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THE FESTIVAL

THE FESTIVAL

ARTISTS

ARTISTS

LaTasha Barnes

Bessie-award winning LaTasha Barnes is an internationally awarded and celebrated dance artist, educator, decorated U.S. Army Veteran and Tradition-Bearer of Black American Social Dance. She is globally celebrated for her musicality, athleticism, and joyful presence throughout the cultural traditions she bears: House Dance, Hip-Hop, Waacking, Authentic Jazz, and Lindy Hop. The New York Times said of her most recent collaboration with Caleb Teicher in Swing Out, “Barnes is especially extraordinary for the way the past and the present can pass through her…” Across all her efforts, Barnes’ eternal purpose is to inspire fellow artists and arts enthusiasts to champion “artivism” through cultivating an authentic sense of self and intention in their creative expressions and daily lives

Felix Berghäll

Felix Berghäll is a Lindy Hop and African American Vernacular Jazz choreographer, performer and educator as well as a music researcher and DJ. He has been part of the national team as an athlete in Boogie Woogie and Lindy Hop and is now Co-Head Coach with his partner Mikaela Hellsten for the national team of Lindy Hop in Sweden. Felix has been dancing since he was 8 years old, starting with training and competing in the Swedish dance style Bugg as well as Lindy Hop, Boogie Woogie and Double Bugg. Currently, he is also part of leading a new NGO, Collective Voices for Change, along with other dancers and scholars in order to create a platform to address social justice issues in the Jazz dance community. The current focus of the initiative is to discuss the issues of cultural appropriation and racial injustice.

Viktor Lillard

Viktor grew up dancing socially with friends in a small multicultural university town in upstate NY. He discovered Lindy Hop in Ohio in 2013, and has only fallen more deeply in love with Jazz and Swing Dance as time goes on. He loves to spread the joy of dance within a comprehensive experience of jazz music, and is continually studying Jazz’s profound history and cultural roots in a continuum of Black American social dance. Viktor has taught classes and workshops on three continents. He uses his musical knowledge and his thoughtful creative outlook to help students both become comfortable in their basics and expand their boundaries. Above all, he absolutely loves to share his musical and flowing style of swing on the social floor, and he encourages all dancers to feel the music and have fun!

Tyedric Hill

Tyedric has been dancing for as long as he can remember. In fact, his earliest teacher was his mom. Over the years, He has established a background enriched and informed by many movement traditions, some of which include capoeira, waving, and stepping. He discovered vernacular jazz and Lindy Hop in 2017, and he hasn’t looked back since. As a teacher, he loves to share historical and cultural context, weaving this into how he explains his approach to movement. His highest goal is helping dancers to develop their own approach. He is currently studying house, and continually growing in many street styles. In dance, he values lineage, authenticity, community, partnership and fun. He strives to incorporate these elements in his classes as well. He is eager to collaborate with everyone!

Alexia Legoueix

More than just a job, teaching is Alexia’s passion. She’s been dancing Lindy Hop since 2005, and has founded her own school in the beautiful city of Paris. She’s always exploring how to teach her concepts and values, working hard to respect the original Black African-American culture, in which she considers herself a lucky guest. Individual responsibility in the partnership, self-expression, inspiration drawn from music are some go-to topics that she will teach in many different ways. Don’t expect her to micromanage your dancing, cause she won’t! Instead, she will help the students find their own way to move – by themselves and with a partner – in the (let’s hope) Spirit of Jazz. She’ll shake you in a pleasant and caring way.

Sep Vermeersch

Sep Vermeersch is a very passionate swing-era dancer and and aspiring expert. He is based in Ghent, Belgium. The combination of his educational background and daily practice makes him a unique person to work with. His passion and curiosity for the art of jazz and vintage business make him a welcomed guest in diverse projects in Belgium and around the world. Don’t miss his classes, it’s all about the ‘jazz’ process: historical context, personal development and expressing your own style appreciating this African American art form.

Helena Kanini Kiiru

Helena Kanini Kiiru is a young dancer and teacher from Zagreb, Croatia, currently based in Amsterdam. Her enthusiasm for music and dancing has been evident since her childhood when she started playing piano at the age of 7. Having Kenyan roots in her family, Helena has always been exposed to African music, which stimulated her sensibility for the rhythm. Very soon she started developing interest towards dances like Hip Hop, House and Dancehall. After 8 years of exploring various Street dance styles, she fell in love with African American Jazz dances.Helena is currently on a mission to spread her aspiration and passion for African American Jazz dancing in hopes of contributing to its contemporary development. Her huge wish is to connect Jazz and Street dance communities and bring this dance to street jams and clubs!

