The Cape Fear Swing Dance Society is proud to announce the return of Sea Jam, a weekend-long event focused on swing dancing and jazz. Internationally-renowned Lindy Hop instructors and local jazz musicians are taking center stage from May 16th to 18th to get dancers out on the floor at the Hannah Block USO and four other venues around the Cape Fear Region.
Sea Jam – the nonprofit’s annual weekend festival – was founded in 2024 to promote swing dancing and jazz music in the Cape Fear region. last year, over 100 attendees from across the Southeast – including many first-time dancers – turned out to make the event an overwhelming success. “This event is everything we could ever dream of for our hobby-turned-community. Feeling the raw energy of the band and the dancers, seeing everyone having a good time, it’s just one big party,” said CFSDS Board Member Micah Lee. “Seeing completely new dancers come away with a passion to learn more and invest in their skills is why we wanted this for Wilmington.”
This year, in part thanks to a grant provided by the Wilmington Arts Council and New Hanover Community Endowment, the event has grown to include nine two-hour workshops and five dances. Sea Jam 2025 will kick off with a welcome dance featuring the Corner Pocket Jazz Band, and Saturday night’s headliner from the Wilmington Big Band. Passes for the event are available now, with workshops on Lindy Hop, Balboa, Collegiate Shag, and Blues.
“I’m truly excited to be bringing talented international instructors like Jon Tigert to teach our local dance community, and play in Corner Pocket with our local jazz musicians,” said Executive Director Kelly Kenoyer. “Our local dance scene will get to Lindy Hop with dancers from all over the Southeast, from Virginia to Florida, and those travelers will get the chance to hear our talented local musicians in the Wilmington Big Band.”
Sea Jam kicks off Friday night with a beginner dance lesson at 7pm, followed by three hours of live music with Corner Pocket Jazz Band. Then the party continues with a late night dance at The Eagle’s Dare.
About CFSDS:
The Cape Fear Swing Dance Society is a non-profit dedicated to sharing swing-era dances with Wilmington and the surrounding communities year-round. They host weekly classes in partnership with the Hannah Block USO on Thursdays starting at 7pm, and once-a-month dance parties in the auditorium. Full schedules can be found online at www.capefearswing.com.
Contact: [email protected]
Facebook: Cape Fear Swing Dance Society
Instagram: @capefearswing
