Hot Jazz Jamboree 2026

Hot Jazz Jamboree is a weekend-long swing dance event featuring collegiate shag and balboa with classes, live music, contests, performances, and tons of social dancing – all at the iconic Gaylord Rockies Resort with indoor/outdoor heated pool, lazy river, and adults only hot tub!

Get involved! Volunteer / Work exchange application

CMDance-Weddding - Services-Card
Friday

6:30p Registration Opens
7-9p Social Hour meet-and-greet
7-8:30p Contest Registration
8-9p Intro Balboa Lesson with Emory & Mooji
9p-Midnight Social Dance to Live Music with Naomi & Her Handsome Devils!
—Instructor Demos
—Diamond Dolls Perform
Midnight-2a(ish) DJd Late Night Dance
—Invitational Crossover Mix & Match

CMDance-Weddding - Services-Card
Saturday

10:00a-5:00p Classes (see Classes tab)
3:15-4:45 Contest Registration (time to pick up your numbers)
4:45p Contest check in
5:00-6:00p Contest Prelims
7:30-8:30p Doors Open to public DJ Leea
7:45-8:45p Slow Bal Social
7:45-8:45p Intro to Shag class with Tab & Joe
9p-Midnight Social Dance to Live Music with Naomi & Her Handsome Devils!
—Balboa & Shag Strictly Finals
—CMDance Team Performs to band
Midnight-3a(ish) DJd Late Night Dance
—Fast Feet Contest

CMDance-Weddding - Services-Card
Sunday

10:00a-5:00p Classes
7-10p DJd Twilight Dance
—Balboa and Shag Mix & Match Finals
—LollyShaggers Performance
9:45 Awards & then Slow Bal dance until 11p
11p-12a Farewell Social at Mountain Pass Bar

Jacob+and+natalia+1
Natalia Eristavi and Jacob Wigger

My name is Natalia (she/her) and I am a jazz dancer, teacher and performer from Southern California and based in St. Louis, Missouri. I have been dancing most of my life but discovered Swing dance in Southern California in 2010 when I was 17 years old, falling in love first with Balboa and Lindy Hop and soon after venturing out into Solo Jazz, Collegiate Shag and Carolina Shag. What I love most about Swing dance is Jazz Music and the freedom to improvise through movement, whether solo or with a partner. Being a part of this community and creating together with others, whether in a class, social dance or jam setting is a beautiful and vulnerable experience that I feel privileged to be a part of.

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Jordan & Charlotte

With over 7 years of experience dancing Collegiate Shag, Jordan Hunter & Charlotte Liebenow bring their passion of the dance to the floor and the studio, where they focus on fundamentals, technique, musicality, and exploring new ideas.

Since first meeting in the summer of 2021, they had an instant connection and shared love for the dance, and shortly thereafter started teaching Collegiate Shag weekly in Berlin and across all of Europe. In the last few years they have competed together at multiple events around the world, including Barcelona Shag Fest, Warsaw Shag Fest, and recently winning the Shag contest at the National Jitterbug Championship at Camp Hollywood 2023.

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Grace Babbes & Blake Thiessen

As Southern California college students, both Blake and Grace discovered swing dancing at their respective universities and were instantly hooked. With SoCal’s rich history and dozens of the world’s best dancers and instructors, they developed a relentless obsession for Lindy, Balboa, and Collegiate Shag, and regularly social danced up to five nights a week.  Both together and with other partners, they have won a variety of national and international competitions including ILHC, Camp Hollywood, California Balboa Classic, Hot Rhythm Holiday, and Camp Jitterbug. Blake and Grace share a deep reverence for history of the dance and music, especially the original dancers from Southern California, and often teach classes that focus on particular styles and techniques they used. As instructors, they emphasize beautiful basics, the joy of connected partnered movement, and how to connect the dance to the music.

April+Hornbuckle+Pic (1)
April Hornbuckle

Phoenix’s favorite Georgia transplant, DJ Peach, discovered her passion for swing dance when she was pulled into a class in 2016. It became a meaningful way for her to connect movement with the music she loved from a young age. Over the past nine years, she has been deeply involved in the swing dance community. Locally, she is organizing and DJing weekly events and hosting workshops and community gatherings to support local DJs and nurture emerging talent. Nationally, she has DJ'd and organized events on both coasts, including DJ Coordinating Summer Swing Fest (AZ) and Swing Out Savannah (GA). She loves uncovering fun hidden gems to share with fellow dancers.