Bessie-award winning LaTasha Barnes is an internationally awarded and celebrated dance artist, educator, decorated U.S. Army Veteran and Tradition-Bearer of Black American Social Dance. She is globally celebrated for her musicality, athleticism, and joyful presence throughout the cultural traditions she bears: House Dance, Hip-Hop, Waacking, Authentic Jazz, and Lindy Hop. The New York Times said of her most recent collaboration with Caleb Teicher in Swing Out, “Barnes is especially extraordinary for the way the past and the present can pass through her…” Across all her efforts, Barnes’ eternal purpose is to inspire fellow artists and arts enthusiasts to champion “artivism” through cultivating an authentic sense of self and intention in their creative expressions and daily lives.

Felix Berghäll is a Lindy Hop and African American Vernacular Jazz choreographer, performer and educator as well as a music researcher and DJ. He has been part of the national team as an athlete in Boogie Woogie and Lindy Hop and is now Co-Head Coach with his partner Mikaela Hellsten for the national team of Lindy Hop in Sweden. Felix has been dancing since he was 8 years old, starting with training and competing in the Swedish dance style Bugg as well as Lindy Hop, Boogie Woogie and Double Bugg. Currently, he is also part of leading a new NGO, Collective Voices for Change, along with other dancers and scholars in order to create a platform to address social justice issues in the Jazz dance community. The current focus of the initiative is to discuss the issues of cultural appropriation and racial injustice.

Viktor grew up dancing socially with friends in a small multicultural university town in upstate NY. He discovered Lindy Hop in Ohio in 2013, and has only fallen more deeply in love with Jazz and Swing Dance as time goes on. He loves to spread the joy of dance within a comprehensive experience of jazz music, and is continually studying Jazz’s profound history and cultural roots in a continuum of Black American social dance. Viktor has taught classes and workshops on three continents. He uses his musical knowledge and his thoughtful creative outlook to help students both become comfortable in their basics and expand their boundaries. Above all, he absolutely loves to share his musical and flowing style of swing on the social floor, and he encourages all dancers to feel the music and have fun!

Tyedric has been dancing for as long as he can remember. In fact, his earliest teacher was his mom. Over the years, He has established a background enriched and informed by many movement traditions, some of which include capoeira, waving, and stepping. He discovered vernacular jazz and Lindy Hop in 2017, and he hasn’t looked back since. As a teacher, he loves to share historical and cultural context, weaving this into how he explains his approach to movement. His highest goal is helping dancers to develop their own approach. He is currently studying house, and continually growing in many street styles. In dance, he values lineage, authenticity, community, partnership and fun. He strives to incorporate these elements in his classes as well. He is eager to collaborate with everyone!

More than just a job, teaching is Alexia’s passion. She’s been dancing Lindy Hop since 2005, and has founded her own school in the beautiful city of Paris. She’s always exploring how to teach her concepts and values, working hard to respect the original Black African-American culture, in which she considers herself a lucky guest. Individual responsibility in the partnership, self-expression, inspiration drawn from music are some go-to topics that she will teach in many different ways. Don’t expect her to micromanage your dancing, cause she won’t! Instead, she will help the students find their own way to move – by themselves and with a partner – in the (let’s hope) Spirit of Jazz. She’ll shake you in a pleasant and caring way.

Sep Vermeersch is a very passionate swing-era dancer and and aspiring expert. He is based in Ghent, Belgium. The combination of his educational background and daily practice makes him a unique person to work with. His passion and curiosity for the art of jazz and vintage business make him a welcomed guest in diverse projects in Belgium and around the world. Don’t miss his classes, it’s all about the ‘jazz’ process: historical context, personal development and expressing your own style appreciating this African American art form.

