Teachers & MC

Katie Cobalt (she/they)

Katie Cobalt tried many different dance styles before falling in love with Swing. The freedom of improvisation, the satisfaction of rhythm and the deep historical and Black cultural roots of the dance made her want to learn more.

She is now known for her classroom energy, musicality, and infectious enthusiasm for all things Jazz. When it comes to dance, they deeply value self expression and fully committing to the idea.

As a teacher, she focuses on individually helping her students on their own dance journeys and finds so much joy in seeing them grow.
Katie holds multiple first place titles at International Lindy Hop Championships, Balkan Lindy Hop Championships and Savoy Cup.

When not throwing down in international competitions they are teaching all over the world in more than 20 countries sharing what they have learned.

When not on the dance floor you might find them in a hip hop class or on the stage at their local drag bar as Azure Thang.

Samuel Gaudó Belarre (he/him)

Samu is a Berlin-based dancer, teacher, and artistic director devoted to the liberatory roots of swing culture. Specialising in Authentic Jazz and Lindy Hop, his work blends deep historical respect with a fiercely contemporary, queer-centered perspective that celebrates self-expression, musicality, and collective joy.

Known for his groove-driven style and emotional presence on the dance floor, Samuel approaches jazz as both an artistic practice and a political space, inviting dancers to inhabit their bodies with freedom, softness, and unapologetic individuality.

Samu

Azure Thang (any/all)

Azure is a drag artist based in Portsmouth originally from Hong Kong. Their drag draws inspirations from Villainy, Gender Play and dancing away from the Patriarchy.

They have worked with Portsmouth Pride, Downtown Pompey and DragJam Hong Kong.

Their crowning achievement was when a super cute Sapphic girl said they were hot during their Pride set.

Music

Swingin’ X-tras

Nico Klöffer (double bass) and Hannes Gajowski (guitar) have been playing in different constellations for Lindy Hoppers for a few years, e.g. in Cologne, Bonn and Saarbrücken. Last year, they formed a quintet with three other Cologne-based musicians: Vincent Pinn (trumpet), Carlotta Armbruster (trombone) and Micha Jesske (drums). After performing at the Bottoms Up festival in 2025, the Swingin’ X-tras will now play at Queer Lindy Festival Cologne and present a personal selection of their favourite tunes from the Swing era.
Susanne
Susanne
Vocal Performance
Samu
Samu
DJ
Katrin
Katrin
DJ
Sascha
Sascha
DJ
Queer Lindy Cologne