AshleyCC+2023+-+Jerry+Almonte (1)
Ashley Cohen Conner

Ashley has been dancing for almost a decade, focusing on Lindy Hop, Balboa, Shag (Collegiate and Carolina!), and Solo Jazz. She started DJing at local weekly venues in Mesa, Arizona, and quickly learned that she loved sharing the music she enjoyed with fellow dancers. She particularly loves Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, Buddy Johnson, Roosevelt Sykes, and Helen Humes.

Ashley has DJ’d all over Arizona, most notably at SWINGdepenDANCE, Phoenix Lindy Exchange, and BadAZ Balboa. Additionally, she has DJ’d across the southwest for LA Jitterbug, Downbeat Swing, Salt City Stomp, SwingDanceVegas, 505 Swing, and Boise City Swings. She is excited to add Hot Jazz Jamboree to this list and can’t wait to share her sets with you!

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Driving?

It takes roughly 30 minutes to get to the Gaylord resort from most places it is conveniently located close to most freeways.

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Parking

Discounted parking for attendees and guests.

Self-parking will be a button that you select at the event as you enter the lot.

0 - 4 Hours: $6, 4 - 8 Hours: $14, 8+ Hours: $20 per vehicle

normal prices are 0 - 4 Hours: $13, 4 - 8 Hours: $23, 8+ Hours: $33 per vehicle make sure you select our event button as you enter lot. I will have a picture when I get to event.

IMG_0078
Getting to the Gaylord Rockies resort from DIA

The A Line will get you from the DIA airport to 61st and Pena Station (around 1 mile from the Gaylord Hotel) in approximately 15 minutes. There is a free shuttle service through Town Park Gaylord that first picks up from the train station at 5:00 am and picks up every :00 and :30 of the hour. This is by far the most affordable and efficient way to get to the Gaylord from the airport for only $10. The last train to leave DIA departs at 1:26 am. Trains departing Union Station start as early as 3:15 am and are only $2.75 from anywhere but the airport.

Skye Humphries
Balboa & Shag Strictly Contests

Choose your own partner. Prelims are on Saturday after classes. Finals are Saturday night during the main dance. Air steps and lifts are allowed.

Skye Humphries
Balboa & Shag Mix & Match Contests

No partner needed to enter. Leads and follows will rotate and be judged individually for prelims and as a partnership for finals. Prelims are Saturday after classes. Finals are SUNDAY during the evening dance.

Skye Humphries
Fast Feet Contest

Any swing goes! Free to enter! Grab a partner and dance to increasing tempos until the last ones stand! Judging will be tap-out style. This contest runs during the Saturday late night dance. Prizes? Bragging rights and free passes to Hot Jazz Jamboree 2026!

Stephen Sayer
Saturday

Classes on Saturday will start at beginner/refresher level and progress to intermediate material.

Juniper A

Shag Classes
11:00-12:00 Feel it, don't count it - Jordan
12:15-1:15 Get in the groove - Jordan
1:15 - 2:15 - lunch -
2:15-3:15 Vintage Repertoire -Grace & Blake
3:30-4:30 Shag it out! - Jordan

Stephen Sayer
Saturday

Classes on Saturday will start at beginner/refresher level and progress to intermediate material.

Juniper B

Team & Electives
10:00-11:00 ShalBag Routine w/Julie & Jacob - Session 1
11:15-12:15 St. Louis Shag inspiration - Jacob & Natalia
12:15 - 1:00 - lunch -
1:00-2:00 "Slow Bal 1" - Grace & Blake
2:30-3:30 ShalBag Routine w/Julie & Jacob - Session 2
3:30-4:30 ShalBag Routine cleaning session (to be used as needed)

Stephen Sayer
Saturday

Classes on Saturday will start at beginner/refresher level and progress to intermediate material.

Juniper C

Balboa Classes
11:00-12:00 Melded Moments through Promenade - Grace & Blake
12:30-1:30 Shuffle Playground Jacob & Natalia
1:30 - 2:15 - lunch -
2:15-3:15 Open to Close and Close to Open - Jacob & Natalia
3:30-4:30 Power Your Swing - Jacob & Natalia

CMD+MERCH+HJJ2025+-+RW+Estudio+-06
Merch will be available at the Gaylord

HJJ Unisex T-shirt in Black, Sizes XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL: $30

HJJ Zip Up Hoodies in Black, Sizes XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL: $48

