Midsummer swing makes Bad Kreuznach's spa gardens dance!

Midsummer swing makes Bad Kreuznach's spa gardens dance!

On June 24, 2025, the “Midsummer Swing” event will enter its second round in the Bad Kreuznach spa park. Organized by Gesundheit und Tourismus GmbH under the direction of Katharina Kühnel and her team, the event promises a lively atmosphere with music and dance against a historical backdrop. Around 200 dancers and onlookers are expected to celebrate together and shake a leg at this special place. Swing music and the various dance forms remain very popular even decades after their heyday and should find a permanent place in Bad Kreuznach's cultural calendar. Rhein-Zeitung reports on the exciting return of this tradition.

But what exactly can visitors expect? On Saturday, June 21, 2025, the event will take place from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. on the dance floor in front of the Kurhaus. Admission is free and open to everyone, which makes the event also attractive for families and dance enthusiasts from the surrounding cities. Last year, “Mittsommerswing” attracted around 150 spectators and dancers, including an audience from Giessen and Heidelberg. This year the numbers could rise further because the swing dance scene in Bad Kreuznach is growing.

Innovative dance courses provide a breath of fresh air

The event not only offers the opportunity to show off your own dance style, but also to take part in various courses for different levels. From 3 p.m., advanced students can learn the Balboa dance, taught by the experienced teachers Oskay Ozen and Louise Wiebalck from Darmstadt. From 6 p.m. there will be an introductory course for beginners in Slow-Bal, led by Cora Stein and Gunter Schmidt. A cost contribution of 10 to 20 euros is charged for the courses. This is an excellent opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of swing dancing and make new friends.

Spectators are also invited to bring their own blankets and picnic baskets to enjoy a relaxing time in the park during breaks. Live music from the band “Die Schwindler” from Frankfurt will provide the right atmosphere from 7 p.m. With Peter Kloßman on saxophone, Julian Keßler on guitar and George Madikas on percussion, guests can look forward to rousing sounds that will get your dancing legs moving.

A look into the history of swing

But where does the enthusiasm for swing and the connection to dance actually come from? Swing, which was particularly popular in Germany in the 30s and 40s, has an interesting history. Despite the National Socialist ideology that persecuted many artists and dancers, the scene did not allow itself to be brought down. Swing dances such as Lindy Hop, Shag and Balboa are physical and lively and allow those performing them to move creatively and freely. The “Swing-Heinis”, a group of young people who devoted themselves to swing culture, played the ironic Hitler salute “Swing Heil!” a role in their resistance to the norms of the time. Even though the National Socialists tried to control and even ban tango and other dances, swing culture experienced a remarkable renaissance. it-must-schwing explains the background to this exciting era.

With this year's “Midsummer Swing”, the history of swing is kept alive while visitors immerse themselves in the rhythmic atmosphere. If you would like to find out more about what the Tanzsportclub Crucenia e.V. offers, you can find out more at tsc-crucenia@web.de. Anyone interested in finding out more about the swing dance scene is also welcome to get in touch at nahswing@gmail.com or via the [Bad Kreuznach-Tourist] website (https://www.bad-kreuznach-tourist.de/kultur-geniessen-und-einkaufen/konzerte-im-kurpark/swing-event-im-kurpark/).