The Mess Around 2026
Get ready to Mess Around!
The Mess Aroundâ – What is it about?
More than your average Lindy Hop festival, The Mess Around combines excellent locations, swinginâ bands, and great teachers with a fresh concept. Designed to grow your connections with the musicians, rhythms, and each other, our teachers and organizers have been working together to create a program featuring a class with live music, in-class challenges, and surprises during the parties.Â
Our locals know us for our welcoming and inclusive monthly beer dances. With The Mess Around, we want to create a weekend of fun and inspiration that helps you grow your dancing, whether it be solo, partnered, or even with more than one partner! Letâs get connected, be playful, and Mess Around!
Focusing on how we interact and connect, we challenge you to take your dancing experience to the next level andâŠ
Dancing is so much more than doing moves and following steps together with a partner, it is an exploration of the music! Thatâs why we will strive to really connect with it during the classes, one of which is with live music. Connection and exploration will also be the focus of our three parties with live bands. Tune in to a specific musician, sync with one of the many rhythmic layers, and become a part of the âmusical organismâ thatâs filling the space.
âŠconnect solo to partner dancing and beyond
Be prepared to explore how solo, partner dancing, or group dancing can boost your ability to connect with the music, other dancers, and the dance floor around you. We are welcoming upcoming and established international teachers to guide you along the way.
âŠconnect to your inner joy and mess around!
In the end, just like the move, The Mess Around is all about having fun. Get ready for some grooving, stealing, switching, and jamming. The festival will allow you to safely explore all those groovy possibilities in your body. Itâs not about what you do, how you dance, or with whom, as long as it brings a smile to your face.
Also this year we have an amazing line up for you! We are welcoming teachers from France and the UK with great resumes, and they are so ready to come over to enjoy a full weekend with all of you. We are so happy to have Nathan and AnaĂŻs back from last year. Katie Cobalt visits The Netherlands quite regularly and also pays The Hague a visit once in a while, so why not have them over for a full weekend?! And new faces for our scene are Coline and Thanh Thanh. I bet that some of our traveling dancers have already met these two before on other international festivals!
All teachers will be teaching every level.
Coline Avril
she/her, they/them
Get ready to learn from a true innovator! Hailing from Rouen, France, Coline Avril is a professional lindy hop and solo jazz dancer who brings a fresh, dynamic approach to the dance floor. A passionate educator and co-founder of the dance school Happy Jam, she’s dedicated to sharing jazz dance in both solo and partner formats.
Coline’s philosophy is rooted in the belief that dance is a powerful social tool. She is known for her work with companies that blend dance and theater, and she believes in the collective power of movement to connect with others and honor cultures and human values. Through her classes, she aims to help everyone express themselves freely, deepen their connection to the music, and grow as both a dancer and a person. Don’t miss this chance to learn from an inspiring artist who truly embodies the joy and social spirit of jazz dance!
Thanh Thanh Nguyá» n
she/her
Thanh Thanh Nguyá» n (she/her) always connected to movement in different forms, stumbled upon Lindy Hop in 2016 and she has since embarked on an incredible journey, letting her passion for dance be her lifeâs compass. In Vietnam, she became part of the Saigon Swing Cats and learned about the African American roots of jazz.
In 2021, Thanh Thanh relocated to Europe, where she continued to hone her dance craft and broadened her perspective on contemporary dance. Her connection to swing dance and funky grooves grew even stronger. She is now happily based in Paris, ready to share her dance wherever the rhythms take her. In her classes, she teaches authentic jazz moves while also encouraging everyone to find their own expressions through self-awareness and improvisation.
Weâre thrilled to see her team up with Katie for a joyful celebration of movement, blending classic jazz steps, playful energy, and space for individual style!
