From the organizers of Bluesila dance camp, a new festival is about to come to town. Join us for the second edition of Vilnius based blues dance festival Beet’n’Blues on May 29-31, 2026!
What to expect?
* 4 parties with live music (2 main parties, pre-party on Thursday and afterparty on Sunday)
* Classes (partnered and solo tracks)
* Open tasters
* City tours
…and much more!
Come and enjoy Vilnius in the best time of the year when the trees are green and the sun is not too hot. We will make your stay full of Blues, Vilnius and the famous pink soup!
When:
May 29-31, 2026 (a separate pre-party on Thursday, May 28 is also in the plans)
Location:
Vilnius city, Lithuania. Venue list available on the website.
Teachers
Arja’n’Isabelle
Arja and Isabelle have kept bumping into each other in Mix&Match competition finales over the years, and always share musical and playful dances on the social floor. Regardless of who leads and who follows in a particular dance, they enjoy creating the dance together and building upon each other’s ideas. As teachers, they are passionate about encouraging their students to prioritize being dancers first, while treating leading and following as distinct skills to be developed. They taught together for the first time at Bluesila in 2025, and now they are back to Lithuania once again!
Arja discovered rock’n’swing dances in 2012 and became a cornerstone of Helsinki’s blues dance community after moving there in 2014. Since then, she has been actively building the local scene as an organizer and DJ and teaching regularly since 2015. Arja also choreographs and coaches a performing blues dance troupe. Arja is experienced in teaching partnered blues in both leader and follower roles, as well as solo blues. As a teacher, she loves to focus on blues dance aesthetics, comfortable partner connection and fostering creativity that respects the dance’s cultural roots. As a teacher she has been described as encouraging, inspiring and genuine. Additionally, she is very intrigued by the wellbeing benefits of social dancing that extend beyond the dance floor.
Isabelle has been dancing since she was a toddler. She discovered Blues dancing in late 2012 after moving to the UK. The variety of Blues music styles, tempos and rhythms as well as the various forms of connections have kept her on the dance floor ever since. Isabelle loves those moments when you can really sink your teeth (or feet?!) into a song, be in the moment and enjoy this ultimate form of self-expression because the music moves you. She has travelled to countless Blues events around the world for the last 12 years and taught locally, nationally and at various events across Europe. If not dancing, she will be found learning more about Blues and Black American history as well as organising dance events in her local Oxford scene.
Vaiva’n’Collin
Vaiva Gudaitytė Vaiva is not only a blues dancer and teacher but also sings with VAIVA’s BLUES, making her an active and vibrant part of the international blues community. In her classes, Vaiva often hums tunes and bringing joy to her students is a number one goal. Her true focus in dance lies in enjoyment and letting movement flow naturally. Having a background in education science, she treats every class as a possibility to share and to connect. To Vaiva, dancing is about freeing the mind and living in the moment, creating harmony between music and movement. For her, the blues is a feeling and an opportunity to merge with the connections it offers — whether with oneself, the music, or a dance partner.
Collin got hooked to swing and blues dancing in 2015, mainly focusing on his love for the blues in the last couple of years as an international dancer and teacher. Being a drummer as well, he has a close relationship with the rhythmical foundations of all kinds of music, which is visible in his dancing and is always present in his teaching. His love for the diversity in blues developed, extended and made him look for more inspiration on the timeline of African American vernacular music and dancing, such as different styles of afro, funk and house. All to take it back to the dance floor. Collin is also an actor and therefore he knows how to make things playful.
Together, Vaiva and Collin form a dynamic, fun, and deeply engaging partnership – blending rhythm, playfulness, and heartfelt connection to create classes that are as inspiring as they are joyful.
Dexter Santos
Dexter discovered Blues dancing in 2005 in San Francisco, California and found himself immediately drawn to the rhythms and sounds of the Blues. The emotional depth and range, the varied subjects and stories, the gut-wrenching and the hip-shaking, the gritty and the smooth would give new inspiration and expression to his dancing. With a background in Lindy Hop, Dexter has studied with and collaborated alongside leading figures in the global Blues dance community, earning a reputation as one of the most respected and engaging instructors on the international scene.