Helena Kanini Kiiru is a young dancer and teacher from Zagreb, Croatia, currently based in Amsterdam. Her enthusiasm for music and dancing has been evident since her childhood when she started playing piano at the age of 7. Having Kenyan roots in her family, Helena has always been exposed to African music, which stimulated her sensibility for the rhythm. Very soon she started developing interest towards dances like Hip Hop, House and Dancehall. After 8 years of exploring various Street dance styles, she fell in love with African American Jazz dances.
Helena is currently on a mission to spread her aspiration and passion for African American Jazz dancing in hopes of contributing to its contemporary development. Her huge wish is to connect Jazz and Street dance communities and bring this dance to street jams and clubs!

LIVE BANDS

LIVE BANDS

Born in Ghent (Belgium) in 2015, Reverent Juke is currently the most badass band in Europe. With an explosive rhythmical section, Reverent Juke are pure fire. They perform music ranging from New Orleans style, to New York 30s and 40s, to 50s blues hits that will leave you shaking with excitement. After their success in the previous edition, they will play again all night long on Friday and Saturday.

The Iruña Brass Band will once again guide us through the city with the Sunday Second Line, after last times success in 2019 and 2022. With a 100% New Orleans repertory, the Iruña Brass Band has professional musicians and they have recently performed with the famous trombone player Craig Klein at the Vitoria-Gasteiz Jazz Festival.

Reverent Juke

Born in Ghent (Belgium) in 2015, Reverent Juke is currently the most badass band in Europe. With an explosive rhythmical section, Reverent Juke are pure fire. They perform music ranging from New Orleans style, to New York 30s and 40s, to 50s blues hits that will leave you shaking with excitement. After their success in the previous edition, they will play again all night long on Friday and Saturday.

The Iruña Brass Band

The Iruña Brass Band will once again guide us through the city with the Sunday Second Line, after last times success in 2019 and 2022. With a 100% New Orleans repertory, the Iruña Brass Band has professional musicians and they have recently performed with the famous trombone player Craig Klein at the Vitoria-Gasteiz Jazz Festival.

TICKETS

SPRING LINDY WEEKEND 2023

4 hours of Lindy Hop + 1 hour of Solo Jazz with Helena + 3 hours of “Experiences” + 3 parties with Live Music + Sunday Second Line + Cultural Talk

4 hours of Solo Jazz Classes + 3 hours of “experiences” + 3 parties with Live Music + Sunday Second Line + Cultural Talk

3 hours of Lindy Hop classes with Víctor & Isa at La Vieja Escuela + 3 taster classes + 3 parties with Live Music + Sunday Second Line + Cultural Talk

3 parties with Live Music + Sunday Second Line + 2 Taster clases for Party Pass + Cultural Talk

TICKETS

SPRING LINDY WEEKEND 2023

4 hours of Lindy Hop + 1 hour of Solo Jazz with Helena + 3 hours of “Experiences” + 3 parties with Live Music + Sunday Second Line + Cultural Talk.

4 hours of Solo Jazz Classes + 3 hours of “experiences” + 3 parties with Live Music + Sunday Second Line + Cultural Talk

3 hours of Lindy Hop classes with Víctor & Isa at La Vieja Escuela + 3 taster classes + 3 parties with Live Music + Sunday Second Line + Cultural Talk

3 parties with Live Music + Sunday Second Line + 2 Taster clases for Party Pass + Cultural Talk

LEVELS

LEVELS

Level descriptions have been prepared on the basis of a comparison of descriptions from several festivals. We assume the level’s definitions are different at each festival, so please read them carefully and choose the one you fit the most.  We kindly ask you to remain self-critical and to choose the level that suits you the best and if you have any doubts, consult your local instructor or contact us by email fest@bigkick.es. In any case we want to assure you that you will have the opportunity to learn a lot and have a great experience during the festival because of our special program for all levels.

There might be auditions organized before classes start that can move you higher or lower, depending on the general experience of the festival’s participants and the values settled by the instructors.

LINDY HOP LEVELS

You started swing dancing a few months ago and didn’t spend that much time on the social dance floor yet. You know the difference between 6-count, 8-count and Charleston basics, but still might struggle with them. You want to take a further step into the swing dance world and learn how to communicate better with your dance partner, enjoy the music and improvisation. Our guest teachers will carefully guide you during the weekend and help you to get a beautiful experience at the festival.

