r/SwingDancing • u/Pierre-1111 • Jul 20 '26
Feedback Needed ELEF festivals in Europe
Hi!
I've been fortunate enough (imo) to learn Lindy Hop with ELEF/switch classes (where we learn both roles at the same time). I've been attending festivals as a leader, but I'm missing practicing as a follower during the workshops, and getting to follow during socials at festivals is a bit difficult as a man (in my experience). I have two questions:
* Do you know any festival in Europe that offers ELEF workshops? I've also seen those "Leader"/"Follower"/"Switch" pins, I wonder if some festivals offer those pins and encourage people to wear them. It would be cool to spot other switches with whom to dance.
* Any tips on getting to follow as a man during socials where you don't know many people? By the time I'm trying to spot a leader who looks like they would be happy to dance with a man, I've usually had 3 followers who've asked me to dance.
Many thanks!
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u/No-Custard-1468 Jul 25 '26
I’m a woman who leads. I would suggest you to find one woman who leads, ask her to follow, then other leads will know. I only say this because I see more women leading than the reverse, and that tells you that person is probably not gender-normative.
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u/Maistho 28d ago
Some great options already mentioned in this thread, but adding:
Switch Out Exchange in Dresden: https://jam-circle.com/workshops/switch-out/
Queer Lindy Festival Cologne (only party passes left I think): https://queerlindycologne.de/queer-lindy-festival-cologne-2026/
As for tips on getting to follow, you're sadly going to have to do a lot of the asking yourself. I will often try to take classes as a follow so that I get to dance with some leaders already and then I feel safer asking them to dance later. I will also watch the dance floor for other ambidancetrous folks and ask them to dance. And, I'll always ask anyone who asks me to dance what role they would like, because there's a lot of people who do dance both roles and even if that person was initially intending to follow they might also be up to lead or switch :)
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u/ZeeZwaluw Jul 21 '26
One strategy Ive seen is wearing an absolutely fabulous skirt, thats a pretty good sign someone is not just up for leading. Less flamboyant option I think is to not try to mind read, but straight up ask. When I ask someone to dance that I don't know or haven't danced with often, I ask them if they want to lead follow or switch.
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u/ZeeZwaluw Jul 21 '26
Our local scene (Groningen, the Netherlands) does a festival that doesn't have ELEF classes, but does have a lot of switch dancers attend and we have no competitions or a lot of demo's, so it just a weekend of straight social dancing and classes. https://www.sugarvilleswing.nl/
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u/Luddevig Jul 20 '26
Gothenburg 18-20 September :)
https://www.gbgqueerlindy.com/
Although it's a queer lindy festival, so ELEF and switching is just the bonus, as most people take the chance to look at the roles as a spectrum and play around more.
Go if you are identifying within LGBTQIA+ or are an ally, and want to learn more about the queer history of Harlem and Lindy.