Dexter’s dynamic style of movement has been honed and refined not only on the social dance floor but also through competition. Since the very first bluesSHOUT in St. Louis, Missouri in 2007, Dexter has won first place in numerous Blues dancing competitions around the United States and has won the title of Ballroomin’ Blues champion at bluesSHOUT 3 times (2007, 2008, and 2010). In an unprecedented feat in which no one has ever duplicated, Dexter won all four partnered competitions at bluesSHOUT 2010 in Austin, Texas: Open Jack & Jill, Strictly Jook Joint, Strictly Ballroomin’, and Champions Division.
As a teacher, Dexter aims to inspire dancers of all levels with the possibilities that Blues dancing has to offer while preserving its cultural roots, historic identity, and art form. Dexter travels around the world spreading his passion and joy for Blues dancing through his fun, inspiring, and challenging classes. A particular class favorite often referred to as the “Shim Sham of Blues,” the Hound Dog routine (a solo Blues choreography danced to Big Mama Thornton’s song of the same title) has been taught and performed with dancers around the world in four continents.
Live music
Remi Bankyln
Remi Bankyln is a London-based blues vocalist and guitar player working in the early 1950s Chicago blues tradition. Inspired by the music of Muddy Waters, Jimmy Rogers, Little Walter, Elmore James and others. His sound is electric blues built for small rooms, late nights, and close listening.
Remi has shared the stage with UK blues mainstay Big Joe Louis, Cedric Burnside, grandson of R.L. Burnside, and Mud Morganfield, eldest son of Muddy Waters.
Belin’n’Sochin’ Duo
Belkin-Sochin’ Duo is part of the well-known Lithuanian and foreign blues, country and rock’n’roll group “THE ROAD BAND”. The duo has more than 30 years of blues experience and has participated in many Lithuanian and European blues and country festivals, such as Suwalki Blues Festival (PL), Mragowo Country (PL), Blues Nights (LT), Visagino Country Festival (LT) and many others. The duo plays blues standards and original blues compositions, as both members of this duo are songwriters as well.
Aleksandr Belkin – vocals, guitars, harp, songwriter.
Olegas Sochinas – guitars, songwriter.
The Road Band
The Road Band is one of Lithuania’s most iconic blues acts, known for their vibrant mix of rhythm & blues, rock’n’roll, and soulful groove. For over three decades, they’ve lit up stages across the Baltics with powerful performances and unmistakable vintage flair. Their music blends classic blues energy with modern charm, creating an atmosphere that’s warm, lively, and instantly engaging. With numerous albums and hundreds of concerts behind them, the band continues to be a standout force in the local music scene. Get ready for a night filled with authentic blues spirit and unforgettable rhythm.
ALEKSANDR BELKIN – vocals, guitar, harmonica
OLEGAS SOCHINAS – guitar
ARVYDAS MEŠKA – piano
SERGEJUS SOPELEVAS-VYSOCKI – bass
VITALIJUS KATYŠOVAS – drums
Special Delivery Duo
Special Delivery Duo – George Trubnikov (trumpet, vocals) and Pavel Arakelyan (piano) – play blues the way dancers love it: alive, breathing, and full of groove. Their duo lives somewhere between classic blues, jazzy swing, and soulful grit. You’ll hear upbeat shuffles, slow blues you can melt into, playful musical conversations, and just the right amount of space to move and connect. They love mixing familiar blues and soul classics with lesser-known gems that surprise you in the best way. This is music with a heartbeat — clear rhythm, strong feel, and an atmosphere that invites you straight onto the floor.
Prices
Sunday after-party at ETM Terrace is free of charge.
Money refund:
- Before April 1 : we return all amount except bank transfer charges;
- Before April 30: we return 50% of all amount;
- After May 1: no refunds possible. However we can help you find someone to take your spot in the camp – just consult the organizing team.
Levels
Solo track
Solo track is open level – if you can move using blues basics, know what the pulse is and can find it in your body and want to work more on your solo blues skills, groove and body awareness, this track is for you!
Partnered tracks
Please read the descriptions carefully and be honest with yourself when deciding which level to sign up for. After all, we want to create a nice and balanced learning atmosphere for everyone!
That being said, during the event teachers and organizers may move you to a different level if necessary.
VERY IMPORTANT – since this is our first edition, we still do not have a defined number of groups just yet as it will all depend on the number of people registering for the full partnered track. Therefore, as of now we kindly ask you to choose the description that best matches you and your experience while we will work on composing groups that will have the most optimal learning experience. Because we all want to both learn and have a good time, right?
