Minor Swing 2026
SAVE THE DATE!
1-3 of May 2026
We’re thrilled to invite all to the 11th edition of this fabulous event!
Minor Swing is a Balboa festival run by members of the non-profit dance association West Coast Jitterbugs.
Each year, the Minor Swing team works hard to create new Balboa memories for local dancers and international guests.
Like all other swing dances that WCJ dances, Balboa originated during the swing era, dancing to the music emerged largely under the influence of Afro-American artistic traditions and values. Read more about Balboa here.
Please get in touch with us at minorswing@wcj.se if you have any questions.
Also, have a look at the
Code of Conduct
for the event.
/Minor Swing team 😘
Tickets
Full pass registration opens on January 12th!
Tickets
Full pass registration opens on January 12th!
Tickets
Full pass registration opens on January 12th!
REGISTRATION
NOTE: We will NOT be selling any single tickets at the door. Please note that the latest day to purchase these is April 30th.
NOTE: Party pass is included in the workshop fee. No registration is needed if you are accepted to classes. Though, if you are on the waiting list to the complete workshop, please register for a party pass, and we will cancel this registration if you are accepted to classes.
PROGRAM
Workshops
PROGRAM
Workshops
PROGRAM
Workshops
Full pass includes 6 hours of quality lessons with wonderful teachers - Sanna Leinonen, Adam LaMontagne, Shieva Norusian, Giovanni Ligorio, Lucia Galiana and Jennifer Lee on Saturday and Sunday during the daytime and all evening parties from Friday to Sunday.
Full pass includes 6 hours of quality lessons with wonderful teachers - Sanna Leinonen, Adam LaMontagne, Shieva Norusian, Giovanni Ligorio, Lucia Galiana and Jennifer Lee on Saturday and Sunday during the daytime and all evening parties from Friday to Sunday.
Full pass includes 6 hours of quality lessons with wonderful teachers - Sanna Leinonen, Adam LaMontagne, Shieva Norusian, Giovanni Ligorio, Lucia Galiana and Jennifer Lee on Saturday and Sunday during the daytime and all evening parties from Friday to Sunday.
Level Majorna
A hidden treasure just waiting to be discovered – Improver
You want to learn more moves and variations. Dancing and mixing up fundamentals is fun and effortless at lower tempos. At the higher tempos you feel safer sticking to your basics but of course you risk it and throw in the cooler moves every now and again – and hey there’s no wrong there’s only variations, right? You know Balboa is the thing, and you are ready to continue your learning experience.
Find a Cool Fact! - Majorna
Level Majorna
A hidden treasure just waiting to be discovered – Improver
You want to learn more moves and variations. Dancing and mixing up fundamentals is fun and effortless at lower tempos. At the higher tempos you feel safer sticking to your basics but of course you risk it and throw in the cooler moves every now and again – and hey there’s no wrong there’s only variations, right? You know Balboa is the thing, and you are ready to continue your learning experience.
Find a Cool Fact! - Majorna
Level Majorna
A hidden treasure just waiting to be discovered – Improver
You want to learn more moves and variations. Dancing and mixing up fundamentals is fun and effortless at lower tempos. At the higher tempos you feel safer sticking to your basics but of course you risk it and throw in the cooler moves every now and again – and hey there’s no wrong there’s only variations, right? You know Balboa is the thing, and you are ready to continue your learning experience.
Find a Cool Fact! - Majorna
Level Linné
There is some really cool stuff going on – Intermediate-advanced
There is some really cool stuff going on – Intermediate-advanced
You like learning new moves and adapting them to your own style. You know a wide variety of moves, and the faster it gets the more fun you have. You are working on making the dance your own and being able to be comfortable and elegant at the higher tempos or with a partner that is new to you.
Find a Cool Fact! - Linné
Level Linné
There is some really cool stuff going on – Intermediate-advanced
There is some really cool stuff going on – Intermediate-advanced
You like learning new moves and adapting them to your own style. You know a wide variety of moves, and the faster it gets the more fun you have. You are working on making the dance your own and being able to be comfortable and elegant at the higher tempos or with a partner that is new to you.
