LaTasha Barnes (USA) is the queen of the Spring Lindy Weekend. A Bessie Award winner, she is a renowned dance artist and instructor, a decorated U.S. Army veteran, and a carrier of the Black American Social Dance tradition. Known worldwide for her musicality, athleticism, and joyful presence across African American styles (House, Hip-Hop, Waacking, Authentic Jazz, and Lindy Hop). The New York Times praised how “the past and the present can move through her” in “Swing Out,” her collaboration with Caleb Teicher. Barnes aims to inspire artists and audiences to practice “artivism” through authentic self-expression. She returns to Pamplona with all her energy, ready to share her knowledge.

Tyedric has been dancing for as long as he can remember. His mother was his first teacher, passing on not only steps but also a deep love for music and movement. Since then, dance has been his natural language and an essential part of his identity.

Today, he embodies the spirit of the dancers of the Savoy Ballroom, combining contemporary Urban Dance with a forward-looking vision of Lindy Hop. His fusion of styles, together with his understanding of Jazz and African American culture, makes him an international inspiration. His teaching approach, charismatic, technical, and empowering, encourages everyone to push beyond their limits. In his third participation in the festival, Tyedric returns with unstoppable energy and an innovative vision of dance. You won’t want to miss it!

Frida Segerdahl began dancing at age 5, exploring various styles before finding her true passion. At 15, she attended the legendary Herräng Dance Camp and fell in love with Lindy Hop, the dance that would define her career. Soon after, her talent led her to join the Rhythm Hot Shots, the most influential Jazz Dance company of the time. She remained active until 2014, when the birth of her second child prompted her to focus on family while still dancing and teaching. Throughout her career, she has performed and taught worldwide, inspiring thousands. Frida embodies energy, creativity, spontaneity, and control; her musicality, rhythms, and humor make her one of Lindy Hop’s most influential figures. She returns to Pamplona with Skye, ready to keep us dancing nonstop.

Välkommen tillbaka, Frida!

Skye began dancing Lindy Hop in 1996, encouraged by his mother. What started as curiosity quickly became a love for social dancing, swing music, and the community that warmly welcomed him. This passion also led him to explore the cultural background of the dance. Since 1999, he has taught in nearly every place where Lindy Hop is practiced, from local workshops to prestigious international camps. His clear, musical teaching approach has made him a reference for dancers of all levels. His connection to Lindy Hop also sparked a deep interest in the cultural history of the United States, which led him to study American Studies at George Washington University, delving into the context of Jazz and African American dances.

Skye, welcome back to Pamplona! We can’t wait to see you on the dance floor sharing your talent and energy.

Dee Daniels-Locke is an authentic dancer and bearer of the African American heritage of Lindy Hop. She learned from a young age within a family rooted in African American culture and music. After a period focused on Hip-Hop during her school years, she returned to Lindy Hop with renewed passion and co-founded her university’s swing club in Minneapolis, marking the start of her commitment to the dance. For more than two decades, she has shared her love for Lindy Hop through teaching, performing, and participating in international events. She values freedom on the dance floor and promotes self-expression and improvisation, aiming to create inclusive, joyful spaces for dancers.

She has taught and performed worldwide, but above all, she just wants a good dance. Invite her: she knows how to follow and lead.

Felipe grew up surrounded by music and dance, where art was part of daily life. From a young age, he joined theatrical and musical productions in Brazil, discovering his love for the stage. Later, while studying filmmaking in Buenos Aires, he encountered Swing Dancing and Jazz Dance, a turning point that reshaped his artistic vision. Passionate about jazz and social dance, he traveled to international festivals and competitions, learning from major references and deepening his understanding of their African American roots. Today, Felipe is a vibrant, creative dancer and instructor, known for his contagious energy, refined rhythms, and ability to inspire.

His passion for Lindy Hop and Solo Jazz arrives at Spring Lindy Weekend 2026, where he will share knowledge and joy. Welcome, Felipe!

Gurutz discovered swing at the Vitoria-Gasteiz Jazz Festival, where he took his first Lindy Hop steps. Over time, dance became increasingly central in his life, replacing activities like skateboarding or handball. Since 2017, he has lived in Madrid, where he teaches and continues to grow through the La Demo Swing Lab project. His approach centers on rhythm, listening, and music as a guide, seeing Lindy Hop and Authentic Jazz as a continuous conversation between body, energy, and melody.

Gurutz will join Aiala at the Spring Lindy Weekend (Pamplona), a valuable presence given the strong connection between Pamplona and Vitoria-Gasteiz.

Aiala began dancing young, training for eight years in euskal dantzak (Basque folk dance) in class, at festivals, and at family gatherings. After exploring other styles, discovering swing and its history gave her an emotional and cultural connection that shaped her path as a dancer and teacher. In 2017 she moved to Madrid, where she now teaches and co-directs La Demo Swing Lab. Her work centers on rhythm, musicality, and respect for the roots of Lindy Hop and Authentic Jazz, seeing dance as a continuous process of listening, research, and shared learning.

