“Fasching” means carnival and has a long tradition in Germany. In Germany’s Mid West (Cologne, Mainz, etc.) it is celebrated very excessively. The “Fasching” lasts several weeks and has its climax on the carnival weekend, which is seven weeks before the Easter weekend. The RTSF is taking place exactly at that weekend.
You can compare “Fasching” to Halloween in the USA, but it is funny and not scary. That means that you probably will meet quite a bunch of strange looking people in the city centre, wearing all kinds of masquerade and behaving a bit weird. If you like to join those disguised people you can do that already on Thursday. That day is also known as “Unsinniger Donnerstag” or “Altweiberfasching” (guys - be careful, because on that particular day the ladies are allowed to cut your ties—honestly!). If you stay until Tuesday (“Faschingsdienstag“) you can attend the colorful carnival revelry in the city with a lot of dancing and parties all over Munich. If you like carnival processions, than Monday (“Rosenmontag”) is your day!
The venues at the RTSF have nothing to do with the carnival itself or that kind of masquerade. Most people at the RTSF will dress up in vintage style of the 30s to the 50s. We might have some theme parties at certain nights and will invite you to contribute with your outfit to the motto of the nights.

The Rock That Swing Festival has some unique features.

• In contrast to many dance events the Rock That Swing Festival provides a combined stage for the classic Swing dances, like Boogie Woogie, Lindy Hop, Balboa, Shag, Charleston, Big Apple, Blues, etc..
• Most evening venues will have at least two top international bands, covering 30s/40s and 50s style music.
• A major advantage of the Rock That Swing Festival is the great variety of classes during the day. With additional classes in Venacular Jazz, Acrobatics, Big Apple, Burlesque, etc. you can create your own personal schedule choosing from 150 classes in different levels, including special classes for beginners, competitors and teachers.
• All classes are held in nice dance studios that will provide a great learning atmosphere.
• The evenings are held in beautiful ballrooms.
• All Dance Camp participants can order the RTSF 2013 Dance Camp DVD, which holds the content of the class material, to the bargain price of 35 Euro (incl. shipping).
• It is happening in the city center of gorgeous Munich, which is not only famous for the beer :-)

For the past years we had participants from more than 30 nations:  Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Holland, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, Russia, Scotland, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, and the USA.

We have collected general information you could use on your way to Munich in a PDF-File (emergency call number, tourist information, important phone numbers etc.) which you can find in the download section. There are also travel directions if you come by plane, train or car. If you have special questions you can contact us at info@rockthatswing.com.

The Check-In is the central point of contact for all participants. All necessary information will be displayed there. If you have some pending questions we are happy to clarify them face-to-face. In cases of emergency during the classes you also can contact the teacher or the owner of the studios.

It’s officially wintertime in Germany and temperatures can range from +15°C to -10°C. (check www.wetter.com). So it can be sunny and warm or cold with snowstorms. Be well prepared and have some warm clothing and shoes in your luggage.

In general you need permission for handing out flyers inside the venues or putting them on the tables. Those permissions can be purchased from us. You can only put your flyers on the designated flyer tables. You also have the opportunity to advertise in the RTSF playbill, which is a full color booklet of about 80 pages that will be handed out to all participants for free. If you want to place an ad please contact us at ads@rockthatswing.com.

Yes! You can purchase goods at the Vintage Market during the day and also on Saturday night at the Kolpinghaus. If you are a vendor and you want to sell at the Rock That Swing Vintage Market, please contact us at vintagemarket@rockthatswing.com.

We are always looking for helpers during the festival, but are also in need for help and support before the festival. In general we reimburse helpers at the festival with free entrances to the nights or free participation at the Dance Camp. If you are interested in helping contact us at helpers@rockthatswing.com.