Katie Cobalt
she/her, they/them
Katie Cobalt tried many different dance styles before falling in love with Swing. The freedom of improvisation, the satisfaction of rhythm and the deep historical and cultural roots of the dance made her want to learn more. Â
She is now known for her classroom energy, musicality, and infectious enthusiasm for all things Jazz. When it comes to dance, they deeply value self expression and fully committing to the idea. As a teacher, she focuses on individually helping her students on their own dance journeys and finds so much joy in seeing them grow.
Katie holds multiple first place titles at, International Lindy Hop Championships, Balkan Lindy Hop Championships and Savoy Cup. When not throwing down in international competitions they are teaching all over the world in more than 20 countries sharing what they have learned. When not on the dance floor you might find them in a hip hop class or on the stage at their local drag bar as Azure Thang.Â
Katie is teaming up with Thanh Thanh for an unforgettable weekend.
Nathan Auvray
he/him
Nathan sees dance as a laboratory for experimenting with rhythms, grooves, and moods, letting himself be guided above all by the musicians. Passionate about jazz culture and always on the lookout for new tracks, he considers the practice of swing dancing to be inseparable from listening to the music. Whether leading, following, or dancing solo, he draws inspiration from both past and present influences, in jazz and beyond.
Nathan will be teaching together with AnaĂŻs.
Anaïs Nguyen Thé
she/her
AnaĂŻs Nguyen ThĂ© is a multidisciplinary artist (dancer, musician) who has been teaching swing dances (lindy hop, solo jazz) and blues since 2015. In 2021, she moved to Grenoble, where she now teaches, performs, and organizes events with MĂ©canika’Swing. She also travels throughout France and Europe to dance, teach, and compete in international competitions. A strong advocate for “switching,” you will often see her dancing and teaching in both roles (leader and follow).
In 2023, she expanded her horizons by becoming a dancer-performer in a show that combines swing and contemporary dance. On the music side, she is the singer for the swing band “The Downtown Stompers.”
For her, teaching swing and blues is a wonderful opportunity to encourage the self-expression of each dancer, emphasizing joy, musicality, creativity, and respect for the origins of these dances, which are inseparable from their history.
AnaĂŻs will be teaching together with Nathan.
What will you find in our tracks?
Every track will contain 6 hours of classes. You will get to see all teachers and… have a 1.5 hour class with live music! The classes will focus on deepening your connection beyond partner interaction and will be a mix of solo, partner, and who-knows-with-how-many-people dances. How you tune in with your surroundings, get inspired by your fellow dancers, and connect to specific musicians is what we will explore. Below you will find the different track types, to make sure you are in a group with dancers of a similar level.
đŒ Shining Starfish
Ready to show your shine? Letâs do it!Â
- You’re beyond the beginner stage, feeling confident on the social dance floor.Â
- This might even be your first international festival!Â
- You’ve got the basics down – 6 & 8-counts, Lindy circle, Charleston, and swing outs. Improvisation and rhythm incorporation are still challenges, but you’re eager to learn.Â
- In partner dance, the lead still shapes the dance. You mostly concentrate on the moves which makes it hard to have a chat with your partner and might result in bumping into others on crowded dance floors.Â
- This track is perfect for improving your skills and your connection with your partner, your groove and musicians!
đȘŒ Jiving Jellyfish
You certainly bounce around with the tides as well as on the dance floor!Â
- After some years of swing dancing, it is a part of your life. Youâve often gone to socials and have likely attended Lindy Hop festivals before.Â
- Comfortable with slow and medium tempos, you effortlessly execute swing outs and various Lindy moves. While you enjoy improvisation, mastering rhythms into your movement requires focus. With a broad vocabulary of Lindy moves, you’re exploring connection, styling, musicality, and rhythm variations.Â
- In partner dance, leads determine the majority of the dance, but follows also take their chance to do some variations. It gets easier to keep an eye on your surroundings and you can have short chats with your dance partner. You start to take opportunities to mix up moves, steal and mess around a bit.Â
- This track offers a mix of conceptual and moves-based classes for dancers at your level, providing new material and creative challenges.