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schedule

CMDance-Weddding - Services-Card
Friday

6:30p Registration Opens
7-9p Social Hour meet-and-greet
7-8:30p Contest Registration
8-9p Intro Balboa Lesson with Emory & Mooji
9p-Midnight Social Dance to Live Music with Naomi & Her Handsome Devils!
—Instructor Demos
—Diamond Dolls Perform
Midnight-2a(ish) DJd Late Night Dance
—Invitational Crossover Mix & Match

CMDance-Weddding - Services-Card
Saturday

10:00a-5:00p Classes (see Classes tab)
3:15-4:45 Contest Registration (time to pick up your numbers)
4:45p Contest check in
5:00-6:00p Contest Prelims
7:30-8:30p Doors Open to public DJ Leea
7:45-8:45p Slow Bal Social
7:45-8:45p Intro to Shag class with Tab & Joe
9p-Midnight Social Dance to Live Music with Naomi & Her Handsome Devils!
—Balboa & Shag Strictly Finals
—CMDance Team Performs to band
Midnight-3a(ish) DJd Late Night Dance
—Fast Feet Contest

CMDance-Weddding - Services-Card
Sunday

10:00a-5:00p Classes
7-10p DJd Twilight Dance
—Balboa and Shag Mix & Match Finals
—LollyShaggers Performance
9:45 Awards & then Slow Bal dance until 11p
11p-12a Farewell Social at Mountain Pass Bar

instructors

Jacob+and+natalia+1
Natalia Eristavi and Jacob Wigger

My name is Natalia (she/her) and I am a jazz dancer, teacher and performer from Southern California and based in St. Louis, Missouri. I have been dancing most of my life but discovered Swing dance in Southern California in 2010 when I was 17 years old, falling in love first with Balboa and Lindy Hop and soon after venturing out into Solo Jazz, Collegiate Shag and Carolina Shag. What I love most about Swing dance is Jazz Music and the freedom to improvise through movement, whether solo or with a partner. Being a part of this community and creating together with others, whether in a class, social dance or jam setting is a beautiful and vulnerable experience that I feel privileged to be a part of.

528383873_1706513337405568_4974334560010739441_n
Jordan & Charlotte

With over 7 years of experience dancing Collegiate Shag, Jordan Hunter & Charlotte Liebenow bring their passion of the dance to the floor and the studio, where they focus on fundamentals, technique, musicality, and exploring new ideas.

Since first meeting in the summer of 2021, they had an instant connection and shared love for the dance, and shortly thereafter started teaching Collegiate Shag weekly in Berlin and across all of Europe. In the last few years they have competed together at multiple events around the world, including Barcelona Shag Fest, Warsaw Shag Fest, and recently winning the Shag contest at the National Jitterbug Championship at Camp Hollywood 2023.

527637653_613657995133756_1214398158994968116_n
Grace Babbes & Blake Thiessen

As Southern California college students, both Blake and Grace discovered swing dancing at their respective universities and were instantly hooked. With SoCal’s rich history and dozens of the world’s best dancers and instructors, they developed a relentless obsession for Lindy, Balboa, and Collegiate Shag, and regularly social danced up to five nights a week.  Both together and with other partners, they have won a variety of national and international competitions including ILHC, Camp Hollywood, California Balboa Classic, Hot Rhythm Holiday, and Camp Jitterbug. Blake and Grace share a deep reverence for history of the dance and music, especially the original dancers from Southern California, and often teach classes that focus on particular styles and techniques they used. As instructors, they emphasize beautiful basics, the joy of connected partnered movement, and how to connect the dance to the music.

music

April+Hornbuckle+Pic (1)
April Hornbuckle

Phoenix’s favorite Georgia transplant, DJ Peach, discovered her passion for swing dance when she was pulled into a class in 2016. It became a meaningful way for her to connect movement with the music she loved from a young age. Over the past nine years, she has been deeply involved in the swing dance community. Locally, she is organizing and DJing weekly events and hosting workshops and community gatherings to support local DJs and nurture emerging talent. Nationally, she has DJ'd and organized events on both coasts, including DJ Coordinating Summer Swing Fest (AZ) and Swing Out Savannah (GA). She loves uncovering fun hidden gems to share with fellow dancers.

AshleyCC+2023+-+Jerry+Almonte (1)
Ashley Cohen Conner

Ashley has been dancing for almost a decade, focusing on Lindy Hop, Balboa, Shag (Collegiate and Carolina!), and Solo Jazz. She started DJing at local weekly venues in Mesa, Arizona, and quickly learned that she loved sharing the music she enjoyed with fellow dancers. She particularly loves Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, Buddy Johnson, Roosevelt Sykes, and Helen Humes.

