The Slow Down 2026
5-7 June 2026
We would like to invite you to our cozy Blues festival in Brno. You will have a chance to dive deeper into the blues, its history and culture, enjoy a ballrooming and juke joint style parties full of great music, and practice and develop your partnered and solo dancing during classes.
OUR TEACHERS
- Agnieszka & Konrad
- Genia Tsvietkova
- Alexia & Sep
MUSIC
- The Lewis Creaven Band
- The Dudes of Ellington
- Bobby’s Funeral
- Géri & The Lizards
THE BASICS
- Five hours of classes
- Three main parties till the morning, Thursday pre-party
- Mix of juke-joint and ballroomin’ parties
- Additional activities such as beer tasting, brunch, etc
- Coffee & chill in our cozy studio during lunch breaks
Festival vision
There are a few things we consider important as organizers of a blues festival. We hope they will help you decide to attend, and even if they won’t, we still would like you to be aware of them.
We love blues music and its diversity, which shapes the diversity of blues dance.
We love blues music and its diversity (in styles and tempos) which shapes the diversity of the blues dance. We believe that exploring the different styles and tempos of blues music helps develop universal dance skills and allows you to become a better dancer in general. Let’s break together those misconceptions saying “Blues is only slow…”, “Blues is only this substyle…”, “Blues is only body-on-body sexy moves…”
We believe that understanding the historical and cultural context of blues can make you a better blues dancer.
That knowledge can even lead us to think about our own values and definitely helps to be a better blues dancer (and hopefully person). We aim to support our lecturers in placing the lesson in a historical and social context and, if the schedule allows, we also organize talks about blues music, dance, and its history and culture.
We prefer having a blues party in a cozy bar.
It can be packed and vibrant from the beginning; towards the end, you can expect slower tempos and maybe less lights. We will also have a ballroomin’ night in a suitable venue.
We love partying until very late, with the Sunday party being the highlight of the entire event!
We want you to enjoy the party for as long as possible, so we’re planning not to start the classes too early. Also, If you’ve attended festivals before, you know that the Sunday party is always the highlight, and we treat it as such! Therefore, we suggest taking the day off on Monday so you can stay until the end! 🙂
We offer opportunities for party pass holders to meet people through activities tailored especially (but not only) for them.
Sometimes it might be challenging for party pass holders (especially introverts) to meet new people and create new connections with others, especially if they primarily encounter other festival attendees only during the parties. That’s why we’ve arranged some special additional programs/activities included in party pass, providing opportunities to meet, socialize, and connect with other party pass holders.
We strive to ensure a safe and comfortable experience for all attendees.
Please read our code of conduct and help us to create a safe and friendly event. If you find yourself in an uncomfortable or annoying situation, do not hesitate to contact our care team.
Video recaps from previous years
Previous Slow Downs live on in moments, stories, and memories. Let us take you back to a particularly hot summer weekend, with a thousand little stories to tell – and some meant to remain a secret forever.
Classes
Our teachers are:
-
- Agnieszka & Konrad (Poland)
- Genia (Ukraine)
- Alexia & Sep (France, Belgium)
All classes will be held in English.
We offer partnered tracks or solo track, each with five hours of classes.
The classes will take place at the Swing Wings studio (3rd and 4th floors) and in the wider city centre.
Click on image for more info.
Levels
Solo track
Open to dancers of all levels, including complete beginners. This track consists of four 75-minute solo classes.
Partnered Tracks
- I am still building confidence with fundamentals or I am new to blues.
- I dance blues for roughly 0–6 months (or equivalent intensity)
- Includes three partnered classes, one solo class, 75-minute each
- I take classes locally and maybe I have attended an international festival; I know some basic steps, some variations, and a few fancy moves.
- I dance blues around 6–18 months (or equivalent intensity)
- Includes three partnered classes, one solo class, 75-minute each
- I attend international festivals regularly; I have a wide dance vocabulary and some understanding of blues aesthetics and blues idiom dances.
- I dance blues for roughly 18 months–3 years (or equivalent intensity)
- There are auditions to split this group into two
- Includes three partnered classes, one solo class, 75-minute each
- I attend international festivals regularly; I have a wide dance vocabulary and very good understanding of blues aesthetics and idiom dances, and high-quality movement.
- I have advanced lead or follow skills and can maintain clarity, connection, and musicality
- I dance blues for 3+ years (or equivalent intensity)
- Register as I dance blues a lot! – there are auditions for this group
- Includes three partnered classes, one solo class, 75-minute each
Calendar (.ics) files for import
Click on the track/activity you would like to add to your Google or Apple or any other calendar that supports importing .ics files to be ready for the festival!
Bands and parties
Thursday pre-party with Jan Man Band
Location: Music Lab, juke-joint party, door opens 20:30
If you’re in Brno on Thursday, join us at the Smoking Rabbit bar. This legendary jazz bar, located in the very heart of the city, will surely get you into the perfect blues vibe.
Jan Man Band is the one-man blues explosion you didn’t know you needed. Armed with everything from a trombone to a double-neck ukulele, Jan is a multi-instrumentalist, looper, and all-around musical wizard who builds rich, full-band soundscapes in real time. His performances are an unforgettable mix of groove, soul, and pure fun.
(Please note that the entrance fee is 250 CZK and is not included in any of the passes. It must be paid in cash at the door.)
Photo by David Poul
Friday party with Lewis Creaven Band
Location: ArtBar Druhý Pád, juke-joint party, door opens 19:30
Saturday party with The Dudes of Ellington
Location: První Patro, Ballroomin’ party, door opens 19:30
The Dudes Of Ellington formed way before it was cool. Played for dancers for many years and now they are back again but this time cookin’ some of the best blues tunes especially for you to Slow Down. From the repertoire of the greatest names such as Sidney Bechet, Louis Armstrong and many more, bringing you the crème de La crème.