This year she joins the Spring Lindy Weekend, a special event due to the close ties between Pamplona and Vitoria-Gasteiz

Kelly Isaac (USA) grew up in Washington DC and had the privilege of studying with many Tap legends, including Harold Nicholas, Gregory Hines, Henry LeTang, Ted Levy, and Savion Glover, among many other iconic artists who shaped his career. Kelly has traveled the world performing and teaching in over 30 countries. For the past 25 years, he has taught at various studios, universities, and festivals, sharing his passion and knowledge with thousands of students. He currently lives in Spain, where he regularly teaches and continues to build community.

At the Spring Lindy Weekend 2026, we will have the opportunity to take Tap classes with Kelly, for intermediate or advanced levels, compatible with some levels of the Solo Jazz Pass and the Full Pass.

Maka (France) is a musician, DJ, dancer, and promoter of Jazz culture. Widely recognized on the international scene, you can find him playing double bass and DJing at Herräng, or teaching music classes for Lindy Hop dancers at prestigious European events. At the Spring Lindy Weekend, he will coordinate our team of DJs and offer a special "Experience" on music, rhythm, and social dance, designed for all levels. Here’s a message from Maka for you: "Congratulations, stranger. Normally, no one reads the DJ descriptions. To reward you for this achievement, if you come to me with the password 'Dogmatic Squid,' I will play a song of your choice (song available in the following genres: swing, R&B, vegetarian grindcore). God bless you, and may you never lack groove."

Reverent Juke has been the flagship of Spring Lindy Weekend nights in recent years. And if we already have the best band, why would we change it? They play "ad lib" or arrange melodies by Jelly Roll Morton, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Fletcher Henderson, Chick Webb, Earl Hines, and even Buddy Johnson. With an explosive rhythm section built on Tom Lambrecht’s drums, Andrew Bolton’s bass and vocals, and Julien Gillain’s piano, Reverent Juke sets Swing on fire with its three wind instruments: Martin Bolton on clarinet, Pauline Leblond on trumpet, and Mathieu Najean on saxophone, playing their instruments as if burning in hell! Fifth participation at the Spring Lindy Weekend!!

Martín Burguez & His Rhythm Combo present: "Stomping the Beat," a repertoire influenced by Count Basie, Cab Calloway, Fats Waller, Johnny Hodges, and others. A full explosion of Swing and Rhythm & Blues, capturing the essence of the fiery nights at the Savoy Ballroom. Martin Burguez & His Rhythm Combo return this year to the Spring Lindy Weekend, bringing back the spirit of the legendary Harlem dance nights, where every melody was an invitation to dance and every performance a journey through time.

The Iruña Brass Band will join us once again for the Sunday midday Second Line, filling the streets with rhythm and joy in true New Orleans style. With a 100% New Orleans repertoire, this band from Navarra has established itself as one of the most authentic and vibrant bands on the local scene. The Iruña Brass Band is made up of professional musicians who have specialized in this type of performance and have dedicated years to perfecting their sound and connection with the audience. They have even shared the stage at the prestigious Vitoria-Gasteiz Jazz Festival with the renowned New Orleans trombonist Craig Klein, further cementing their reputation and passion for this musical tradition.

Get ready to dance with them in the streets!

The Rumblin’ Groove Jazz Band was formed in 2022 thanks to a special collaboration between students and teachers of Big Kick Swing. This unique combination of talent and passion for music gave rise to a band that quickly began to stand out on the local scene. With a repertoire ranging from the great classics of the Swing Era featuring pieces immortalized by legends such as Count Basie, Duke Ellington, and Ella Fitzgerald, to more modern takes on Rhythm and Blues, the Rumblin’ Groove Jazz Band offers an authentic musical journey through the evolution of 20th-century jazz.

If you are unclear which level to take, please consult your local teachers. Solo Jazz and Lindy Hop tracks will run at the same time, so it is not possible to do both. However, you could take Solo Jazz Advanced and Tap Classes. 

Tap classes will only be compatible with Party Pass, Lindy Hop Master level, Lindy Hop Advanced level and Solo Jazz Advanced level. They can also be taken on their own, if you don't have time to participate in any other paid activity of the festival.

One of the highlights of the Spring Lindy Weekend is, without a doubt, its unforgettable night parties. They are the heart of the festival, the moment when music, energy, and community come together in a true celebration. That’s why we thought the best way for everyone to fully enjoy the parties until the very last moment, where the real magic always happens, is to avoid scheduling early morning classes. We want you to rest, recover, and arrive at classes full of energy.

In this edition of the Spring Lindy Weekend, activities will not start until 12 noon, so you can dance, socialize, and fully enjoy every night without worrying about the alarm clock.

This year, we will have a detailed schedule showing everything that will be playing in each room, so you won’t miss a thing. There will be live music and performances primarily in the main room, where the festival’s energy will be concentrated with bands and live acts. Additionally, the secondary room will feature a full program of carefully selected DJs, offering varied sessions full of rhythm and personality. In this way, the Spring Lindy Weekend night parties will offer an added value, becoming a true musical journey. You’ll be able to listen to different styles and enjoy diverse atmospheres in the same space: from classic swing to more modern and experimental sounds. Get ready to dance nonstop and experience nights full of music, fun, and community.

