Celebrities in the VIP Lounge: Llambi, Mabuse and Azizi at the Mallorca Dance Festival 2026

Celebrities in the VIP Lounge: Llambi, Mabuse and Azizi at the Mallorca Dance Festival 2026

How a dance weekend in Santa Ponsa brought together music, sport and island spirit

On the first weekend of May the Pabellón Municipal Galatzó in Santa Ponsa transformed not only into a competition stage but also into a small meeting point for the dance scene. Around 1,500 participants from various countries gave the hall floor rhythm, and on the sidelines of the competition some familiar faces from German television sat in the VIP lounge.

Among the guests were former competitive dancer and judge Joachim Llambi, dancer and judge Motsi Mabuse, and presenter Jana Azizi. Their presence did not cause a flashbulb frenzy like on the beach, but rather curious glances, warm greetings and conversations about technique, music and the joy of dancing, not a scene like Red Carpet, Pool Lights and Laughter: A Night in Ses Palmeres. The atmosphere remained down-to-earth: applause echoed from the stands, coaches hurried between warm-ups and start lists, and outside the fresh sea breeze blew over Santa Ponsa.

The festival was organized by Jordi Fàbrega, the head of a local dance school, who put the event together for the fifth time. Such events live off the enthusiasm of the organizers and the many volunteers; appreciation for Fàbrega's commitment was clearly noticeable that weekend. Coaches, parents and dancers confirmed that competitions like this primarily create one thing: community and exchange.

Jana Azizi, who lives on the island and regularly takes lessons, took the opportunity to publicly show appreciation to her teacher. For spectators who sat at the edge of the hall activity in a café on the Carrer del Mar, it was a pleasant sight, reminiscent of events such as Celebrity Movie Night at Lío Palma: Popcorn, Champagne and Neighborhood Vibes: conversations about rhythm and posture mixed with the clinking of espresso cups.

Joachim Llambi, who had been working in a studio just the evening before and then traveled to Mallorca, fit into this picture: not a star appearance, but a dancer among dancers, interested in choreographies and in the organization of such an event. That big tournaments often barely break even financially was as much a topic as the passion behind the scene. This mix of professional background and amateur enthusiasm is what defines the island event, a dynamic often highlighted in local coverage such as Celebrity Big Brother in Mallorca: When the Island Comes into TV Focus.

For Mallorca, such a festival is more than a sporting competition. Hotels, bistros and small shops in Calvià and Santa Ponsa feel the influx of families and companions, who ensure that weekends like this also make economic sense. Even more important: young dancers get the chance to perform in front of a larger audience and make contacts — a plus for local cultural work.

Anyone who walked through the streets of Santa Ponsa that Sunday heard the last waves of music fading, saw participants with medals and witnessed how debriefing conversations took place in relaxed groups. Such scenes are everyday life in Mallorca, which some tourists stroll past and catch the island's real pulse: committed people who make a difference, and afternoons where community matters more than glamour.

Looking ahead: the festival shows that dance on the island is growing and connecting — from dance schools in Palma to meeting points in the Tramuntana communities. Anyone who's become curious can easily get involved: many schools offer trial lessons, from standard and Latin to salsa and modern styles. A stroll along the Santa Ponsa promenade can thus unexpectedly lead to the discovery of a new hobby.

In the end there remains a feeling of lightness: music, steps and the occasional laughter after a successful choreography. In this way Mallorca gains a piece of culture that continues to have an effect in everyday life — in school corridors, in small studios and in living rooms, where parents repeat practice routines with their children. And for the island this means: attention to a cultural offering that is more than an event — it is an invitation to dance along oneself.