Menu
It’s always a pleasure to welcome you to the Alpine Jitterbugs – Shag ‘n‘ Bal Festival in Innsbruck. Based in the beautiful City of Innsbruck, we are able to offer you unforgettable alpine surroundings.
Our goal is to create a dancefloor where Shag and Balboa are enthusiastically danced together.
We truly believe that Shag and Balboa have a lot in common and that’s why we would like to encourage you to celebrate both dance styles at our festival.
Eglė Nemickaitė is a swing dancer from Vilnius, Lithuania, passionate about Lindy Hop and Collegiate Shag. She teaches at What a Jazz dance studio and inspires her community daily, also sharing her love for dance at international workshops. Dance brings her freedom and peace, connecting her to music and her partner. Arnas Razgūnas, a devoted swing dancer and teacher, co-founded What a Jazz Dance Studio. Inspired by African American vernacular jazz, he seeks a deep understanding of swing in both music and dance. Arnas is also the co-organizer of Swing Paradise, a Balboa & Shag festival in Vilnius.
Teaching: Collegiate Shag
Blake discovered swing dancing and quickly became obsessed with Lindy, Balboa, and Collegiate Shag. He has won international competitions and taught worldwide, focusing on partner connection, musicality, and vintage dance techniques. His favorite aspect of dancing is sharing a simple, deeply-connected social dance. Grace, a lifelong performer with a love for jazz and vintage fashion, fell in love with Lindy Hop in 2012. She teaches and competes across the US, winning top competitions, and is a member of The Hollywood Hotshots. Grace emphasizes joy, connection, and strong basics in her teaching.
Teaching: Balboa, Shag’n’Bal
Larissa and Heiko have been dancing and teaching together for more than a decade now. They love to spread the joy of swing dancing in their local dance school Basel Jitterbugs and all around Europe. Both dance various swing dance styles and mix them based on the tempo and energy of the music. In class they share their immense passion for swing dancing to help you grow as a swing dancer and develop your own voice on the dance floor. You might have seen them in the teachers’ line up of many festivals like Rock that Swing, the Barcelona Shag Festival or Swing Paradise.
Teaching: Collegiate Shag, Balboa, Shag’n’Bal
Simona and Rokas began dancing together in 2014, focusing on St. Louis shag to expand their skills and explore new styles. They have become ambassadors of this dance in Europe, combining Simona’s graceful movements and love for lindy hop and jazz with Rokas’ passion for tap and Charleston. Their shared dedication to preserving dance traditions drives their mission to honor the past while creating a lasting legacy. Frequently traveling to teach, they inspire others with their enthusiasm and belief that respecting dance history is a responsibility for those who love the art form.
Teaching: St. Louis Shag
Luis Arredondo is known for his energetic dance style, detailed teaching, and positive approach to lessons. After ten years in Toronto, he returned to Spain to build the Balboa scene in Mallorca, teaching with a focus on creativity and technique. He has won numerous national and international competitions. Maria Acuñas, who began swing dancing in 2014, founded Jazz Bouncing studio in Mallorca. She is known for her fun, creative style and passion for high-energy swing music. Maria has competed and won in various Balboa competitions, becoming a key figure in Mallorca’s dance scene.
Teaching: Balboa
Teaching: Balboa
Teaching: Shine Bright like a Diamond – Competition Time!
Teaching: I can’t give you anything but ROLE SWITCH, baby
Teaching: Soul, Funk & Fun
You can book the Balboa Track on 3 different levels (Curious, Confident & Invitational). Each has 5 h of classes.
Teachers:
Grace & Blake
Maria & Luis
Check the level description >here.
*Please note there will be an application process for the invitational level. Each application will require a video of you dancing and a short summary of your dancing history, as well as the school where you teach.
