Artists

Artists

The Queer Swing Dance Exchange Zurich is excited to bring together a diverse group of musicians, dancers, and performers who reflect the intersectional spirit of our event. We are inviting artists who are rooted in swing and related dance cultures, have meaningful connections to LGBTQ+ communities, and bring a wide spectrum of creative expression.

Live Bands

Portrait of Cats and Dinosaurs, Swing Band

Photo: © Cats and Dinosaurs

Cats and Dinosaurs

Swing Band

Gothenburg, Sweden

Meet Cats and Dinosaurs — the world's most radical swing band! This feminist left-wing swing collective from Gothenburg, Sweden has gained a worldwide following with their punk-inflected vintage jazz and political lyrics in both English and Swedish. They honor the jazz pioneers not by copying them note by note, but by embracing their energy and radical attitude. And being lindy hop dancers themselves, they know exactly what the dancers need! The band has been playing together since 2014 and released four albums. But their main reputation is built on their high-powered live shows, a surreal mix of cabaret, sing-along, and political rally. Through the years they have done well over a hundred concerts, and played everywhere from punk clubs and rock festivals to dance halls and opera houses. Don't miss the chance to catch them live — they can guarantee you a night to remember!

Portrait of Chicago Swing Collective, Swing Band

Photo: © Chicago Swing Collective

Chicago Swing Collective

Swing Band

Zug, Switzerland

When swinging rhythms catapult you onto the dance floor, when the horns pull you into a wild vortex, and you can't keep yourself together due to the enthusiasm, you're experiencing the Chicago Swing Collective. Seven young musicians have been dusting off old jazz classics together since 2020 and have become a well-established gang thanks to their regular event at the Chicago Bar in Zug.

Dance Teachers & DJs

Portrait of Sandy Lewis, Dance Teacher & MC

Photo: © David Poul

Sandy Lewis(she/her)

Dance Teacher & MC

Barcelona, Spain

Sandy is a Barcelona-based swing dancer, teacher, and community organizer active in the international swing scene since 2012. She specializes in Collegiate Shag and works across partnered and solo jazz dances, dancing and teaching both roles. Beyond technique, Sandy's work engages critically with the social and historical contexts of swing dance. Her teaching and talks explore topics such as patriarchy in swing music, women in jazz history, while centering the African American roots of swing. She is committed to creating inclusive learning environments grounded in respect, curiosity, and care. Sandy is a co-founder of the Barcelona Shag Society and the creator of Shag Train, a weekly online community connecting dancers worldwide. She also regularly performs and serves as an emcee at swing festivals across Spain.

Portrait of Marina Alves, Dance Teacher & DJ

Photo: © Antanas Minkevicius

Marina Alves(she/her)

Dance Teacher & DJ

Porto, Portugal

Brazilian by birth, Marina grew up surrounded by samba at lively family gatherings. Deeply connected to the African roots of her culture, rhythm came long before technique. In her mid-20s, a love for old Hollywood films led her to jazz music and eventually to Lindy Hop, a North American cousin of the dances and sounds she already loved. Since then, she has joyfully immersed herself in Lindy Hop, Balboa, Collegiate Shag, and anything that swings. Now based in Porto, Marina has been actively contributing to the local dance scene for several years as a teacher, organizer, and DJ – a role she is especially passionate about. On the dance floor, she values smooth movement, deep partner connection, and, just as importantly, a good laugh along the way.

Portrait of Samuel Gaudó Belarre, Dance Teacher & DJ

Photo: © Samuel Gaudó Belarre

Samuel Gaudó Belarre(he/him)

Dance Teacher & DJ

Berlin, Germany

Samuel Gaudó Belarre is a Berlin-based dancer, teacher, and artistic director devoted to the liberatory roots of swing culture. Specializing in Authentic Jazz and Lindy Hop, his work blends deep historical respect with a fiercely contemporary, queer-centered perspective that celebrates self-expression, musicality, and collective joy. Known for his groove-driven style and emotional presence on the dance floor, Samuel approaches jazz as both an artistic practice and a political space, inviting dancers to inhabit their bodies with freedom, softness, and unapologetic individuality.

Portrait of DJ Wuthe, DJ (shellac records)

Photo: © Tamara Pinco

DJ Wuthe(he/him)

DJ (shellac records)

Berlin, Germany

DJ Wuthe has been passionately collecting historic shellac records for nearly 50 years. As an author, curator, and Europe-wide swing DJ, he combines deep knowledge of jazz and dance history with the joy and energy of social dancing. Using original recordings from the 1930s and 1940s, he brings history, music, and dance vividly to life — from international swing festivals to special formats such as his legendary Berlin "Swingwalks".

Drag & Performance

Portrait of Vio La Cornuta, Drag Queen & Cabaret Artist

Photo: © Vio La Cornuta

Vio La Cornuta(she/her)

Drag Queen & Cabaret Artist

Zurich, Switzerland / Hamburg, Germany

Swiss drag queen and cabaret artist with seven years of stage experience. Since placing second at «Heaven Dragrace 2019» (Switzerland's biggest drag competition), she has performed across all Swiss stages, hosts revues at Hamburg's «Pulverfass» (the world's oldest travesty theater) and is a regular at Zürich's «Kweer» and «Heaven» Club. Her shows blend singing, lipsync, storytelling, stand-up comedy, and moderation. Beyond drag, she's a trained gardener who leads educational tours about queerness in the plant and animal world at «Seleger Moor» park.

Portrait of Kokeshi Momo, Burlesque Artist

Photo: © Stagetime

Kokeshi Momo(she/her)

Burlesque Artist

Zürich, Switzerland

As a burlesque artist and musical theatre performer, Kokeshi Momo captivates audiences with her enchanting charm and versatility. She is a highly expressive performer whose range spans from the sweet and sensual ingénue to the confident, powerful woman. She is the winner of the "Most Bohemian Burlesque Act 2025" award in Prague and has been performing in various ensembles and shows both in Switzerland and internationally since 2019. Kokeshi Momo, translated as "The Peach Doll", loves the storytelling within each choreography, the stylish glamour, the cheeky seduction, and the touch of humor that should never be missing, along with grace and elegance. When she is not sensually shedding her layers on stage, she can be seen performing in various musical productions. She is the Art Director of the burlesque dinner shows "Miss Miu" in Bern and Zug and "Cabaret d'Harlequin" in Zug, as well as the producer of "Velvet Nights" at Commihalle Zürich and Saal Dübendorf.

Portrait of ReBella Bacilla Basta, Burlesque Performer

Photo: © Daniel Manser

ReBella Bacilla Basta(she/her)

Burlesque Performer

Zürich, Switzerland

ReBella Bacilla Basta is a dazzling rebel born from a laboratory full of glitter dust. She claims to have been created in a botched experiment in which glamour particles combined with just a smidge of chaos. Since then, she has been spreading not bacilli, but attitude, confidence, and sparkling furore. Music on, world off! Movement, rhythm, and interaction on the dance floor characterize ReBella's approach to dance. Whether alone, in a couple, or in a group, she is constantly discovering new sources of inspiration. Her dance journey has led her to swing and burlesque, where both styles fascinate her with their expressiveness and the freedom they offer for creative interpretation. In swing, she has developed a unique style far removed from classic dance roles. This feeling also characterizes her burlesque, in which she playfully expresses her inner self. Passing on this feeling has opened up another level of inspiration for her: it fills her with joy to give others the space for journeys of self-discovery, where, in the end, they can simply be themselves.

More Artists Coming Soon