If you are a musician and dream of participating in Jazz jams but don’t dare, or if you’d like to learn tips and ideas to improvise more freely, this is for you. Maka is a renowned trombonist and double bassist in the European Swing and Jazz scene, and he has spent years at Herräng Dance Camp coordinating musicians from all over the world, offering musicality classes for dancers, and organizing Jazz jams.

Bring your instrument, because in addition to this 2-hour workshop for musicians, which will take place on Friday morning, you will have the opportunity to put what you’ve learned into practice in a jam in the main room at Baluarte. Don’t miss it!

On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, you will have the opportunity to enjoy live music during the day, so that the musical offerings of the Spring Lindy Weekend are not limited to the nights. On Friday, there will be a lively jam session open to all festival attendees; if you play an instrument, don’t hesitate to bring it and join the collective improvisation, where creativity and swing come together.

On Saturday, we will enjoy a charming outdoor picnic concert, a perfect moment to relax, dance, and socialize with friends. And on Sunday, we will close the weekend with the traditional Second Line, one of the festival’s hallmarks, full of rhythm, color, and the contagious joy of New Orleans.

Would you like to perform at the festival? Do you have a choreography or performance prepared for a competition and want to present it at Spring Lindy Weekend? This is your chance!

This year, we’re offering an open stage for all attendees to share their talent. It will be the prelude to the big Saturday party on the main stage, with all performances recorded so you can keep a great memory of your moment. You can showcase your art, style, and personality before an enthusiastic audience.

Whether you perform as a couple, group, or solo, the goal is to enjoy, inspire, and spread joy, a brilliant way to warm up for Saturday’s party and celebrate our shared passion for dance.

If you’re interested, contact us at fest@bigkick.es

The Spring Lindy Weekend is more than a Lindy Hop and Solo Jazz event. It aims to be a tribute to African American culture. The experiences offer an exploration of other forms of dance and art within this wonderful cultural legacy. Dare to expand your limits:

• Waacking, with LaTasha Barnes, a new style at SLW26.

• Try an instrument, with Maka, to connect with music directly by playing an instrument.

• Jazz Music & Jazz Dance, with Maka. Are you truly listening to and interpreting the music when you dance?

More experiences will be added soon. Start thinking about your favorites, because you’ll have to choose. Included only with the Full Pass or Solo Jazz Pass.

The Baluarte Conference Center is located in the center of Pamplona and is the perfect venue for a festival. With wooden dance floors and rooms up to 450 square meters without columns, it offers a comfortable, elegant space perfectly suited for dance and music. All classes (except those included in the Beginners Pass) and the festival’s night parties will take place there, so you won’t need to travel to different locations or worry about the weather. Additionally, it features spacious common areas, a café, cloakroom, and an ideal environment to rest or socialize between classes. At night, there will be two dance rooms: the main room, with live music, shows, and competitions, and an extra room with a DJ, perfect if you prefer more space, different musical styles, or a more relaxed atmosphere during peak hours.

Pamplona, the capital of the historic Kingdom of Navarra, is a city full of history and charm. Located in one of Europe’s most culturally and scenically rich regions, it perfectly combines tradition, gastronomy, and modernity. If you can, set aside a few days to explore it before or after the festival: stroll through its cobblestone streets, enjoy its parks, and be surprised by its welcoming and festive atmosphere. In the surrounding area, you’ll find the majestic Pyrenean valleys to the north, with their beech forests and mountains, the striking beauty of the Bardenas Reales desert, and the midlands, dotted with castles and medieval villages. Part of the Spring Lindy Weekend will take place in the city’s picturesque squares and streets, creating a unique fusion of heritage, music, and dance. If you haven’t been before, Pamplona is sure to captivate you.

By Plane. Pamplona has a small airport with daily connections to Madrid (www.iberia.com) and weekly flights to the Canary Islands (www.bintercanarias.com). Flying to Pamplona via Madrid can be an option if you want to travel quickly. Bilbao Airport is often used as a gateway to the festival due to its proximity (about two hours by public transport) and the number of flights, with connections to major European capitals. You can also check Zaragoza Airport (about 2 hours away) or Biarritz Airport (about 1.5 hours away). Others may choose to fly to Madrid or Barcelona and reach Pamplona by train (about 4 hours).

By train. The most environmentally friendly way to travel. Pamplona is directly connected by train to Madrid, Barcelona, Zaragoza, La Coruña, Vigo, Lleida, and many more destinations (renfe.com).

By bus. Companies such as ALSA (www.alsa.es) connect with San Sebastián; PLM (www.plmautocares.com) connects with Madrid and Logroño; Cuadrabus (https://cuadrabuslineas.com/) connects with Bilbao; Monbus (www.monbus.es/es) connects with Lleida, Tarragona, and Barcelona; Burundesa (www.laburundesa.com) connects with Vitoria and Irún (Hendaye); Bilmanbus (https://web.bilmanbus.es/) connects with Alicante and Valencia.

By BlaBlaCar. Check out BlaBlaCar (www.blablacar.es), where you can share a ride for a relatively inexpensive trip, and possibly from different starting points.