Jumptown Swing

Jumptown Jam 2026 (8 - 10th of May) needs a couple more volunteers to make this weekend magic! 🎉

We're specifically on the lookout for:

🎟️ Experienced Door People – Got a knack for welcoming guests, checking tickets, and keeping things running smoothly at the door?

✨ Perks for Volunteers: – Complete 2 or more shifts and receive a $40 rebate – Or get free entry to the event you're volunteering at if you don't already have a pass!

Whether you're a Jumptown regular or just want to get involved behind the scenes — we'd love to have you on board.

📩 Comment below or send us a message to express your interest and we'll get you sorted!

Thinking about entering a the comp at Jumptown Jam 8-10th of May in Canberra?
Our competitions are all about connection, creativity and having a crack — not just winning.
Mix & Match kicks things off Friday night, Strictly Lindy & Solo Jazz Comps Saturday night. See the format and rules below.
Come dance, meet new people and jump in.
👉 Details here:

jumptownjam.org

The Jumptown Jam is back this May! Join us 8-10 May for a weekend of workshops, social dancing, competitions and more. Here’s what to expect from the Jam this year:

📣 Workshops with international teachers Soochan and Young (Korea) and local teachers Jessie (Perth) and Joel (Melbourne) to inspire and challenge your dancing
📣 Socials with live music from the superb Jessie Gordon Quartet
📣 Competitions to throw down in
📣 Sensational DJs to keep you dancing all night
📣 Plus that classic Jumptown Jam energy and hospitality that always makes this weekend so memorable.

Tickets are on sale now — check out all the details here:

Jumptown Jam Did you know that Jumptown Jam is run entirely by volunteers for a not-for-profit community organisation? This means we need your help to ensure everything runs smoothly and that the event is a success!

Can you believe the phenomenal Leigh Barker Band is playing for us tomorrow night?! We can’t to dance with you all and hear these incredible musicians! 🤩🔥 Did you know it’s cheaper if you book ahead? $40 online ticket sales close at 11:59pm tonight — get yours here! https://www.trybooking.com/DGIWF

After that it’s $45 at the door 🙂 See you on the dance floor!

The Leigh Barker Band – Live at The Polo! Friday 7 November • The Polish Club, Turner (Canberra) $40 early bird/online (until 31 Oct) $45 on the door Step back in time at the Polo,...

📰🚨 Breaking News! 🚨📰
First Flight (Early Bird) Registration Drop takes off this Thursday, 23rd Jan @ 12pm! 🕛🎉
🔥 The first 80 full passes are discounted and will fly out the door until sold out – don’t miss out! 🔥
We’re still keeping a few surprises under wraps 👀, but trust us – this year is going to be EPIC. 🎶💃 We’re cranking up the excitement and turning up the volume like never before! 🎷🎉
📢 Stay tuned for announcements – they’re coming soon! 📢
Get ready to celebrate the unforgettable 21st Edition of Canberrang! 🎊✨
💻 Mark your calendars and be ready to register! 🚨

Canberräng 2025 Canberräng 31 - 3 August 2025 Canberra’s vibrant swing festival continues its legacy as one of Australia’s longest-running and most cherished...

We’re looking for volunteers for Jumptown Jam! If you can spare a bit of time to help us set up, pack up or sit on a registration desk we’d be so grateful! 🙏🙏🙏 Send us a message to you’re available to help out ☺️

Did you know the Jumptown Jam is run entirely by volunteers and a not-for-profit community organisation? And did you know that you could be one of those volunteers? We’re looking for people who can help with jobs like set up and pack up, or a shift on the registration desk. With many hands we definitely make light work — we want to make sure everyone gets as much dancing in as possible!

Every Jam we get the most wonderful people volunteering, so if you have capacity for a short stint this year please message this page. You’ll have our eternal gratitude!

Leaders, are you missing classes? Want to work on your dancing, catch up with your pals and dance at socials with some of the best music for swing dancers in the world? You should join us at the Jam! Check out these reasons why you can’t miss this event (we can’t say enough how cool this weekend is going to be!) and make sure you follow the Jumptown Jam page for all updates 😁

Gordon Webster Band ft Julia Weatherholtz - "Dance the Night" (Dua Lipa Swing Cover, Barbie Movie)

An exciting update about Jumptown Jam ! Be sure to follow the page for more info

Jumptown Jam Jumptown Jam is a weekend of workshops and social dancing in Canberra, run by Jumptown Swing.