Ashley has DJ’d all over Arizona, most notably at SWINGdepenDANCE, Phoenix Lindy Exchange, and BadAZ Balboa. Additionally, she has DJ’d across the southwest for LA Jitterbug, Downbeat Swing, Salt City Stomp, SwingDanceVegas, 505 Swing, and Boise City Swings. She is excited to add Hot Jazz Jamboree to this list and can’t wait to share her sets with you!

travel/venue

IMG_0078
Driving?

It takes roughly 30 minutes to get to the Gaylord resort from most places it is conveniently located close to most freeways.

IMG_0078
Parking

Discounted parking for attendees and guests.

Self-parking will be a button that you select at the event as you enter the lot.

0 - 4 Hours: $6, 4 - 8 Hours: $14, 8+ Hours: $20 per vehicle

normal prices are 0 - 4 Hours: $13, 4 - 8 Hours: $23, 8+ Hours: $33 per vehicle make sure you select our event button as you enter lot. I will have a picture when I get to event.

IMG_0078
Getting to the Gaylord Rockies resort from DIA

The A Line will get you from the DIA airport to 61st and Pena Station (around 1 mile from the Gaylord Hotel) in approximately 15 minutes. There is a free shuttle service through Town Park Gaylord that first picks up from the train station at 5:00 am and picks up every :00 and :30 of the hour. This is by far the most affordable and efficient way to get to the Gaylord from the airport for only $10. The last train to leave DIA departs at 1:26 am. Trains departing Union Station start as early as 3:15 am and are only $2.75 from anywhere but the airport.

contests

Skye Humphries
Balboa & Shag Strictly Contests

Choose your own partner. Prelims are on Saturday after classes. Finals are Saturday night during the main dance. Air steps and lifts are allowed.

Skye Humphries
Balboa & Shag Mix & Match Contests

No partner needed to enter. Leads and follows will rotate and be judged individually for prelims and as a partnership for finals. Prelims are Saturday after classes. Finals are SUNDAY during the evening dance.

Skye Humphries
Fast Feet Contest

Any swing goes! Free to enter! Grab a partner and dance to increasing tempos until the last ones stand! Judging will be tap-out style. This contest runs during the Saturday late night dance. Prizes? Bragging rights and free passes to Hot Jazz Jamboree 2026!

classes

Stephen Sayer
Saturday

Classes on Saturday will start at beginner/refresher level and progress to intermediate material.

Juniper A

Shag Classes
11:00-12:00 Feel it, don't count it - Jordan
12:15-1:15 Get in the groove - Jordan
1:15 - 2:15 - lunch -
2:15-3:15 Vintage Repertoire -Grace & Blake
3:30-4:30 Shag it out! - Jordan

Stephen Sayer
Saturday

Classes on Saturday will start at beginner/refresher level and progress to intermediate material.

Juniper B

Team & Electives
10:00-11:00 ShalBag Routine w/Julie & Jacob - Session 1
11:15-12:15 St. Louis Shag inspiration - Jacob & Natalia
12:15 - 1:00 - lunch -
1:00-2:00 "Slow Bal 1" - Grace & Blake
2:30-3:30 ShalBag Routine w/Julie & Jacob - Session 2
3:30-4:30 ShalBag Routine cleaning session (to be used as needed)

Stephen Sayer
Saturday

Classes on Saturday will start at beginner/refresher level and progress to intermediate material.

Juniper C

Balboa Classes
11:00-12:00 Melded Moments through Promenade - Grace & Blake
12:30-1:30 Shuffle Playground Jacob & Natalia
1:30 - 2:15 - lunch -
2:15-3:15 Open to Close and Close to Open - Jacob & Natalia
3:30-4:30 Power Your Swing - Jacob & Natalia

merch

CMD+MERCH+HJJ2025+-+RW+Estudio+-06
Merch will be available at the Gaylord

HJJ Unisex T-shirt in Black, Sizes XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL: $30

HJJ Zip Up Hoodies in Black, Sizes XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL: $48

staff

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food

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Sponsors

Join Us!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Apr 16
06:30 pm
Shimmy Shakin’ Blues April 2026
Apr 24
08:00 am
Intercollegiate Swing Battle 2026
Sep 09
01:00 pm
2026 Annual Event Pass Sale!
Sep 18
07:00 pm
Lindy on the Rocks/Hot Night Fusion Weekend 2026!
Nov 20
06:30 pm
Hot Jazz Jamboree 2026