Find a Cool Fact! - Linné
Level Linné
There is some really cool stuff going on – Intermediate-advanced
There is some really cool stuff going on – Intermediate-advanced
You like learning new moves and adapting them to your own style. You know a wide variety of moves, and the faster it gets the more fun you have. You are working on making the dance your own and being able to be comfortable and elegant at the higher tempos or with a partner that is new to you.
Find a Cool Fact! - Linné
Level Guldheden
At the top of the hill – Advanced
You like to geek and tweak on those basics and moves, and challenge yourself and your way of dancing Balboa. You are relaxed and comfortable in your dancing and that’s what makes you look so darn elegant. You can adapt your style to the different partners you meet and you like to inspire and be inspired by your dance partners. Tempo is not a problem, you embrace it! Taking classes is not so much about the moves anymore, it’s about musicality and inspiration.
NOTE: This level will be split into two groups at the audition first thing Saturday morning. Make sure to be there on time, even if the Friday party is great.
After classes end on Sunday, there will be an afternoon tea open for everyone to attend, which then merges into the Sunday party. Come and enjoy the scones, the cakes, the tea (and the coffee).
Find a Cool Fact! - Guldheden
Level Guldheden
At the top of the hill – Advanced
You like to geek and tweak on those basics and moves, and challenge yourself and your way of dancing Balboa. You are relaxed and comfortable in your dancing and that’s what makes you look so darn elegant. You can adapt your style to the different partners you meet and you like to inspire and be inspired by your dance partners. Tempo is not a problem, you embrace it! Taking classes is not so much about the moves anymore, it’s about musicality and inspiration.
NOTE: This level will be split into two groups at the audition first thing Saturday morning. Make sure to be there on time, even if the Friday party is great.
After classes end on Sunday, there will be an afternoon tea open for everyone to attend, which then merges into the Sunday party. Come and enjoy the scones, the cakes, the tea (and the coffee).
Find a Cool Fact! - Guldheden
Level Guldheden
At the top of the hill – Advanced
You like to geek and tweak on those basics and moves, and challenge yourself and your way of dancing Balboa. You are relaxed and comfortable in your dancing and that’s what makes you look so darn elegant. You can adapt your style to the different partners you meet and you like to inspire and be inspired by your dance partners. Tempo is not a problem, you embrace it! Taking classes is not so much about the moves anymore, it’s about musicality and inspiration.
NOTE: This level will be split into two groups at the audition first thing Saturday morning. Make sure to be there on time, even if the Friday party is great.
After classes end on Sunday, there will be an afternoon tea open for everyone to attend, which then merges into the Sunday party. Come and enjoy the scones, the cakes, the tea (and the coffee).
Find a Cool Fact! - Guldheden
Note that the schedule is set up so that all groups can take classes with every teacher.
Note that the schedule is set up so that all groups can take classes with every teacher.
Note that the schedule is set up so that all groups can take classes with every teacher.
PROGRAM
Evening Parties
PROGRAM
Evening Parties
PROGRAM
Evening Parties
Minor Swing is a party event and the evenings will hold a lot of great happenings.
The main parties with live music will take place at our dance society’s venue, the Forum, on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Live band music tuned for Balboa dance will be ready for each evening party. Each year’s Minor Swing integrates various activities outside of the dance evening. Some can be placed at the beginning of the Friday, between the Saturday workshop and evening party, or even on Thursday evening as a pre-party.
On Sunday, the party starts with afternoon tea, which moves into the Sunday party, bar emptying and music for dancing.
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook, and stay tuned to the reveal of the preliminary schedule for the evening parties.
Minor Swing is a party event and the evenings will hold a lot of great happenings.
The main parties with live music will take place at our dance society’s venue, the Forum, on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Live band music tuned for Balboa dance will be ready for each evening party. Each year’s Minor Swing integrates various activities outside of the dance evening. Some can be placed at the beginning of the Friday, between the Saturday workshop and evening party, or even on Thursday evening as a pre-party.
On Sunday, the party starts with afternoon tea, which moves into the Sunday party, bar emptying and music for dancing.
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook, and stay tuned to the reveal of the preliminary schedule for the evening parties.
Minor Swing is a party event and the evenings will hold a lot of great happenings.
