A highlight of the Christchurch Big Band Festival each year is the Big Band Boogie Ball.

Dance the night away to the music of the wonderful dance music of Ellensburg Big Band direct from the USA as well as sets by the 2024 All Star Band and Dunedin Jazz City Orchestra. And you won’t want to miss the special dance demo break by the Swingtown Rebels!

The Ellensburg Big Band hails from Ellensburg, Washington State, USA. Founded in  2011 the group has been delighting concert audiences and swing dancers alike playing  classic and contemporary big band jazz. They perform regularly at jazz festivals and  dances throughout Washington and performed internationally in Japan in 2014 and New  Zealand in 2019. Featuring talented soloists and vocalists, many of the 19-member  group are alumni of the acclaimed Central Washington University jazz program and  many are music educators. The band is super excited to return to New Zealand for this  year’s Christchurch Big Band Festival. Our favorite gigs are swing dances and we  treasure the opportunity to have fun making terrific music together, connecting with the crowd, and making so many new friends along the way.

Ellensburg Big Band (USA)

All Star Big Band

Dunedin City Jazz Orchestra

Food and drink will be available for purchase.

You’ll find the beautiful Great Hall in the north quad of the Arts Centre.