You have been dancing for a year and a half and attending regular classes. You’ve learned the basics concepts of leading and following, pulse and rhythm, you worked on technique, connection, musicality and improvisation. You know most of the basic movements (Lindy Circle, Promenade, Tuck Turn, 8-count and 6-count passes, Swing out, Charleston) and also some variations of it. You can easily connect basic steps and transmit it to your partner. You participate regularly in the socials at your local scene. Medium tempos are your favorites, but you are still struggling with faster or very slow tempos. You would like to get better at all tempos, more fluent and musical, to add some new figures and more complicated forms and rhythms into your dancing. This is maybe one of your first big festival experiences and you’re motivated to learn more about swing dancing, its history and values and become a better social dancer.

You’ve been dancing Lindy Hop for a couple of years at least. You attend classes regularly and Lindy Hop is a part of your everyday life. You did many courses and local workshops, probably a few international festivals as well. You go social dancing frequently and can easily mix basic steps. Your connection is solid and you use different stretch techniques while dancing. You’re a well known social dancer on your scene and you’re always taking good care of your partner. You feel comfortable doing swing outs at medium and upper tempos and using more advanced movements like Texas Tommy, Sugar Push, Sailor Step, fundamental Charleston and Tandem variations. You may have begun to explore new rhythms and syncopation. You are able to memorize new steps and simple choreographies. You’ve also started to understand the importance of Solo Jazz in your dance and mastered the Shim Sham routine. You want to further develop rhythmic variations and musicality, widen your dance vocabulary, learn the history and values of the dance, improve your technique and improvisation skills, and you want to express yourself more freely on the dance floor.

You’ve been dancing for over four years now, you are a regular at socials and you’re taking part in many festivals and dance camps in your country and around the world. You’re probably competing and performing, teaching local classes or tasters. When you attend international workshops you are always at the advanced levels. You have a strongly consolidated base and a wide repertoire of steps. You are not afraid to use different rhythmic variations and you can dance fluently to both fast and slow tempos without losing center. You enjoy rhythm, syncopation, and advanced musicality and they are very much a part of your dancing. You can easily perform fast swing outs (180-200 bpm). You listen to the music and interpret it, you understand the dance as a three-way conversation, you also know many Solo Jazz elements and can easily put them into the couple dance. You have competed sometime or are considering doing so. You are good at dancing Solo jazz choreographies such as Tranky Doo, Norma Miller Trickeration routine and Big Apple. You go social dancing as often as you can and are well-known in your scene.
You want to get better in all the aspects of the dance such as its history, musicality, partnership, self expression and floor craft.

This is the top level at the festival. You’re probably teaching Lindy Hop and Solo Jazz dance locally and/or internationally and you always do top level/invitational classes. You attend festivals near and far whenever you have a chance. You want to keep improving. If you do competitions, you always do them on the highest levels. Your dancing is very fluent at high and low tempos and you can lead, follow and perform solo. You’re a true social dancer and you inspire others with your dancing. You want to continue to explore and enjoy this dance, develop a better understanding of its values, forms and history as an African-American art form. You are interested in competing, performing and teaching, and would like to gain new resources for that purpose. You probably dance some other dances as well, like Blues, Balboa, Shag. You’re recognized by your teachers and other high-level dancers as Advanced dancer.

SOLO JAZZ LEVELS

We prepared general level descriptions for the Vernacular Jazz Dance Track, based on many other festivals. If you are not convinced which level you should take, please consult with your local teachers. Solo Jazz and Lindy Hop tracks are happening at the same time, so it’s not possible to do both.

You have around 6-months to 1 year of Solo Jazz experience or/and a couple of years of Lindy Hop. You dance fluently Shim Sham and you are familiar with the Tranky Doo routine, you may have learned The Big Apple as well. You have basic jazz vocabulary and you feel comfortable with making variations, transitions and combinations between those. You are still working on your improvisation, connections with music and rhythmical variations. You want to learn more of Vernacular Jazz steps, its history and values, to raise your body awareness and also to improve your Lindy Hop and overall dancing skills. Maybe you haven’t done Solo Jazz before, but you want to challenge yourself.

