Evenings

Oslo Balboa Weekend is a gathering for Balboa enthusiasts who appreciate swing jazz and uninterrupted social dancing. This year, we’re excited to welcome The Big Five from Berlin alongside top musicians from Oslo, including David Skinner.

The pre-party is upgraded to a proper party this year, we will have tasters and live jazz, but we will not go on all night but end at midnight. The venue will be Sentralen, the same as the main event.

Friday and Saturday feature two stages with live music:
Forstanderskapsalen for Balboa and Kronesalen for slow Balboa.
Fire safety regulations limit Forstanderskapssalen to 150 guests and Kronesalen to 120, and we appreciate your understanding in respecting these limits.
We will have two bars this year, Gullbaren outside Forstanderskapsalen and one in Kronesalen, you will not have to go thirsty.

Our DJ team includes both international and Norwegian DJs!

Thursday: Tasters and Pre-party!

Forstanderskapssalen

19.30 – 20.30 Open balboa taster class with Lucia and Javi
This taster is open to all dancers with a basic knowledge of balboa, you do not need a ticket. Space is limited however, so make sure to be there in time!

21.00 – 24.00 Party with David Skinner Swing Four
This party is open for all dancers, you do not need a ticket!

David Arthur Skinner is a driving force in the Norwegian swing jazz scene. In addition to his work as a freelance musician, he runs Café Society, a monthly swing jazz night in Oslo, supported by the Norwegian Arts Council since 2019. With 25 years of experience, Skinner has played across Europe and is a favorite among swing dancers. He leads the renowned swing band Jazzombies, a staple of Norway’s swing dance community. Expect an evening of swinging rhythms and jazz improvisation when David Arthur Skinner and his quartet take the stage! Supporting him is Lars Frank on sax who always gives everything, musical jazz rummer Magnus Eide, and bass player Jens Fossum who gives a hard swinging foundation and great solos.

Lars Frank – sax/clarinet
David Skinner – piano
Jens Fossum – bass
Magnus Eide – drums

Friday – Two tasters! Two dance floors with live music!

20.00 – 21.00 Forstanderskapssalen: Peabody with Jenna and Dara
Step into the jazz age! Join our beginner-friendly Peabody dance class and learn this lively, elegant ballroom style from the 1920s. No partner or experience needed — just bring your energy and have fun on the dance floor!

20.00 – 21.00 Kronesalen: From 0 to Sl0w with Elena and Alberto
Curious about Slow Bal? Don’t miss out! In this one-hour taster, we’ll introduce you to the essentials of this smooth and elegant dance, perfect for slower swing tempos. We will explore how to embrace slower tempos with ease, finding the balance between relaxation and activation. We’ll dive into the historical context, cover basic footwork and connection, and introduce simple variations to play with musicality. No experience needed: just come as you are and enjoy the slow flow!

21.00 – 02.00 Balboa (Forstanderskapssalen): David Skinners Swing Five

David Skinner is back and expand the band to a quintet with trumpet player Erik Eilertsen. The scene is set for a night of hard swinging jazz. Looking forward to the duels between Lars Frank on sax and Eilertsen on trumpet! With the quintet we up the intensity, and it’s going to be great set.

Lars Frank – sax/clarinet
David Skinner – piano
Jens Fossum – bass
Magnus Eide – drums
Erik Eilertsen – trumpet

21.00 – 02.00 Slow Balboa (Kronesalen): The Big Five (Berlin)

The Oslo Balboa Weekend is proud to present this Sextet from Berlin! Inspired by the wild hot sounds of 1930s/40s Harlem and Chicago jazz, The Big Five have established themselves as Berlin’s most authentic swing-era combo. Combining a driving rhythm section, a fiery horn-led frontline and dynamic song-arrangements, this international band makes a deep-dive into the lesser-known repertoire of the Swing Golden Age – as well as a strong emphasis on original compositions. The Big Five are veterans of Berlin’s famed Lindy-hop and Balboa dance-halls and know how to turn a mild-mannered dance party into a raging frenzy. With their sharp attire and an intense passion for authentic swing-era jazz, these cats will certainly make you Jump for Joy!

Daniel Duspiwa, Tenor Sax
Leo Gerstner, Drums
Jack Latimer, Vocals/ Guitar
Malte Tönißen, Bass
Laurin Habert, Bari Sax / Alto Sax / Clarinet
Johannes Böhmer, Trumpet

Saturday – Musicality taster! Two dance floors!

20.00 – 21.00 Musicality taster with The Big Five

21.00 – 02.00 Balboa (Forstanderskapssalen): The Big Five

The Big five takes on the main Balboa stage and we look forward to feel the energy! This will be a night to remember. Note that we have a limitation on people in the Forstanderskapsalen, so be patient!

20.00 – 02.00 Slow Balboa (Kronesalen): Erik Eilertsen Trio

This is a concert that we really look forward to. The trio format brings out tight communication and improvisation. Erik Eilertsen is a star of the swingjazz scene and a dancers favorite. Here he is joined by drummer Hermund Nygård who delivered such a great performance that he made it to our feedback forms. And on keys, David Skinner who knows how to swing it slow. It will be a blues infused swing jazz set that we are sure you are going to love.

Erik Eilertsen- Trumpet
David Skinner – piano
Hermund Nygård – drums

Sunday – The final party!

Balboa and slow balboa (Forstanderskapssalen): The Big Five

Oslo Balboa Weekend reaches its thrilling conclusion! With live jazz from the the Big five! This is no tea dance but a culmination of the weekend!

Daniel Duspiwa, Tenor Sax
Leo Gerstner, Drums
Jack Latimer, Vocals/ Guitar
Malte Tönißen, Bass
Laurin Habert, Bari Sax / Alto Sax / Clarinet
Johannes Böhmer, Trumpet