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”) that you will receive from us after a 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.
Where
Kranoldstr. 16, 12051 Berlin Neukölln (S+U Hermannstraße)
Attendance
The German Modern Jive Championships are part of the dance weekend. Sign up for DanceFest to participate.
Watch
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 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).
categories
As described in the rules — the organizer reserves the right to change the competition or categories 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.
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.
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.
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.
“Meisterhaft”
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 “Meisterhaft” category therefore need not necessarily have danced together beforehand.
Open
Open to open dancers, “Advanced” winners and dance teachers (see Definition). Participation with partner of choice for random music (different genres). Major Aerials allowed (no more than 2).
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.
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 optimally. However, only dance skills are assessed. Mini and major aerials allowed. At least 50% of the dance content should be identifiable as 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 identifiable as Modern Jive. The music must be available to the organizer in MP3 format up to 1 week before the event.