Workshop 1: Confidence, Voice, Shape
$22
This class will focus on the basic shapes, steps, and philosophy of switch dancing. Open level.
September 19, 2026 · New York, New York
A day-long celebration of switch dancing in Lindy Hop: workshops, social dance, and a switch-and-match competition.
The Essentials
What
NYC Switchfest is a day-long celebration of switch dancing in Lindy Hop, including workshops, social dance, and a switch-and-match competition.
Who
Everyone! This is an event for everybody, whether you've never heard of switch dancing, are switch-curious, or deftly swap roles at high speeds.
Instructors are Spencer Pond and Sebastian Ahumada; Molly Meng and Samantha Pincus.
Organized by Rose Broderick.
Where
New York, New York. Workshops at Ripley Grier Studios in Midtown Manhattan.
Social and competition are at You Should Be Dancing…! in Midtown Manhattan.
When
All day September 19, 2026
How much
$59 for everything.
Each workshop is $22 and the social dance is $15.
History
Switch dancing is as old as Lindy Hop. Dancers like Al Minns, Leon James, Dawn Hampton and others have been swapping roles as long as people have been swinging out to jazz. Whether you call it switch dancing, Open Role, ambidancing, or something else, the lineage is real and the present is expansive as more Lindy Hoppers break norms around gender and dance roles and create a budding movement. Many of these dancers are queer — as Queer Swings Seattle likes to say, "dance roles don't need gender roles" — but you don't need to be queer to swap hands, switch feet and shift momentum.
2025 Strictly Finals at Stormy Weather
Nate Brookout
Workshops
We are so excited to welcome you to NYC Switchfest and dance, dance, dance!
One ask that we have for the event's workshops is that people already be familiar with both leading and following. You don't need to be at the same level for both roles, but everyone who signs up should be able to both lead and follow a swing out.
Doesn't have to be the world's prettiest swing out! But we want to make sure that these classes can be generative for you and your switch dancing. If you are looking to try out a new role for the first time, we recommend you attend the drop-in switch class before the evening social.
Workshop 2: Musicality, "Wrong" Foot Dancing
$22
This class will focus on the musicality of switch dancing, dancing on the "wrong" foot, and unique ways to switch roles. Open level.
Workshops have limited space! Sign up below.
Tickets
Workshops are $22 each. Social is $15. Total event price is $59. (Dinner is on your own dime.)
You can sign up for every event or do it piecemeal. Social dance tickets can also be bought at the door of the event, but the workshops have limited space — sign up now to secure your spot!
Get tickets on Eventbrite Email Rose
If you'd like to pay another way or have any questions, email Rose Broderick at nycswitchfest@gmail.com.
Social & Competition
The social dance will be held at You Should Be Dancing…!
37 W 26th St, 2nd floor, New York, NY 10010
(check website for door code)
Social runs 8:30pm–11:30pm. The incomparable Ryan Swift will DJ. Molly and Sam will teach a drop-in class at 8:00pm that will teach the basics of switch dancing.
Anyone and everyone is welcome to the evening dance! And while you don't have to switch dance, we do encourage you to mess around on the dance floor. Get switchy with it. Maybe try out moves you learned during the workshops. Don't miss the performance from the event's instructors!
Want to throw down with other phenomenal switch dancers from across the country? Sign up for the switch-and-match competition at the door! Two winners will be crowned and win fabulous prizes!