Festival
IsThereHop? is cheerful, brilliant and full of energy. Since 1997, a team of mostly volunteers has been putting all their passion for Lindy Hop into the planning and organisation. Our aim is to create a festival full of memorable and happy moments.
You will become part of a dance-crazy scene and receive lots of attention and feedback from our top international teachers. At IsThereHop? we invite international teachers who we value for their outstanding expertise as well as their qualified teaching methods. And at the parties you can show off what you've just learnt while dancing to the music of internationally successful bands and DJs.
Timetable
Parties
Moonshiner
On Friday, 18 April, the Hornsgatan Ramblers from Stockholm will deliver a live evening that presents the swing of the 30s and 40s in an authentic guise. Under the motto "Moonshiner", we recall those times when secretly distilled moonshine served as a symbol of daring independence and expressiveness.
The Swiss band has become an integral part of the international swing scene, skilfully combining underground rhythms and harmonious arrangements from the ether. Forbidden good!
Immerse yourself with us in a hidden world of uninhibited freedom of movement, born in the streets of America and, for once, experienced up close in 21st century Zurich.
Ministry of Swing
On Saturday 19 April, you are cordially invited to the General Assembly of the Ministry of Swing - a fantastic international gathering of the national representatives of the swing scene from each country. This mystical reinterpretation of a more harmonious UN will celebrate the global interpretations and artistic expression of swing.
As a musical highlight, we welcome Natty Congeroo & the Flames of Rhythm, who have already impressed with their authentic performance at the IsThereHop? anniversary with an authentic and captivating performance. In sharp, eccentric vintage clothing, they present explosive interpretations and stories from the swing era.
This General Assembly is more than a celebration of music and dance - it is an expression of global connectedness and cultural diversity in swing. We look forward to sharing this special evening with you and welcoming you as international representatives of swing.
Party Sunday
Climb aboard the Intergalactic Star Express on Sunday 20 April - a flying space train that takes us from one planet to the next. This unique party combines the wild spirit of 1930s/40s Harlem and Chicago jazz with the sci-fi interpretation of space travel of the time - an Orient Express experience of the future.
As a musical highlight, we present "The Big Five", Berlin's most authentic swing era combo, in the Party Wagon. With a driving rhythm section, fiery horn front and dynamic arrangements, they will take you on a journey through the lesser-known repertoire of the Swing Golden Age and surprise you with their own compositions. The veterans of the legendary Lindy scene in Berlin transform every dance party into a rousing spectacle - and provide priceless travelling entertainment.
Come on board and experience a night of music and dance in an intergalactic adventure!
Note:
IsThereHop? and IsThereHop? PLUS include a Party Pass.
IsThereHöppli? includes the Friday & Saturday party, but not the party on Sunday.
IsThereMonday? does not include parties.
Artists and DJs
Experience a line-up in a class of its own at IsThereHop?: with explosive live bands and legendary DJs who make the dance floor shake, you can expect a musical experience that combines swing, jazz and rhythm'n'blues in an unrivalled way. Let yourself be carried away by a unique blend of passion, talent and style!
Inspired by the wild, hot sounds of 1930s/40s Harlem and Chicago jazz, The Big Five have established themselves as Berlin's most authentic swing-era combo. Combining a driving rhythm section, a fiery horn-led front and dynamic song arrangements, they delve deep into the lesser-known repertoire of the golden swing era while maintaining a strong focus on their own compositions.
The Big Five are veterans of Berlin's famous Lindy Hop and Balboa dance clubs and know exactly how to turn an unassuming dance party into a raging swing-out excess. With their sharp outfits and an intense passion for authentic swing-era jazz, these guys are guaranteed to make you jump for joy!
On Friday the band will play as Palace Avenue Swing and on Saturday Natty Congeroo will join them!
We knew we were in for an authentic and captivating show when we invited Natty Natty and his band for the IsThereHop? anniversary. Then they exceeded all our expectations with their performance. Our audience was thrilled by their overwhelming stage presence, their choice of songs and their interpretation of old classics. So we couldn't resist and invited them back again.
Primarily known for their explosive and infectious renditions of classic hot jazz, swing, rhythm'n'blues and gospel numbers, the combo is also recognised for their unique sense of style and presentation, with members performing in sharp and eccentric bespoke vintage clothing.
Anyone who knows the singer and legendary showman Natty Congeroo from the past will be familiar with his extravagant style. Together with the other musicians, The Sizzle, The Killer Diller, Lá Bass, Dr Kitch and La Mamba, the band will create a unique atmosphere at IsThereHop? 2025 and inspire us with their breathtaking musical skills.
Get ready for a trip back to the golden age of swing with the electrifying jazz octet from Stockholm, Sweden - the Hornsgatan Ramblers! With their passion for the swing of the thirties and forties, they are on a mission to capture the essence of jazz legends such as Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Benny Goodman.
