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Welcome to the home of Dunedin’s 2018 Midwinter Swing Festival! Registrations are now open!

This year’s line-up of events is better than ever – we’re hosting the 2018 South Island Swing Dance Competitions, we have internationally acclaimed vintage swing dance teachers (the DecaVitas), and a host of local musical talents who will get you dancing to the hottest live jazz and juiciest blues.

We’ve got dance workshops for all levels of swing and blues dance. There’s even a few workshops outside of the this genre to really broaden your scope! And once you’ve got your new moves, we have endless nights of dance for you to strut your stuff and let it all swing out onto the dance floor.

Whether you want to celebrate with us for the entire weekend, or just experience one beautiful evening of dance at the Savoy, we’ve got something here for you. So take a look around and make your winter a little warmer with the 2018 Midwinter Swing Festival.

To keep an eye on updates join the event on Facebook.

Brought to you by Swing Riot Dunedin, the OUSA Vintage and Swing Society, Otago University Student’s Association and the Otago Community Trust.

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Panel 1

Comps

On Saturday 2nd June 2018 we are hosting the South Island Swing Competitions! Our talented competitors will wow you on Saturday night with their inspirational choreography and improvised performances.

Categories include:

  • Mix & Match (Lindy Hop)
  • Strictly Lindy
  • Novice Lindy
  • Solo Charleston
  • Blues
  • Showcase (solo/pair)

Want to compete? Check out our information for competitors and competitior rego form. Entry is free for those with a full festival pass or evening events pass.

Showcase entries must be received by Friday 18th May 2018. All other entries must be received by 25th May (some exceptions may apply). We reserve the right to cancel any categories where insufficient entries are received to run the competition.

Heats for larger competitions will be held 3pm Saturday. All competitors will be informed whether their category will have heats on the Friday evening.

Competitions no longer running for 2018: Fast & Furious (Lindy Hop), Balboa, Showcase (group).

Panel 2

Events

We’ve got a bunch of amazing artists headed to Dunedin and a full schedule of social dancing and workshops to attend! If you’re just interested in the Savoy Ball, Swing Dance Competitions or Harbour Hop, then our check out our evening events or info for new dancers.

The full range of events available at the Dunedin Midwinter Swing Festival includes:

  • Viewing or competing in the 2018 South Island Swing Dance Competitions
  • Four days of live swing and blues music from the very best local artists
  • Six social dance events, including two late nights (and two evening taster classes for new dancers)
  • Nine hours of daytime workshops (from 24 options) where you can pick your own path, including
    • 7 x Blues classes
    • 6 x Lindy Hop classes*
    • 4 x Solo Jazz classes
    • 3-hour performance-skills workshop**
    • One-off Shag and ’20s partnered Charleston classes
    • Taster classes for Tango, Hip Hop and Barn Dance

If you can’t make it to the full festival then check out our registration options for individual events and workshops. A full festival includes entry into all of these activites.

Registrations are open! Click here.

*There’s an additional advanced level Lindy Hop class being offered, however, this is a $15 add-on to your pass (if application successful).

**Participants in the performance class are required to sign up with a partner and a certain level of lindy hop skill is required. Spaces may be limited.

Panel 3

New Dancers

Whether you’ve never danced before, or you’ve recently given it a go, check out how you can take part in the Dunedin Midwinter Swing Festival too!

Never danced before?

If you’ve always wanted to give dancing a go, now’s your chance! At two evening events (excluding competition night) we run a free taster swing dance class and we’d love for you to join us!

Pick what suits you:

  • Grab an evening events pass for three nights of fun! You’ll get the benefit of at least two taster dance classes, and be inspired by the 2018 South Island Swing Dancing Competitions.
  • Grab individual events passes for any evening event (or daytime taster class) that takes your fancy. See the registration form for more details.
Been dancing a month or two?

If you have a month or so of Lindy Hop and/or Blues Dance under your belt, you can jump right into the full festival!

Our workshop schedule will let you know which classes are most suitable to beginners. We welcome as many newer dancers as possible to join us for this great opportunity to learn from the best and dance with the rest.

If you’re still not sure, or you have any questions, let us know at dunedin.swing@gmail.com .

Registrations are open! Click here.

Panel 4

Regos

Registrations are open – click here!

 

General weekend passes*

$190 – Full Unwaged/Student Weekend Pass
$210 – Full Weekend Pass

These include all daytime workshops & evening events from 1st – 4th June 2018.

$110 – Evening Events Only Pass (includes 2 free taster classes for new dancers!)

Individual event passes

Friday: The Savoy Ball, Savoy Ballroom $40 (taster class included)

Saturday: South Island Swing Dance Championships, Toitu $40 (competitiors) $30 (dancers/spectators)

Sunday: Harbour Hop, Plato Restaurant, $40 (taster class included)

Classes: one-off classes during the festival are $20 on the door.**

Early bird full passes – NO LONGER AVAILABLE

$150 – Unwaged/Student Early Bird pass
$170 – Early Bird pass

These include all daytime workshops & evening events from 1st – 4th June 2018.

*Note: festival passes exclude the additional advanced class add-on ($15 for successful applicants).

** Spaces may be limited and this does not apply to the advanced lindy hop class or the special 3-hour themed workshop on Monday.