This level is open for experienced and confident solo jazz dancers, with at least 2-3 years of solo jazz experience. You are very comfortable improvising to any kind of music and tempo and expressing yourself. You know the Big Apple and Norma Miller Trickeration routine. You have already developed your own style. You were probably teaching some Solo Jazz classes and you know how to practice by yourself. You’ve probably perform more than once and did several Solo Jazz competitions. You are not afraid of spotlights and you know how to communicate your jazz moves to other dancers. You may know scatting or have experience in tap dancing. If you haven’t done too much of Solo Jazz before, but you have 4-5 years of Lindy Hop experience or other dance styles and you want to challenge yourself this level is for you.

Level descriptions have been prepared on the basis of a comparison of descriptions from several festivals. We assume the level’s definitions are different at each festival, so please read them carefully and choose the one you fit the most.  We kindly ask you to remain self-critical and to choose the level that suits you the best and if you have any doubts, consult your local instructor or contact us by email fest@bigkick.es. In any case we want to assure you that you will have the opportunity to learn a lot and have a great experience during the festival because of our special program for all levels.

There might be auditions organized before classes start that can move you higher or lower, depending on the general experience of the festival’s participants and the values settled by the instructors.

LINDY HOP LEVELS

You started swing dancing a few months ago and didn’t spend that much time on the social dance floor yet. You know the difference between 6-count, 8-count and Charleston basics, but still might struggle with them. You want to take a further step into the swing dance world and learn how to communicate better with your dance partner, enjoy the music and improvisation. Our guest teachers will carefully guide you during the weekend and help you to get a beautiful experience at the festival.

You have been dancing for a year and a half and attending regular classes. You’ve learned the basics concepts of leading and following, pulse and rhythm, you worked on technique, connection, musicality and improvisation. You know most of the basic movements (Lindy Circle, Promenade, Tuck Turn, 8-count and 6-count passes, Swing out, Charleston) and also some variations of it. You can easily connect basic steps and transmit it to your partner. You participate regularly in the socials at your local scene. Medium tempos are your favorites, but you are still struggling with faster or very slow tempos. You would like to get better at all tempos, more fluent and musical, to add some new figures and more complicated forms and rhythms into your dancing. This is maybe one of your first big festival experiences and you’re motivated to learn more about swing dancing, its history and values and become a better social dancer.

You’ve been dancing Lindy Hop for a couple of years at least. You attend classes regularly and Lindy Hop is a part of your everyday life. You did many courses and local workshops, probably a few international festivals as well. You go social dancing frequently and can easily mix basic steps. Your connection is solid and you use different stretch techniques while dancing. You’re a well known social dancer on your scene and you’re always taking good care of your partner. You feel comfortable doing swing outs at medium and upper tempos and using more advanced movements like Texas Tommy, Sugar Push, Sailor Step, fundamental Charleston and Tandem variations. You may have begun to explore new rhythms and syncopation. You are able to memorize new steps and simple choreographies. You’ve also started to understand the importance of Solo Jazz in your dance and mastered the Shim Sham routine. You want to further develop rhythmic variations and musicality, widen your dance vocabulary, learn the history and values of the dance, improve your technique and improvisation skills, and you want to express yourself more freely on the dance floor.

You’ve been dancing for over four years now, you are a regular at socials and you’re taking part in many festivals and dance camps in your country and around the world. You’re probably competing and performing, teaching local classes or tasters. When you attend international workshops you are always at the advanced levels. You have a strongly consolidated base and a wide repertoire of steps. You are not afraid to use different rhythmic variations and you can dance fluently to both fast and slow tempos without losing center. You enjoy rhythm, syncopation, and advanced musicality and they are very much a part of your dancing. You can easily perform fast swing outs (180-200 bpm). You listen to the music and interpret it, you understand the dance as a three-way conversation, you also know many Solo Jazz elements and can easily put them into the couple dance. You have competed sometime or are considering doing so. You are good at dancing Solo jazz choreographies such as Tranky Doo, Norma Miller Trickeration routine and Big Apple. You go social dancing as often as you can and are well-known in your scene.
You want to get better in all the aspects of the dance such as its history, musicality, partnership, self expression and floor craft.

This is the top level at the festival. You’re probably teaching Lindy Hop and Solo Jazz dance locally and/or internationally and you always do top level/invitational classes. You attend festivals near and far whenever you have a chance. You want to keep improving. If you do competitions, you always do them on the highest levels. Your dancing is very fluent at high and low tempos and you can lead, follow and perform solo. You’re a true social dancer and you inspire others with your dancing. You want to continue to explore and enjoy this dance, develop a better understanding of its values, forms and history as an African-American art form. You are interested in competing, performing and teaching, and would like to gain new resources for that purpose. You probably dance some other dances as well, like Blues, Balboa, Shag. You’re recognized by your teachers and other high-level dancers as Advanced dancer.

