Mojo Swing
Tropical Fest!
Gran Canaria, Spain
31 October - 3 November, 2024
Four days of the best swing music under the tropical sun of Gran Canaria 🍹
This is what we offer
A little piece of summer in the middle of winter
25 degrees, paradisiacal sunsets, mojito by the pool... what more can you ask for?
Three amazing parties with live music
You will dance non-stop to the sound of the best live music. You will end up exhausted, but happy. Promise.
A weekend to enjoy
You'll have time to take a dip in the beach, gorge on potatoes with mojo and extol friendship with Canarian honey rum.
Take a look at our event from last year
This year, we will have the presence of…
Professor Cunningham and his Old School
Take a growling horn section, a grooving and soulful rhythm section, a woodwind virtuoso/vocalist frontman, add the soul of a New Orleans party, and you've got Professor Cunningham and his Old School!
This award-winning New York based band performs the most swinging and grooving repertoire deeply steeped in the New Orleans tradition; from early jazz to early R&B— the likes of Sidney Bechet, Fats Waller, even Fats Domino. It is one of the most sought after Hot Jazz Bands on the international festival and Lindy Hop dance scene. They are the recipients of the Best Band award, two years in a row at the World Jam competition in Madrid and also Best Band award at Harlem Festival (Vilnius, Lithuania).
The group is fronted by in-demand vocalist/reedman Adrian Cunningham, an Australian native based in NYC, and one of his home country's finest jazz exports. The ensemble consists of some of the most energetic and accomplished musicians on the New York circuit and has been a regular hit in the NYC underground party and swing dance scene.
Professor Cunningham and his Old School is like a New Orleans party, without the hangover.
Sonia & Héctor
Sonia and Hector, a professional Lindy Hop couple (Swing Dancers). They both have been teaching Lindy Hop on a regular basis in various dance schools in Barcelona since 2003 and they have been partly responsible for promoting the success of the Lindy Hop boom nationally. They are now are travelling all around the world involved in “spreading the Lindy Hop word”, venturing on as many attractive projects as possible. Sonia and Hector are keen to demonstrate their love and enthusiasm for Lindy Hop through their work in the hope that others too can enjoy and learn the same.
Hector and Sonia teaching perspective is focused on the fundamental aspects of what they find interesting in Lindy Hop; bouncing, partner communication and quality of movement form the basis of their teaching. From their own creative standpoint, teaching “cool” moves or combinations is not the priority, although they use them as tools for enjoyment and as a way for students to remember what they have absorbed during the classes. Hector and Sonia always try to incorporate their own individual creativity into their teaching, often showing students their own originality and invention in steps and movements which they have developed. They do this to help the student on their own creative journey and inspiration. Feedback has shown Hector and Sonia that students enjoy clear examples to explain certain movements.
Ale G
Alessio Grimaldi, aka Ale G, is a swing DJ from Rome whose sessions are full of proposals inspired by the mix of genres, sounds and musical languages. Since 2001 he has worked as a resident and guest DJ at important music festivals all over Europe.
His DJ sets range from original swing music to modern reinterpretations of songs from the 30s/50s, aimed at the most enthusiastic dancers.
Baton Rouge Dixieland
Baton Rouge Dixieland is for sure the best group of this style in Gran Canaria. The group has been performing for a long time for the big events that take place on the islands such as the ARC Regatta or the International Trumpet Festival of Maspalomas, as well as numerous performances in hotels and private events of all kinds.
The formation invites to participate in their melodies and rhythms so suggestive, songs like Hello Dolly, When The Saints Go Marching In, Down The River, and Basin Street Blues .... make the show something very professional and of quality. The group, in Marching Band formation, is composed of 5 professional musicians, a trumpet, a clarinet, a trombone, a helicone and a percussionist with snare drum and cymbal.
Plátano Swing
Plátano Swing is a trio of swing and jazz manouche formed by voice, guitar, and double bass. This trio began its trajectory in 2017 performing concerts in many events throughout the Canary Islands. Plátano Swing's repertoire consists of swing and jazz classics, as well as adaptations to this genre of Latin American music such as boleros and other related classics, as well as fun adaptations of classics from the international pop/rock repertoire.
The music of Plátano Swing is a breath of fresh air and fun that reaches all audiences without distinction. As we always say in our concerts, "Plátano Swing, the perfect mix between banana and swing".
Parties where everything is possible
As you may have guessed, we are not your average swing festival. At our parties don't expect competitions where only the best in the class participate or endless exhibitions of performers. Instead, you will have dancing and more dancing, some absurd games, and plenty of time to make new friends.
We want to recover the original spirit of swing dancing, we want to celebrate life with friends of all colors and shades, without pretensions, without restrictions. Just smiles and dancing without rest to the sound of the best jazz music.
This year we are having a couple of theme parties again (we're Canarian, we can't help it 🙃). Obviously, you are not required to follow the dress code we propose. We promise you a safe space, where you can go as you want, where you will never be judged.