Schedule:
| Curious | |||
| Day | Time | Class | Teachers |
| Saturday | 11:00 – 13:00 | Balboa | Curious | Maria & Luis |
Sunday | 11:00 – 13:00 | Balboa | Curious | Maria & Luis |
| 14:00 – 15:00 | Balboa | Curious | Grace & Blake | |
| Confident | |||
| Day | Time | Class | Teachers |
Saturday | 14:00 – 16:00 | Balboa | Confident | Maria & Luis |
| 16:30 – 17:30 | Balboa | Confident | Grace & Blake | |
Sunday | 12:00 – 13:00 | Balboa | Confident | Grace & Blake |
| 14:00 – 15:00 | Balboa | Confident | Maria & Luis | |
| Invitational | |||
| Day | Time | Class | Teachers |
| Friday | 17:30 – 19:30 | Balboa | Invitational | Grace & Blake |
| Saturday | 16:30 – 18:00 | Balboa | Invitational | Maria & Luis |
| Sunday | 15:30 – 17:00 | Balboa | Invitational | Maria & Luis |
You can book the Collegiate Shag Track on 3 different levels (Curious, Confident & Invitational). Each has 5 h of classes.
Teachers:
Arnas & Eglė
Heiko & Larissa
Check the level description >here.
*Please note there will be an application process for the invitational level. Each application will require a video of you dancing and a short summary of your dancing history, as well as the school where you teach.
Schedule:
| Curious | |||
| Day | Time | Class | Teachers |
Saturday | 12:00 – 13:00 | C. Shag | Curious | Heiko & Larissa |
| 16:30 – 18:30 | C. Shag | Curious | Arnas & Egle | |
| Sunday | 11:00 – 13:00 | C. Shag | Curious | Arnas & Egle |
| Confident | |||
| Day | Time | Class | Teachers |
| Saturday | 11:00 – 13:00 | C. Shag | Confident | Arnas & Egle |
Sunday | 14:00 – 15:00 | C. Shag | Confident | Arnas & Egle |
| 16:00 – 18:00 | C. Shag | Confident | Heiko & Larissa | |
| Invitational | |||
| Day | Time | Class | Teachers |
| Friday | 17:30 – 19:30 | C. Shag | Invitational | Heiko & Larissa |
| Saturday | 14:00 – 16:00 | C. Shag | Invitational | Arnas & Egle |
| Sunday | 17:30 – 18:30 | C. Shag | Invitational | Arnas & Egle |
Join our Shag ‘n’ Bal Track, where the elegance of Balboa blends with the energy of Shag!
Explore the nuanced similarities and exhilarating differences between these dance styles and how to switch fluidly inbetween them. We will foster a vibrant learning environment for you to thrive in and evolve your skills in both dance styles on their own and together. You can book the Shag’n’Bal Track on 2 different levels (Curious & Confident). Each has 5 h of classes.
Teachers:
Heiko & Larissa
Grace & Blake
Check the level description >here.
Schedule:
| Curious | |||
| Day | Time | Class | Teachers |
Saturday | 11:30 – 13:00 | Shag ‘n’ Bal | Curious | Grace & Blake |
| 14:00 – 15:00 | Shag ‘n’ Bal | Curious | Grace & Blake | |
Sunday | 11:30 – 13:00 | Shag ‘n’ Bal | Curious | Heiko & Larissa |
| 14:00 – 15:00 | Shag ‘n’ Bal | Curious | Heiko & Larissa | |
| Confident | |||
| Day | Time | Class | Teachers |
| Saturday | 15:30 – 18:00 | Shag ‘n’ Bal | Confident | Heiko & Larissa |
| Sunday | 15:30 – 18:00 | Shag ‘n’ Bal | Confident | Grace & Blake |
You can book the St. Louis Shag Track on 2 different levels (Simple Basics – Curious & Confident). Each has 5 h of classes.
Teachers:
Simona & Rokas
Check the level description >here.
Schedule:
| Simple Basics – Curious | |||
| Day | Time | Class | Teachers |
| Saturday | 11:00 – 13:30 | Simple Basics – Curious | Simona & Rokas |
| Sunday | 14:30 – 17:00 | Simple Basics – Curious | Simona & Rokas |
| Confident | |||
| Day | Time | Class | Teachers |
| Saturday | 14:30 – 17:00 | Confident | Simona & Rokas |
| Sunday | 11:00 – 13:30 | Confident | Simona & Rokas |
You can book the Invitational Combo Pass with 8 h of classes.
Teachers:
Arnas & Eglė
Maria & Luis
AND
Grace & Blake
OR
Heiko & Larissa
Be aware, for Friday you have to decide on one of the two options Collegiate Shag OR Balboa.
Check the level description >here and please note there will be an application process for the invitational level. Each application will require a video of you dancing and a short summary of your dancing history, as well as the school where you teach.
