THEY ARE BACK! <3 👏🏼 <3     

Beginning in 1998, Abigail Browning fell in love with the grace and athleticism of swing dancing, and has pursued the art and history of Lindy Hop, Balboa, and Charleston ever since. She fosters creativity and musicality for follows and leads through technique, and emphasizes body control through isolation, repetition, and balance while having fun and understanding the historical background of the dance. When not dancing or DJing, Abigail is pursuing her PhD in Communication, Rhetoric, and Digital Media Studies at NC State University.        

Adam Speen strives to provide a unique perspective combining classic swing dance technique with a modern ideology. Partnership and playfulness are the focus for Adam on the dance floor, creating a ‘yes and’ environment for his partners and himself. He brings the same positive environment to the classroom where conditioning drills, visual media, and demonstrations by students are commonplace. Adam loves having the opportunity to travel and teach so many amazing students, but you will find him his happiest on the social dance floor. When not dancing, Adam works as a Toxicologist at the US EPA.

Returning to VBLE!

Rudolf and Tiphaine Wolfsgruber-Paillard have joined forces to spread their love for Balboa in 2012. Rudi is known in the swing world for his creative enthusiasm, playful improvisation, and solid technique, and Tiph for her elegant flow, smooth connection, and sound quality of movement.

Social dancing has always been a main focus of theirs and they are at their happiest shuffling around on various dance floors around the world.

Together, they strive to push their limits, perpetually improve, share their passion, and hopefully inspire and infect their students with the Bal bug.

What’s VBLE without Dan Guest? Dan is a fixed star in our VBLE universe.

In Balboa, Dan Guest was instrumental in the revival of the dance, having learned from many of the original “old timer” Balboa dancers.
In Laminu, Dan has been one of the main drivers to keep this dance alive and to investigate the source and history.
Dan’s teaching focuses on the techniques and body mechanics that make dancing feel natural and effortless at all tempos. Being a perfectionist, he emphasises lead and follow technique together with developing good basics. He has a relaxed and light-hearted teaching style with a knack for simplifying and explaining complex ideas. His teaching is based on recognised learning methodologies for the acquisition of motor skills. He explains how to put energy and life into all aspects of the dance and how to vary the dynamics to really make it swing!

Jessica Sötterman (Lennartsson) is a multi-talented dancer specialising in swing-related dance styles. Like most other successful dancers from Sweden she started at very young age. Her career is and has been most comprehensive and includes several major titles. She is the only dancer in Sweden to receive Svenska Sportspegelpriset (Swedish Sport News Award) in recognition for her extra ordinary level of dancing and international success. Jessica is internationally well-known and is frequently seen around the world teaching and performing.  She was also a member of the Harlem Hot Shots and has been touring in Sweden and internationally with them.

Axel Schwarz and Sandra Hartbach are the founders and organizers of the Vienna Balboa & Laminu Experience – and basically the heart and soul of Vienna’s Balboa Scene. At VBLE, they will teach Laminu and the Balboa Rueda at VBLE.
Since 1998, Axel and Sandra have been dancing together, discovering, teaching and choreographing all forms of social dances.
Their deep passion for swing and jazz music ever growing, they finally started swing dancing in 2006, first focusing on Lindy Hop and Balboa.
Over the last years, they became even more curious and discovered other dances of this era, including rare dances like Laminu, Peabody, and others.
In 2009, they again started teaching Lindy Hop, Balboa, Charleston, Laminu – and also Ballroom classes, bringing together the experience and technique of their dancing and the joy and enthusiasm of swing dancing.

Their heart is burning for Balboa and Laminu – and for musicality. When teaching, they want to pass on their experience and love for dancing and music, trying to arouse this passion in their students who eventually will bring this to the social dancefloor.
In addition to teaching and organizing events, they are DJing with original 78rpm/Shellac records and LOVE to DJ for Swing Dancers!

WORKSHOP TICKETS

Full Workshop Track: € 195,-

Single Workshop Track: € 165,-      

All Workshop Tracks are all-inclusive (= all selected classes, Brunch and Parties).
Ticket Limit: A total of 150 Workshop tickets is available for purchase.

PARTY PASSES

Party Pass INCLUDING Saturday Brunch: € 80,-

Party Pass only, NO Saturday Brunch: € 60,-

AT-THE-DOOR-TICKETS

Friday Party at Tanzschule Schwebach: € 20,-

Saturday Party at Lorely Saal: € 40,-

Sunday Party at Café Caspar: € 10,-

You should be able to find all important bits of information here – if you have additional questions, just drop us an e-mail.

