Back for the 25th year, Battle of the Bands 2026 is a swing dance like no other.
Olivia Van Goor presents the Battle of the Bands / Detroit Big 3 Swing Dance Saturday, March 28th at the Lafayette Grande Ballroom in Pontiac, MI.
Featuring 2025 Champion - Stardusters Big Band vs. The Parts & Labor Big Band!
Dancers of all skill levels are welcome to the 25th year of swing dancing. Many come just to enjoy the sights and sounds. Dress is snappy casual to semi-formal or vintage attire.
General admission begins at 6:30PM with a dance lesson from 7-8PM. The bands will hit the stage starting 8:15PM and perform until midnight.
The dance lesson is an optional add-on to your ticket, so make sure to add it to your cart.
There is a cash bar with beer, wine, cocktails, and assorted light snacks.
Vendors TBA.
Note: Eventbrite fees are added to the ticket price at checkout
Tickets are $35 per person in advance or $40 at the door. Add $5 for the optional lesson. Tables of eight may be reserved in advance at no additional charge. To reserve a table, email us at oliviavangoormusic@gmail.com . We will place a hold on the table that will electronically allow your guests to register for your specific table.
The BIG3s pull dancers and non-dancers from all ages together for an incredible evening of music and dance. If you don't know how to dance, come join the many that soak in the sights and sounds of an unforgettable evening. The previous BIG3s have brought more than 14,000 people together. Don't miss this one! We can't wait to see you there!
Questions: Olivia Van Goor at oliviavangoormusic@gmail.com
Sign up for Detroit Big 3 Swing Updates:
Battle of the Bands 2026
The Detroit Big 3 Swing Dance Battle of the Bands is a lively annual celebration of music, dancing, and community spirit. Guests can expect an evening filled with high-energy swing music, a welcoming dance floor, and plenty of room for both seasoned dancers and first-timers. The night often begins with a beginner-friendly dance lesson, followed by hours of live entertainment, social dancing, and vintage flair. With great company, festive attire, and an electric atmosphere, it’s a beloved Detroit tradition that brings people together for an unforgettable night.
Olivia Van Goor Named New Executive Director
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Detroit Battle of the Swing Bands Passes the Baton to New Ownership
CLARKSTON, Mich. — The Clarkston Arts Council is pleased to announce Olivia Van Goor as the new owner of the Metro Detroit Battle of the Swing Bands competition.
The annual event, which has brought together top swing bands and hundreds of dancers for over two decades, will transition to Van Goor’s leadership after two years of production by the Arts Council. Formerly the Big 3 Battle of the Bands, the competition was created by Sean McDonnell.
“We are incredibly excited to pass the torch to Olivia Van Goor,” said Leanna Haun, former Executive Director and event producer for the Clarkston Arts Council. “Her passion for the music and deep ties to the Detroit jazz and swing scene make her the perfect person to carry on the legacy of this beloved competition and usher in a new era of growth.”
Van Goor is an award-winning jazz vocalist and a rising star in the Midwest music landscape. Recently honored as a two-time winner at the 2025 Michigan Music Awards for Best Jazz Album and Best Jazz Single/Performance, she is a composer, arranger, and producer with a distinctive sound rooted in early jazz, swing, blues, and bebop. She has toured major cities in the Midwest, performed with the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra, and received recognition including the Preservation of Jazz Excellence Award for Best Vocalist.
“Taking on the Metro Detroit Battle of the Swing Bands is a dream come true and a natural fit for my musical portfolio,” said Olivia Van Goor. “This event celebrates the incredible artistry and joyful energy of the swing community, and I’m thrilled to be chosen to lead it. I look forward to building on the competition’s rich history while bringing some fresh energy and ideas.”
The current two-time contest winners, The Stardusters Big Band, also welcomed the change.
“We are excited about this transition,” said Brian Cheatham, drummer and leader of The Stardusters Big Band. “I have known and worked with Olivia for the past few years. She’s a very talented vocalist, producer, and writer-arranger. She will bring renewed energy to this exciting event. Be ready for some exciting changes.”
The Metro Detroit Battle of the Swing Bands is slated for Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the Lafayette Grand Ballroom in Downtown Pontiac, Michigan. Tickets are scheduled to go on sale starting in late November.