đŠ Offbeat Octopus
Clap your eight hands together! With your shiny shell and agile moves you are ready for a true challenge
- Youâre effortlessly improvising with your own unique style and deepening your understanding of rhythm.Â
- With quite a lot of dance experience, you navigate all tempos with ease and are fluent in basic improvisation and donât hesitate to show your solo jazz.Â
- Regularly attending social dances, workshops, and international Lindy hop festivals, you’re comfortable with any swing out variations and have a broad and diverse Lindy move repertoire.Â
- In partner dance, both leads and follows take responsibility in shaping the dance, taking inspiration from your partner, dancers around you, and the layers in the music. You are aware of your surroundings and rarely step on someoneâs feet,even on a crowded dance floor.Â
- This track offers conceptual and moves-based classes to inspire growth and challenge advanced dancers.
Korzo Theater
We’re so excited to have one main venue this year! Korzo will be the location for all the classes during the festival, and we will celebrate our Friday and Saturday party there. The iconic Theater is located in the heart of The Hague, close to various nice restaurants and cafes. This makes it easy to take a stroll after class to find a nice bite, to arrange a stay close by or to easily reach the venue from the central station.
Address
Korzo Theater
Prinsestraat 42
Den Haag
Walking/biking
As most of the festival is centered around one venue, having a bike or just walking through our historic city is a great option to get around. Korzo theater is:
- 1.5 km from The Hague Central Station (CS) – 20 min. walking or 7 min. by bike.
- 1.6 km from The Hague Holland Spoor (HS) – 22 min. walking or 8 min. by bike.
Public Transport
- From The Hague Central Station (CS)
Tram 17 towards “DH Statenkwartier” > Tram-stop Torenstraat  - From The Hague Laan van NOIÂ
Tram 4 towards “De Uithof” > Tram-stop Grote Markt  or
Tram 2 towards “Kraayenstein” >Â Tram-stop Grote Markt - From The Hague Hollands Spoor (HS)
Tram 1 towards “Scheveningen Noord” > Tram-stop Kneuterdijk  or
Tram 17 towards “Statenkwartier” > Tram-stop Torenstraat
Parking
There are several parking garages nearby, including two Q-park garages:
- Q-Park Torengarage – Geest 1, Den Haag (3 min walk)
- Q-Park Noordeinde – Heulstraat 23, Den Haag (6 min walk)
Check online if reservations are required.Â
The rich and dynamic history of the Korzo Theater goes back to the heart of the swing era and reflects its deep roots in the cultural landscape of The Hague. Originally established in 1936 as a cinema under the name Corso, the building served film lovers for over several decades before closing its doors in the late 70’s. After standing vacant for nearly four years, the space was revitalized in 1984 when a group of artists and students transformed it into a vibrant venue for experimental dance and musicâmarking the birth of the Korzo Theater.Â
Korzo as we know it today took shape in the early 2000s. The theatre grew in popularity and ambition and faced increasing space limitations. Eventually the organization expanded into the adjacent monumental office building and the historic hidden church Onze Lieve Vrouw van Scherpenheuvel, located just behind it. Today you can still recognize part of the building’s history, the original stained-glass windows from the church were preserved, adding a unique historical touch to the modern venue.
Today, Korzo stands as a leading platform for contemporary performing arts, offering a dynamic space where innovation, tradition, and creativity converge. Its strong focus on movement (it’s motto is not without reason “Here to move you”) comes with the additional bonus of in-house dance-studios that we will use during the festival.Â
Brouwerij De Prael
Our location for the Sunday party. Here we also host the monthly Beer Dances that are known for their great atmosphere! The floor is made from wood, and therefore great for dancing. De Prael is a restaurant and brewery with supported employment where community is central. Apart from dancing youâll be invited to discover a lot of exceptional brews and great food. The brewery is conveniently located in the city center and is therefore easily accessible by public transportation, bike, or car, with nearby parking available if you have to drive.