Level 1 – Proud Beginner (BI)
I am discovering Blues dance. I attend regular weekly classes from few months up to 8 months, and/or I try not to miss any chance to take an open class/ workshop or just social dance. I can lead/follow basic moves (basic steps, travelling, simple turns etc.). I can differentiate between different blues music styles; I have a basic understanding of different blues dance positions (open; close; close embrace), although I might feel more comfortable in some more than the others.
Level 2 – Curious Improver (I)
I have been actively dancing Blues for 8-18 months. I attend regular classes and/or I never miss a blues party/workshop/anything blues related really because I am curious and want to learn more. I am able to comfortably lead/follow basic moves and some more complex ones, I have a few solo moves in my dance vocabulary, I have a basic understanding of different partnered blues dance positions, and all of them, including close embrace usually feel quite good. I am aware of the differences in music styles and try to match it with my dancing.
Level 3 – Determined Intermediate-Advanced (IA)
I caught the blues fever and it has stayed with me – I have been actively dancing for at least 2 years now. During that time, I have also attended both local and international events. I have a solid and varied dance vocabulary, good quality of movement and control of my body. My connection with a partner is good most of a time, and leading/following more complex moves is what I do with ease. I am confident when dancing to most of Blues music styles, I know that my dancing will go along with music and sometimes even with Blues idioms as well since I have taken a few classes about some of them too. Close embrace feels very comfortable almost always as I have quite good technique and can seamlessly change between different partnering positions.
Level 4 – Geeky Advanced (A)
I have been actively dancing Blues for a truly long time and have been to more international events than I can remember. I am an experienced blues dancer – quality of movement, blues aesthetics and combining layers of dancing (rhythms, shapes, isolations, dynamics etc.) are at the core of my movement. 9 times out of 10 I am sure I will connect well enough with a partner no matter their experience and will share an enjoyable dance. I have or I could comfortably teach at least a beginners’ blues class. I know that I would be able to dance to any Blues music style if a song has a good groove – I am certain I would comfortably match my dancing to the music. I enjoy learning new concepts, diving into the teeny tiny details and applying these ideas to my own dancing to find out what works and how it works for me.
Schedule
Taster Classes
Where: BAR Ritmas
When: May 29 Friday 20:00-21:00
TBA
Where: SKILLZ street dance studio Main Hall
When: May 30 Saturday 10:00-11:00
TBA
Where: SKILLZ street dance studio Main Hall
When: May 31 Sunday 10:00-11:00
TBA
Full pass holders in addition to blues classes will be able to join the taster classes. Open taster classes are free for Party pass holders, too!
Open Activity
Where: Bar Ritmas
When: May 29 Friday 18:00-20:00
We want this festival to feel cozy and we believe that food and chats connect people. Therefore, on Friday, May 29rd, we will invite you to join us for a dinner right before the festival truly begins!
Where: TBA
When: May 30 Saturday 16:30-18:00
TBA
Where: TBA
When: May 31 Sunday 16:30-18:00
TBA
Open activity for all Beet’n’blues participants
Venues
Classes
Classes will take place in SKILLZ street dance studio.
Located in: Muliena building
Address: Lukiškių g. 5, Vilnius.
Thursday Pre-party KAS KAS Bar
To get ready for the weekend – pre-party at KAS KAS Bar basement. It is cozy, it is moody, and this place has a great variety of food, snacks and drinks – perfect or the first evening!
Address: Islandijos g. 4, Vilnius.
Friday’n’Saturday party – RITMAS
New, shiny and sparkly – RITMAS is our hotspot for Friday and Saturday parties. Located in the hip are of Downtown (Naujamiestis), the place has lots of space, food and drinks – get your dinner first, and then get ready to dance all night long.
NOTE: as part of the dance floor is made of mirrors, we recommend wearing shorts under skirts/dresses, so that you feel comfortable and can move without a doubt in your mind.
Address: Vytenio g. 42A
Sunday afterparty at ETM roof terrace
An impressive and photogenic panorama of the capital opens up from the roof terrace of the Energy and Technology Museum. great views for great dancing!
Address: Energy and Technology Museum, Rinktinės str. 2, Vilnius
Sunday party: free of charge. Come and enjoy panoramic views, live music and blues dancing!
Registration
Once you register you should get a confirmation email with a copy of your answers. PLEASE SAVE IT – it is a proof that your registration was received. You will receive a payment email shortly after – we manage registrations by hand so it might take a few days. If you have not received a confirmation email and/or payment email – please check your ‘spam’ folder. If not emails are there, please contact us via email.