SAVE-THE-DATE FOR OUR 2025 EVENT!
September 12-14th!
Registration is OPEN NOW!
Lindy on the Rocks is a full weekend swing dance festival in Denver, Colorado featuring live music, classes, competitions, and all the social dancing your heart desires! While the focus is on Lindy Hop, you will find all vintage swing dances represented including tap, charleston, shag, and balboa!
Our event provides high-quality instruction from the most talented swing dancers in the world. Lindy on the Rocks also runs concurrently with Hot Night Fusion Weekend and the Denver Jazz Festival so be sure to nab an All Access Pass which gets you into any class or dance at any of these events!
Follow us on Facebook! Lindy on the Rocks and RSVP to the FB EVENT HERE
As seen on SwingPlanit, DanceCal, and WhereCanWeDance
Tickets
Looking to register to volunteer/work trade? CLICK HERE to fill out the application, and email felicia@cmdance.org with any questions!
Registration is OPEN NOW!
First 50 Early Bird Passes are only $250!
After Early Bird sells out, the following passes will be released in order:
Tier 1 – $295
Tier 2 – $339
Tier 3 – $369
All full weekend pass include access to:
✔ All workshops and seminars
✔ Pre-social classes & Sunday social hour
✔ All evening social dances
✔ All Hot Night Fusion Weekend, Lindy on the Rocks, and Denver Jazz Festival events
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Dance Passes
Available August 5 – $200
For the night owls and dance-floor diehards.
Includes:
✔ All evening social dances (Fri/Sat/Sun)
✔ Pre-social classes
✔ Sunday social hour
Does not include daytime workshops or seminars.
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Single-Day & Partial Passes
Available August 15
The following tickets will go on sale August 15th:
Friday Night Pre-Dance Class: $20
Friday Night Only: $45
Saturday Day Classes Only: $120
Saturday Night Pre-Dance Class: $20
Saturday Night Only: $55
Saturday All Day & Night: $170
Sunday Day Classes Only: $120
Sunday Night Pre-Dance Class: $20
Sunday Night Only: $45
Sunday All Day & Night: $160
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Refund & Credit Policy
We do not offer refunds, resale, or pass transfers due to:
🔒 Ticketing platform fees and restrictions
🤝 Community safety policies
🚫 Scalping prevention
If you can’t make it, we’ll issue you credit valid for any CMDance event for up to two years.
Schedule
All-Access Pass holders may also attend any class or dance at Hot Night Fusion Weekend and any Denver Jazz Festival event. See schedules below!
**We are dealing with humans; schedules are subject to change; be flexible; thanks!Thursday Night Pre-Party at the Cheeseman Park Pavilion!
Dance 6-10pm
Cheeseman Park, pavilion located on the East side of the park.
Admission: FREE!
FRIDAY
Studio Loft
Lindy on the Rocks & Denver Jazz Festival
7:30 pm - Doors & Registration Open
8:00pm - Dance Class: Intro to Lindy Hop
9:00pm - Contest Registration Closes
9:00 pm-12 am - Dance to Live Music with Eyal Vilner and His Hot 5
1st Band Break = Solo Prelims & Costume Contest
Top of 2nd Band Set = Instructor Demos
Top of 3rd Band Set = Solo Finals
12am-3am Late Night Dances @ The Curtis Hotel (Fusion room and Lindy room)
Evening Social Dance Theme: Cabaret
Curtis Hotel
Hot Night Fusion Weekend
6:30pm Doors & Registration Open
7:00-8:00pm - Dance Class: Fusion Lesson
8:00pm-12:00am- DJ’d Fusion Social Dance
12:00am-3am: Fusion Late Night Dances
SATURDAY
All classes are at the Curtis Hotel - 2nd Floor
Classes will run 10:15am-5:15pm - Choose Your Own Adventure!
Brunch buffet available 10:30am-1:30pm. $25
1:45-3:45pm Contest Registration
Contest Prelims 4:15-5:30p
4:15-4:30pm LOTR Contest Check-in
4:30pm Open Lindy Strictly Prelims
4:50 pm Lindy Amateur M&M Prelims
5:10pm Lindy Open M&M Prelims
*All times are approximate. Things happen. Be flexible.
Dinner Break
Studio Loft - LOTR & DJF
7:30pm Doors Open
8:00pm Interactive Musicality Lesson w/Eyal Vilner!
9:00pm pm-12 am - Dance to Live music with The Eyal Vilner Swing Band!
1st Band Break = Theme Costume Contest
Top of 2nd Band Set = Strictly Lindy Hop Contest Finals
Top of 3rd Band Set = Performance Set: (1) The CMDance Performance team with special guests! (2) Instructor Ladies’ Group Special Performance AND (3) The Diamond Dolls!
12am-3am Late Night Dances @ The Curtis Hotel
TWO ROOMS! MAIN & A FAST ROOM (Bal & Shag)!
1:00am SHAG UNDERGROUND CONTEST! (in the Fast Room!)
