Swing Eruption – Catania Summer Fest

From June 13 to 15, 2025, everyone’s heading to Catania – the city of the volcano and the sea – for the third edition of our Swing Eruption – Catania Summer Fest, brought to you by Danz Officina.

It’s going to be a full weekend of Lindy Hop, Solo Jazz, Aerials, and live music parties!

We’re thrilled to welcome some amazing international instructors like Viktor & Pavlina, Florian & Meret, Héctor & Lidia, and an explosive live band, Giorgio Cuscito & Swing Around!

Registrations are open until Wednesday 11 June 2025!

It starts on Friday, 13 June 2025, at 13:00 (1pm)!

ARTISTS

Héctor & Lidia



Lidia and Héctor are the perfect duo for a fun and funky Lindy Hop and Solo Jazz experience. They have a knack for digging through vintage footage, while still managing to keep everything fresh and innovative. Expect a relaxed combination of classic moves and new ideas, always with a smile on their faces. Get ready to dance with them, bringing the Woodside Jazz vibes from Madrid and discovering the joy of moving to the beat!

Florian Zbinden



Florian’s journey in Lindy Hop and Vernacular Jazz is enriched by his appreciation for African-American culture, which drives him to continually learn and better understand jazz and Black culture. As a white individual, Florian approaches Lindy Hop with respect for his origins and the communities that have nurtured him, always acknowledging that there is still much to learn. Outside of the dance floor, Florian founded the dance school Ella’s Fellas in Zurich and co-organizes the Leapin’ Lindy event in Bern, promoting inclusivity and diversity. He is committed to creating a safe space for the LGBTQ community, promoting female empowerment, supporting genderless dance roles, and amplifying appreciation for Black culture within the Lindy Hop scene. Florian finds immense pleasure in social dancing, living for the connection and movement with others. He focuses on a steady beat and full body movement, energizing the dance floor. Her passion also extends to performances and competitions, where she aims to inspire others to experience Lindy Hop as a celebration of culture, connection and self-expression.

Meret Rötheli



Meret Rötheli lives in Switzerland and co-runs the dance school Ella’s Fellas with four friends. Dancing Lindy Hop since 2016, she began exploring Solo Jazz during the quieter days of the pandemic. With 8 years of dance experience, Meret sees dance as a way to trust flow and creativity, going beyond analytical decisions. Her teaching encourages students to embrace their individuality and creativity, providing support as they develop their expression. Meret has achieved several podiums at major competitions such as the Savoy Cup, ILHC Europe, ILHC, Dragon Swing and other international festivals.

Viktor Lillard



Originally from Ithaca, NY, Viktor Lillard is a passionate and multifaceted creative force specializing in Lindy Hop and Authentic Jazz dance. His many activities include teaching, DJing Swing and Soul music, playing bass and guitar, researching music and history, performing, producing videos, and of course, social dancing. He has become a highly regarded dance instructor in the international Lindy Hop scene.

As a teacher, Viktor seeks to present dance as a complete experience of jazz music, with particular attention to historical and cultural context. He values ​​lineage, authenticity, community, partnership, musicality and fun. In everything he does, Viktor strives to be a responsible host and custodian of the precious tradition of jazz dance culture, seeking not only to preserve it, but also to innovate it.

Viktor aims to share his understanding of the fundamental movement principles underlying the jazz dance tradition, inspire curiosity, instill cultural awareness, and help students find their own dance identity and true self-expression.

Pavlina Korcová



Pavli is a swing and blues music enthusiast and vinyl collector who loves to dance to all tempos of these musical styles, both alone and with a partner. She is one of the co-founders of Swing Wings Brno, and her experience in building a dance community, sharing dance ideas and traveling internationally to lead workshops across Europe and beyond has already exceeded a decade! In her classes, she is known for questioning the power dynamics between dance roles and looking at dance beyond the movements. Community and the social aspects of dance have always been crucial to her. She also believes that dancing and building this community is one of the most beautiful and positive forms of activism.

Giorgio Cùscito



“REAL Swing Music for REAL Swing Dancers!”