The main parties with live music will take place at our dance society’s venue, the Forum, on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Live band music tuned for Balboa dance will be ready for each evening party. Each year’s Minor Swing integrates various activities outside of the dance evening. Some can be placed at the beginning of the Friday, between the Saturday workshop and evening party, or even on Thursday evening as a pre-party.
On Sunday, the party starts with afternoon tea, which moves into the Sunday party, bar emptying and music for dancing.
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook, and stay tuned to the reveal of the preliminary schedule for the evening parties.
Teachers
The teacher line up of Minor Swing 2026!
Teachers
The teacher line up of Minor Swing 2026!
Teachers
The teacher line up of Minor Swing 2026!
Sanna Leinonen & Adam LaMontagne
Sanna and Adam have been dancing and teaching swing dances together for fifteen years.
Sanna Leinonen & Adam LaMontagne
Sanna and Adam have been dancing and teaching swing dances together for fifteen years.
Sanna Leinonen & Adam LaMontagne
Sanna and Adam have been dancing and teaching swing dances together for fifteen years.
Shieva Norusian & Giovanni Ligorio
Originally from New Zealand, Shieva started swing dancing in 2010 after a burgeoning love affair with swing era jazz and blues music.
Shieva Norusian & Giovanni Ligorio
Originally from New Zealand, Shieva started swing dancing in 2010 after a burgeoning love affair with swing era jazz and blues music.
Shieva Norusian & Giovanni Ligorio
Originally from New Zealand, Shieva started swing dancing in 2010 after a burgeoning love affair with swing era jazz and blues music.
Lucía Galiana & Jenn Lee
Lucía started dancing in 2011 in Valencia and has been seen on the dance floor since then. In 2014, she discovered Balboa, and she got obsessed with this dance.
Lucía Galiana & Jenn Lee
Lucía started dancing in 2011 in Valencia and has been seen on the dance floor since then. In 2014, she discovered Balboa, and she got obsessed with this dance.
Lucía Galiana & Jenn Lee
Lucía started dancing in 2011 in Valencia and has been seen on the dance floor since then. In 2014, she discovered Balboa, and she got obsessed with this dance.
Teacher Name Here (4)
* Open this page and write bio in the content section
Live Bands
Enjoy live music every night!
Live Bands
Enjoy live music every night!
Live Bands
Enjoy live music every night!
Hot Gravel Eskimos and Nicolle Rochelle
Hot Gravel Eskimos and Nicolle Rochelle
Hot Gravel Eskimos and Nicolle Rochelle
Hot Gravel Eskimos
“Hot Gravel Eskimos”, the top-class eight-piece band from Milan led by one of the most representative “hot jazz” specialists in Italy, multi-instrumentalist Mauro L. Porro, relives the pleasure of Classic Jazz tradition through exhilarating live performances of a musical repertoire focused on the original “Swing” music from the 1930s and the beginning of the 1940s.
For this to happen, the band performs with vintage musical instruments and bandstand instrumentation, with ad-hoc orchestrations based on precise musical transcriptions from its members’ own shellac libraries, as well as an immaculate stage presence recalling the thrill of the splendid “Swing Era”.
“Hot Gravel Eskimos” is claimed lately in these years as one of the top-notch bands performing for old swing dances’ connoisseurs, and the “Minor Swing” festival is glad to host the first official, eminent joint-venture between the band and one of the hottest voices of all time, the one and only….Nicolle Rochelle (FR/USA)!
Show more
Hot Gravel Eskimos
“Hot Gravel Eskimos”, the top-class eight-piece band from Milan led by one of the most representative “hot jazz” specialists in Italy, multi-instrumentalist Mauro L. Porro, relives the pleasure of Classic Jazz tradition through exhilarating live performances of a musical repertoire focused on the original “Swing” music from the 1930s and the beginning of the 1940s.
For this to happen, the band performs with vintage musical instruments and bandstand instrumentation, with ad-hoc orchestrations based on precise musical transcriptions from its members’ own shellac libraries, as well as an immaculate stage presence recalling the thrill of the splendid “Swing Era”.