Schedule:
| INVITATIONAL COMBO PASS | |||
| Day | Time | Class | Teachers |
Friday | 17:30 – 19:30 | Balboa | Invitational | Grace & Blake |
| or | |||
| 17:30 – 19:30 | C. Shag | Invitational | Heiko & Larissa | |
Saturday | 14:00 – 16:00 | C. Shag | Invitational | Arnas & Egle |
| 16:30 – 18:00 | Balboa | Invitational | Maria & Luis | |
Sunday | 15:30 – 17:00 | Balboa | Invitational | Maria & Luis |
| 17:30 – 18:30 | C. Shag | Invitational | Arnas & Egle | |
Shine Bright like a Diamond – Competition Time! | Charlotte Liebenow & Jordan Hunter
Date & Time: Fri, 20:15 – 21:15 h
Learn how to thrive in your next competition or spotlight! Charlotte & Jordan have competed at events such as Barcelona Shag Fest, Warsaw Shag Fest, and recently won the Shag contest at the National Jitterbug Championship at Camp Hollywood 2023. Together we’ll work on the essential skills and strategies needed for competitions, including choreography, stage presence, and performance techniques to enhance your competitive edge. This class is open to both shag and Balboa dancers. No partner required.
I can’t give you anything but ROLE SWITCH, baby | Ania Mojle & Rafał Rendak
Date & Time: Sat, 18:45 – 19:45 h
Switch seamlessly without fighting for the lead! Join Ania & Rafał, winners of the 2024 Valencia Balboa Festival Val Switch Contest. They will cover a range of transitions, from simple to challenging, and dive into the underlying principles so you can create your own unique moves. No partner required. Solid Lead and Following necessary.
Soul, Funk & Fun | Tobias Hanny
Date & Time: Sun, 19:00 – 20:00 h
Enjoy a funky and funny introduction to modern Streetdances with Tobi Hanny. He is a well known Artist, Dancer and Choreograph for modern Streetdances including Hip Hop, Funk and Soul, all around Europe and the US. He was multiple times the winner at IDO – Austria Hip Hop Championships in solo-, duo- and formation-battles with his Crew!
Schedule:
| Masterclasses | |||
| Day | Time | Class | Teachers |
| Friday | 20:15 – 21:15 | Shine Bright like a Diamond – Competition Time! | Charlotte & Jordan |
| Saturday | 18:45 – 19:45 | I can’t give you anything but ROLE SWITCH, baby | Ania & Rafał |
| Sunday | 17:30 – 18:30 | Soul, Funk & Fun | Tobias Hanny |
This year we will have a great variety of local and international bands performing for you!
Young, Count Basie and their peers, Lester’s Blues made a debut album in 2018 ‘Hommage to Lester Young & the Basie-ites’ and played many jazz venues & dance festivals since. Their second album ‘Radio Rhythm’, which was recorded around one stereo microphone was released in 2022. They are working on a new recording this time with original music.
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. They know how to turn a mild-mannered dance party into a raging frenzy of swing-outs. With their sharp attire and an intense passion for authentic swing-era jazz, these cats will certainly make you Jump for Joy!
Roaring Cats, based in Amsterdam, took the challenge of giving value and new significance to the roots of jazz. Their repertoire consists of original arrangements of the finest tunes by the top artists of the 30’s and 40’s. On top of that, they are presenting original compositions in style. Swell notes for hyperactive swing dancers and for sedentary drinking listeners.
The new international Septet “Syncopated Birds“ is formed purposely for Swing Dancers. With a mix of energetic hot jazz and the finest swing, their virtuosic performances and authentic arrangements revive the rhythms of the past, creating an atmosphere full of energy and joy. Inspired by legends like Ella Fitzgerald and Count Basie they get dancers’ feet shuffling and kicking.
The Innsbruck-based “Meschugge Quintett” was founded in March 2021 and is entirely dedicated to the tradition of Jazz Manouche also known as Gypsy Jazz. The band plays music from the ballrooms of the 30s in the tradition of the legendary Sinti guitarist Django Reinhardt, who is considered a pioneer of European jazz.
This year we will welcome 3 international DJs for you.
Susana has been rocked by music since she was a child. Discovering one style after another, her curiosity led her to fall in love with the blues at the age of 18. Her love for music & dance has led Susana to DJ since 2004. Today, she loves the challenge of making people get up and dance during parties, whether it’s to lindy hop, balboa or blues. A true music lover who will bring fresh sounds for the pleasure of your ears.
