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Festival

Great Lakes Balboa Escape 2026

Sep 25 – Sep 27, 2026 · Chicago, United States

What to expect

Great Lakes Balboa Escape 2026 is September 25-27 in Chicago. Registration for 2026 is open! Unique themed tracks, no level tests, fun competitions. Great Lakes Balboa Escape aims to create a safer space for everyone, both at the event and in the entire balboa and swing dance community.

Who you'll dance with

Teachers

Jen Barnett

Known for bringing a little math and science into the ballroom (don’t worry, just a little), Jen began tap dancing in pre-school and cont...

Shani Brown

Shani hails from sunny southern California. She is best known for her fast, syncopated Balboa footwork, tight swing style and soft conn...

Natalia Eristavi

United States

My name is Natalia (she/her) and I am a jazz dancer, teacher and performer from Southern California and based in St. Louis, Missouri. I h...

Matt Richey

Matt Richey has been dancing Lindy Hop since the tender age of 11. His dance career started with a performance team, including dancing on...

Desiree Roffers

Chicago

Desiree has loved dancing her whole life. At the age of four, she began learning Irish Dance. Soon after, she was competing around the co...

Chisomo Selemani

Chisomo Selemani is a dance and teaching enthusiast. She loves movement, learning, collaboration, and cultural exchange. Her artistic end...

Annabel Truesdell Quisao

United States

Annabel has been teaching Lindy Hop and Balboa around the world for more than a decade. She was addicted to the communication and spont...

Bobby White

United States

Bobby teaches traditional swing dances like Balboa around the world, and holds championship titles and placements in Balboa, Lindy Hop, a...

Nick Williams

Nick Williams has embodied the passion and spirit of swing dancing ever since his first lesson in 1998. The depth of his understanding of...

Music

M

Michael Quisao

Washington, United States

A

Ann Sychterz

Champaign, United States

O

Omar Myers

Atlanta, United States

T

Tom Yi

New Orleans, United States

Venues

Irish American Heritage Center

4626 N Knox Ave, Chicago, IL 60630

4626 N Knox Ave, Chicago, IL 60630 Map ↗

Classes and main dance are here!

Dance Center Chicago

3868 N Lincoln Ave, 2nd Floor, Chicago, IL

3868 N Lincoln Ave, 2nd Floor, Chicago, IL Map ↗

Friday and Saturday late night dances are here!