As part of our Dance Weekend “Berlin DanceFest “, we are organising our fifth German Modern Jive Championships! Be part of the fun! You can participate in as many categories as you want — the price is included in the weekender! You must be registered and confirmed for Berlin DanceFest before you can sign up for categories.
You must be registered and confirmed for Berlin DanceFest before you can sign up for categories. Then follow the link in the email (“Join the German Modern Jive Championships”), which you will receive from us after successful booking. Registration for the categories closes on Thursday, November 5, 11:59 p.m.
When
Saturday, November 14, 2026 from 8:30 a.m. to around 2:30 p.m.
Saturday, 14th Nov. 2026 from 8:30am until around 2:30pm.
Where
Where we also have our Berlin DanceFest dance weekend.
Attendance
The German Modern Jive Championships are part of the dance weekend. Sign up for DanceFest to participate.
The German Modern Jive Champs are part of the “Berlin DanceFest” weekender. To participate, sign up for DanceFest.
Watching
If you would like to watch and cheer on, simply buy a spectator pass. Please pay 5 euros in cash at the door. DanceFest participants do not have to pay.
If you just want to watch and cheer, you can buy a spectator pass. Please pay 5 euros in cash at the door. Berlin DanceFest participants don’t have to pay to watch.
Champs timeline (example 2025!)
General rules + definitions
Here are the rules — general conditions, evaluation and definitions (dance professionals, aerials).
Here you can find the rules — general rules, evaluation and definitions (dance professional, antennas).
categories
As described in the rules — the organizer reserves the right to change the competition or categories without consultation.
As stated in the rules, the organizer reserves the right to change the categories/competition if necessary without consultation.
Dance with a Stranger (DWAS)
Open to all levels. The dance partners are randomly combined on site and rated as a couple. They dance to random music selected by us. Aerials are not allowed.
Open to all dancers. It’s a lottery who you dance with. Partners are judged as a couple. They dance to random music selected by us. Antennas are not allowed.
First Timers
Open to all levels. A partner must never have participated in a regular Modern Jive competition. The other partner must never have achieved a position in Intermediate (or higher). Participation with partner of choice to random music. Aerials not allowed.
Open to all levels. A partner must never have participated in a Modern Jive competition. The other partner must not be in intermediate level (or higher). You dance with the partner of your choice, but to random music selected by us. Antennas are not allowed.
Intermediate
Open to advanced modern jivers and winners of “First Timers” or beginner categories of other events. No higher-level dancers are allowed. Dance teachers are allowed to a limited extent (see Definition). Participation with partner of choice to random music. No aerials allowed.
Open to advanced level dancers or those who have won “First Timers” or a beginner category elsewhere. Not for higher-level dancers. Dance instructors are approved under certain conditions (see definition). You dance with the partner of your choice, but to random music selected by us. Antennas are not allowed.
Advanced
Open to advanced dancers and “Intermediate” winners. Dance teachers (see Definition) can also participate to a limited extent. Participation with partner of choice to random music. Mini aerials are allowed — major aerials are not allowed.
Open to advanced dancers and “Intermediate” winners. Also open to dance teachers under certain conditions (see definition). You dance with the partner of your choice, but to music selected at random by us. Mini antennas are allowed — large antennas are not allowed.
“Masterful”
Intermediate, advanced and open dancers (and also dance teachers) are randomly combined on site for each round and leaders and followers are rated. The winning followers/leaders in the “Masterful” category therefore do not necessarily have to have danced together beforehand.
Intermediate, advanced and open level dancers (as well as dance instructors) are randomly paired in each round. Leaders and followers are rated individually. The victorious successor and leader of “Masterful” may not have even danced together as a couple.
Open
Open to open dancers, “Advanced” winners and dance teachers (see Definition). Participation with partner of choice for random music (of various genres). Major aerials allowed (more than 2 are not allowed).
For open dancers, “Advanced” winners, and dance teachers (see definition). You dance with the partner of your choice, but to music selected at random by us (different genres). Large antennas are allowed.
Swapsies
Open to all dance levels. Participation with partner of choice to random music. Changes in lead-follow roles are expected — more than just once or twice and for more than just “2 moves.” It is assessed how smoothly the change works, general content and the execution of the moves.
Open to all levels. You dance with the partner of your choice, but to random music selected by us. We expect both dancers to take the lead during the dance — so you switch leads and follow more than once or twice and for more than just “a few moves.” The jurors will pay attention to how smoothly the swaps run, the general content and the execution of the moves.
Wompom (! The Challenge!)
Open to all levels and dancers looking for a challenge. Loosely based on the song from “Flanders and Swann — The Wompom”, there is nothing here that is impossible. Participation with partner of choice to random music. However, the music will be rather unusual, more complicated or possibly impossible, and it is up to the partners to take on this challenge in the best possible way. However, it is purely dance skills that are assessed. Mini and major aerials allowed. At least 50% of the dance content should be recognizable as Modern Jive.
Open to all levels and dancers looking for the ultimate challenge. As in “Flanders and Swan — The Wompom”, there is nothing a Wompom can’t do! You dance with the partner of your choice, but to random music selected by us. However, the music can be unusual or difficult and challenging and it is up to couples to make the best of it. Only dance skills are judged. Mini and large antennas are allowed. At least 50% of dancing should be recognizable as a modern jive.
Showcase
Open to all dance couples (and groups) of all levels who want to dance their very own choreography. Participation with partner of choice for previously selected music of 3-5 minutes. Mini and major aerials allowed. Group choreographies are also allowed. At least 40% of the dance content should be recognizable as Modern Jive. The music must be available to the organizer in MP3 format up to 1 week before the event.
Open to all dancers (couples and teams) of all levels who want to perform their own choreography. You dance with the partner of your choice to your chosen song (3-5 minutes). Mini and large antennas are allowed. Team shows are also allowed. At least 40% of dancing should be recognizable as a modern jive. The organizer must have an MP3 version of the selected song one week before the event.