SWINGesota Presents
Summer
Spectacular
July 31 – August 3, 2026 · Minneapolis Marriott Northwest, Brooklyn Park
About the Event
SWINGesota Summer Spectacular is Minnesota’s annual West Coast Swing weekend event. Featuring nationally-recognized instructors, exciting competitions, and three nights of social dancing, SSS brings together dancers of all levels for a long weekend of learning and connection.
Whether you’re a seasoned competitor or just looking for good vibes, there’s something for you — from beginner-friendly workshops to All-Star Jack & Jill competitions and a Saturday night Variety Show.
Passes & Registration
All multi-day passes include social dances. Register in the store below.
Weekend Pass
10 workshops in the all levels track + 3 nights of social dancing.
Intermediate Pass
10 workshops including the intermediate-level track + 3 nights of social dancing.
Adv / All-Star Pass
10 workshops including the intermediate + advanced tracks + 3 nights of social dancing.
À La Carte
Available at the door only. Not available for advance purchase.
À la carte options apply to "All Levels" workshops only. Access to intermediate and advanced/all-star workshops requires a full weekend pass.
Schedule
Download PDFThis is a tentative schedule. Please check back regularly for updates. For the most up to date schedule and announcements about the event, be sure to download the DanceConvention app on iOS or Android!
July 31
Friday
| Time | Northland | Minnesota | Arbor Lakes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3:00 PM–6:00 PM | Routine Intensive Colleen & Arthur | ||
| 7:00 PM–7:55 PM | Workshop (All Levels) Pfootwork Robert | MN Swing Safety | |
| 8:00 PM–9:00 PM | Social Dancing | ||
| 9:00 PM–10:00 PM | Pro Introduction + Social Dance | ||
| 10:00 PM | Novice Prelims | ||
| 10:30 PM | Role Reversal J&J | ||
| 11:30 PM | Social Dance | ||
| 11:59 PM–12:30 AM | Power Half Hour |
August 1
Saturday
| Time | Northland | Minnesota | Arbor Lakes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10:30 AM–11:00 AM | Audition to Intermediate | ||
| 11:00 AM–12:00 PM | Workshop (All Levels) Pfootwork Maria & Eric | Workshop (Int+) Profound Pfootwork Nicole & Meech | Workshop (Adv/All-Star) Creating a Better Spotlight Pt 1 Robert Royston |
| 12:05 PM–1:00 PM | Workshop (All Levels) Priceless Partnership Nicole & Meech | Workshop (Int+) Tara's the Boss (Partnership... and probably Performance) Tara & Matt | Workshop (Adv/All-Star) Creating a Better Spotlight Pt 2 Robert Royston |
| 1:00 PM–2:00 PM | Lunch Activity Interview w/ Tara Trafzer | ||
| 2:00 PM–2:55 PM | Workshop (All Levels) Partnership Robert | Routine Intensive Colleen & Arthur | Workshop (Adv/All-Star) Performance Nataliya & Kevin |
| 3:05 PM–4:00 PM | Workshop (All Levels) Pfootwork Nataliya & Kevin | Routine Intensive Colleen & Arthur | Workshop (Int+) Footwork Tren & Markus |
| 4:15 PM | Intermediate JnJ Prelims | ||
| 4:45 PM | Adv/All-Star JnJ Prelims | ||
| 6:00 PM–7:00 PM | Floor Trials | Routine Intensive Colleen & Arthur | |
| 7:00 PM–8:00 PM | Workshop (All Levels) Partnership Katie & Sheven | ||
| 8:00 PM–9:00 PM | Social Dancing | ||
| 9:00 PM–10:00 PM | Variety Show | ||
| 10:15 PM | Nov & Int JnJ Finals | ||
| 11:00 PM | Adv/All-Star JnJ Finals | ||
| 11:59 PM–12:30 PM | Power Half Hour | ||
August 2
Sunday
| Time | Northland | Minnesota | Arbor Lakes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1:00 AM | Awards! | ||
| 11:00 AM–12:00 PM | Critique (All Levels) Tren & Markus | Critique (Int+) Nataliya & Kevin | Critique (Adv/All-Star) Tara & Matt |
| 12:05 PM–1:00 PM | Workshop (All Levels) Performance Shanna & Paul | Workshop (Int+) Partnership Robert | Workshop (Adv/All-Star) Patterns, Partnership & Pfootwork Nicole & Meech |
| 1:00 PM–2:00 PM | Lunch Activity Trivia | ||
| 2:00 PM–2:55 PM | Workshop (All-Levels) Pfootwork Robert Royston | Workshop (Int+) Performance Maria & Eric | Workshop (Adv/All-Star) Footwork Tren & Markus |
| 3:05 PM–4:00 PM | Workshop (All Levels) Hairography w/ Matt (i.e. Pfootwork) Tara & Matt | Workshop (Int+) Pfootwork Robert Royston | Workshop (Adv/All-Star) Partnership Maria & Eric |
| 4:00 PM–9:00 PM | Dinner Break | ||
| 9:00 PM | Dance Meech'n'Friends | ||
Schedule subject to change. Full detailed schedule posted closer to the event.
Professional Staff
Nationally recognized West Coast Swing instructors, DJs, judges, and emcees from across the country.
Robert Royston
Nicole Zwerlein
Demetre Souliotes
Kevin Kane
Nataliya Kane
Matt Auclair
Tara Trafzer
Eric Byers
Maria Bileychik
Markus Smith
Trendlyon Veal
Colleen Uspensky
Arthur Uspensky
Ruby Lair
Celina Nelson
Kunal Garde
Tracy Wang
Sheven Kekoolani
Kiah Corrin
Shanna Porcari
Paul Núñez
Katie Montgomery
Competitions
Jack & Jill
Random song, random partner! Three divisions available based on your WSDC level. You may also compete one level down in your non-dominant role
- Newcomer / Novice
- Intermediate
- Advanced / All-Star
Role Reversal J&J
A fun twist on the classic format — partners switch their lead and follow roles mid-dance. Great for dancers of all levels who want to explore both sides of the partnership.
Routine Intensive
A 6-hour session with Colleen & Arthur Uspensky teaching their 2013 EET choreography. Requires a partner and a Weekend Pass.
$75 early · $85 regular
Random Silliness
Random games/activities for the weekend. No hats or fancy prizes… just glory
Venue & Hotel
Minneapolis Marriott Northwest
Brooklyn Park, MN
Workshops, competitions, and social dances are all held at the hotel. Staying on-site means no driving and dancing until the very end.
- Hotel Block Rate
- $154/night + tax
- Booking Deadline
- July 10, 2026
Leadership Team
The local SWINGesota team that makes the weekend happen.
Hieu Le
Nina Johnson
Srinidhi Murali
Danika Dahl
Kyle Condiff
Paige Sandness
Casey Margules
Kiah Corrin
Kunal Garde
Sponsors
We would like to thank our sponsors for supporting SWINGesota Summer Spectacular. Please check out their websites and show them some love! If you are interested in sponsoring the event, please use our contact form to get in touch.
Policies
Code of Conduct
SWINGesota expects all attendees to be respectful and kind to one another at all times. We celebrate inclusion and diversity — please act accordingly. Management reserves the right to remove anyone whose behavior is disruptive to others.
All attendees are required to complete our Waiver & Code of Conduct before participating in the event.
Health & Safety
We highly recommend that all attendees be up-to-date on both COVID-19 and flu vaccines. Masking is optional.
If you are experiencing illness, please stay home. Contact us for a full refund.
Ready to Dance?
Join us July 31 – August 3 at the Minneapolis Marriott Northwest.