Alessio Grimaldi, aka Ale G, is a swing DJ who offers a constantly evolving musical proposal inspired by the passion for contamination between genres, sounds and musical languages. He works as a resident or guest DJ in important national and european music festivals and events. Currently his DJ set ranges between original music and modern reinterpretations of the 30s to 50s, aimed at an audience of dance enthusiasts of the time.
DJ Arnas is also known as DJ Rhythm Lord or just One O’Clock Jump DJ, Arnas is selecting tunes as if he was dancing non-stop on the dance floor. Many big name events like Herräng Dance Camp, Rock That Swing Festival, Balkan Lindy Hop Championships and The Snowball cover his reputation as a great competition, social dance, party DJ and DJ-coordinator with professional work ethics and great taste in dance music.
Speakeasy Welcome Night
Location: Cantina Vecchia, Andreas-Hofer-Straße 43, 6020 Innsbruck
Date: Thursday, 10.04.25
Time: 20:00 – 02:00 h
Price: 15 € – not included in festival ticket
Limited to 80 Participants
– book your ticket in advance
Band: Lesters Blues
Friday Night
Location: Congress Messe Innsbruck – Orangerie, Herzog-Otto Straße, 6020 Innsbruck
Date: Friday, 11.04.25
Time: 21:15 till late
Band: Big Five & Lester’s Blues
Saturday Night
Location: Congress Messe Innsbruck – Orangerie, Herzog-Otto Straße, 6020
Date: Saturday, 12.04.25
Time: 20:30 till late
Band: Syncopated Birds, Roaring Cats & Big Five
Competition is held Saturday. Check details below.
Sunday Pizza ‘n’ Beer Farewell
Location: Tribaun, Museumstraße 5, 6020 Innsbruck
Date: Sunday, 13.04.25
Time: 18:00 – 21:00 h
Price for Beer & Pizza:
10 € – Padawan IPA + Margherita Gialla
15 € – Choose between various Beers and Pizzas
DJ-Music and Dancefloor provided.
Sunday Night
Location: Congress Messe Innsbruck – Orangerie, Herzog-Otto Straße, 6020 Innsbruck
Date: Sunday, 13.04.25
Time: 20:15 – 01:00 h
Band: Roaring Cats & Meschugge Quintett
💚 We love good quality Merchandise! 💚
That is why we only order the best. Therefore, we can not accept returns, once ordered we have to charge for the products.
Thank you for understanding.
Our new cotton backpacks are made of recycled cotton. They have a very convenient outer compartment where you can store your dance shoes, for example. They will be a perfect partner for every festival and in the summertime!
Price: 15 €
Get yourself one of the best drinking bottles (500 ml) on the market available from 720Degree. It’s perfect for hot and cold drinks and is made out of stainless steel and BPA-Free plastic components. Thanks to 720Degree we can offer you the lowest price you will find on the web. And we even have some more good news for you: If you want, you can personalize your drinking bottle by adding your name. Just add a comment in the text field of the registration.
Price: blanco 20 €, engraved 22€
Man: T-shirt 70 % Eco Viscose + 30 % Organic Cotton Fair Trade. Loose fit.
Women: T-shirt 50 % Eco Viscose + 50 % Organic Cotton Fair Trade. Regular fit.
We want you to enjoy our T-shirts, that’s why we have chosen these eco-friendly products with a great fit.
Price: 25 €
1 Track | 5 h of classes | 3 Evenings | 5 Bands
Invitational Balboa and Shag | 8 h of classes | 3 Evenings | 5 Bands
3 Evenings | 5 Bands | Limited to 20 People
per Unit
EARLY BIRD PRICES apply only to the first 30 people registering. First come - first serve. 😉
Good luck!
Simple Basics/Curious St. Louis Shag:
You want to learn the St. Louis Shag Basics, or have you already taken your first steps?
This level will take both the Beginners and the slightly more experienced St. Louis Shagsters onto a new level. Let yourself be blown away by Rokas and Simona’s positive energy and dive into the world of St. Louis Shag!
Confident St. Louis Shag:
You definitely have experience in this dance and have enjoyed many classes in the past couple of years. Then this level is the place to be. Even if you are quite experienced in St. Louis Shag you will be challenged in this class. Freak out!