SOLO JAZZ LEVELS

We prepared general level descriptions for the Vernacular Jazz Dance Track, based on many other festivals. If you are not convinced which level you should take, please consult with your local teachers. Solo Jazz and Lindy Hop tracks are happening at the same time, so it’s not possible to do both.

You have around 6-months to 1 year of Solo Jazz experience or/and a couple of years of Lindy Hop. You dance fluently Shim Sham and you are familiar with the Tranky Doo routine, you may have learned The Big Apple as well. You have basic jazz vocabulary and you feel comfortable with making variations, transitions and combinations between those. You are still working on your improvisation, connections with music and rhythmical variations. You want to learn more of Vernacular Jazz steps, its history and values, to raise your body awareness and also to improve your Lindy Hop and overall dancing skills. Maybe you haven’t done Solo Jazz before, but you want to challenge yourself.

This level is open for experienced and confident solo jazz dancers, with at least 2-3 years of solo jazz experience. You are very comfortable improvising to any kind of music and tempo and expressing yourself. You know the Big Apple and Norma Miller Trickeration routine. You have already developed your own style. You were probably teaching some Solo Jazz classes and you know how to practice by yourself. You’ve probably perform more than once and did several Solo Jazz competitions. You are not afraid of spotlights and you know how to communicate your jazz moves to other dancers. You may know scatting or have experience in tap dancing. If you haven’t done too much of Solo Jazz before, but you have 4-5 years of Lindy Hop experience or other dance styles and you want to challenge yourself this level is for you.

MORE INFO.

MORE INFO.

Registration

REGISTRATION IS OPEN ON FRIDAY 15 DECEMBER 2022 AT 12:00 H

INSCRIPCIONES

Baluarte

The Baluarte Congress Palace is located in the center of Pamplona and it is the best possible venue for a festival. With its laminate wood flooring and large rooms without columns (up to 400 square meters). All the parties and classes of Full Pass and Solo Jazz Pass will be celebrated there, so you won’t have to travel to different locations.

La Vieja Escuela

La Vieja Escuela is the home of Swing Dance in Pamplona, a cultural center located in the center of Pamplona, a 10-minute walk from Baluarte.
The Vermouth Swing, some of the tasters and the Beginners Pass classes will be held at La Vieja Escuela.

Pamplona

Pamplona is the capital of the Medieval Navarra Kingdom, one of the regions with the highest patrimonial and landscape value in Europe. If possible, try to save a couple of extra days to visit the city, eat the famous pintxos, visit the northern Pyrenees valleys with amazing forests and stunning mountains, the South of Navarra with the Bardenas Reales Desert, and the Midlands with ancient castles and beautiful villages.

Registration

REGISTRATION IS OPEN ON FRIDAY 15 DECEMBER 2022 AT 12:00 H

INSCRIPCIONES

Baluarte

The Baluarte Congress Palace is located in the center of Pamplona and it is the best possible venue for a festival. With its laminate wood flooring and large rooms without columns (up to 400 square meters). All the parties and classes of Full Pass and Solo Jazz Pass will be celebrated there, so you won’t have to travel to different locations.

La Vieja Escuela

La Vieja Escuela is the home of Swing Dance in Pamplona, a cultural center located in the center of Pamplona, a 10-minute walk from Baluarte.
The Vermouth Swing, some of the tasters and the Beginners Pass classes will be held at La Vieja Escuela.

Pamplona

Pamplona is the capital of the Medieval Navarra Kingdom, one of the regions with the highest patrimonial and landscape value in Europe. If possible, try to save a couple of extra days to visit the city, eat the famous pintxos, visit the northern Pyrenees valleys with amazing forests and stunning mountains, the South of Navarra with the Bardenas Reales Desert, and the Midlands with ancient castles and beautiful villages.

+34 605 767 070

fest@bigkick.es

Plaza del Baluarte s/n, 31002 Pamplona

+34 605 767 070

fest@bigkick.es

Plaza del Baluarte s/n, 31002 Pamplona