Address
Brouwerij de Prael
Esperantoplein 20
Den Haag
Public Transport
Walking/biking
From the Korzo theater it is easy to reach the Prael by bike or by foot. If you travel by public transport via one of the stations probably a bike is better for your most certainly tired dancing legs.
- 1.3 km from Korzo Theater – 18 min. walking or 6 min by bike
- 3.1 km The Hague Central Station (CS) – 13 min. by bike
- 4.8 km from The Hague Laan van NOI – 20 min. by bike
- 3.0 km from The Hague Holland Spoor (HS) – 12 min. by bike
Public Transport
- From The Hague Central Station (CS) AND from Korzo Theater
Tram 2 towards “Kraayenstein” > Tram-stop Monstersestraat  or
Tram 4 towards “De Uithof” > Tram-stop Monstersestraat  or
Tram 3 towards “Loosduinen” >Â Tram-stop Elandstraat - From The Hague Hollands Spoor (HS)
Tram 11 towards “Scheveningen Haven” > Tram-stop Loosduinseweg - From The Hague Laan van NOIÂ
Tram 4 towards “De Uithof” > Tram-stop Monstersestraat  or
Tram 3 towards “Loosduinen” > Tram-stop Elandstraat
Parking
Until 6pm, free parking is available at parking De Verademing / Esperantostraat, next to Brouwerij De Prael, Den Haag. After 6pm paid parking.
Our community runs on respect. Letâs work together to make our dances a safe, welcoming, and enjoyable space for everyone!
Safe Space
Hofstad Hop is dedicated to providing a safe space for everyone, no matter their gender, race, nationality, sexual orientation, age, ability, physical appearance, religion, or any other personal characteristic.
Code of Conduct
All attendees and staff are subject to our code of conduct.
We have a zero tolerance policy on harassment be it racist, sexist, homophobic or transphobic abuse, unwanted sexual attention or sexual assault.
Drug use or being under the influence of drugs is prohibited at our venues.
If the code of conduct is breached we reserve the right to remove the participant from current and future events.
Our Team
Members of our team can be found at every dance. You can easily identify us by our âHofstad Hopâ pins.
We have a care team: Merel, Anne, and Marc. If you experience any issue or concern you want to address, please come and find us. This might include unsafe experiences on or off the dance floor, or situations in which you or others have been made to feel uncomfortable. Your concerns will be taken seriously and treated confidentially. If necessary or desired, our care team member will discuss possible courses of action with you. Contact any organiser if you need help in locating us.
Letâs dance!
Asking someone to dance
We encourage anyone to ask anyone to dance. Anyone can respond with âno, thank you.â An explanation is never required.
We believe that dance roles are unrelated to gender. Donât assume that someone dances a certain role just based on appearances. To have clear communication when asking someone to dance, itâs good to state your preferred role or ask. For example: âHey, would you mind leading in this dance?â âHi, would you like to dance the next song? Would you prefer to lead or follow?â
Floorcraft
While dancing you invite people into your personal space and enter other peopleâs personal space.
While there is always some risk associated with any physical activity, we are committed to preventing injuries before they happen. Unsafe dancing is any movement that puts anyone at an increased risk of physical injury.
Social dances are not the time or place for aerials. Please save these for competitions or jam circles with the consent of your partner.
Be aware of the space around you and account for this in the moves you do. If you should bump into anyone, check-in with them and offer an apology.
Be considerate of others
Good hygiene can make dancing more comfortable for everyone, so bring a change of clothes, deodorant & mints if you need them.
Our classes and social dances are not the place for unsolicited feedback. This is reserved for teachers or when your partner explicitly asks for it.
Instructors
Our workshop instructors are selected for a variety of reasons including skill, awareness of community safety concerns, and inclusive and accountable teaching methods.
We look forward to dancing with you!
Internal Care Team SOP
Internal care team is not the same as event staff. Any concerns brought to a staff member should be directed to a care team member present. Our current care team members are Merel, Anne & Marc.