We’re taking a break from weekly classes in 2024. Read on for a message from outgoing president Liam Honer reflecting on Jumptown’s new direction…

What’s in store for 2024?
Normally around this time we are announcing the start of classes and a new schedule for the upcoming year. However, it is with some sadness that Jumptown has decided to put a pause on regular lindy hop and balboa classes in 2024. We’ve taught weekly swing dance classes as a not-for-profit organisation to thousands of people in Canberra for the last 20 years, so this decision did not come lightly. Read on for more detail on why we’ve taken this path and to find out else what we have in store for 2024.

What about any unused class passes?
Please email [email protected] with a scanned copy of your class pass and we will reimburse you for any unused classes 👍.

Why is this happening now?
Our main reason for making this change is not financial, although we have all noticed the reduction in swing dancers in Canberra. Keeping the lights on for weekly classes involves a lot of behind the scenes work. Jumptown is run by volunteers and some of our key contributors (and teachers) have had some recent life changes that mean they need a break or change of pace. We also wanted to pivot and try a different approach to keep things fresh.

Jumptown’s story doesn’t end here…
By restructuring with a new committee and leadership team, we will put all our energy into running our beloved events such as the Jumptown Jam and Canberräng. This means we’ll be able to continue to support the Canberra swing dance scene, albeit in a slightly different capacity. We are also toying with the idea of a monthly social and class, so watch this space 🤔. By simplifying our operations and pivoting to a new approach, we’ll be able to re-emerge with new wings and renewed energy this year 🦋.

So what about our fabulous teaching team?
We can’t thank our lindy hop and balboa teaching teams enough, both past and present. 🙏 So many talented individuals have shared their skills and passion for swing dancing in class over the past 20 years. Most recently, Stef, Dixie, Seriden, Karen, Sarah Ward, Sarah C, Jocelyn, Amy Davies, Gareth, Sam and Richard - thank you for all your work in 2023 and your ongoing support as we venture into new territory.

The new committee & team
Many of our wonderful teaching team have agreed to try their hand at forming a new committee, and we’ll have more on that in the near future.

But first I want to give a special shout out to Dixie, who is stepping down from the committee to take a much deserved break from the hustle and bustle of committee life. Many of you know Dixie, a beautiful dancer and wonderful human who has been a key contributor and volunteer for Jumptown for many years now. She has been a driving force behind the scenes, putting in countless hours of her time, and we wouldn’t have had regular classes, socials, our signature events the Jumptown Jam and Canberräng, or our troupe the Jumptown Jammers, for so long without her. She has a certain way and calmness about her that definitely changed the way we do things for the better, and she always ensured that everyone in the scene was looked after. We cannot thank her enough for all her time, energy and skills🙏. (And don’t worry, she’ll still be around and dancing 💃).

I will be having a break from regular teaching after 20 years and will also be stepping down as president to reduce my workload. I will remain on the new committee to help with the transition, and take on a new role in the committee as events manager to continue to lead the Jam and Canberräng. Who knows, you may even see me back on the dance floor a bit more at interstate events (have already made it to MLX last year and ALX is next on the list 🗓️)

Our students
You have made this decision extremely hard, and we are going to miss seeing you all each week. We exist to bring joy to peoples lives through dance; however, you have also brought so much joy to our lives. There have been so many great moments and laughs and it has been a privilege to share the ups and downs of life with you all, including friendships, relationships, marriages and babies. Thank you for bringing so much happiness to our lives every week and supporting the school in so many ways, regardless of whether you are a newer student or have been dancing with us for many years. We will certainly be seeing you on the dance floor again very soon!

We love you all! Our weekly classes could not have run without you and we haven’t forgotten all your support and help over the years.

While we are putting a pause on regular classes, we will be back very soon with some key announcements, including about the Jam and of course Canberräng. Remember, our story doesn’t end here and we are excited for you to see what Jumptown does next…

Thank you

Liam (on behalf of the Jumptown committee and teaching team)