Upside Down makes you move - every week again.
Upside Down offers weekly dance classes. An offer that entices fresh explorers and veteran dancers alike.
As partner of Shoonya Dance Centre, we make you move in Lindy Hop, Solo Jazz and Jazzy Workout classes. Our dance room is located in their stunning building with state-of-the-art dancefloor in Ghent.
In collaboration with Shana Van Cauwenberghe we offer weekly tap dance classes on Tuesday nights. Once a month followed by a jazz cafe with live music!
Jazzy Workout
Open level
Jazzy Workout is an invitation to move to the rhythm of jazz music and related styles with African American roots! These classes will make you swing as well as build endurance and strength, with a focus on body awareness and fun. Expect a dynamic mix of music and moves, from hot jazz to afro-grooves, funk and soul.
Everyone and every body is welcome. The instructors offer options to tailor the dancing to your abilities. In Jazzy Workout, the focus is not on technical perfection, but on enjoying dance together.
You can join for the full series or choose 3 or 5 classes of choice.
Series 15 Wednesdays 18:30 - 19:30 between Feb 11th and Jun 10th, €186 (discount for students and UiTPAS available)
Drop in 3 or 5 classes of choice, between 11 Feb and 10 June 2026. €42 for 3, €70 for 5.
@ Shoonya Dance Centre (Stapelplein 41, Gent)
Lindy Hop
Beginners - continued
Lindy Hop is an energetic couple dance style born out of African-American jazz culture. Its popularity peaked in the 1930s, when big bands played swing music for dancers. To this day, the playful and expressive nature of the Lindy Hop appeals to many dancers.
Upside Down and its teachers spotlight the connection with each other and the music, improvisation with room for personal style and respect for the roots of this social dance. As guests in the culture, we celebrate Black American values such as creativity, freedom and a sense of community. Everything comes together in a rhythmic game in which your whole body swings along.
In the beginners continued series, we build further on the foundations developed in the first semester.
You are also welcome to join this group as a new member if you recognize yourself in the following description:
- You have been social dancing to Swing and Jazz music for a couple of months or longer.
- You enjoy exploring the connection with your dance partner, and personal expression within Lindy Hop.
- You are familiar with 8-count moves such as circle, swing out and promenade, with 6-count moves such as send out, tuck turn and change of place, and with solo and partnered charleston.
- You are eager to further develop your sense of rhythm, technical skills and musicality to express yourself on the social dance floor.
- Je hebt de Lindy Hop bootcamp gevolgd
In this series, there is the option to learn both dance roles at the same time, but you can also stick to one role if you wish. We encourage you to change partners and dance with everybode. We create a warm learning environment where the joy of dancing shines through.
No need to register with a fixed partner.
15 Wednesdays 19:30 - 20:50 between Feb 11th and Jun 10th, €223 (discount for students and UiTPAS available) @ Shoonya Dance Centre (Stapelplein 41, Ghent)
Solo Jazz
Open level
Solo Jazz is a rich blend of dance styles and steps, popular in Harlem in the 1930s and emerging from African-American dance cultures such as Charleston and tap dance. Personal expression and improvisation are key. Jazz is a solo dance form, but a social one: we stay connected with each other throughout the dance.
From Apple Jacks to Tacky Annies, in this class series you will become familiar with a lot of movements and bits of classical routines. We dance to swing music, with ample attention to (syncopated) rhythms and personal flair.
15 Wednesdays 21:00 - 22:00 between Feb 11th and Jun 10th, €186 (discount for students and UiTPAS available) @ Shoonya Dance Centre (Stapelplein 41, Ghent)
Tap dance
Beginners + & intermediate
As a tap dancer, you are not only a dancer but also a musician: you don't dance to the rhythm, you ARE the rhythm. This expressive art form has its roots in Afro-American culture, flourished in the 1930s and is still alive and kicking today.
Explore together with Shana Van Cauwenberghe this art form to the tips of your toes. Both for beginners (no tap shoes required yet) and for tappers with experience.
Once a month, we host a jazz cafe with live music after class. Dancers and musicians are welcome to jam together! Announced via Upside Down channels.
Beginners +
Hou je van dansen en mag er wel wat meer ritme en muziek aan te pas komen? Dan is deze beginnerscursus iets voor jou, for those with 6 months or more of tap dance experience, or for those who have advanced solo jazz dance skills. Vanuit danspassie en met respect voor deze traditie worden jou de aanstekelijke ritmes en traditional time steps in verschillende klikkende combo’s aangeleerd. Focus ligt op de logica van de beweging, het speelse aspect van de dans en z’n ritmes. Verwacht je aan speelse choreo’s, een portie techniek, muzikaliteit en improvisatie.