Evening Social Dance Theme: Wild West
Curtis Hotel - HNFW
8-9pm: Fusion Dance Lesson
9-12am: DJ’d Fusion Social Dance
12-3am: All Late Night Dances
SUNDAY
All classes are at the Curtis Hotel
Classes will run 10:15am-5:15pm - Choose Your Own Adventure!
Brunch buffet available 10:30am-1:30pm. $25
Dinner Break
Studio Loft - LOTR & DJF
7:30- Doors open
8pm- Intro to swing dance or musician talk, TBA
9pm - Midnight - Dance to Live Music with TBD
1st Band Break = Theme Costume Contest
Top of 2nd Band Set = Amateur Lindy Hop Mix & Match Finals
Top of 3rd Band Set = Open Lindy Hop Mix & Match Finals
12-2am: Late Night DJd Dance
Evening Social Dance Theme: Elemental Realms
Curtis Hotel - HNFW
9pm-12a: DJ’d Fusion Social Dance
12-2am: Late night at Studio Loft
Lindy on the Rocks 2025 Instructors
Community-Minded Dance is pleased to bring Lindy Hop instructors from across the globe to Denver to teach, dance, and inspire.
Nathan Bugh
Nathan Bugh is one of the world's leading exponents of Lindy Hop and vernacular jazz dance. His on-stage appearances include: Carnegie Hall (Swing Swing Swing w/ New York Pops), The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, Spain (Meet Ella, SW!NG OUT), The Apollo Theater (Swingin’ Frankie’s Way), and Jacob’s Pillow (Earthbeat!, More Forever, SW!NG OUT). He is one of the creators and choreographers of the Joyce Theater's SW!NG OUT, the greatest proscenium, swing-dance show since SWING! the musical. An active swing-dance competitor since the late 1990’s, Nathan holds numerous first-place titles in Solo Jazz, Lindy Hop, Team, Invitational, Slow Dance, Showcase, and Mix/Match divisions at events like the International Lindy Hop Championships. Recent results include 1st 2023 ILHC Video Showcase, 1st 2024 BTP Invitational Crossover, 2nd 2025 Lindyfest Invitational Draw, 2nd 2025 BTP Invitational. Nathan is a veteran dance instructor, with 20+ years of experience teaching students of all ages. He teaches the Columbia University Swing Club (2006-present) and is adjunct dance faculty at Marymount Manhattan College (2022-present). He has headlined many national and international swing-dance festivals, including Camp Jitterbug, Lindy Focus, Southwest Lindy Fest, Herrang Dance Camp, Paris Jazz Roots Festival, Swing Riot, Nanjing Lindy Festival, and AJW Korea.
Dee Locke
Dee started Swing Dancing at the age of three with her Dad in the basement, wearing her Mom’s heels and her favorite plaid skirt. A true Heritage Dancer and Tradition Bearer, learning from and dancing Lindy Hop with her family, in the context of black culture, music, and expression. With a hiatus into hip-hop during her school years, she was called back to Lindy Hop, and co-founded her college swing dance club. She has became an influential member of the Minneapolis scene. For over two decades she’s shared her love of Lindy Hop with dancers young and old, teaching, performing, and dancing at swing dance events.
Dee loves feeling free on the dance floor and advocates for self-expression and individual creativity as the true spirit of Lindy Hop and Vernacular Jazz. She bring an inclusive, shared knowledge, and individual ownership perspective from black culture classes. She dances for the joy and self-worth in expression that music and dance play in black culture in either partnered or solo dancing, and searches for presence in each moment. She loves responding to the music and partner, priding herself on making each dance unique to the musical experience and partner, creating an authentic dance conversation. Her goal is to help dancers experience the inclusion, joy, and self worth in expression that music and dance play in black culture by using teaching strategies that give access to the dance for different peoples and learners and creating a welcome and supportive environment.
She has recently enjoyed dancing a residency in Sw!ngout! at the Joyce Theater in NYC and on tour, and has taught, performed, and choreographed nationally and internationally, but mostly she wants to have a good dance. You should ask her, she follows and leads and wants to dance with you.
Cyle Dixon
At 28 years old, Cyle Dixon is a proud Cleveland native and award-winning dancer who discovered his passion for artistic expression early in life. He often reflects on how he first learned to hear music from the soul while soul line dancing at barbecues and singing in church as a child. Cyle embarked on his dance journey at just thirteen, joining the Cleveland Junior Jitterbugs (CJJ). This formative experience ignited a lifelong love for Lindy Hop, inspiring him to compete in and explore various dance styles, as well as create choreography and soul line dances. Cyle's passion for dance has taken him across the world , where he has showcased his talent at numerous events, including Frankie 100, BeanTown Dance Camp, Herrang Dance Camp, ILHC, and Camp Hollywood etc. As a teacher, his primary goal is to spread love and honor the rich legacy of the art form created by his ancestors or as he calls them “melanated legends and icons”. If there is one lesson he wishes to impart to every student, it would be: “Feel the beat of the music from the depths of your soul and let your creativity and individuality shine outward.”