The Ramblers are not just any band - they have developed their very own sound, a raw kind of swing from the streets. Their music is a lively mix of nostalgia and modern flair, guaranteed to get your toes tapping and your heart racing.
The Hornsgatan Ramblers have taken their infectious melodies from the streets of Stockholm to stages all over the world, to Korea, China, Greece and beyond. And they have brought the swing sensation home, thrilling crowds all over Sweden with their unforgettable performances.
The band was born out of a love of music and dance and has its origins in the vibrant swing dance community of Stockholm. So it's no wonder that their music is imbued with an energy and rhythm that makes you want to hit the dance floor.
But the Hornsgatan Ramblers are not just musicians, they are also dancers, teachers and masters of the swing dance world. The members of the renowned swing dance group The Hot Shots bring an unrivalled level of skill and passion to every performance.
So get ready to swing, sway and shuffle into the night with the Hornsgatan Ramblers. With their infectious energy and irresistible beats, they'll be sure to ask you for an encore!
His passion for dance music dates back to DJ Stephan Wuthe's childhood. DJ Wuthe is not only a gifted music connoisseur, but also has extensive knowledge of the history of the German swing scene. He has been working as a DJ for over 20 years. Born in Berlin, he played his first records in his home town at the "Hafen". Since then, the renowned DJ has played at countless events and, with his flair for the right tune, has also provided musical highlights on the dance floor at IsThereHop? many times.
We are delighted to have him with us again this year.
You haven't had enough after the first party? Don't worry! He's honouring us at all three parties!
A true local and probably one of the greatest swing DJ legends Zurich has ever seen! He has been dancing and DJ-ing in the local Lindy Hop scene for what feels like ages. There probably isn't a swing dance floor in Zurich that DJ Johann Waldvogel hasn't played his sets on, and there's hardly a Lindy Hopper who hasn't already been swinging to his tunes. His digital music repertoire is already legendary and ranges from the well-known swing superhits to unknown swing gems.
We are particularly pleased to be able to welcome him again this IsThereHop?
So is he already convincing you on your dance floor at home? Then you shouldn't miss this opportunity!
Teachers
We have once again invited teachers to this year's IsThereHop? who we value not only for their outstanding expertise, but also for their qualified teaching methods.
Frida & Fredrik
Photo: ©Tamara Pinco
Frida Häggström Gerdt and Fredrik Dahlberg both belong to the famous dance group The Hot Shots from Stockholm. They are mainly inspired by old film clips as well as by their dance crew at the Chicago Swing Dance Studio in Stockholm. They spend most of their time training, teaching, rehearsing for shows or making music. Fredrik, for example, plays with the Hornsgatan Ramblers. In between, they travel the world to share their joy and skills in numerous shows, workshops and festivals. They are inspired by old films and love the raw, original style of the Savoy Ballroom.
Lizette & Patrik
Photo: ©Tamara Pinco
Lizette Rönnkvist is a member of the famous swing dance group Hot Shots. Swing dancing has been a part of her life for a long time, as she started dancing at the age of nine in her hometown of Borås, Sweden. Today she lives in Stockholm, Sweden, and travels the world performing, dancing and teaching different dance styles from the swing era. Lizette emphasises a personal style and a solid rhythm.
Patrik Pettersson is also one of the famous The Hot Shots. Patrik is at his happiest on stage, as you can see from his famous smile and amazing agility. As soon as he sets foot on the dance floor, it's impossible not to notice his passion for any kind of music that swings. He draws inspiration from the famous dancers of the 30s such as Al Minns and Leon James, but makes his moves his own.
Elice & Sakarias
Photo: ©Tamara Pinco
Originally from Stockholm, Sweden, Elice Fällström discovered her passion for Lindy Hop, its acrobatic influences, self-expression possibilities and the dynamic, playful nature rooted in the rich history of swing dancing. Elice is passionate about sharing the joy of dancing, whether it be in practice, in class or on stage.
Sakarias Larsson, affectionately known as "The Champ", was born and raised in Sweden. At the tender age of sixteen, he began his adventure with the Rhythm Hot Shots. In recent years he has focussed on passing on his knowledge to the younger generation within the Hot Shots. On an endless world tour in the name of Lindy Hop, he has performed thousands of shows, lessons and competitions, epitomising his unwavering dedication to this dance form.
Tatiana & Daniel
Photo: ©Tamara Pinco
Tatiana Udry is a passionate dancer. Already in her younger years she trained various dance styles such as classical, modern jazz, contemporary, rock'n roll, acrobatic rock, salsa, mambo, batchata, disco fox, competitive sports dance and much more. Because of the music, the freedom, the technique and all the complexity that the swing dances bring with them, she decided over 10 years ago to dedicate herself completely to these dances. Today she teaches Lindy Hop, Charleston and Solo Jazz Roots. Tatiana is characterised above all by her freedom of movement, technical maturity and craziness.