12 Tuesdays from 10 Feb till 9 June, from 7h10 - 8h20pm. ! First class starts at 7pm. No class on 17 Feb, 24 Ma, 31 Ma, 7 Apr, 14 Apr and 5 May. Price 192. If you do both series, you get a 20% discount. Tap shoes are not a requirement.
Location: Trefpunt Concertzaal. Walter De Buckplein 5, Ghent.
Intermediate
in deze reeks gaan we onze techniek, muzikaliteit en improvisatieskills uitbreiden. Denk aan nieuwe ritmes en funky moves waarbij de authentieke jazzmoves nooit veraf zijn. Je leert ook verder improviseren. We benaderen tapdans als dans én als muziekinstrument en nodigen af en toe een gastleerkracht uit om jou verder te inspireren.
12 Tuesdays from 10 Feb till 9 June, from 8:20 - 9:30 PM. ! First class starts at 8.10PM. No class on 17 Feb, 24 Ma, 31 Ma, 7 Apr, 14 Apr and 5 May. Prijs: € 192. Wie de twee reeksen volgt, krijgt 20 % korting op de 2e reeks.
Location: Trefpunt Concertzaal. Walter De Buckplein 5, Ghent.
About Shana
Since the age of 3, Shana Van Cauwenberghe has been unstoppable on the dance floor. As a result, she has now 15 years of experience in teaching dance. When tap dance crossed her path, it literally sounded like music to her ears. Shana took a professional tap dance course at Luthier Escola de Dansa in Barcelona. She has her own music band in which she tap dances and founded the tap dance collective RiFFF CollectiFFF. She also collaborates in dance and educational projects for Upside Down. Shana loves improvising and “playing” on the dance floor, and values the individuality of each dancer. Fun and passion as a starting point!
Taking classes prepares you for the real thing: dancing together! We organize social dance events (called “socials”), parties with live music and festivals. Discover what’s on the Upside Down program below.
Monthly Jazz Cafe
🗓️every 2nd Tuesday of the Month
2025: 14 October, 11 November, 9 December
2026: 13 January, 10 February, 10 March, (not in April), 12 May and 9 June
🕛 from 21.15 till 23:30
📍Trefpunt Concertzaal (Walter De Buckplein 5)
Monthly CorriHop
Upside Down is als dansende partner betrokken bij de werking van Corridor, een open leer- en speelplek voor jongeren onder het viaduct in Gentbrugge.
We organiseren er regelmatig dansactiviteiten voor alle leeftijden op de nieuwe skate- & dansvloer. Inclusief muziekinstallatie!
Elke maand is er Corrihop, een namiddag vrij dansen.
Graag maken we het een evenement voor en door de dansgemeenschap: steek je graag een handje toe? Mensen verwelkomen, een taartje voorzien, de muziek kiezen, mee helpen opruimen, de bar bedienen… De max!
Kinderen en families zijn meer dan welkom.
Corridor wordt gesteund door de Europese Unie via WSE Europe.
🗓️ Een zondag per maand
2025: 12 oktober, 9 november, 14 december
2026: 25 januari, 22 februari, 29 maart, 26 april, 31 mei
🕛 14u – 17u
📍 Corridor: Driebeekstraat, 9050 Gent (of met de fiets via het Dwergvleermuispad).
Big City Blues Festival
6 - 8 March 2026
THE blues festival in Ghent, and well known far beyond.
At daytime, we explore in-depth workshops that are facilitated by (inter)national inspiring talent.
At night, we dance to the beat of top-notch Belgian and international blues musicians.
Blues at its fullest, in its true colors.
The 9th edition happened 6 – 8 March 2026.
Thanks for joining!
Upside Down Festival
27 - 31 December 2025
Our signature festival. A cozy swing music, jazz dance and arts festival that is dripping with magic, amazement and quirkiness.
With the slogan “Rise Up and Shine” , we emphasize equal rights, respect for the African American art forms and a sustainable world.
The festival offers a variety of tracks, workshops and activities. Everyone can create their own menu.
The 7th edition was a blast!
Thanks for joining.
And there is more! Ghent has a vibrant, active community of dancers, musicians and organizers.
Check out the Calendar on the Gentse Hoppers website to plan your dance life.
They went Upside Down:
Hi Leni,
Thank you for your time and keynote yesterday!
Internally we talked about this morning that we thought it was a good talk and that you guys should be more than proud of how you look at things.
Elena, project support Danspunt
Upside Down is a partner of the European project Swinging Europe Network in strenghtening the European swing sector. This project is co-financed by Creative Europe by the European Union.
We take on a leading role on the topic of sustainability, which resulted in a sustainability strategy and sustainability charter..
Social dance calendar