Josette Wiggan
An internationally acclaimed and much sought after educator/ choreographer/ performer, Josette Wiggan has dedicated her life to the perpetuation of African American Vernacular Jazz Dance. She began her dance adventure with Paul and Arlene Kennedy at the Universal Dance Designs Studio in Los Angeles. Her love for performing was fostered by the Kennedys and then refined as an adult while dancing with Jazz Tap Ensemble until 2007. A graduate of UCLA, Josette’s career highlights include, the 2001 Spotlight Award winner in non-classical dance category, the first National Broadway Tour of 42nd Street, 2008 Bessie Award Nominee for Outstanding Performance in the Baker/Tarpaga Project, studying with Germaine Acogny at L’ecole les Sables in Dakar, Senegal and movies Idlewild, Princess and the Frog, and The Bride. Alongside her brother, Joseph Wiggan, she was part of two original casts of Cirque du Soleil’s Banana Shpeel and Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour from 2009-2013. The duo performed in Tireless, a curated show by Michelle Dorrance that had its debut at Jacob’s Pillow in 2017 and in 2021, Josette created her first evening length work entitled, Praise: The Inevitable Fruit of Gratitude, in collaboration with Grammy nominated, jazz trumpeter Keyon Harrold and the cast of Dorrance Dance. Josette is also co-creator with Michelle Dorrance and Hannah Heller for a Christmas work entitled, …The Nutcracker Suite… that has premiered at houses including the Joyce Theater, Kennedy Center, The White House under the invitation of First Lady Jill Biden and the Soraya. Most currently, Josette began her own tap company, Josette Wiggan Presents… and developed new works entitled, On Solid Ground: A Celebration of Black Joy and Freedom In Our America, featuring improvisation by the dancers and musicians, and her first solo work, Threshing Floor: A Place of Meditation and Melody, for the American Dance Platform 2024 at the Joyce Theater. In addition, Josette is currently a professor at USC and is teaching Authentic Jazz and Tap Dance at the Glorya Kaufman School of Dance.
Tyedric Hill
Tyedric Hill is a traveling artist deeply rooted in Black cultural and social dance traditions. He explores their evolution and interconnections.
Inspired by his ancestors, who found solace in rhythm and movement, Tyedric carries their legacy through dance, honoring the cornerstones of Black art: personal authenticity, community, hope, and dignity. Having trained under Sugar Sullivan, Ryan Francois, Chester Whitmore, and Latasha Barnes, he consistently draws back to authentic jazz as the foundation of modern Black social dance. He is proficient in various styles, from authentic jazz and Lindy Hop to hip-hop and house, with a focus on preserving cultural lineage and personal style.
Tyedric’s dedication to embodying the soulfulness of Black history is evident in his commitment to passing on the legacy of his mentors and ancestors to future generations. He is a powerful voice in the world, using his platform to honor the past while shaping the future of the global community.
Breonna Jordan
Some of Breonna’s fondest childhood memories are dancing in the kitchen with her siblings to top 40 radio while dinner was being prepared. Cooking, cleaning, roadtrips – music and dance was a part of everyday life. But it wasn’t until Breonna moved to New Orleans, where she experienced her first taste of live traditional jazz music, that she realized her affinity for the living art form of jazz dance!
She has danced and studied Lindy Hop, along with Vernacular Jazz at many different festivals and workshops around the world. As an emerging New Orleans based dance instructor, she values the connections between music, history, and authentic self expression through movement.
Bio TBA
AJ Howard
With nearly 10 years of experience, AJ takes the influences from Sacramento, San Francisco, and Los Angeles Lindy Hop scenes to bring his own unique style and energy to the Swing Dancing community. He burst into the scene in 2016, winning competitions throughout the US with his partner Jennifer, showing the dance world what Sacramento really had to offer!
Competing at international events such as Camp Hollywood and the International Lindy Hop Championships, AJ became well known for his generous use of aerials paired with his energetic dancing.
AJ has also had the honor of performing on stage for the debut run of “SW!NG OUT” in addition to dance groups such as HellaBlackLindyHop and the Midtown Stompers, along with the privilege to spread his love of dance through teaching at Lindy Hop events across the US, on a Carnival Cruise ship, and overseas in countries such as Denmark and Sweden.
Skye Festog
Skye took her first dance classes in her mom's pregnant belly who was a Royal Ballet soloist and instructor! Her mom always joked that she came out of the womb dancing! She tried her hand at figure skating in adolescence but dance won out through her training years. She was an avid student of Ballet, Modern, Contemporary, Jazz, Hip Hop, Musical Theatre, Fosse, and some West African dances. Upon the decision to leave behind dance in college and forgo the Conservatory route Skye found her beloved Lindy Hop; a beautiful witness to the fact that if dance is part of you, it will never truly leave you. Skye has now been instructing, choreographing, and performing Lindy Hop, African American Vernacular Jazz, and other vintage dance styles for over 10 years!
