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OUR MISSION

The New Orleans Swing Dance Festival is a live music centered, international dance festival set in the birthplace of jazz. In partnership with local musicians and dancers, New Orleans jazz historians, and the international swing dance community, we strive to foster an inclusive, creative, and socially conscious community through high-quality dance education and live jazz entertainment.

What to expect this year

During the day we are offering dance classes in a diverse array of styles including: Lindy Hop, Tap, Jazz, Balboa Swing, Blues, St Louis Shag, Carolina Shag, Chicago Steppin’, Detroit Ballroom, and so much more. All of these dance styles are related in some way or another. Many classes will feature live music!

Evening social dances will feature 2-3 rooms of dancing at a time. These rooms will be labeled according to style of music, not style of dance. We think you should dance however you want to whatever music makes you feel good. Its the New Orleans way! Rooms include: Jazz/Swing Room (featuring live bands), Rhythm & Blues/Soul Room (featuring DJ’d music), and The Jam Room–bring your instruments and play music for dancers!

There will be no dance contests happening this year. (The Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown is on indefinite hiatus.) We’re setting aside competition and are looking to the future of our dance traditions by honoring our diversity, exploring not only jazz history but also American history, and making moves to create a stronger, more inclusive, global dance community.

We are incredibly excited about the festival this year and can’t wait to share the experience with you! ♡

BOOK YOUR ROOM AT ACE HOTEL NEW ORLEANS!

Occupying a 1920s Art Deco building that once housed the venerable Max Barnett’s Furniture Store, the Portland-based boutique Ace Hotel opened in 2016 and features a music venue, bars, restaurants, coffee bar and a rooftop deck with swimming pool.

Ace Hotel New Orleans sits on the corner of Carondelet and Lafayette streets in the Warehouse District of one of the best cities on Earth. The feel of weft and warp woven together by countless anthropologies and creation stories far too vast for any single person to own. So it belongs to the whole city.

Ace Hotel is situated close to up-and-coming art galleries and shopping, museums, cocktails and just a jaunt to the classics of the French Quarter and the modernity of the burgeoning South Market District. Ace Hotel is also a stone’s throw to many of New Orleans’ best gems like the Sports and Arts Districts, and just a bike ride to the lively Bywater and Marigny neighborhoods, as well as mystical nooks and corners you can explore on your own.

New Orleans Swing Dance Festival is proud to announce that our nightly dance parties will be held at Barnett Hall at the Ace Hotel. See our Travel & Lodging page for more info!

Book Your Room At Ace Hotel New Orleans

COMMUNITY

Participating in a huge dance event like the New Orleans Swing Dance Festival can be daunting – especially in a city as rich with possibility as New Orleans. Whether you’re an experienced dancer visiting from across the world, or a local taking your first (dance) steps, our Community Ambassadors are here to make you feel at home.

If you’re not sure where to start at the Festival, find an Ambassador. We’d love it if you asked us for a dance. But we’re also here to tell you about the best po’boy in town, the happy hour special you can’t miss, the best walking route from A to B, and where to find our live, local music. We’re rolling out the red carpet for you – we love this city, we love to dance, and we want to share them both with you.

Look for designated Ambassadors on the dance floor or find them at the Crescent City Swing Information Booth at Ace Hotel New Orleans outside Barnett Hall.