Curious:
The Curious level is suitable for those who have a solid knowledge of all the basics. Numerous rhythm and footwork variations, variing leading/following techniques and concepts, and moves are now waiting for you. Also, you will gradually get used to different tempos and improve your feeling for music. Let the learning begin!
Confident:
After many years of experience in this swing dance, numerous local or international workshops and festivals, you are always confident on the dancefloor at all tempos and with every dance partner. Here you can work intensively on details and techniques and get in touch with unusual combos. Freak out!
Invitational:
You are totally confident in your dancing, and that’s all there is to say.
You understand the concepts and underlying structure of the dance and see it as a form of communication. You compete in different swing dances, teach them actively in your home scene or internationally – or you would say about yourself, that dancing is the one thing in your life, that takes it ALL.
At this level, you will play with the quality of your movements, enhance your improvisational skills, use different levels of musicality, and bring the finesse of your leading or following to a whole new level. Let`s explore together!
*to ensure a very high level of this class, we ask for a formal application during the registration process (text and video). Thank you for your understanding.
Curious:
You have a solid understanding of Collegiate Shag AND Balboa?
You dance both dances at social dances frequently and you dabble in mixing them in a single dance?
Come and join this level to spice up your fluency in both dances and explore ways to connect them together. Your Shag ‘n’ Bal Journey begins now!
Confident:
You dance Collegiate Shag and Balboa for several years, travel to festivals frequently and you are completely in love with switching between them?
You consider yourself in one or both dances as an “Advanced” dancer? You have competed in one or both dance styles already? In that case, this is the place to be: your Shag ‘n’ Bal Heaven!
Our Main Locations for this festival will be:
StreetMotion Studio
|| Workshop Location ||
Ing.-Etzel-Straße 7-10
6020 Innsbruck
Ferrari Schule Innsbruck
|| Workshop Location ||
Weinhartstraße 4,
6020 Innsbruck
Congress Messe Innsbruck – Orangerie
|| Workshop & Evening Location ||
Herzog-Otto Straße
(riverside)
6020 Innsbruck
Cantina Vecchia
|| Thursday Welcome||
Andreas Hofer Straße 43,
6020 Innsbruck
Tribaun
|| Sunday Pizza & Beer ||
Museumsstraße 5,
6020 Innsbruck
Please note, that on Google the entrance of the Orangerie Messe Congress Innsbruck might differ: However you will be able to reach it via the entrance ON THE RIVERSIDE – indicated by the arrow:
Check in times
THURSDAY 10.04.25
Cantina Vecchia
20:00 – 22:00 h
Not included in Festival Ticket!
FRIDAY 11.04.25
Orangerie
19:45 – 20:15 h for Masterclass
21:15 – 23:00 h for Evening
Saturday 12.04.25
Streetmotion Studio 10:30 – 12:00 h
Ferrari 10:30 – 11:00 h
Orangerie 10:30 – 11:00 h
Please be punctual to allow our check-in team to get you in in time. If you are late – we still request you to properly check-in and you might be late for class at your own risk. 😉
If you arrive later than Friday Evening 23:00 h please come to the bar and find our team there.
You have to book your participation in the competition on advance, otherwise we can not guarantee you a spot to compete.
Check the registration form, for more info.
Format: Mix ‘n’ Match Shag ’n’ Bal
Price: 15 €
Prelims: Saturday 19:45 – 20:30 h
Finals: During Saturday Night
There are two local partner accommodations Nepomuk Hostel Innsbruck and Montagues Hostel– we can warmly recommend them. Many more hotels you can find on innsbruck.info.
Please contact them directly if you would like to book a stay with them – after the registration opens we will have some space blocked for you, so please mention the festival and the code dancingweekendapril15.
…by the way, we have been repeatedly a green event.
Find out more about all the measurements we take, for social and environmentally friendly behavior on our green event page of 2024’s festival. There you will find lots of additional information regarding travel and transportation, as well as your stay in Innsbruck. Stay tuned for the 2025 edition of being green again.
First thing to notice – do NOT arrive by car, parking is expensive and inconvenient in Innsbruck.
Use public transport with us. 
Copyright © Alpine Jitterbugs 2023 – All rights reserved Made with ☕ and ❤️