Allison Frey
Allison started Lindy Hopping in 2014 and started teaching a few years later. She has taught with CMDance, Boulder Swing, Swing Nights Denver, Raw Groove, the Diamond Dolls, and many other amazing Colorado organizations. She has also enjoyed training and developing new teachers. Allison is committed to creating a classroom environment that is encouraging, historically mindful, joyful, and full of dancing!
Stephanie Quon
Stephanie started Lindy Hopping in 2015 and hasn’t looked back since. She quickly fell in love with the art-form, the music, and the supportive community of dancers she met through her college scene and in the larger Boulder-Denver area. It was not long until she dove straight into competing, performing, DJing, and then teaching a few years later. Stephanie has taught Lindy Hop privately and through group classes for many organizations around Colorado, including CMDance, Boulder Swing Dance, the Diamond Dolls, Pearl Street Jive, Swing Nights Denver, and Swingin’ Denver. Stephanie’s favorite part about Lindy Hop is the tangible joy and authentic self-expression that dancers bring to the social dance floor through their connection to the music, their partner, and themselves. With every class she teaches, Stephanie is dedicated to creating a welcoming, inclusive, encouraging, and historically- minded space where students can feel comfortable to be authentically themselves and experience the joy of Lindy Hop.
Our merchandise this year is PRE-SALE ONLY.
Merch goes on sale July 4, 2025, and pre-sale closes on August 15th. Go get your merch NOW to make sure you have one with your name on it when you check in! Very limited merchandise will be available at the event.
We have unisex black or teal shirts and black or teal tote bags available! Go order yours!!
NO OUTSIDE FOOD IS ALLOWED AT THE CURTIS HOTEL
2025 Meal Options coming soon!
(or click here for the nearest restaurants).
CLASSES 2025:
DRAFT SCHEDULE HERE NOW!
Prettier, completely finalized schedule to be released— but this is the plan!!! More hours of classes, more classes than ever!
No track tryouts or level checks!
You may freely take classes as you please. Teachers have listed any prerequisites for the class content they will be covering in the descriptions. Additionally, the Fusion Weekend classes are available to those holding an all-access pass. Check out the Fusion class schedule HERE
Intro to Lindy Hop 8-9pm (Studio Loft) w/Allison & Stephanie
Learn the original swing dance, rooted in Black American culture and jazz music. Lindy Hop is a relaxed, social, lead/follow dance with West African roots. It's all about connection to the music and your partner, with plenty of room for improvisation and self-expression!
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INTERACTIVE MUSICALITY LESSON with Eyal Vilner!
In this 1 hour interactive workshop, Eyal will teach a method of communication and share exercises between dancers and musicians. This workshop will explore the two languages of dance and music, helping you to better express sound with movement and movement with sound.
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2025 Live Music
Headliner: The Eyal Vilner Swing Band
The Eyal Vilner Swing Band on Friday AND Saturday Night! Don’t miss Eyal’s Interactive Workshop on Saturday before the band goes on!
Eyal Vilner has become one of the leading new voices in the New York swing and big band scene. Born in Tel Aviv, saxophonist, clarinetist, flutist, composer and bandleader Eyal Vilner moved to New York in 2007 and started his big band the following year.
The Eyal Vilner Big Band has been performing widely at some of New York’s landmarks such as Jazz at Lincoln Center, Midsummer Night Swing, Birdland, Dizzy's Club, Smalls Jazz Club, Minton’s Playhouse, The Django, Battle of the Big Bands on the Intrepid, Swing ReMix, Swing 46 and Central Park SummerStage.
Internationally, Eyal has performed on Israel's most prestigious stages such as the Red Sea Jazz Festival, Tel Aviv Museum, Jerusalem Theater, The Tel Aviv Jazz Festival as well as the historical La Bellevilloise, Caveau des Oubliettes and Caveau de la Huchette in Paris.
The big band performs Eyal’s new arrangements of jazz and swing tunes as well as his original compositions. Their music, which derives from the tradition of jazz, swing and the blues, strives to bring a unique voice to this beautiful art form. The big band’s first four albums: Introducing the Eyal Vilner Big Band, Almost Sunrise, Hanukkah and Swing Out! received rave reviews and made it to the Top Jazz Radio Charts of the US and Canada.
The Eyal Vilner Big Band has collaborated with some of the top jazz legends of our time including NEA Jazz Masters Frank Wess, Jimmy Heath and Jimmy Owens, and pianist Junior Mance.
Sunday Night: Gabriel Mervine’s All Star Band featuring Sweet B, Jonathan Ng, Ian Hutchison, and Sam Chess!
The Gabriel Mervine quartet brings pep to every step. Featuring joyous arrangements of tunes new and old. This year’s Lindy on the Rocks ensemble will feature many special guests including Sweet B, Ian Hutchison, Jonathan Ng, and Sam Chess. Please come sing and swing along!
DJs
These folks are bringing you sweet tunes to keep the dancing going all weekend.
