ExtraCurriculars – Camp Hollywood

Panels and Talks

We’re pleased to offer a variety of community talks and panels at Camp Hollywood! Thanks to the Pacific Swing Dance Foundation for their help and support. All talks and panels meet in Pacific 4 and 5.

Friday, 12:30 – 1:45 PM

Queer Conversations on Dance Situations

Hosted by Adam Brozowski & Jamica Zion

This year, we’re offering a fresh alternative to our usual LGBTQIA+ panel: an interactive, small-group discussion session led by members of the LGBTQIA+ dance community. Together, we’ll explore how to amplify LGBTQIA+ voices in the dance scene today, with a strong focus on intersectionality, anti-racism, and collective empowerment.

All dancers are welcome: LGBTQIA+ folks & allies, bring your voice, your questions, and your care for community.

Saturday, 12:30 – 2:00 PM: Central Avenue Stories with Chester Whitmore

Although the history of swing and jazz dance in Southern California is well documented, contemporary Black swing and jazz dancers are largely missing from that record.

Starting in the early 1900s, Central Avenue in South Los Angeles—often called the “West Coast Harlem”—became a mecca for Black artists and audiences. It teemed with live music and dance venues where the jazz greats performed. Though many dancers’ names have been lost, we know they were there, too.

Fortunately, we have Chester Whitmore, who was there in the 1970s and whose life is part of this story. Join us for some history most of us have never heard.

Sunday, 12:30 -2:00 PM: Next Steps – a Q&A session with Denise Minns-Harris

Dancers throughout our community have devoted themselves to advocating for a more diverse and inclusive swing dance scene. Changes have been made: events around the world go out of their way to hire representative staff; discussions like this one have become nearly ubiquitous; opportunities for training and advice abound.

So, is any of this working? Do we see real progress? Is it time to update our strategies? And if success even exists, what does it look like?

Through their organizations, Denise Minns-Harris and Jason Swihart have each been working on these issues for years, and they have questions—for one another and for you.

The Queer Walk of Fame: The Blues, Jazz & Swing

Take a stroll down the Queer Walk of Fame and explore the inspiring contributions of LGBTQIA+ artists to the rich traditions of Jazz, Swing, and the Blues. This project highlights the early trailblazers whose lives and artistry not only shaped the music and dance forms we cherish today, but also advanced visibility and progress for LGBTQIA+ communities. Their stories of creativity, courage, and resilience continue to inspire—and deserve a celebrated place in our cultural history

Created by Jamica Zion (She/They) and Adam Brozowski (He/Him)

The Switch-A-Room

The Switch-a-room is back for its third year! This room gives a space for those who are interested in switch dancing, open role dancing, no role dancing, and everything in between. No prior switch experience is needed. Just bring your kindness and curiosity. The Switch-a-room is a welcoming space to break role norms, share switch ideas, and meet folks from all over who love open role dancing. The first hour will be a dedicated time to sharing ideas and meeting folks. The rest will be open dancing.

When: Saturday and Sunday nights, 7 PM – 1 AM

Where: Room A/B

And don’t miss The Lavender Hour: An hour of swing music by queer artists. Come listen, dance, meetup, and hang with other queers and allies. A reminder that we’ve always been here. All identities welcome!

When: 1 AM Sunday night

Where: Room A/B

Meet Ups

Check out some independently organized meetups at Camp Hollywood! Come join to meet new friends, re-connect with old friends, and participate in your community!

POC Kickback

Hello everyone! My name is Camille Smith and Camp Hollywood was gracious enough to allow us to host a POC kickback this year! It will be Sunday 08/31 at Pacific Coast 1 from 7pm-9pm.

The P.O.C. Kickback is a time for POC dancers to connect with each other and be able to discuss their feelings since being dancers in the Lindy Hop scene.

We do have some boundaries to set for Non-POCs that would like to attend:

If you are coming to the POC kickback we will be expecting people to come into the space with the heart of Allyship, meaning the heart to serve those of you of a different background than you.
We are there to validate the experiences of those around you, if you do have questions this is not the space to do so. We are questioned constantly and this is not the space to do that.
Lastly, we require the silence of the non POCs. Your silence will be platforming the voices of those who have been silenced in their own communities.

If those rules are not abided by, I will kindly ask you to leave the space in order to maintain the sacredness of people sharing their emotions.

If anyone has questions, please contact me via email cbsmith538@gmail.com.

Poolside Pride! LGBTQIA+ Meetup and Hangout!

Join us for our annual queer meetup at the pool party under the big Gazebo! This is a great chance to meet other LGBTQIA+ dancers attending CH connect and enjoy the sun! Look out for the pride flags to find us! Hosted by Adam Brozowski LindyHopAdam@gmail.com

Where: Poolside, under the Gazebo

When: 1:30-2:30 PM Monday

Adult Recess

Come meet and mingle with your fellow campers with a series of fun ice breakers and low-stakes games

When: Friday, 12:30 PM

Where: Room A/B

The Quiet Room

Feeling overwhelmed by all the Camp Hollywood excitement? Need some introverting? Visit the Quiet Room (Pacific 6) any time you just need a break. Read, color, do puzzles, get your head in the game for an upcoming contest.

You can also join in a guided meditation by Tise Chao at 12:45 PM on Friday and Saturday.

The Quiet Room will also have a selection of shoes and clothes that were donated by dancers for the benefit of victims of the LA fires back in January, starting at the California Balboa Classic. Since one of the many barriers to attending a dance event is the unaffordability of dance shoes and clothing, we’re happy to offer these items up for free to anyone in need.