon.
Check the video from 2022 edition here!
More Tasters TBA
More tasters will be announced soon. Count with two musicality classes with live music and much more out of the box experiences.
Classrooms
Most of our classes will happen in the Hotel, just a 2-minute walk from your room, by elevator if you’re really, really tired from yesterday’s party… which you will be.
We will have 1 extra room outside the hotel, at a comfortable walking distance.