Swing music, all to dance and listen to. The atmospheres of the famous Harlem clubs of the 30s will be recreated as if by magic: the Cotton Club, but also the Savoy and the Paramount, with the beloved orchestra directed by the multi-instrumentalist and arranger Giorgio Cuscito. The repertoire is specific for swing dancing and lindy-hop, which is back in fashion today, and it is a unique opportunity to listen live to the music of the old 78 rpm records of Duke Ellington, Jimmy Lunceford, Chick Webb, Count Basie, Louis Jordan, Cab Calloway: a real “Harlem Renaissance”!

TEMPORARY PLAN

2025 NEW OPTIONS!

MIX AND MATCH COMPETITION – OPEN LEVEL

With a small fee of 5 euros, you can take part in the competition. The top three participants will receive prizes!

Taster class

This year too, we’ll have “Taster classes”, and they’ll be even better than before!
Five full hours led by – Giorgio, Melodie, and Nathaniel- .

Car Sharing

A car sharing service will be available for the entire duration of the event.

LEVELS

Lindy Hop

LINDY HOP IMPROVERS
This level is for those who have completed at least one year of Lindy Hop classes.
You’re familiar with moves like the swing out, circle, inside turn, outside turn, tuck turn, and the basics of Lindy Charleston.
You’re comfortable with concepts such as connection and bounce, and you can distinguish between 6-count and 8-count structures.
You often attend social dances and are looking to strengthen your technique while adding new moves and rhythms to your repertoire.

LINDY HOP INTERMEDIATE
This level is for dancers who have completed at least two to three years of Lindy Hop classes.
You have a solid repertoire of moves and variations and are working on refining your leader-follower connection and rhythm interpretation.
You’re familiar with ideas like improvisation and musicality, and you’ve already taken part in workshops and/or festivals.

LINDY HOP ADVANCED
This level is for experienced Lindy Hoppers who have completed at least three to four years of classes.
You are a regular at social dances and festivals, including international ones.
You know many variations and feel comfortable dancing to both slow and fast tempos.
You learn quickly and are ready to push yourself to become a more skilled and confident dancer.

LINDY HOP ADVANCED PLUS
A step beyond the advanced level — for those looking for an even greater challenge!

Jazz Roots

JAZZ ROOTS INTERMEDIATE
This level is for those who have completed one year of solo jazz and are familiar with the basic vocabulary and the Shim Sham. It’s the right level for anyone wanting to expand their repertoire and work on rhythm, coordination, or balance.

JAZZ ROOTS ADVANCED
This level is for those who have completed more than one year of solo jazz classes. The variations of the steps are now part of your repertoire, and you’re starting to improvise to the music. You know the Tranky Doo and are studying more complex routines.

Aerials

Open level with a fixed partner (there will be no partner changes). For this discipline, registration in pairs is required. No extensive dance experience or particular athletic skills are needed. It’s suitable for those who want to explore the world of air-steps.

CHOOSE YOUR BUNDLE:

Scroll to see all the options

FULL PASS

> 5 hours of Lindy Hop lessons
> 3 hours of Jazz Roots lessons
> 4 hours of Taster lessons
> 2 Night Parties with Giorgio Cuscito & Swing Around
> 1 Happy Hour Party with Swing Around

€ 195

Early Bird € 180 (SOLD OUT)

– Add 2 hours of Aerials lessons for + € 35

LINDY HOP PASS

– 5 hours of Lindy Hop lessons
– 4 hours of Taster lessons
– 2 Night Parties with Giorgio Cuscito & Swing Around
– 1 Happy Hour Party with Swing Around

€ 170

– Add 2 hours of Aerials lessons for + € 35

JAZZ ROOTS PASS

– 3 hours of Jazz Roots lessons
– 4 hours of Taster lessons
– 2 Night Parties with Giorgio Cuscito & Swing Around
– 1 Happy Hour Party with Swing Around

€ 100

– Add 2 hours of Aerials lessons for + € 35

PARTY PASS

– 2 Night Parties with Giorgio Cuscito & Swing Around
– 1 Happy Hour Party with Swing Around

€ 60

PAST EDITIONS GALLERY

Swing Eruption – Catania Summer Fest Edizioni 2023 e 2024

LOCATION

Lido Le Palme
Viale Kennedy, 95121 Catania CT
https://www.lepalme.biz

Swing Eruption – Catania Summer Fest

CONTACT US