Ian Hutchison
Ian Hutchison has been DJ'ing since 2016. He regularly DJ's at Frim Fram Jam and Midtown Swings in NYC and occasionally DJ's at The Mercury Cafe when in Colorado. Ian Hutchison is a bass player, bandleader, swing dancer, and educator based in New York City. He has played with a literal who's who in the swing dance world including Naomi Uyama, Jonathan Stout, Gordon Webster, Eyal Vilner, and Glenn Crytzer. Ian is currently a member of the hit touring lindy hop theater show SW!NG OUT. His debut album Bop For Dancing is available now on bandcamp.
Allison Frey
Allison (she/they) grew up playing piano, violin, and soccer, and didn't start dancing until a study abroad trip to India in college. She fell in love with an ancient temple dance form, pursuing instruction on her own outside of study abroad courses. Allison was able to write about this dance in her Master's thesis when she returned to the states - there happened to be an incredible Odissi teacher at the same university, allowing her to both research and practice.
Allison entered the Lindy Hop community in 2014 and has organized, taught, choreographed, performed, DJed, competed...and done a lot of research! Being a musician and a music-lover has helped DJing emerge as a particular interest and talent. Allison enjoys crossing eras and genres that make Lindy Hoppers want to move and groove, appreciating the full spectrum of Black American music. Allison has DJed locally for weekly dances and events, as well as online events like the Global Online Social and Swing DJ Relay.
Leea Kuronen
photo credit William Kucharski
Competition DJ
Leea started dancing when she was just 6-years old. She had been begging her parents to enroll her to ballet classes, and finally they gave in. After a few years of ballet training Leea wanted to explore other dance styles, so she picked up hip hop, and later, street dance, show dance (theatrical jazz dance), and later returned to adult ballet. In 2013 Leea signed up for Lindy hop classes and immediately fell in love with the dance form. She soon dived deeper into vernacular jazz and started learning blues, balboa, and solo jazz. Leea has been teaching and DJing since 2015. She's currently teaching as well as choreographing and performing vernacular jazz dances in the Denver metro area.
Miranda Whiting
Miranda’s love for jazz began at a young age listening to records and watching old movie musicals. Her early collection of jazz music helped her meet the need for DJs at her local dance scene in South Carolina, and it quickly fueled a passion for finding songs to inspire dancers to hit the floor. Since then, she has livened up dance venues from the Southeast to New England and now calls Colorado home. She has a knack for finding the feeling of the room and playing to it as if it was tailored for each individual dancer, and she can’t wait to do the same for you.
Jonathan Ng
Jonathan Ng is a jazz violinist, bandleader, and dancer who brings the same care to the DJ booth as he does to the bandstand. With a decade of experience leading bands for lindy hop and balboa dancers, he understands what keeps the floor moving. As a DJ, he selects music he wants to dance to himself, drawing from a variety of eras ranging from swing to post-bop. Every track is chosen with one simple test: does this make me want to bounce?
The Studio Loft at Ellie Caulkins Opera House
1400 Curtis Street, Denver, CO 80202
About the Venue: The Studio Loft is an beautiful event space with a cathedral ceiling, exposed brick, warm-colored walls, and a spacious wood dance floor. This venue has vast room, a bar, and plenty of seating.
Parking: There is metered street parking available, as well as a parking garage and lot (available all day) within 2 blocks of the Opera House. Parking garages and lots start at $12/day. Parking meters are free on Sundays.
Tickets: Purchase tickets for The Denver Jazz Festival and all our evening events held at The Studio Loft here on AXS.com
What’s happening here:
Lindy on the Rocks Main Dances
All Competition Finals
Interactive Workshop w/Eyal
The Curtis Hotel
The Curtis Hotel is right across the street from the Denver Performing Arts Complex and just two short blocks from the 16th Street Mall, putting Denver’s best shopping, entertainment, and attractions just steps away. Inside, you’ll find cartoons playing in our retro-chic lobby and an amazing art collection. ALL ACTIVITIES ARE ON THE 2nd FLOOR FOR 2025
Parking: There is metered street parking available, as well as a parking garage and lot (available all day) within 2 blocks of the Opera House. Parking garages and lots start at $12/day. Parking meters are free on Sundays. If you are staying at the Curtis Hotel, there is discounted parking in their garage available when booking.
What’s happening here:
Late Night Social Dancing
Daytime Classes for both events (Lindy on the Rocks & Hot Night Fusion Weekend)
Lindy Hop Mix & Match and Strictly Contest Pre-Lims
Accommodations for out-of-town attendees: Reserve A Room (deadline for discounted room rate is August 20th!)
2025 Applications
Our volunteers are the face of the event! We seriously cannot function without you. Help us make a fun and successful weekend and get to know your organizers and artists a little better. You will be able to sign-up after reading the following!
Volunteering/work-trade application notes:
If you would like to work in exchange for a pass, please do not purchase a pass until given your promo code after being assigned shifts for the weekend.