On this page:

• Questions about locations
• Questions about classes
• Questions about levels
• Questions about registration
• Questions about payment/pricing
• Covid related Rules

Questions about locations

All Classes and the Friday party will take place at Tanzschule Schwebach, Maculangasse 1B, 1220 Vienna (find it on the map).

The venue for the VBLE 2025 Camp Party (Saturday, March 22, 2025) is Lorely-Saal, Penzinger Strasse 72, 1140 Vienna (5 mins from U4 Hietzing) (find it on the map).

The venue for the Sunday VBLE 2025 (Sunday, March 23, 2025) is Café Caspar, Grillparzerstraße 6, 1010 Vienna (near station Schottentor) (find it on the map).

Q: But Sandra and Axel, WHY do we have 3 different party locations?
Because we the locations we selected all have a different energy and flair – a change of location is also a change of mindset. We try to arrange the schedule to leave enough time to change and head to dinner and dance.

Here is the VBLE 2025 Overview Map:

VBLE 2025 Brunch

Over the years, VBLE brunch has become an integral part of this event.
So we are having a Workshop Brunch on Saturday morning. Location is again Tanzschule Schwebach.

The idea is to have a long breakfast together, socialise, dance – but also learn, as there will probably be talks about Shellacs and music, other lectures, videos, etc.
The Brunch is included for all tracks and levels. Depending on space availabilities, Brunch-only-tickets will be available.

Q: I am vegan and/or intolerant to gluten/lactose/…. – will this be considered?
Yes, we will offer many options in order to cover your needs.

Questions regarding levels

Level Descriptions

Questions about classes/workshop

This year, we will not ask for your level with the registration, but rather focus on the goal your want to achieve with your dancing. Yet, there is a dedicated “Auditioned Level” (aka Free Climber) for those of you with advanced skills and are looking to be really challenged in class.
In the end, the classes will have 2 major types of content and reflect levels referred to as follows: 

• Balboa: Intermediate/Hiker (II), Advanced/Climber (III), Auditioned/Free Climber (IV)
• Laminu: Intermediate/Hiker (II), Advanced/Climber (III)
• Slow Balboa: Intermediate/Hiker (II), Advanced/Climber (III)

Class Level Adjustment

Our goal is to provide a learning environment that enables all participants to have a good learning experience.
This is why it is so important that the skill level in class is aligned in a way that input from teachers can be well-transformed in movement/learning.
In addition to the outcome of the Reflexion and Goal Setting Session, VBLE teachers may evaluate if the  participant’s dance skills fit the respective class at the beginning of each class to make sure a certain homogeneity.
So if you are asked to attend a different level, please respectfully comply, as this is never intended to make you feel bad.

Questions regarding registration

General

We encourage you to register as a couple (except for party passes). Also we ask both partners to register separately, as this helps us with administrating the registrations.
Your registration is binding once you’ve paid the registration fee – or at least gave us information about the payment.

We kindly ask you to check your schedule before registering 😉

Can I register for one day only?

Not in general. Please contact us before registering in case you just can attend one day of VBLE 2025. We will try to do our best.

Can I transfer my paid registration to another person?

VBLE passes are personal, non-transferrable passes. If you cannot attend VBLE 2025 after making your payment and are willing to find a substitute, please let us know.
Also please see our Terms & Conditions regarding cancellations/denouncements.

Waiting lists

Balanced lead/follow ratios are important to us. Therefore we need to open waiting lists in case of too many extras of either leads or follows.
In this case, we will work on a first-come-first-serve-basis if additional spots are available.

Why is there no “Hosting” section in the registration form?

In the past years, we tried our best to find local hosts and to connect them with dancers in need of a place to stay, but we removed the hosting question from the registration form. Why?

It was very difficult to find enough hosts for the multitude of dancers, and in return we unfortunately had not-so-nice experiences with inquiring dancers who thought of us as of a professional hotel service.

We think the best solution is to use a Facebook group so that you can talk directly to each other. In addition, we will try to provide you with options where to search.

Questions about payment/pricing

Why, oh why is there no Paypal option?

Paypal is very convenient, but for a smaller event like VBLE, Paypal is an expensive option – and we want to reduce fees on all sides. Therefore we prefer bank transfers.

What if my bank charges high fees for payments abroad?

Dancers from outside the EU often get charged with high bank transfer fees. In that case, we will offer Payment at the Door – because we build VBLE on trust. Please leave a respective comment with your registration or contact us before making payments.

Do we need separate payments for a couple?

No – if you registered as a couple, you can make a combined payment – but please note this in the payment information!

Do I get a discount if I cannot attend all classes in my track?

No. Sorry.

Covid related Rules

Covid seems to be over, but this is not really true. Yet there are no official measures now.

