bands
THe big five Sextett w. nicolle rochelle (DE)
Friday
Inspired by the wild hot sounds of 1930s/40s Harlem, Kansas City and Chicago jazz, The Big Five have established themselves as Berlin's most authentic swing-era combo and for the last 6 years have thrilled dancers and audiences in 20 different countries around the world. Combining a driving rhythm section, a fiery horn-led frontline and dynamic song-arrangements, this international band makes a deep-dive into the ornate and irrepressible repertoire of the Swing Golden Age - as well as a strong emphasis on original compositions.
Corina Kwami & the swing selection (UK)
Saturday & Sunday
Called a "modern Renaissance woman" and "Queen of Storytelling" by Jazz in Europe, Corina Kwami is a musician, dancer and MC. She has performed and MC'd across the globe and as an accomplished jazz and tap dancer herself, she has dazzled international festivals (Quattropole Lindy Exchange, Berlin Solo Jazz Festival, Copenhagen Lindy Exchange, Leapin Lindy, Winter Swingtime, Fine City Swing, Hullzapoppin, Glasgow Shag Festival, Oxford Lindy Exchange, High Tide Festival and London Jazz Festival).
Born in the USA, to a Ghanaian and Irish family, Corina is motivated by the storytelling power of jazz. As a recognized thought leader with a PhD, she has deepened pedagogy in bridging the arts, sciences and storytelling. You can also catch her on the the Smithsonian, Discovery Channel and many others. She lives in London.
Teachers
Friday Taster Class
Xigubo with Félix Nordino Chibuane (MOZ)
Join Félix for a special taster class exploring Xigubo, a traditional Mozambican dance known for its powerful, energetic movements and deep cultural roots.
Félix is travelling across Europe, sharing Mozambican dance and songs while building cultural bridges through movement, music, and exchange.
Among the cultural expressions presented will be Xigubo, a traditional Mozambican dance historically associated with the war period. Xigubo is characterized by strong and striking movements, symbolizing courage, resistance, and cultural identity.
SATURDAY DAYTIME
miranda van Wonterghem & eiki Gudmundsson (DK)
Miranda and Eiki love dancing as a conversation: listening, responding, bringing their own ideas and enthusiastically making space for someone else’s. Music is at the centre of it all, and they care about connection and technique as a framework for more freedom, expression and play.
They will teach two daytime classes on Saturday:
Class 1: Slow Bal - Slow Down and Melt (Beginner)
Explore the gentle, relaxed side of Balboa through close embrace, trust, rhythm and movement to slower jazz.
Class 2: Balboa: Go with the Flow (Intermediate)
Explore how movement can flow through our own bodies and blend with our partner’s into shared momentum. We’ll use that shared flow to move more effortlessly across the floor, playing with both movement and musicality.
PLACE: Brobjergskolen, Valdemarsgade 1, 8000 Aarhus
Miranda van Wonterghem
Miranda is a strong and expressive dancer who likes to bring herself fully into the partnership. At the same time, her soft, precise and responsive connection leaves plenty of room to listen, respond and build something together. As a teacher, she brings warmth, encouragement and a healthy disregard for the idea that there is only one “right” way to dance. She loves creating a space where people feel comfortable enough to experiment, be playful and discover what works for their own bodies and dancing.
Eiki Gudmundsson
Eiki strives to be a good listener. His focus is on gentle invitations and enthusiastic responses to whatever his partner brings to the dance. He loves to follow the music — from tiny details to bigger shifts in energy and dynamics — and cherishes letting those changes shape the story of a dance. As a teacher, Eiki has a big focus on knowing where the room is, where it came from and where it might go next. He tries to combine a methodical eye for detail with the ability to adapt to the dancers actually standing in front of him — usually accompanied by the occasional historical fun fact (sometimes fiction) and somewhat a dry, but lovingly sarcastic comment as Miranda’s sidekick.
HANNA YANELLO AND SEAN VITALE (US)
Internationally renowned teachers Hanna and Sean from US are coming to Aarhus for Why Not Aarhus Lindy Exchange! Expect inspiring Lindy Hop classes, fresh ideas, and plenty of joy both on and off the dance floor.
They will teach two daytime classes on Saturday:
Class 1: The wonderful world of Swingouts (Intermediate+)
The most iconic step in Lindy Hop needs no introduction. This class will focus on variations of footwork, and the addition of turns to the classic swingout.
Class 2: Charleston Challenge (Open level)
A fun and functional social charleston sequence including the building blocks of partner charleston
PLACE: Turbinehallen, Kalkværksvej 12, 8000 Aarhus
Hanna Yanello
Lindy Hop & vernacular jazz dancer, instructor, and performer from Pennsylvania. With deep roots in her local community, Hanna is enthusiastic about cherishing the integrity of the foundation of Lindy Hop and honoring the roots of the dance.
Hanna loves generating thoughtful engagement, and connects with her class attendees not only as teacher but also as an active learner within jazz dance. In her classes she's encouraging dancers to explore their own creativity, confidence, and connection through movement. Both in teaching and in her personal training, she leans hard into excellence in movement choices.
Sean Vitale
Lindy Hop dancer, performer, and Doctor of Physical Therapy from the US. Since discovering swing in 2018, Sean has become part of the international swing scene, sharing his deep love for jazz music and movement.
Since discovering Lindy Hop in 2018, he has become part of the international swing scene, including Frankie Manning’s legacy troupe, The Big Apple Lindy Hoppers, and the cast of Sw!ng Out. In his teachings Sean helps dancers grow with confidence, creativity, and joy.
DJs
TBA!