Daniel Larsson draws his inspiration from the first tap dancers. He is one of the dancers who still works with the style and rhythm legacy of the legends from the swing era. Dancing and passing on the traditional, rhythm-based dance style gives him inspiration and joie de vivre. His ability to dance a variety of dance styles characterises him as a dancer and dance teacher. In addition to a variety of tap styles, traditional Lindy Hop, Charleston and solo jazz, Daniel is also a trained modern jazz & ballet dancer.
Become a helper
Want to save money and be part of the team behind one of the cutest Lindy Hop festivals? We are looking for dedicated Volunteerswho help to organise our festival and 50% Discount on your chosen booking. For a few hours of help per day, you will get exclusive insights behind the scenes and will be invited to the Goodbye Dinner with all the teachers at the end of the festival. We will of course take your timetable into account as much as possible! Simply apply by e-mail with your name, your desired booking and a brief description of yourself and your motivation, and we will send you the discount code for your booking if you are accepted. Let's create an unforgettable festival together! We look forward to receiving your application!
FAQ
Yes, after you have created an account, you can upload your Legi in your profile and receive a student discount on your account until the Legi expires. The discount at IsThereHop? is approx. 15%.
No. It would be desirable if you have already had some experience in a dance school. But if you can do a few basics, such as the Swing Out or Charleston Side by Side, you are already good enough to qualify for the level Lime Green to register. Are you still unsure? Send us an e-mail with your question!
Yes, you can register yourself and your partner directly when booking and pay for both. The person you have invited only needs to log in or register to be able to retrieve the check-in QR code or watch recap videos, among other things.
Yes, you can choose whether you want to take part as a leader or follower when you book. If your role is full for the moment, you will be placed on the pairing waiting list. As soon as enough people have registered for the other role, you will receive an invitation to finalise your booking or to pay.
Yes, your Events Office account allows you to log in to IsThereHopOFFICEin equal measure. Ingenious, isn't it?
This means that you are already a customer of Lindy Harbour, IsThereHop? 2024 or Swing Productions. Simply use your known login details from one of these platforms or simply request a new password.
The Lunch Pass will be published in mid-January 2025 once the menus have been finalised. As every year, there will be a vegetarian and a gluten-free/vegan option, this time prepared by Volkshaus Zürich catering.
Yes and no. We will divide the best-booked level (Deep Purple or Chocolate Brown) into two groups and allocate them to the available rooms accordingly. To do this, we will split the groups on the first day of the course. The split will be not defined by auditioning.
Code of Conduct & Notes
All participants should feel comfortable in our classes and at our parties. We therefore ask you to adhere to the following points:
- "Yes means yes" and "No means no" (at any place and at any time)!
- If you're not sure whether it was "yes" or "no", just ask. Body language is not always clear.
- Clauses 1 and 2 apply to all types of interaction on and off the dance floor.
- Getting a second dance is not a matter of course. So ask every time and wait for the "yes".
- Use deodorant, change your shirt often and wash your hands regularly.
- If you accidentally touch another person in an indecent way, say "Sorry"!
- If you experience or observe disrespectful or hurtful behaviour, then report it directly to us or to your teachers.
Thank you for your contribution to a positive atmosphere at parties and in the workshop classes. Thank you for respecting the integrity of all participants so that we can all have a lot of fun.
Please note that we will exclude you from classes and parties if you harass or harm others. Refunds are excluded.
Dress to express
"Dress to express" means that your clothes are far more than just an outfit - they are an expression of your personality and creativity. It's about two levels:
1. individual expression:
Your look should reflect your unique identity. You have the freedom to show off your personal style, choose details that are important to you and unleash your creativity - whether through accessories, colourful elements or a very personal twist in a vintage or futuristic style.
2nd contribution to the collective motto:
At the same time, you are invited to dress in a way that harmonises with the overall theme of the evening. Your outfit will be part of a larger, creative overall concept that emphasises the spirit of the event. In this way, everyone contributes individually to creating a lively, atmospheric unit in which the shared spirit of the evening can be felt.
In short, "dress to express" means that you express your personality and at the same time support the collective motto of the event - for an unforgettable experience that is both individually expressive and collectively inspiring.
Where to get your dress or suit
If you don't have any elegant clothes yet, here are some ideas for shops that might have what you need.
Affordable: Brockenhaus, Barbarian Second Hand, Fizzen.
Expensive: Powder Room, Rewake, Blenda, Hazel's Boudoir.
If you want to go the extra mile...
Dressing up shop in EglisauZH: The owner of the costume shop is a dancer herself and knows the IsThereHop? very well. Her shop has a large selection of vintage costumes for hire that look simply stunning. She will give you detailed advice on the best combinations. It's definitely worth a visit!
IS THERE HOP? ZURICH 2025