Workers will have the opportunity to select shifts in the first stages of volunteer sign-up, but the schedule will be locked for editing as the event approaches.
Shift selection for work trade will happen in order of acceptance.
Those who do not show up for shifts will not be allowed to work for CMDance events in the future and may be asked to pay for part or all of their attendance.
We will accept your support and helping hands at any time, even when you are not scheduled, of course!
The commitment is 10 hours of volunteering for full weekend pass and 6 hours of volunteering for a dance pass.
Volunteer/Work-trade application: CLICK HERE
If you have any questions about volunteering/work trade for this event, please e-mail felicia@cmdance.org.
Scholarship Application: CLICK HERE
Scholarships are available on a first come, first served basis based on the amount of donations we receive from the “Sponsor a Dancer” option on our annual passes and Lindy on the Rocks passes. We may only be able to sponsor a partial pass, and encourage you to sign up for the volunteer/work-trade application above to assist in paying for the rest of your pass and to help share the wealth!
CMDance is thrilled to have out of town visitors for the event weekend!
Click HERE for the discounted hotel room rate through CMDance.
Click HERE (coming soon) for the Facebook roommate finder group.
In order to compete in competitions you must hold either a Competitor’s Pass or All Access Pass.
All contests will place at least 3 but up to 5 winners and prizes. Prizes will consist of cash and choice of event passes in order of placement.
Prize passes including but not limited to the following: Boston Tea Party, Salt City Stomp, Diversion Weekend, Canadian Swing Dance Championships, Shag Summer Camp, Hot Jazz Jamboree, Hot Night Fusion Weekend, Summer Swing Fest, Lindy on the Rocks, Swing Battle, Swingdependance Weekend, and more!
Competitors Note: Judges will be valuing collaboration, musicality, risk taking, rhythm, and individuality to our dance floor. As a community, we would like to increase our understanding of the connection between music and dance.
Online Registration for competitions will close at midnight on Thursday, September 12th! If there is still space in any of the competitions, then we will have some opportunities for you to sign up and add competitions on site (see full schedule). Keep in mind entry fees will be more at the door!
Locations: Friday Solo Prelims and all Finals will be held at the Studio Loft. Strictly and M&M Prelims will be held at the Curtis Hotel on Saturday directly after classes.
Solo Jazz & Swing
This is a solo dance competition, open to all, including vintage styles such as charleston, black bottom, soft shoe/tap, or any other dance traditionally done to swing and jazz music. Dancers will dance to music selected by LOTR in the preliminary round on Friday evening. The finals will be danced in a spotlight format to live music.
Lindy Hop Strictly
Choose your partner and throw down your best moves in this strictly lindy hop contest. Partnerships will be judged on musicality, showmanship, teamwork, and technique. Air steps, lifts, and drops are allowed. There will be a mixture of tempos in preliminary rounds and finals ranging approximately 160 up to 220bpm.
Open Lindy Mix & Match
This will be a social dance competition open to everyone, and especially geared towards advanced dancers who regularly travel and compete. Leaders and followers will be randomly drawn to dance together to several songs of varying styles and tempos, but will be judged as individuals in the preliminary rounds. The dancers that are selected to dance in the finals will be randomly assigned a partner again, but will be judged as a couple for finals. The finals will be a spotlight format. You can only complete in one division of Mix & Match, unless you’re competing as the opposite role in the other division.
Amateur Lindy Mix & Match
This will be a social dance competition open to those who are amateurs and have not placed top 3 at national level competitions. Leaders and followers will be randomly drawn to dance together to several songs of varying styles and tempos, but will be judged as individuals in the preliminary rounds. The dancers that are selected to dance in the finals will be randomly assigned a partner again, but will be judged as a couple for finals. The finals will be a spotlight format. You can only complete in one division of Mix & Match, unless you’re competing as the opposite role in the other division.
Shag Underground Contest!
This will be a social dance contest done Mix & Match style and free to enter! Any shag goes but you may not get matched with someone who does yours so come prepared! Three prelim songs . Will rotate partners between songs. (These will be full songs so others can social dance.) 4 judges = 2 lead judges; 2 follow judges. Each judge picks their top 2 dancers and confers to make sure they do not overlap. 3-4 couples in the finals: all skate, spotlights, and a fast all skate! Audience judged final using a decibel meter that will give the average. Only the winners are announced!
Prizes: Bragging rights and full weekend passes to Hot Jazz Jamboree!
Stay current with all of our big updates via Facebook. Follow the event pages and RSVP to the events!
Hotel Stay
Accommodations for out-of-town attendees at the Curtis Hotel: Reserve A Room (deadline for discounted room rate is August 20th!)
Flying Into Denver
The nearest major airport to Denver is the Denver International Airport (DIA). DIA is a stylish, up-to-date facility receiving all popular airlines. You can find deals at respective discount airfare sites or directly from your preferred airline. We suggest checking fares often and signing up for low fare alert services.
www.southwest.com – www.farecast.com – www.orbitz.com –www.kayak.com – www.priceline.com – www.hotwire.com –www.travelocity.com
Getting Around Denver
Rideshare programs like Uber or Lyft are highly active in Denver.
