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What is a Weekender?
- Caroline Haugsted
- May 14
- 6 min read
Updated: May 22
Welcome to our Inflow newsletter, where we present to you, our Weekenders!
We are absolutely thrilled to have you with us to learn more about this wonderful concept.
We arranged the first Weekender back in 2012, and for the rest of 2025 we have a Weekender planned for each month. The Weekenders are a great chance for the community to both get an intensive learning experience but also for everyone to connect more, socialize and have the time to get to know each other outside of the dance floor.
And of course, also to get inspired by some amazing guests!
Continue reading on to learn more about the story behind Weekenders, read Alexandra’s experience with the last Zouk Weekender, and see our upcoming events!
“I enjoy that the Weekenders give me a chance to connect people and also to bring friends that I have worked with in different situations around the world to Copenhagen, who I think deserve an opportunity to shine and show their work in different settings. One of the things I love the most is connecting people - connecting friends and students that I have met in different places around the world, who are all amazing people.”
What to expect from a typical Weekender?
For us, a Weekender is typically a three day event in our studio at Heimdalsgade.
Most people join for the whole weekend to get the full experience.
Friday starts off with an introduction workshop and a social where you can typically also meet our guests.
Saturday we have two workshops and a practica, where we integrate material from the classes and can ask questions.
Saturday night we have dinner together, a pre-party workshop that is more for fun, and of course, a social.
Sunday we also have two classes and a practica. We usually finish early so participants can rest, take privates or travel back home to where they are living.
What is a Weekender? Interview with Caroline
For those unfamiliar with the term, what is special about a Weekender?
“A weekender is a type of intensive training where you get the opportunity to train in a smaller group with a teacher/teachers for many hours for one weekend, which means the content is progressive and there is plenty of time for feedback and questions - as well as to get to know the teachers and guests outside of class”
What do you believe sets the Weekenders apart from other dance events out there?
“The sensation of community. It is not just a bootcamp you go to and leave, we spend most of the weekend together, learning, being challenged, having fun and really bonding as a community.”
What are you hoping that participants and our community will gain from participating in Weekenders?
“I hope the weekenders give people inspiration to continue training and feeling motivated in their own dance, and also that they help people to see things from different perspectives, experience different ways of doing things, and different techniques. It is a smaller setting than a big festival and I try to bring a lot of big artists that the community might otherwise not have access to.”
What thoughts go into the planning of Weekenders in regards to choosing artists and themes?
“I always choose artists who are - of course - amazing dancers, that i respect and admire a lot, but also who are great teachers and just great humans. It means a lot to me that our guests are open-minded and kind, and want to be present and enjoy dancing with everyone.”
What is your vision for the future of Weekenders within the community?
“I hope we can continue to have monthly weekenders with different guests and that our local community support these events and grow to a point, where these events also start to attract more people from outside. We want Copenhagen to become a hot spot for Zouk!”
Caroline´s Tips to Hack a Weekender
Ask questions — our guest teachers are always there to support you and your process, and they’re there to help you answer questions. There are no stupid questions!
Join for everything, also the social activities - the more present you are, physically and mentally, during a weekender, the more you’ll get out of it.
Invite the guests to dance - our guest teachers and other special guests are here to dance with you, so if you want to dance with them, go and ask them :)
Connect what you're learning with what we do in class - I’m here during the weekends and you can always ask how it relates to class content, to link the knowledge to what you already know
Keep an open mind - learning something in a different way is not necessarily better or worse, one way is not “more right” than another. Try out different teachers’ approaches, and keep what works for you! The more tools you have, the more equipped you are for different situations.
Remember, the secret to success is having fun! We learn better when we have fun, so remind yourself to also just relax and enjoy and not to take it too seriously all the time :)
Interview: One dancer’s Weekender experience
Meet Alexandra Bîrsan, a passionate dancer, dedicated to mastering the basics and seeing the Zouk community grow
“I wanted to study with Caroline since I first moved to Copenhagen in 2019. So when Caroline finally returned to Denmark I made sure to attend all classes possible, and felt lucky to do so even if it ment watching from the corner.”
Alexandra has previous dance experience from Bachata which has helped her with body awareness, mindset, habit of practicing and experience with going to socials.
Now she is taking all the weekly classes, spending much time at the studio and whenever she is in town she will make sure to attend any upcoming Weekenders as well.
How would you describe the atmosphere during the Zouk weekender?
“I loved it, it was so, so cozy! The Zouk community here is small and it gives a very special feeling of familiarity to have the artists so present and engaged. We shared questions, stories and of course, pizza.”
Was there a sense of community and support among the participants?
“For sure there was. I really liked joining with the people i already know and for the ones i didn’t know I felt we just vibed - it was very homy :-)”
What were your favorite moments and highlights?
“I enjoyed all the workshops and the parties, but what stood out the most for me, was the special workshop for the golden members. The artists where incredible at meeting us where we were, which made it very private and personal. I also appreciated the structure, where layers were added upon layers which really helped to enhance our learning further.”
How did the event contribute to your dancing skills and enjoyment of the dance?
“The artists had much emphasis on comfort in the basics and how important it is to find calmness and grounding in the dance. I was surprised by how many variations we can build from the basic steps alone, when we relax into each step. It was also really fun that they introduced us to Gamification. This was a very interesting way to play with dance, standing in a circle together and making it a challenge, creating a sense of competing around playing with the formations we know so well.”
Did the presence of guest stars enhance your learning experience?
“Yes, for sure. I danced with both of them at the social, and especially when I danced with her, I was like OMG - she was absolutely amazing!”
Do you have any advice for new participants considering to join the next weekender?
“In my opinion, you should at least give it a try :-) Come with an open mind, and maybe really open up to meeting and dancing with new people also, at lest give it a try and see what its like. I also totally recommend Caroline both as a teacher and as a person, and I think we should take advantage that she is here.”
What are your thoughts on the Zouk community, and what will you look forward to in the next weekender?
“I am super new to the community, so i don’t know it in depth, but I have experienced how people here are so welcoming and genuine in their presence which is super nice, and making dancing even more fun!”
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