Music

This event is by Balboa dancers, for Balboa dancers, and we know that the music, whether live or DJ'd, is key to a great event.  We will be serving up only the finest Bal-tastic tunes for your shuffling pleasure! For 2026, we are pleased to welcome back Keenan Mckenzie: he'll be leading the Keenan McKenzie Sextet on Friday and Sunday, and the full Riffer's lineup on Saturday night

If you've seen Keenan play, you know that the live music will be 🔥! 

The Keenan McKenzie Sextet (Friday & Sunday)

Keenan McKenzie & The Riffers (Saturday)

Check out live music from IHB 2022!

----2026 DJs ----

Head DJ: Allison Meeks (she/her)

Allison began DJing swing music when she was a baby lindy hopper in college. Since then, she has become a regular swing DJ in the Durham, N.C. area and in the national dance scene, playing for dancers at events like Lindy Focus, Camp Hollywood, CalBal, All Balboa Weekend and more.

Allison is passionate about sharing swing music that inspires new and experienced dancers alike. She’s a fan of catchy melodies, small group arrangements and a good clarinet solo (not necessarily in that order).

Michael Quisao  (he/him)

Michael Quisao plays music that moves you. He hails from Dallas, traveled the world with the U.S. Navy, and has been proud to call Washington, DC home since 2014. He started dancing in 1999, fell in love with jazz, took his first Lindy Hop workshop in 2006, and started DJing for dancers soon after. He believes that there are few things better than well-written liner notes and helping to inspire creative, fulfilling dances through music that compels movement.

Michael has served as Head DJ & Music Director at New Columbia Swing since 2018 and runs the DC Bal Social together with Annabel Quisao. He has had the privilege of DJing for numerous dance exchanges, weekend workshops, camps, and competitions, including national events such as the DC Lindy Exchange, California Balboa Classic, Camp Hollywood, Boston Tea Party, All Balboa Weekend, Bal-Ast Off, and Barcelona Balboa Weekend. Michael has served as Head DJ at events such as Lindy Focus, New York Bal Week, Great Lakes Balboa Escape, Stardust Slow Balboa Weekend, Swing Out New Hampshire, Slow Dance Soirée, and I Heart Balboa.

Qui Nguyen aka DJ Qui-J  (she/her)

Long before setting foot on her first dance floor, Qui has always been in search of good music. From scouting out local shows, to digging through dusty record store crates, her motto has always been "if it moves you, it's good music". So it was quite natural for her to fall in love with swing music and dancing. A lover of the music first, and the movement a close second, you can always catch her listening to and dancing close by the bandstand at any number of swing, balboa or blues events. You might even find her behind the DJ booth, spinning tunes at local dances and at various events throughout the region. She is super excited to be representing Richmond at I *Heart* Balboa again this year.