LINDY HOP

WEDNESDAY · ART DECO 1 · UPSIDE DOWN

The original swing dance — joyful, improvised, and built on real musical connection.

REGISTER FOR SEP 2026 ↓

What is Lindy Hop?

Lindy Hop is the original swing dance, born in Harlem in the 1920s and 30s alongside jazz music. It's a partner dance built on improvisation, playfulness, and a deep relationship with the music. Upside Down's approach is accessible and grounded in the historical roots — classes build social dancing skills alongside technique, with the "Everybody Leads, Everybody Follows" principle keeping everything open to everyone.

Free trial week · 14–19 September
Drop in to any class, no registration needed — subject to availability

Upside Down

Upside Down is a Ghent-based organisation that, in addition to organising many swing, jazz and blues events and festivals, spreads its passion for these dance cultures at Shoonya. Classes are accessible and playful, aimed at developing social connection, sense of community, improvisation, personal expression and sense of rhythm. Thanks to the Everybody Leads, Everybody Follows principle, anyone can participate.

Sep Vermeersch

Ghent, Belgium

Sep is a Ghent-based dancer, active as a teacher, versatile artist, MC, DJ and artistic director at Upside Down. His excellent reputation reaches far beyond the borders. Thanks to his great passion for the historical background of dance cultures, and an inexhaustible creativity, he knows how to move young and old.

📷 Juls Sobron

Leni Denorme

Leni is an experienced and passionate teacher of swing dance, known for her commitment to the swing community in Ghent. She knows how to inspire dancers from diverse backgrounds in a playful and accessible way. Besides teaching, Leni never tires from organizing and performing within the scene as part of Upside Down.

📷 Robyn Coggans

Ann-Sofie Van Enis

An eternal student, Ann-Sofie likes to delve into the history of jazz music and dance, sharing her learning in each class. She introduces everyone to musicality and personal expression in an approachable way. In addition to teaching, she organizes events and projects for Upside Down.

📷 Leyla Hesna

Levels & registration

Sep 14 – Jan 30Semester

16 sessionsClasses

Wed eveningsSchedule

2 levelsLevels

Level 1

No experience needed. Start here.

Beginners welcome

Foundation is the entry point to Lindy Hop at Shoonya. No experience needed — the class builds from scratch: the pulse, the basic footwork patterns, and the connection between lead and follow. Following Upside Down's Everybody Leads, Everybody Follows principle, both roles are taught from day one.

WhenWednesday 18:45–19:45

WhereArt Deco 1

TeacherAnn-Sofie Van Enis & Sep Vermeersch · Leni Denorme

Duration60 min

16 sessions · Sep–Jan · see all dates

Wed 16 SepWed 23 SepWed 30 SepWed 7 OctWed 14 OctWed 21 OctWed 28 OctWed 11 NovWed 18 NovWed 25 NovWed 2 DecWed 9 DecWed 16 DecWed 13 JanWed 20 JanWed 27 Jan

€198

Full

€175

Student / 2+

€39.6

UiTPAS −80%

Register →

Level 2

Prior experience needed

Open is for dancers who have completed Foundation or have equivalent social dance experience. The focus moves to developing personal style, musicality, and the improvisational vocabulary that makes every dance feel unique. Both roles are always welcome.

WhenWednesday 19:45–21:00

WhereArt Deco 1

TeacherAnn-Sofie Van Enis & Sep Vermeersch · Leni Denorme

Duration75 min

16 sessions · Sep–Jan · see all dates

Wed 16 SepWed 23 SepWed 30 SepWed 7 OctWed 14 OctWed 21 OctWed 28 OctWed 11 NovWed 18 NovWed 25 NovWed 2 DecWed 9 DecWed 16 DecWed 13 JanWed 20 JanWed 27 Jan

€231

Full

€204

Student / 2+

€46.2

UiTPAS −80%

Register →

Spring 2026 classes still running — view the spring schedule →