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Come and enjoy the Autumn swing dance festival in Bergen!

Welcome to our workshops with guest instructors Elena and Jhonne from “Crazy Legs ” in Oslo and a special guest, Roza, from Odesa Wings, Ukraine. These amiable and cheerful dancers bring swing vibes and plenty of fancy moves for pleasant social dancing. Sign up now and join the joy!

Our focus is Lindy Hop for social dance and these workshops are aimed at Lindy Hoppers, Boogie Woogie and Swing dancers. Our main emphasis is social dance in a friendly and inclusive atmosphere.

Register now!

Our instructors

𝗘𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗮 𝗩𝗼𝗹𝗸𝗼𝘃𝗮 – an IT specialist at the daytime

^{Photographer Olena Disiuk, Oslo}

“In October 2014, I joined my first swing class and have been dancing ever since lindy hop, boogie woogie, collegiate shag, blues, and solo jazz. I’ve been to Herrang Dance Camp, The Snowball, Swing Paradise, Jazz Roots, Dragon Swing, and many smaller festivals. I started teaching in 2017: first in Bårdar Swing Club, then recently in Crazy Legs. But this is my first time teaching outside of Oslo, and I’m super excited!

My favourite thing about lindy hop is connecting to jazz and blues music: I try to follow the music as much as my partner. My modern-day inspirations are the lindy hoppers who take the time to be silly, like Nils and Bianca or Felix and Pamela. Mabel Lee is my favourite old-time jazz dancer because you can’t get enough of those twists. I also love to nerd out about the history of swing in Europe, so feel free to grab me for a chat about that!

𝗝𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲 𝗔𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻 – a health-care worker in the day-time

“I first started dancing at around 2010. At that time, I was experimenting with boogie-woogie, Rock Step Swing and some Salsa. It was in 2011 that my Lindy Hop adventure started, and I’m still enjoying it to this day. I’ve been to Herräng, Lindy Shock, Snowball Helswingi, Winter Jump, Swinging Spring and many other small workshops/ exchanges around Europe. I’ve also participated in group shows and taught as a Lindy Hop Instructor during my Master’s degree in Trondheim from 2012-2015. At present, I’m teaching Lindy 2 at Crazy Legs with Elena.

When I dance, I like to focus on playfulness, musicality, and flow. There’s just something unique and fun when you and your partner find this middle ground of being our little silly selves while still dancing together. I like to express myself in dancing through rhythm, footwork, and body language.

Roza is a professional ballroom, swing, and show dancer, a champion choreographer and a judge. She’s is a powerhouse of dance!

Learn more about the Odessa Swing Week just before the Swinging in the Rain Festival!

We are excited to announce a week of Lindy Hop with guest instructors from Odessa! Just before the Swinging In the Rain (SWIR) festival, we invited our Ukrainian friends Roza and Zhenya, professional dance instructors from our sister club, WingS Dance Studio.

Meet our instructors

Roza (b. 1992)

Roza is a powerhouse of dance! She’s a professional ballroom, swing, and show dancer and a champion choreographer and judge. As a multiple-time Ukrainian ballroom champion, Roza’s unique style blends precision with creativity. She has choreographed and directed countless national shows and events and brings her expertise in Lindy Hop and solo jazz to international stages. Roza’s classes focus on Lady style, partner connection, rhythm, and musicality, offering students and local teachers valuable insights. Having taught in Bergen at Summer Lindy Camp and festivals, Roza always delivers dynamic, fun, and enriching classes. Don’t miss this chance to learn from one of the best!

Eugene (b. 1980)

Eugene is a legend in the ballroom and swing dance world. A champion dancer, experienced coach, and judge, he has a career filled with titles—multiple Ukrainian champion, European champion, and organizer of numerous dance festivals. Eugene has been a driving force behind the swing dance scene in Odesa, developing one of the largest swing dance organizations in Southern Ukraine. With his background in choreography, event organization, and even DJ-ing, Eugene’s classes are packed with knowledge and fun. He knows how to create an engaging atmosphere while helping dancers of all levels grow in their craft. Join Eugene for a week of exciting dance and top-notch instruction!

Anton – Lindy Hop Beginners and Lindy Charleston Teacher, Club Leader.

Anton has been an integral part of the Club since 2019, bringing both passion and dedication to the dance floor. With 5 years of experience in 

Lindy Hop, he quickly moved from a beginner student to a key figure in the club, contributing to the organization of courses, social dance, dance camps and festivals since 2022.

As the current club leader, Anton’s enthusiasm for dance is matched by his love for teaching. He leads both the Lindy Hop Beginners course and the Lindy Charleston course, where his expertise in fast-paced kicks shines through — both in dance and in his other passion, martial arts.

Outside the dance studio, Anton is a climate researcher with a Ph.D. in Ocean Studies. His academic background in understanding the vastness of the oceans complements his ability to navigate the intricate rhythms and steps of swing dance. With his unique blend of scientific precision and artistic flair, Anton is dedicated to helping his students find joy and confidence on the dance floor.

