From November 22nd to 24th, 2024, the vibrant city of Milan became the epicenter of swing with the fourth edition of the Pump Your Swing festival. This event brought together enthusiasts of Lindy Hop, Boogie Woogie, and Solo Jazz from around the world, offering a unique experience filled with live music, workshops, and exciting competitions.
Featured Artists
The festival featured renowned international artists who shared their passion and knowledge with attendees:
•Jeremy & Mélanie: With a distinguished career in Lindy Hop, Boogie Woogie, and Rhythm and Blues, this duo has captivated European stages with their energy and talent.
•JB Mino & Marion: Specialists in Lindy Hop and Solo Jazz, known for their dynamic style and technical teaching that inspires dancers of all levels.
•Sondre & Tanya: This professional couple has dominated international Boogie Woogie and Lindy Hop competitions, spreading joy and knowledge of swing worldwide.
•The Twins But Not: Marco and William, hailing from Milan, have impressed audiences with their Solo Jazz performances at Europe’s most prestigious festivals.
•Marco & Eleonora: Founders of the Swingin’Up Academy in Florence, this pair has dedicated themselves to teaching Balboa and Lindy Hop, standing out in Italy’s main festivals.
•Domenico Simi De Burgis: A Collegiate Shag enthusiast, Domenico has brought his unique style to various schools and festivals throughout Italy.
Workshops and Levels
The festival’s Dance Camp offered a variety of workshops tailored to different skill levels:
•Open: Accessible to all, with no prior requirements.
•Beginners: For those with approximately 6 months of dance experience.
•Intermediate: Aimed at dancers with 1-2 years of experience.
•Advanced: For individuals who have been dancing for several years, comfortable with fast rhythms and rhythmic variations.
•Competitors: Focused on competitive couples in classes B, A, and AS.
•Professional: An exclusive level for instructors and dance professionals.
Thrilling Competitions
Competitions were a key component of the festival, providing participants the opportunity to showcase their talent:
•Mix & Match: Dancers registered individually and were randomly paired in each round. Available for Lindy Hop (Open level) and Boogie Woogie (Open and Advanced levels).
Playlist
• Pro-Am Mix & Match: For the Advanced level of Lindy Hop, finalists were paired with festival instructors, competing together in the final judged by the audience.
• Lindy Cup: A competition for Lindy Hop couples, with preliminary selections and highlighted finals during Saturday night.
• Boogie Woogie Cup: Targeted at competitive Boogie Woogie couples, with cash prizes and other rewards for the winners.
Event Location
All festival activities took place at SALA Arci OLMI, located at Via degli Ulivi 2, Milan. This 400 m² space, featuring a 250 m² parquet dance floor, provided the perfect environment for classes and social events. Additionally, it offered bar service and light food options throughout the event.
Conclusion
The fourth edition of Pump Your Swing solidified its reputation as a must-attend festival for swing and rock’n’roll enthusiasts. With a combination of high-quality workshops, vibrant competitions, and live performances, this event celebrated the passion and diversity of the swing community in a welcoming and energetic atmosphere.
