Welcome Program
WELCOME to MADjam!
Our Newcomer Welcome Program is designed to help you feel comfortable, connected, and ready to have fun at your first MADjam. Led by MADjam Co-Director Kay Newhouse, this program gives you extra support, social opportunities, and guidance throughout the weekend.
At MADjam, you can take workshops to improve your West Coast Swing, enjoy hours of social dancing, watch amazing shows, and even compete if you’d like.
Ready to have fun and meet awesome people?
- Create an account and purchase a weekend EZPass or individual session pass.
- Optional: Add a contest such as “Jack & Jill – Newcomer”
- Add the Newcomer Welcome Program from the add-ons menu. RSVPing to the Newcomer Welcome Program helps us plan and does not commit you to anything.
Please plan to attend:
- Welcome Program Orientation (Thursday 8pm or Friday 6pm)
- Social Dance Success (Friday 8pm)
- Newcomer Jack & Jill Warm-Up (Saturday 10am)
- Welcome Program Wrap-Up (Sunday 3:30pm)
No reservations are needed for these sessions.
Most attendees take at least one workshop per day. See the full schedule here.
- WCS 101 (L0): Start from the very beginning!
- L1 (Fairfax ballroom): Fundamentals, technique, and variations with superstar teachers
- L1 workshops are limited to 22 leaders and 22 followers.
- You can add Early Entry to your registration to enter up to three L1 workshops 15 minutes before the start time.
- Want more? You can also attend L1 workshops by lining up for drop-in entry—we always reserve space for drop-ins.
- L2: Faster-paced workshops for dancers who are fluent in fundamental WCS patterns and technique.
- Most L2 workshops are in “Regency” or our main ballroom, where we have unlimited capacity for participants and observers. Just show up at the start time of the workshop!
- Plan your meals and expect many hours of social dancing at night.
- Arrive at least half an hour before your chosen Orientation session (8pm Thursday or 6pm Friday).
- It’s completely fine to attend on your own—the Welcome Program is designed to help you meet people quickly, and we rotate partners in classes.
Please join us for the whole weekend if you can! If you can’t attend the full weekend, we recommend Friday evening 6pm–1am [“Orientation”, “Newcomer Open Dancing” and main ballroom shows] for a mini-MADjam experience.
- Designated “Newcomer” seating area for shows and social dancing
- Carefully planned workshops designed to turboboost your WCS
- Friendly “MADjam Mentors” ready to meet you, dance with you, and answer your questions all weekend long
- Small group open dancing and “meet & greet” social opportunities
- A cohort of other event first-timers who can’t wait to meet you, learn lots of things, and have fun all weekend together!
Your weekend “EZPass” includes entry to watch all contests and pro shows, and four nights of social dancing.
- Stay at the Hyatt Regency Reston or at one of our overflow hotels. Hotel info.
- Need help? Contact us and ask for Kay.
- Join our Facebook groups here and here to ask questions or find roommates. RSVP to MADjam 2026.
- Multiple changes of clothes, toothbrush and deodorant – Please avoid strong perfumes or cologne; some people who might want to dance with you are allergic.
- Shoes you can dance in – or plans to shop our vendors!
- Water bottle and snacks
- A warm sweater for when you’re not dancing
- Your enthusiasm for learning new things & meeting new people & embracing new experiences!
Welcome to MADjam! We hope you’ll love it here.
We can’t wait to welcome you to a weekend full of West Coast Swing, connection, and fun at MADjam!
Mentors needed!
→ Yes! We need friendly faces to be MADjam Mentors for our new friends as we welcome them to our event.
Sign up here to volunteer to help.
Join us on Facebook! Here, here and here.
For additional information about the Welcome program, contact MADjam Co-director Kay Newhouse.