Kate – Vernacular Jazz Teacher

Kate is a dynamic force in our club, combining her passion for swing music with a deep commitment to teaching and community engagement. A member and board member since 2020, Kate has played a significant role in organizing local courses and festivals and has showcased her talents as a guest performer at cultural events throughout Bergen. Her contributions were recognized with the prestigious Municipal Culture Prize in 2023.Kate’s journey in Vernacular Jazz began with her studies at the UK-based dance school “My Charleston,” where she mastered the basics and began to develop her own unique style and choreographies. Her inspirations are as diverse as they are legendary: Josephine Baker, the iconic performer, and Fritjof Nansen, a celebrated explorer and dancer who left a lasting impact on Bergen.In her Vernacular Jazz course, Kate combines dance exercises with routines set to the upbeat music of the 1930s and 1940s, designed for those with a passion for movement and rhythm. Whether you’re looking to dance solo or seek inspiration for your Lindy Hop, Kate’s classes will take you from the basics to intricate line dances and flash mob favorites like the Shim Sham and Tranky Doo. Fresh from an international dance festival in Sweden, Kate brings a wealth of new insights and inspiration from some of Scandinavia’s best swing dancers and teachers.

Ralu – Lindy Charleston Teacher

Ralu is a seasoned swing dancer with 12 years of experience and a background rooted in the vibrant swing scene of Barcelona. She joined the Club as a teacher in 2019, quickly becoming a pivotal figure in our community. By 2022, Ralu had stepped up as a board member, responsible for newsletters,  co-organizing a variety of dance events in Bergen, where her passion for fast-paced music and intricate dance styles truly shines.

Known for elegance and bright personality, Ralu has also been a familiar face in our Shag courses and workshops.

Despite being based in the neighboring town of Os, she demonstrates remarkable dedication by traveling weekly to Bergen to share her love of Lindy Hop with our students at Cottontails. Her commitment to the craft and the community is nothing short of inspiring, making her an invaluable member of our teaching team.

Balboa instructors

Mathias, Ingebjørg, Monika, Oguz, Nello are often performing at the local cultural events and bring vintage vibes to the city’s cosy environment.

Learn and dance vintage swing dance with us!

We’re excited to kick off the new dance season at our club, where we’ve been celebrating vintage swing dance and music from the 1920s to 1940s. Established in 2009 and run entirely by passionate volunteers, our club offers a variety of dance courses, workshops, lectures and social dance events, providing a vibrant community for both new and experienced dancers.

What do we offer?

 Lindy Hop Beginners Course

• Start: Tuesday, September 3rd, 18:15
• Location: Ulriken Bydelssenter, Studio “Uldisco” (entrance from Erleveien)
• Content: Join Anton & Kate for a 12-week journey into Lindy Hop, the lively couple dance that captures the spirit of vintage swing music. Perfect for beginners, this course will help you build a solid foundation in this joyful and energetic dance style.

Solo jazz

• Starts: Tuesday, September 3rd, 19:30 – 20:30
• Location: Ulriken Bydelssenter, Studio “Uldisco” (entrance from Erleveien)
• Content: Let your feet do the talking in Kate’s dynamic Solo Jazz course, where you’ll move from the basics to classic routines like the Shim Sham and Tranky Doo. This course is perfect for those with an ear for swing music and a love for dancing solo or want to gain inspiration and cool embelishments for your Lindy Hop dancing.

Lindy charleston

• Starts: Thursday, September 5th, 18:00 – 19:00
• Location: Danckert Krohns Kulturhus, Dance Studio “Kultursal”
• Content: For those who have a solid foundation in Lindy Hop and want to expand their dance repertoire, Ralu & Anton will guide you through the fast-paced kicks and techniques of Lindy Charleston. It’s the perfect way to elevate your dancing to the next level!

Balboa Weekend for Beginners

• Starts: Saturday, September 14th, 12:30 – 16:00
• Location: Ulriken Bydelssenter, Sofus cafe (entrance from Erleveien)
• Content: Discover the elegance and precision of Balboa in our intensive weekend workshop. Learn the basics of this refined dance style, known for its intricate footwork and smooth rotations, from Bergen’s top Balboa dancers. Perfect for those who appreciate the finer details of swing dancing.

First Class is Free to Try!  

Not sure which course is right for you? Come and experience the fun for yourself! The first class of each 12-week course is free to try. Just arrive 5 minutes early to change shoes and get familiar with the venue. Remember to bring indoor shoes (preferably with smooth soles), and for ladies, we recommend sneakers, canvas shoes, or low heels (2-3 cm). Don’t forget your water bottle!

Membership Opportunities

If you’re an experienced dancer or can’t commit to regular courses, you can still be a member of the club and support the local Lindy Hop community. Membership costs just 150 kr for Fall 2024 and gives you access to discounted passes for our events, even if you’re not attending regular courses.

Special Offers for Continuing Students

When you enroll in our Intermediate Lindy Hop course, you can attend the Beginners course at no extra cost to refresh your basics. Additionally, if you’re enrolled in any level of Lindy Hop, you’ll receive a 50% discount on the Solo Jazz course. It’s a great way to keep dancing and improving all term long!

Join us for a season full of dance, fun, and community! We look forward to seeing you on the dance floor!