“Hot Gravel Eskimos” is claimed lately in these years as one of the top-notch bands performing for old swing dances’ connoisseurs, and the “Minor Swing” festival is glad to host the first official, eminent joint-venture between the band and one of the hottest voices of all time, the one and only….Nicolle Rochelle (FR/USA)!
Show more
Hot Gravel Eskimos
“Hot Gravel Eskimos”, the top-class eight-piece band from Milan led by one of the most representative “hot jazz” specialists in Italy, multi-instrumentalist Mauro L. Porro, relives the pleasure of Classic Jazz tradition through exhilarating live performances of a musical repertoire focused on the original “Swing” music from the 1930s and the beginning of the 1940s.
For this to happen, the band performs with vintage musical instruments and bandstand instrumentation, with ad-hoc orchestrations based on precise musical transcriptions from its members’ own shellac libraries, as well as an immaculate stage presence recalling the thrill of the splendid “Swing Era”.
“Hot Gravel Eskimos” is claimed lately in these years as one of the top-notch bands performing for old swing dances’ connoisseurs, and the “Minor Swing” festival is glad to host the first official, eminent joint-venture between the band and one of the hottest voices of all time, the one and only….Nicolle Rochelle (FR/USA)!
Show more
Nicolle Rochelle
Nicolle Rochelle is a well-respected international singer/actor/dancer who has toured worldwide performing jazz, boogie woogie, blues, soul, pop, traditional French songs and more. She has worked with groups such as The Hot Sugar Band, Nikki & Jules, The Duke Orchestra, The Hot Antic Band, The Harlem Drivers, The Fats Boys, Swiss Yerba Buena Creole Rice Band, Ginkgoa and many orchestras as an invited guest in the international scene. She starred as Josephine Baker in Jerome Savary’s À la Recherche de Josephine, a Moliére Nominated Musical in Paris and was most recently starring in "A Tribute to Josephine" in Berlin. Nicolle has performed on and off Broadway in the US and is known for her roles in many TV shows including Shining Time Station with Ringo Starr, The Babysitters Club, The Cosby Show, Clarissa Explains it All, Law and Order and others. Ms. Rochelle graduated from Brown University with a degree in Linguistic Anthropology. Find all of her upcoming projects and dates on www.nicollerochelle.com or @nicollerochelle-official on Instagram.
Show more
Nicolle Rochelle
Nicolle Rochelle is a well-respected international singer/actor/dancer who has toured worldwide performing jazz, boogie woogie, blues, soul, pop, traditional French songs and more. She has worked with groups such as The Hot Sugar Band, Nikki & Jules, The Duke Orchestra, The Hot Antic Band, The Harlem Drivers, The Fats Boys, Swiss Yerba Buena Creole Rice Band, Ginkgoa and many orchestras as an invited guest in the international scene. She starred as Josephine Baker in Jerome Savary’s À la Recherche de Josephine, a Moliére Nominated Musical in Paris and was most recently starring in "A Tribute to Josephine" in Berlin. Nicolle has performed on and off Broadway in the US and is known for her roles in many TV shows including Shining Time Station with Ringo Starr, The Babysitters Club, The Cosby Show, Clarissa Explains it All, Law and Order and others. Ms. Rochelle graduated from Brown University with a degree in Linguistic Anthropology. Find all of her upcoming projects and dates on www.nicollerochelle.com or @nicollerochelle-official on Instagram.
Show more
Nicolle Rochelle
Nicolle Rochelle is a well-respected international singer/actor/dancer who has toured worldwide performing jazz, boogie woogie, blues, soul, pop, traditional French songs and more. She has worked with groups such as The Hot Sugar Band, Nikki & Jules, The Duke Orchestra, The Hot Antic Band, The Harlem Drivers, The Fats Boys, Swiss Yerba Buena Creole Rice Band, Ginkgoa and many orchestras as an invited guest in the international scene. She starred as Josephine Baker in Jerome Savary’s À la Recherche de Josephine, a Moliére Nominated Musical in Paris and was most recently starring in "A Tribute to Josephine" in Berlin. Nicolle has performed on and off Broadway in the US and is known for her roles in many TV shows including Shining Time Station with Ringo Starr, The Babysitters Club, The Cosby Show, Clarissa Explains it All, Law and Order and others. Ms. Rochelle graduated from Brown University with a degree in Linguistic Anthropology. Find all of her upcoming projects and dates on www.nicollerochelle.com or @nicollerochelle-official on Instagram.
