Grooving around the world in 80 dances

“Summer’s lease hath all too short a date.” Except for the “hath” part, it might be a description of summer in Copenhagen, but it’s Shakespeare, Sonnet # 18: “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?” In other words, carpe diem, live it up. Perhaps put the quote on a T-shirt and you’re sure to get a dancing partner at ‘Dancing at Faelledparken’, now in its eleventh year.  

Though it’s advertised as ‘Dancing with the Danes’ on many tourist attraction websites, a slogan that may not initially do much to heat up your blood,  the description of some of the dancing  that will be taking place at Faelledparken from June 18 to July 19, every Monday to Thursday, may do something for you.  Tango (the current fave rave) starts things off, and then for a month the dance types alternate between salsa, folkdance, bollywood (that should be a mid-section body challenge), rumba, ballroom, African dancing, and everybody’s ‘winging it’ favorite, Swing Dance.  

All this is for free, with instruction given and live bands. Food, drinks, and the usual body of enticements will be offered too. Among the highlights are: the opening night on which Navina Ostergaard will teach the Argentine tango, with Malmø’s live orchestra Orquesta Tipica Tangarte; salsa on the following night, taught by Stine Ortvad with DJ Ruben Hererra; bollywood with Murari Lal Saini and DJ Mik Lal on Thursday June 21; Signe Frydenlund and Peter Wurtzen demonstrating the charleston at the swing night on Monday June 25. Swing fans can also look forward to July 9 when Kati Eriikka Arikoski and Eric Underbjerg will be teaching the Lindy Hop, DJ-ed by Per Mogensen, with another event planned for the 16th.  Meanwhile, for those of a romantic bent, Mads Pedersen of Nordvest Ballroom will both teach and be DJ for ballroom dancing on July 2.  

The main organiser and promoter of this event is the Culture and Leisure Committee of the City Council and you can get fine-tuned details including the DJ and instructor for every night at their website or Facebook page, and also a mini-map. If arriving by car, there is nearby parking; by bus, take the 1A, 3A, 6A, or 150A.     

If you’re a cautious type, and want to know what you’re getting into before you might potentially go splat in a pratfall, highlights of some earlier events can be viewed on YouTube, including a very rainy evening last year, which nevertheless didn’t seem to deter the dancers from enjoying themselves.  Also, they say there’s a brand new dancefloor this year on which you can strut your stuff.

At first it may seem odd that the dances are being held on a weeknight.  But when you think about it, it makes sense going directly to work instead of falling asleep on your sofa. And with the variety of dance genres offered, even if you’re not Fred Astaire, there will be something to suit your style.    

Summer Dance in the Park
Faelleparken, Cph Ø; starts Mon, ends July 19; Adult sessions Mon-Thu 19:00-22:00: Tango on June 18 & 27, July 18, Salsa on June 19, July 3 & 10, Folk dance on June 20, Bollywood on June 21 & July 19, Swing on June 25, July 9 & 16, House on June 26, West African on June 28, Ballroom on July 2, Samba on July 4, Rumba on July 5, Kizomba on July 11, African clubbing on July 12, Linedancing on July 17; Kids sessions on Thursdays only: under-sevens 12:00-12:45, over-sevens 13:00-14:00, Streetdance on June 21, African on June 28, Dancehall on July 5, Bollywood on July 12, Capoeira on July 19; www.kk.dk/sommerdans

 

TOP STORIES

  • “No one seems to stand up for internationals”

    “No one seems to stand up for internationals”

    “To some extent, Denmark is not fair to internationals.” Nichlas Walsted, 34 years old, is the CEO of Swap Language, a provider of Danish lessons to more than 10,000 internationals. Tens of thousands of people follow him, and he advocates for internationals: “Because no one else does. I can’t think of a single politician or well-known person in Denmark who stands up for them,” he says.

  • Busy Copenhagen Airport nets a nice profit for the Danish State

    Busy Copenhagen Airport nets a nice profit for the Danish State

    Almost 30 million passengers travelled to or from Copenhagen Airport in 2024. The profit was 1.4 billion DKK and both figures are expected to grow in 2025. Expansions continue, and investments are being made in continued progress

  • Copenhagen ranked 4th for career growth

    Copenhagen ranked 4th for career growth

    Copenhagen is ranked as the fourth-best city in the world for career growth, according to an analysis by EnjoyTravel. This ranking considers various factors such as living costs, salary levels, workforce availability, and overall quality of life. Copenhagen is noted for its blend of historical and modern elements, particularly in the green energy sector, which influences job opportunities.

  • Greenlandic election seen as positive by experts

    Greenlandic election seen as positive by experts

    Last night’s Greenlandic election resulted in a surprising landslide victory for the moderate party Demokraatit, who won 30 percent of the votes – a 20 percent rise for the party since the last election.

  • Greenland moves to the right

    Greenland moves to the right

    A very surprising election gives victory to the right-wing opposition party Demokraatit. The incumbent center-left coalition loses spectacularly. Greenland – and Denmark – anxiously await upcoming government negotiations

  • Raise the voice of internationals. Take the survey and share your experience in Denmark.

    Raise the voice of internationals. Take the survey and share your experience in Denmark.

    Copenhagen Capacity has launched a survey for all internationals living in Denmark to find out if they are happy here and what challenges they face. The Copenhagen Post is the media partner for this initiative. You can find the survey below in the article.

Connect club

Connect Club is your gateway to a vibrant programme of events and an international community in Denmark.

Sign up here

Career

  • Copenhagen ranked 4th for career growth

    Copenhagen ranked 4th for career growth

    Copenhagen is ranked as the fourth-best city in the world for career growth, according to an analysis by EnjoyTravel. This ranking considers various factors such as living costs, salary levels, workforce availability, and overall quality of life. Copenhagen is noted for its blend of historical and modern elements, particularly in the green energy sector, which influences job opportunities.

  • Data shows that non-Western immigrants have saved local economies in Denmark

    Data shows that non-Western immigrants have saved local economies in Denmark

    A study reveals how only the massive influx of non-Western immigrants has saved many areas in Denmark from a decline in the workforce and a consequently shrinking economy

  • Long-term unemployment is double for non-Western immigrants

    Long-term unemployment is double for non-Western immigrants

    An analysis from the Labour Movement’s Business Council shows that the rate in long-term unemployment for non-Western immigrants is 1.8 times higher than for Danes. In other words, a chronic unemployment situation is way more probable for non-Western internationals.

Want to advertise your job with CPH Post?

Contact us

Jobs