Our main goal is to ensure maximum safety during the week-end.
In case you have Covid- or flu-like symptoms, we still strongly suggest to perform a self-test right before the event to be safe.
In addition, please follow good hygiene – it’s always worth to look at WHO’s recommendations.
Thank you very much for your cooperation!

In all cases: If you feel unwell, develop a fever or show any symptoms related to Covid-19 or flu, please stay at home! Spread love, not pathogens 🙂

Tracks

We are offering 3 different tracks:

Full Track: This is the all-inclusive track that includes all Balboa and Slow classes (level of your choice), the Balboa Rueda, the VBLE Brunch and all parties.

Single Track: This track includes Balboa OR Slow classes (level of your choice), the Balboa Rueda (for Balboa Single Track), the VBLE Brunch and all parties.

Party Pass: This includes all parties (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) and can be optionally booked with or without the VBLE Brunch.

Goals

We all have the habit to put ourselves in categories like “intermediate”, “advanced”….
And you probably already guessed it: The majority of us aims to be “advanced” – which is a great incentive for us to learn more! But the downside is that we often misjudge our own skills – and quite often we are overconfident and not too happy if we are being put in a “lower” level.

Therefore, this year, we are introducing “Goals”. To us it is more important WHAT you want to achieve when you are attending classes and learning.
Do you want to just have fun and learn something more on the superficial side? Are you more nerdy and want to go down every technical rabbit hole? Are you more the competitive type?
What is your GOAL?

On Friday, we now introduced a “Goal” setting session where you will define your goals and perform a self-assessment of your level of dancing skills, while interacting with your fellow dancers.

OUR GOAL for VBLE is to create a safe, cozy, familial space and environment, where the feeling of community and happiness is more important than performance and competition.
A happy grin on our faces weighs much more to us than a medal for having won something.

Levels

In total, there are 3 levels for Balboa and 2 Levels for each Laminu and SlowBal.
Only for the “Free Climber/VERY Advanced”-level, you need to attend an audition where you will be evaluated by our teachers.
So why, you might ask, do we not audition every level?
Because it is our deep belief that putting the evaluation, decision AND responsibility in the hands of 4-6 persons (a.k.a. the Teachers) is the wrong way. Yes, it seems easier.
But our Goal is to empower you as dancers and persons, to build up self-responsibility.
If you would audition yourself, what would be your own verdict?

Therefore, except for Free Climbers, you can attend the classes/level that seems suitable for you based on your self-assessment of Goals and Levels on Friday evening.

Hiker (aka Intermediate, II, 2,…)
The metaphor: You enjoy to hike through forests and already discovered higher grounds. To walk on a hill once and a while is something you like, however you prefer to go back to flat again in order to catch your breath.
In short: This usually refers to an intermediate level – so you are not a total beginner, but are fine with the basic dancing vocabulary of Balboa, Laminu and/or SlowBal and enjoy dancing these dances whenever you can.

Climber (aka Advanced, III, 3,…)
The metaphor: You already have a good technique to survive in the wild, and you are not afraid of the work and sweat that comes with climbing up that steep hill. Your virtues: perseverance and inquisitiveness. And you love it.
In short: This usually refers to an advanced level. You have a solid skill set of technique, movement and have a good amount of Balboa, Laminu and/or SlowBal dancing experience. Now you want to push yourself further, fearless of new challenges.

Free Climber (aka VERY Advanced, IV, 4,…) – Balboa Only, based on Audition
This level is for all of you who have very profound dancing skills, solid technique, musicality throughout different speeds. You can apply for the audition to this level, but not directly register, as your dancing skills will be evaluated by the teachers for admittance to this level. The audition will take place on Friday between 20.30-21.30 at Tanzschule Schwebach.

Please note that nevertheless, for all levels, teachers can perform a short evaluation of the participant’s dance skills at the beginning of each class to make sure everyone is in the right level.
VBLE Teachers are entitled to suggest to/ask dancers to switch level if required – this will make sure that our participants have a maximum benefit of the class content. So if you are asked to attend a different level, please respectfully comply, as this is not meant in a negative way, but for your own good.

As a unique feature, all music during parties at the Vienna Balboa & Laminu Experience is analogue music only: this means that there will be either Live Music or music from original 78rpm/Shellac records.
The main organizers, Sandra & Axel, are actually DJing with Shellacs and are convinced that the overall dancing and listening experience is way better with music provided from original records.
This is very much based on the influence of their dear friend, Stephan Wuthe, who is perhaps the most important Shellac DJ and historian in the Swing scene.

So we’re very happy that Stephan Wuthe is our DJ in residence and will back here in Vienna for VBLE 2025.
Stephan will carry his 78rpm discs all the way down from Berlin and share his love for music and dancing with you.