The Circus Party
Friday we will open our party to the greatest show on earth 🎪🤡🤹♀️
Clowns, trainers, lions, trapeze artists, tightrope walkers, magicians, jugglers... any character from the circus world will be welcome to our craziest and funniest party.
You can't miss it! 🙌
The Secret Party
We are back to have our traditional party in a secret location this year. All you have to do is grab your swimsuit, sunglasses, and sunscreen, hop on the bus, and let yourself go.
We promise it'll be worth it 👯🍹😎
Tropical 60s Party
Get ready to travel back in time and immerse yourself in the vibrant decade of the 1960s! 🌸✌️
Peace, love and swing music come together to create an unforgettable night at our second theme party. Come and enjoy an atmosphere full of bright colors, catchy rhythms and the unique energy of the sixties.
Don't forget to come in your best 60's attire. Think miniskirts, flared pants, huge sunglasses, headbands and anything that makes you feel like a true child of the era of love and revolution.
Places where things happen
Garbo's Theater
The main parties on Friday and Saturday will take place in this iconic room in the south of Gran Canaria, equipped with the best sound and light equipment and a spectacular atmosphere. The perfect place to dance until the body endures.
Grupotel Orquídea
The event will begin and end in the tropical gardens of one of the best hotels on the island. On Friday you can enjoy a wonderful sunset to the sound of the best swing music and on Sunday we will close the weekend with a chill-out party with live music.
Schedule
The following schedule is subject to change. We will always keep it updated before and during the event.
Thursday - 31 October
17:30 – 21:00 Welcome Party
Friday - 1 November
12:00 – 14:00 Vermouth & Swing
16:00 – 19:00 Solo Jazz Workshops
21:00 – 22:00 Taster
22:00 – 02:00 «The Circus» Party
Saturday - 2 November
11:00 – 14:00 Lindy Hop Workshops
14:00 – 18:00 Secret Party
21:00 – 22:00 Taster
22:00 – 02:00 «Tropical 60s» Party
Sunday - 3 November
11:00 – 14:00 Lindy Hop Workshops
12:30 – 14:00 Chill-out Party
17:00 – 19:00 Sunset Party
Class levels
At Tropical Fest we offer two levels of classes geared to your goals as a dancer.
🎉 Social Dancer
Social dancing is your hobby. You use basic and advanced steps, complemented with musicality, footwork, etc... You are very comfortable with swing out, circles, tandem, hand to hand, texas tommy, slingshots, sugar pushes and put footwork variations. You are able to memorize step structures and choreography with ease.
💪 Challenger
You frequently participate in international workshops and festivals. Your dance is very musical and you are an expert in playing with rhythm, syncopation and other elements of more advanced musicality. You master Solo Jazz steps and use them in your dancing. You create your own structures and are able to perform swing outs in fast tempos without any problem.
Prices
Crazy Pass
For those who have no limit
3 hours of Lindy Hop (1)
1.5 hours of Solo Jazz (1)
4 parties with live music
2 very tropical socials
2 very alternative tasters
1 spa circuit pass
More surprises to come!
Tropical Pass
For the party animals
4 parties with live music
2 very tropical socials
2 very alternative tasters
1 spa circuit pass
More surprises to come!
Secret Party
We promise to surprise you (2)
Party with DJ
Transport
Food
2 drinks
* Special discount for members of Mojo Swing Canarias and partner associations.
(1) We will have two levels: Social Dancer and Challenger. Read their description.
(2) Parallel activity that can be added to any of the passes. Not sold separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where will the festival take place?
Nearly all of the weekend's activities and events will take place in the area of Bahía Feliz/Tarajalillo, in the south of Gran Canaria.
We recommend you to look for accommodation in or around that area.
How do I get to Bahia Feliz?
If you are coming from the airport, you have three options:
- A cab costs around 35 €.
- The bus costs 4,05 €. You can take the lines 66 and 90 of Guaguas Global. You have more information here.
- You can rent a car at any of the rental companies with offices at the airport.
If you are coming from Las Palmas, we recommend you to take the line 30 of Guaguas Global.
Where can I stay?
The hotels we recommend are Gupotel Orquídea, Grupotel Tres Vidas, Grupotel Las Pitas and Grupotel Playa Feliz.
Alternatively, you can look for accommodation in Playa del Águila (15 minutes on foot) or in San Agustín or Playa del Inglés (10 minutes by cab). From Playa del Inglés, the bus costs 1.70 € and a cab costs about 15 € each way.
What is the spa circuit pass?
All tickets include a pass to a circuit on the Orquidea Club Spa for you to relax and recover from all that dancing 🛀
You can use the pass between 10:00 a.m. on Thursday and 2:00 p.m. on Monday. The circuit has a duration of 1 hour and a capacity for 20 people. It is not necessary to make a reservation. Just show up and give your name. It will be attended on a first-come, first-served basis.
