Chicagoland Dance Festival

06/15/2026

Congratulations to Dawn and Nino!! 🤣🎉🌟 Well-deserved recognition for you two!

LEGENDS! We've always known that our MayI mom and dad, Nino and Dawn are world-class, but we are proud to share that this weekend they were inducted in the Hustle Dance Hall of Fame at Disco America. Not just for their dancing, teaching and coaching, but for their leadership in developing such a healthy, talented, and friendly hustle community in Chicago and beyond. They are now part of an exclusive group of dance professionals that have shaped the dance for decades and are proud to have put Chicago on the map as a hot spot for Hustle and social dancing.

06/09/2026

Travel updates! ❤️💛💙Southwest fares 40% Off with promo code FLYWOW. While Southwest has ended its service to OHare there are still great rates into MDW. ✈️🚙 No free shuttle, but it’s easy to grab a ride share.

05/29/2026

The secret is out!! 🤗🤩 Yep! We’re part of the Country Two Step Tour! 🎉✨ Two step Jack and Jills will be Sunday afternoon. Tell your friends! Chitown Country Eric Nava Rachel Mercedes Neiswender Brittney Valdez Thomas Devereux Greg N Laura Thrash David Miller

Exciting news—we have added yet another newly CTST-sanctioned event! Please join us this summer at Chicagoland Dance Festival in August for our contest and so much more 🤠

05/25/2026

Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer in upper Midwest! 🤩🇺🇸✨ We’re remembering those who died in service to our country and connecting with family and friends. We hope your summer plans include a trip to your dance family reunion, Chicagoland Dance Festival, August 21-23. Here’s our preliminary schedule to help you prepare. No major changes for country comps. Swing staff suggested we move Strictly Swing to Friday night, so we did.
And something new will be announced for Sunday afternoon. It’s a secret for a few more days! 🤭🤫 Gotta get those ducks in a row! 💛

https://chicagolanddancefestival.com/schedule/general-schedule/

04/19/2026

Online registration is OPEN! 🤩🎉 The bigger-than-ever hotel block is open for reservations 🤗 Book your room and buy your pass directly from our website: www.chicagolanddancefestival.com 😋😎

04/08/2026

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www.ucwdc.org

04/06/2026

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02/20/2026

Newcomer line dancers and line dance instructors - please note! 📣‼️ New Cuban dance for you! Chitown Country Rachel Mercedes Neiswender Tanya Cranshaw Traci Hibbler Waugh Tell your friends! 💖

Update: Newcomer Cuban 2026
The UCWDC is committed to providing a world-class competition experience and fostering a welcoming, friendly, and accessible global dance community.
To meet those expectations, we are changing the Newcomer Cuban dance for the 2026 season. We regret this change, yet unexpected circumstances make this the right decision for all of our members.
The new dance is ‘’I Left My Heart In Texas’’. It will be used for competition beginning May 5, so you have a few extra weeks to learn the choreography. Videos and step sheets are available at https://ucwdc.org/line-dance.
You will enjoy learning this fun, new dance that is appropriate for all of our newcomer line dancers.
Additionally, please review the updated Usage Date sheet for changes affecting the Novice division. The Pulse (2025) has been extended in the rotation to allow for a smoother transition.
Linedance Chair,
Satu Ketellapper

01/19/2026

Take your mind off the frigid temps by planning summer travel to the European Open Championships! 😎🎉🏆Randy and Jennifer are thrilled to be on staff of this UCWDC championship event for a second year. 🩷 So much fun and a great way to see our Euro dance family.

01/09/2026

Time to make the doughnuts! 🍩🍩 Congrats to Eric Nava andRachel Mercedes Neiswender for ANOTHER world championship in Classic Masters! ✨🤠🎉🏆Such fun helping Becky play a prank after ER’s show dance! 🩷🩷