Show more
Cats and Dinosaurs
Cats and Dinosaurs is a left-wing feminist swing collective from Gothenburg, Sweden. Also known as the world’s most radical swingband! They mix the objectively best politics with the objectively best music. Result: dance party!!!! Their feet are planted in the radical backwaters of the jazz and blues, but they threw out all the standards in favour of their own leftie feminist songbook. Jazz was the punk of the twenties, and Cats and Dinosaurs want to honour the creativity and radicalism of the jazz pioneers by embracing their energy and attitude rather than copying them note for note. They are also swing dancers! This just might be the secret behind that irresistible dance groove that will get you singing along and stomping your feet in no time, all while subversive little messages slip into your subconscious like gleaming red silverfish.
Cats and Dinosaurs have been playing together since 2014, touring all over Sweden as well as Norway, Denmark and Germany. Planning to add more countries to the list! They have released three studio albums and one live album on PACAYA records. In the fall of 2024, they celebrated ten years as a band and are also set to release their fourth studio album, “Sabotage”.
Show more
Cats and Dinosaurs
Cats and Dinosaurs is a left-wing feminist swing collective from Gothenburg, Sweden. Also known as the world’s most radical swingband! They mix the objectively best politics with the objectively best music. Result: dance party!!!! Their feet are planted in the radical backwaters of the jazz and blues, but they threw out all the standards in favour of their own leftie feminist songbook. Jazz was the punk of the twenties, and Cats and Dinosaurs want to honour the creativity and radicalism of the jazz pioneers by embracing their energy and attitude rather than copying them note for note. They are also swing dancers! This just might be the secret behind that irresistible dance groove that will get you singing along and stomping your feet in no time, all while subversive little messages slip into your subconscious like gleaming red silverfish.
Cats and Dinosaurs have been playing together since 2014, touring all over Sweden as well as Norway, Denmark and Germany. Planning to add more countries to the list! They have released three studio albums and one live album on PACAYA records. In the fall of 2024, they celebrated ten years as a band and are also set to release their fourth studio album, “Sabotage”.
Show more
Cats and Dinosaurs
Cats and Dinosaurs is a left-wing feminist swing collective from Gothenburg, Sweden. Also known as the world’s most radical swingband! They mix the objectively best politics with the objectively best music. Result: dance party!!!! Their feet are planted in the radical backwaters of the jazz and blues, but they threw out all the standards in favour of their own leftie feminist songbook. Jazz was the punk of the twenties, and Cats and Dinosaurs want to honour the creativity and radicalism of the jazz pioneers by embracing their energy and attitude rather than copying them note for note. They are also swing dancers! This just might be the secret behind that irresistible dance groove that will get you singing along and stomping your feet in no time, all while subversive little messages slip into your subconscious like gleaming red silverfish.
Cats and Dinosaurs have been playing together since 2014, touring all over Sweden as well as Norway, Denmark and Germany. Planning to add more countries to the list! They have released three studio albums and one live album on PACAYA records. In the fall of 2024, they celebrated ten years as a band and are also set to release their fourth studio album, “Sabotage”.
Show more
DJs
The Artists Behind the Turntables
Full reveal of the amazing DJ lineup coming soon.
DJs
The Artists Behind the Turntables
Full reveal of the amazing DJ lineup coming soon.
DJs
The Artists Behind the Turntables
Full reveal of the amazing DJ lineup coming soon.
Latest News
Venue
Forum, home of West Coast Jitterbugs
Our society has its own venue called Forum, where all classes are taking place. There are two dance floors that are very slippery and perfect for Balboa!
Doktor Fries Torg 7, 41323 Gothenburg, Sweden
Venue
Forum, home of West Coast Jitterbugs
Our society has its own venue called Forum, where all classes are taking place. There are two dance floors that are very slippery and perfect for Balboa!
Doktor Fries Torg 7, 41323 Gothenburg, Sweden
Minor Swing
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All photos on the website, unless noted, by Kristin Ladström
All photos on the website, unless noted, by Kristin Ladström
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