RTD Buses – For public transportation, our RTD buses and light rail system are an effective and inexpensive method of getting around Denver. Check out the RTD website for a helpful Trip Planner and more details on Denver public transit.
Bird Scooters are an efficient/affordable option to get around downtown. App download required.
Lime Scooters are another app based scooter option to get around downtown. App download required.
Getting to Downtown Denver from DIA
The A Line will get you from the DIA airport to Union Station (around 1 mile from the Studio Loft/Curtis Hotel) in approximately 45 minutes. This is by far the most affordable and efficient way to get downtown from the airport. Last train to leave DIA departs at 1:26am. Trains departing Union Station start as early as 3:15am.
Evening Social Dance Themes
Dressing for theme nights is optional but we will be giving away merch vouchers to those who do!
Friday = Psychedelic 70s
hippie, bohemian, disco, rocker, polyester, fringe, flower power, peace, sequins, denim, prairie
Saturday = Excellent 80s
preppy, fitness, neon, hip hop, MTV, glam rock, posh, big hair, surfer, oversized, paint splats, lace, tulle
Sunday = Nirvana 90s
grunge, goth, military, retro, flannel, plaid, granny, fishnet, school uniforms, torn, sporty, khakis, witchy
To reach out to any of our staff please contact events@cmdance.org
Caryn Carrasco
Executive Director & Founder
Felicia Bode
Lindy on the Rocks General Manager & Volunteer Coordinator
Brett Dahlenburg
Videographer
Melody Flores
Hot Night Fusion General Manager
William Kucharski
Photography, Sound, and Lighting
Romeo Wong Henderson
Sound and Lighting
William Weeks
Photography
I started Stone’s Throw Productions in 2021 in a crazy leap of faith. I was working in project management for a construction contractor before that and was feeling stuck. I was messing around with a camera in my free time and the prospect of starting a business had never occurred to me. Over time my skills developed and people started asking if they could hire me for photos.
Even though I didn’t know if I’d be able to make a living, seeing the joy I brought people through my images was more fulfilling than anything I had ever felt. I knew I would never forgive myself if I didn’t give it a shot!
During my time in project management, I learned so many valuable things that applied really well to running my own business. I’ve always had this creative itch that just was not getting scratched.
I don’t think I’ll ever get used to saying that my job is a photographer and am thankful every day for the amazing experiences I’ve had, the cool people/brands I’ve gotten to work with, and that I get to live my dream every day!
I grew up in Colorado Springs and have always been in love with this state. I’m big into snowboarding, hiking, rock climbing, longboarding, volleyball, and just generally getting out to experience what our amazing state has to offer. Yeah, it may be crazy expensive to live here, but still, we are truly lucky!
I truly cannot wait to see what comes next!
Maria Peñas
Evening Event Manager
Event Policies
For general questions about CMDance event policies, please contact events@cmdance.org
When you register for any CMDance event, you agree to the terms and conditions on this page and any additional terms and conditions referenced from this page. CMDance reserves the right to update these terms and conditions at any time without notice.
By signing up, attending, and/or participating in dance classes, social dances, or any event or program, current or future, organized by CMDance at any location, you hereby agree to the following:
REFUNDS AND TRANSFERS
For safety and security reasons, due to the fact that there is tiered ticketing prices, and events typically sell out, there are no refunds or transfers to other individuals, meaning you can not sell your pass if you are no longer attending. Contact the event organizers to get credit good for two years towards any CMDance events. After two years, the expired pass will be considered a donation to our non-profit organization.
If you have registered for an event and can no longer attend, you must email us at events@cmdance.org to request a credit. Credit is usually given for the full amount of the pass purchase price and is good towards any yearly national event. Contest registrations cannot be credited or refunded or transferred to another person. Prize passes are non-transferable nor sellable.
In very rare cases, a refund may be considered, but fees will be deducted as the ticketing and processing fees charged by the platforms and banks are not refundable for any reason.
INJURY WAIVER AND MEDIA RELEASE
I recognize that dancing requires physical exertion that may be strenuous and may cause physical injury and am fully aware of the risks and hazards involved. I have explained these risks to any minors who will accompany me.
I represent and warrant that I and any minors I sign up and/or accompany are physically fit and have no medical condition that would prevent full participation in the dance classes, dance parties, or any event or program.
In consideration of being permitted to participate in the dance classes, dance parties, or any event or program, I agree to assume full responsibility for any risks, injuries, or damages, known or unknown, which I, or the minors I sign up and/or accompany, might incur as a result of attending and/or participating.
I authorize CMDance to use any photo or video in which I or any minors I sign up and/or accompany may appear, for all promotional and commercial uses and I waive any rights of compensation or ownership.
