July 2nd – 5th 2026
From BBQ/pool parties, Jitterbug Spirit, Dance Contests, and MORE SWINGdepenDANCE leaves nothing to be desired!
SWINGdepenDANCE is Arizona’s HOTTEST workshop weekend! We are pleased to have instructors Grace and Patrick from California as our headlining instructors. In addition, The Shake Bombs will be playing Friday night and Howard Alden & His All-Stars will be playing for us Saturday night!
The Thursday night pool party/bbq/potluck will be taking place at the Hopkins’ Residence in Mesa, 6-11pm.
Bands and Late-Night dancing both Friday and Saturday nights.
Junior’s passes (under 18) are only $75!
Can’t afford the weekend? Individual prices available for all events! *Or you can join our Volunteer Staff and get in for FREE! (Volunteer Details Below)
Choose from 8 workshops with top instructors!
We are SO lucky to be welcoming Howard Alden and His All-Stars as our Saturday night 20’s-30’s Jazz/Swing Band.
The AZ Swing Dance Championships are guaranteed to be a highlight of the weekend!
Check out all the details and REGISTER NOW at www.SWINGdepenDANCE.com
*We have limited volunteer space available! email thelindyhopkins@gmail.com with ‘Swingdependance Volunteer’ in the subject line. First come, first served!
The first tier of weekend passes will sell out QUICKLY!
Weekend passes and individual event passes available for the weekend!
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Early Bird Weekend Pass Swingdependance 2026
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There are only limited amounts of each tier of weekend passes; don’t delay register today.
Grace Babbes’ Biography:
Grace grew up in a family of actors and musicians and has been performing since the age of four. With a lifelong love of swing music and vintage art and fashion, she was instantly hooked when she discovered her first Lindy Hop class in 2012. Soon after, she became a fixture on Southern California’s social dance floors—dancing Lindy Hop, Balboa, Collegiate Shag, and Solo Jazz up to five nights a week. Now a full-time international instructor, Grace teaches across the United States, Europe, and Asia. She is also a seasoned competitor, with titles from events such as ILHC, Camp Hollywood, and Hot Rhythm Holiday. In addition to teaching and competing, Grace is a sought-after DJ and vocalist, known for playing and singing classic tracks that inspire dancers of all levels to connect with the music, its history, and each other.
Grace brings passion, playfulness, and deep respect for the roots of swing dance to every class she teaches. She encourages joy, delight, and a drive for excellence in her students. Heavily inspired by original swing dancers—especially those from Southern California—she frequently studies and shares vintage clips to spark fresh ideas. Grace’s teaching blends deep technique with joyful connection – leaving dancers empowered, grounded, and inspired.
Patrick Stephanoff’s Biography:
Growing up with a love of jazz, soul, and funk music, Patrick instantly took to Lindy Hop when he joined his high school swing dance club in 2016. After the first few trips that Patrick took with his club-mates to the famous ballrooms around Southern California, he was hooked; there’s no chance you’d catch him at home if there was an opportunity to be dancing. Shaped by the immense talent and culture in his home scene, Patrick has gone on to compete and win awards from prestigious events such as Camp Hollywood, Hot Rhythm Holiday, and the Camp Jitterbug. Now teaching at Atomic Ballroom, he is helping to shape the next generation of dancers and carry on the legacy of those before him.
For Patrick, culture and history are the most important aspects of the dance. Not only does he love to study old clips, he actively seeks out stories about the old timers to further understand them and their dancing. Along with teaching fundamental technique (such as grounded-ness, pulse, and flow), he brings a softer skillset of injecting humor, playfulness, and performance to help dancers feel like they have the means to truly dance like themselves.
THURSDAY NIGHT
THURSDAY, July 2nd, come celebrate and kick off Swingdependance weekend with us at the pool party, BBQ, & swing dance! It’s totally FREE and is a potluck, so bring something (food or non-alcoholic drink) to share. We will be swimming (Pool Tranky Doo/Aerials anyone?), eating (we will provide burgers and hot dogs), dancing to amazing swing music with some sweet swing DJs, and hosting the famous Wet and Wild Solo Jazz Dance Contest (shoes optional)!
Be sure to mention what you plan on bringing to the potluck in the comments of the event!
*All Ages, family friendly, no vaping/alcohol (keep it in your car – be discreet)
6pm – It all begins!! We’ll be dancing until everyone leaves!
9pm – Solo Jazz Dance Contest
Thursday night will take place at the Hopkins’ Residence
3145 E. Fountain St. Mesa 85213
Close to Lindsay & Brown in Mesa, street parking available.
REMEMBER!! Bring your bathing suit and towel and something to eat or drink to share with everyone! If you prefer something other than a burger or dog, bring it!
FRIDAY NIGHT
We are super excited for the Friday Night dance at Swingdependance with sthe Shake Bombs!!
The cover is only $30
Bottled water available for only $1.
*It gets REALLY HOT sometimes, especially during the summer, so please do everyone a favor: Bring deodorant, extra shirts to change into, a sweat towel, etc.
NO PARTNER REQUIRED, ALL AGES WELCOME
Cover: $30
Credit Cards accepted (+$1 service fee)
Doors Open 8:00pm
Dance: 8pm-1am
Guild of the Vale is located at 200 N. Macdonald St. in old town Mesa. 2nd Street and Macdonald. Street parking available.
SATURDAY NIGHT
We are super excited for the Saturday Night dance at Swingdependance with the Howard Alden All-Stars Jazz Band!
We are so lucky to have Howard Alden, considered one of the greatest jazz guitarists alive today, and his All-Stars Jazz Band playing for us! Check out Howard’s Wiki Page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_Alden
Live Music 8-Midnight
AZ Swing Dance Championship Finals 11pm
Late Night 12am-2am
Late Night Food provided by Crème De La Baa Farm
Howard Alden & His All Stars will be playing for your dancing pleasure. The cover is $40 and includes late night and food, which will probably go until around 2am.
We are also hosting the AZ Swing Dance Championships**, which is a strictly Lindy partner contest to crown the AZ King and Queen of Swing!! $25/couple, prelims at Guild of the Vale at 4pm, finals will be around 11pm. Signups at the door. CASH PRIZE FOR FIRST PLACE and passes to next year’s Swingdependance!!
**In order to compete in any contest at Swingdependance this year, you must have either a full weekend pass or a Student Pass or Junior’s Pass.
Bottled water available for only $1.
*It gets REALLY HOT sometimes, especially during the summer, so please do everyone a favor: Bring deodorant, extra shirts to change into, a sweat towel, etc.
NO PARTNER REQUIRED, ALL AGES WELCOME
Cover: $40
Credit Cards accepted (+$1 service fee)
Doors Open 7:30pm
Dance: 8:00-12:00am to Live Music
Late Night: 12:00am-3am
Guild of the Vale is located at 200 N. Macdonald St. in old town Mesa. NW corner of 2nd St. and Macdonald. Street parking available.
SUNDAY NIGHT
For the Sunday night dance of Swingdependance, we will be at The Guild of the Vale (formerly the Women’s Club of Mesa). Located in a historical building built in 1931, the Guild of the Vale has an awesome wood floor and a vintage feel that will make you want to dance! 200 N. Macdonald in Old Town Mesa.
Music will be provided by some of your favorite DJs!
Dance 8-12am
Cost is: $20
Cash and Credit (+$1) accepted.
Water sold at the door for only $1.
Our venue is still at the same location (200 N Macdonald Mesa, AZ) in the same amazing historic building it has always been in, but the venue has a NEW name, “Guild of the Vale”!
There is still time to register!