Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
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Here are some of the frequently asked questions we receive from our guests. If you don't find an answer to a specific question, please do not hesitate to contact us.
The Euro Dance Festival is Europe's largest dance workshop festival. For four days, the world's best dancers give more than 300 workshops and courses: Standard, Latin, Salsa, Tango, Swing, Discofox, Hip Hop and Breakdance. For every level - from beginner to professional. Additionally, spectacular shows await the visitors on the first three evenings of the festival. The festival in 2011 is the fifth edition, following major successes in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010.
The festival is located in the hotels, halls and conference rooms of the "Europa-Park" amusement park near Freiburg, Germany. The Europa-Park is the seasonal amusement park with the most visitors, worldwide. More than four million guests visit the park every year. The park itself will be closed during the time of the festival. For directions, simply turn to this page.
Experience the variety of dancing. Learn new steps, techniques and styling. Even try new and rare dances. Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening you can practice what you learned. Live music and shows from the World’s Best will captivate you!
Trainers and teachers
Besides lots of fun and contacts worldwide, the festival offers one big benefit: Get new material for your lessons, arranged by the world’s best trainers! Profit from the variety of new figures, technique trends and special dances, which are presented by world class couples and instructors. You will see interesting combinations and techniques at numerous workshops. Easily integrate your new knowledge into your own dance style!
Nothing is more exciting than learning new techniques and figures of various dances directly from the world’s best couples, trainers and judges. Take the chance to gain new skills in other dance styles like Salsa, Tango Argentino, Swing, etc.
The classics are very popular for their dancing elegance and their perfected moves.
Look forward to numerous workshops on technique, posture and new series of steps for each of the five dances in all levels of this section (Slow Waltz, Tango, Slow Fox, Viennese Waltz and Quickstep).
No one who likes to dance can evade the lure from the rhythms of Latin America. Many new figures, rhythm, and body coordination are some of the main themes in the workshops. Key techniques and the movements of Cha-Cha-Cha, Samba, Rumba, Paso Doble, and Jive will be shown in detail.
Ever-growing popularity in large parts of the United Stated has now brought West Coast Swing to Europe - big time! A fun and leasure dance, not only enjoyed by casual dancers, but interesting for professionals and trainers as well. "Jack and Jill"-tournaments are a huge success and are being integrated into the festival's evening events: Everyone can join and participate - dance partners are assigned by random.
"Salsa no es solamente una danza, Salsa es vivir, Salsa es fiebre." - "Salsa is not only a dance, Salsa is an attitude of living, Salsa is fever."
Started as a music trend and then a dance, Salsa quickly spread over the globe. Over time the dance developed further and new styles were born. Today, Salsa has millions of enthusiastic supporters.
The latest trends of all styles can be studied in workshops on all four days of the festival.
Originally from the 20’s & the 30’s this dance has a passion that continues to impact many styles of music and dance around the world. The renaissance of Swing began in the early 80’s and now can be found on every stage and dance floor.
The Big Band Era with unforgettable hits and wild combinations of figures blend together the dancing styles of Swing. This is one of those dances that is contagious and has a scene of its own. Basic steps as well as new figures of the various styles (Lindy Hop, Boogie Woogie, Charleston and Balboa) will be presented.
As in Salsa, you can quickly dance with many different partners - even if the lady does not know each and every step combination.
The workshops will therefore mainly cover new figures and exact leading.
Absolute frenzy awaits in Hip Hop during the four days of the festival! Newest combos and shows, taken from the chart hits, will be taught by teachers with lots of experience in TV (among others, on VIVA and MTV) and choreography work.
In Breakdance, different styles will be covered, next to the basics. Get ready for Locking, Popping, Boogaloo and Floating!
Besides the "classic" dances, workshops for Rock'n'Roll, dances of the last century (Polka, Rheinländer etc.) and dances from the 'Roaring Twenties' (Charleston, Old Tango etc.) can be attended at the Euro Dance Festival. These also will be led by the world's best trainers and choreographers of the respective sections. Themes vary from year to year, so be sure to check the timetables for details.
To help you find "your" workshops, they are divided into five skill levels:
Level Beginner:
Easy basics and figures will be taught. No knowlegde in the respective sections is required - but still a general dance experience is mandatory.
Level 1:
All participants should have basic dance experience e.g. have attended dance courses before.
Level 2:
You have attended courses on at least gold level or you are a regular hobby dancer.
Level 3:
This level is for long-time active dancers in a dance club or tournament dancers classes D and C.
Level 4:
This level is for the professional dancer, tournament dancers classes B, A and S and for dance trainers or teachers. PLEASE NOTE: We have increased the complexity of level 4 workshops, due to demand from our guests. In technique workshops, no step combinations will be covered! Moreover, participants in level 4 workshops are required to be able to dance the basic figures from the books by Alex Moore and Walter Laird. If you do not meet this requirement, you will still be able to attend the workshops, but only as passive viewer from the side of the dance floor.
All levels are meant to be suggestions, not strict limitations. However, instructors will stick to one workshop's level as indicated in the timetable.
On Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening there will be dance shows which take place on different dance floors. The main event with large shows is held in the "EP-Dome" hall and in Ballroom "Berlin" (FRI and SAT). In a day pass or a 4-day pass, admission to the evening events is already included (you can book seats separately if you like).
Additionally, there will be free after show parties on the first three festival evenings (starting approx. midnight) at the hotel bar "Colosseo".
There are hotel rooms (single, double, triple and four-bed) available right on site at the Europa-Park's Hotel Resorts (4**** and 4****Superior). Please note: accommodation is booked separately from festival tickets (except for the "double room package"; here we do all the booking for you). Therefore please call the Europa-Park directly: +49 (0) 1805/868620 for reservation and booking. Do not forget to say the "magic word" Euro Dance Festival! More information (in English) can be found on the Park's own website HERE.
Organizers are Gutmann Events GmbH & Co. KG and the Europa-Park. The Freiburg dance school Tanzschule Gutmann serves as advisor.
BDT eV ("Berufsverband Deutscher Tanzlehrer eV"), "Tanzlehrerverband der Schweiz" (Swissdance), "Verband der Tanzlehrer Österreichs" (VTÖ) as well as our partners and sponsors.