In consideration of being permitted to attend and/or participate in the dance classes, dance parties, or any event, I knowingly, voluntarily, and expressly waive any claims against CMDance, its partners, staff, employees, volunteers, independent contractors, for injury or damages that I or any minors I sign up and/or accompany may sustain, or anything else, as a result of attending and/or participating.
I acknowledge that CMDance, its partners, staff, employees, volunteers, independent contractors, cannot be held responsible for any loss or theft of my belongings and/or property, at all locations, and that I am solely responsible for them.
I agree to abide by the CMDance Code of Conduct or risk expulsion from the event.
ACCEPTANCE OF RISK AND WAIVER OF LIABILITY
By participating in activities and events organized by CMDance I agree to abide by the CMDance policies or risk expulsion from the event.
I acknowledge that there are risks associated with my participation in any CMDance event. This waiver, release, and other representations and covenants set forth herein are given in consideration for CMDance permitting me to participate in any CMDance event. Therefore, without limitation, I understand that I could contract a communicable disease which could result in a serious medical condition requiring medical treatment in a hospital or could possibly lead to death.
On behalf of myself and my heirs, successors and assigns, I knowingly and freely, assume all such related risks, both known and unknown, relating to my participation in any CMDance event, and I hereby forever release, waive, relinquish, and discharge CMDance, along with its officers, agents, employees, or other representatives, and their successors and assigns, from any and all illness related claims, demands, liabilities, rights, damages, expenses, and causes of action of whatever kind or nature, and other losses of any kind, whether known or unknown, foreseen or unforeseen, (collectively, “Damages”) as a result of my participation in any CMDance event, including but not limited to personal injuries, death, disease, or property losses, or any other loss, and including but not limited to claims based on the alleged negligence of CMDance. I further promise not to sue CMDance or its officers, agents, employees or other representatives, and agree to indemnify and hold them harmless from any and all damages resulting from my contraction of any communicable disease.
CODE OF CONDUCT
CMDance aims to ignite a passion for dance and music in our community. To fulfill our mission, we strive to provide a safe place for each of our attendees to learn and enjoy, regardless of race, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, sex, gender identity, religion, or range of abilities. We work to foster a culture of inclusion that celebrates diversity, promotes the dignity of life and mutual respect, and advances authentic, multi-cultural interactions and collaborations.
CMDance reserves the right to refuse service to, or revoke access to anyone we determine is threatening this safe, inclusive environment. We comply with Colorado laws and work closely with our cultural peers, community partners, and legal counsel to enact best practices.
Additionally, no weapons are allowed at any CMDance events, regardless of carry permits.
CMDance is dedicated to providing a fun, safe, and comfortable event experience for everyone, regardless of age, disability status, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, physical appearance, dance ability, body size, race, or religion (or the lack thereof). In order to foster respect for the comfort and boundaries of others, we will not tolerate harassment in any form, in person, or online. Sexual language, imagery, and invitations in social situations are not appropriate within any event-managed space, including dances, workshops, competitions, and online media.
Safe and inclusive behavior extends to the dance floor. Please do not offer unsolicited advice to fellow dancers either in class or on the social dance floor. Please use your full range of senses on the dance floor to avoid collisions and injuries. It is every dancer’s responsibility to be aware of their own and their partner’s movement and position, as well as the movement and position of the dancers surrounding them, in order to avoid all forms of dangerous contact.
Please be respectful to both event staff and hotel staff, even if you are experiencing a personal frustration. Without the goodwill of these individuals, a smoothly functioning event is impossible.
Details and Consequences
People who pose a threat to other dancers’ safety and/or other dancers’ comfort are not welcome at CMDance events.
Harassment includes, but is not limited to, language or behavior that is bullying, abusive, demeaning, discriminating, mocking, intimidating, threatening, offensive, disruptive, or otherwise unwelcome or inappropriate in nature.
Unsafe behavior includes, but is not limited to, dancing while intoxicated, appearing intoxicated in a manner that interferes with other attendees’ comfort or enjoyment of the event, intentionally or unintentionally dancing in a way that is harmful or uncomfortable for your partner or surrounding dancers, creating disturbances, and/or interfering with the sleep or health of other attendees.
Potential attendees who have been in violation of CMDance’s policies in the past, or who have been in violation of similar policies at other swing dance events or in other swing dance communities in the past, may be notified prior to the event that they are not welcome at the event at the organizers’ discretion. Attendees at the current event violating these rules may be sanctioned or expelled from the event without a refund at the discretion of the event organizers.
All CMDance event attendees, instructors, staff, and volunteers are expected to comply with the code of conduct and local, state, and federal laws. We reserve the right to take prompt action in response to violations which may include warnings, notification of denial of entry to the event, expulsion from the event without a refund, and involving local law enforcement.
Attendees asked to stop any harassing or unsafe behavior are expected to comply immediately.
If you have any concerns, contact a member of the event staff immediately and we will take appropriate action which may include contacting safety staff, event organizers, or local law enforcement as needed. The organizers of the CMDance events pledge to treat these sensitive matters with confidentiality and to prioritize the safety and comfort of attendees whenever possible.