Katrin (she/Her)
Katrin has been dancing for as long as she can remember. She began by doing pliés in ballet classes, but at the age of 15 she swapped her ballet shoes for Platform Boots and went to raves in Bingen and Berlin. After trying some more dance styles she discovered Lindy Hop and Solo Jazz in 2013 and founded Swing Times together with Jesús in 2019, and they will have their own dance studio very soon! Katrin and Jesús organised their first Bottoms Up! Festival in 2025.
the festival organizers
Jesús (HE/Him)
Jesús was born in Spain, but rather than dancing Flamenco he fell in love with jazz music and dance (side note: He loves Flamenco too, he’s just not very good at it). He's been teaching Lindy Hop and Solo Jazz in Cologne since 2015, and in 2019 he founded Swing Times together with Katrin. With last year’s edition of Bottoms Up! he fulfilled his dream of organising a Festival. This year, he’s doing it again!
CamillA (SHe/Her)
Camilla, born and raised in Cologne, with a passion for jazz music since a very early age, sang along to Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan and played the saxophone while others listened to boy bands. When many years later she discovered that you can also dance to jazz, she instantly fell in love and has been doing that ever since. After volunteering at other festivals and at the 2025 edition of Bottoms Up!, she’s very happy to have the possibility to bring an event like this to her hometown!
The Care Team
Agnes (She/Her)
Jonas (HE/HIM)
Our care team will be present throughout the event. Our aim is to make the event as pleasant and safe as possible for everyone. This team can be approached at any time during the event. They will always be easily recognisable as members of the care team (yellow armband) and their presence is also intended to have a preventive effect.
The care team is there for you if you're feeling unwell, uncomfortable
or even threatened. Don't hesitate to talk to them at any time!
Photography and Videography
Félix (HE/HIM)
I am Félix Nordino Chibuane, Mozambican photographer based in Maputo.
I became a professional photographer in 2020, after completing my basic field training. Over the years, my work has expanded both nationally and internationally.
Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to contribute to numerous notable projects, collaborating with artists, organizations, and cultural initiatives in different regions.
Félix’ Instagram: @swing_in_my_camera_project
KRIS (SHE/THEY)
Apart from finding joy in dancing, specifically Lindy Hop, Kris is an interdisciplinary artist and documentary filmmaker based in Cologne. Their videocamera will be capturing the light, movement, sweat, laughter and the jazziness of this years Bottoms Up! Festival.
Kris’ Instagram:
@___tzein