Personel: Lukáš Hasa on trombone, Marek Kotača on sax, Michal Cálik on trumpet, Peter Korman on bass, Vít Beneš on guitar, Adam Sikora on drums, and special guest TBA.
Photo by David Poul
Saturday late night party with Bobby’s Funeral
Location: První Patro, right after the first band
Bobby’s Funeral doesn’t sleep! Bobby, Jay, Adélka, Petr and Filip are regularly practicing new blues material, which will definitely take you out of your miseries or lethargy. Don’t fall asleep too and come to listen to Bobby’s Funeral at the afterparty.
Video courtesy of Bobby’s Funeral
Sunday “Burst of colours” party with Géri & The Lizards
Location: ArtBar Druhý Pád, juke-joint party, door opens 19:30
Sunday night is getting a colourful twist! 🌈✨ Our party theme is Burst of Colours!
Géri & The Lizards are stewing in the sun. They’re contemplating about the heat. Heat you will feel underneath your grooving feet and on your glistening skin, while you’ll be immersed into their world of blues. It’s Beneš, Kraut, Micenko, Hajtmánek & Schnyder on the Shreds-Hammer-Slap-Sticks & Sho-bees!
Photo by Jiří Lubojacký
Additional program
Getting to know new people at a festival can be tricky, we all have had that experience. Our additional program is here to help you connect, chat, and share good times beyond the dance floor.
History/culture talk by Sep
Friday 8 p.m., location: ArtBar Druhý Pád
Specific topic to be announced.
(The talk is a part of the Friday party program. You don’t need to register for it.)
Brunch on Saturday morning
Saturday 10 a.m., location: JAGA
We’ll start our Saturday with a relaxed brunch at our favourite café JAGA. There will be good food and even better company. A perfect chance to wake up slowly, recharge, and meet fellow dancers in a calm and cozy setting.
This is primarily for party passes, but check if your schedule allows you to join before registering!
(Please note that it’s an open buffet—come early if you want the best choice of food, because there might be a lot of hungry blues dancers!)
Beer tasting on Saturday afternoon
Saturday 5 p.m., location: AXIOM Pub
Blues and beer? Yes, please! Discover a wide range of delightful flavors with the guidance of those who know beer best—the Czechs. Whether you’re a true beer lover or just curious to explore new tastes, it’s the perfect way to unwind and meet new people.
Roma dances on Sunday
Sunday 1:45 p.m. to 2:45 p.m., location: Swing Wings studio
Experience the energy and joy of traditional Roma dances with Beňo Mirga and his ensemble SALUT ROMA! Join this vibrant session to move your body in new ways and get inspired by a rich and beautiful dance tradition.
All passes are able to add this class without scheduling conflicts.
Sunday “Burst of Colours” party 🌈✨
Sunday’s party theme is Burst of Colours! 🌈✨Come as your brightest, boldest, most fabulous self. Whether that means vibrant outfits, sparkling makeup, painted nails, dramatic eyeliner, or a full-on rainbow moment — this is your night to shine. Let the dance floor be a space of joy, freedom, and fearless self-expression. The more colour, the more magic!
T-shirts
Order a t-shirt with a design by our own dancer, photographer and designer, Jiří Lubojacký, for 500 czk / € 21! There are two types of t-shirt to choose from: curvy and straight. Both in navy blue and 100% 140gsm cotton.
Registrations for t-shirts will close a month before the start of the festival.
The design:
Sizing charts:
How to get to Brno
© kudyznudy.cz
Brno is a cozy, walkable city with great restaurants, cafés, and a laid-back vibe—less touristy than Prague but just as charming. You’ll also find it very easy on the wallet. Plus, Vienna, Prague, and Bratislava are only a short ride away by train, car, or bus. You can come by:
🚀 Plane
Tuřany Airport (BRQ): Just 20 minutes from Brno city center by public transport.
Vienna Airport (VIE): 2 hours with one easy transfer by train with RegioJet or České dráhy, or a direct FlixBus.
Bratislava Airport (BTS): A direct train gets you here in just an hour and a half.
🚆 Train
From Vienna or Bratislava: Less than 2 hours with České dráhy or RegioJet.
From Prague: A direct 2h 30m ride with České dráhy or RegioJet.
🚌 Bus
FlixBus: Often the cheapest option, well-connected to the rest of Central Europe.
Prices
* Register for the early bird price until 18 March 7 PM.
Registration
Registration will be open on February 18, 2026, 7 pm. Early bird prices lasts until 18 March 7 pm.
Terms and conditions
We recommend that you register for partnered classes with a partner. Those who sign up solo are placed on the waiting list to be paired with a participant of the opposite role. You can use our facebook event to find a partner.
We cannot refund the ticket price. If you cannot attend, please offer your place in the Facebook event or local groups. In the event of a change of participant, please contact us at slowdown@swingwings.cz. At the same address, we will be happy to confirm whether the seller actually owns the given ticket.
If we do not have an available spot, you will be added to the waiting list. This can happen if the pass you have applied for is fully booked or if there is a large imbalance between leaders and followers in the workshop.
The Slow Down is dedicated to providing a safe and comfortable event experience for everyone, therefore all attendees, instructors, staff, and volunteers are required to comply with the Code of conduct. Organizers will enforce this code throughout the event. We are expecting cooperation from all participants to help ensure a safe environment for everybody. If you behave inappropriately, you may be asked to leave without any refunds given.
GeniaGenia’s dancing story begun when she was 6 years old. She is a lindy hop and blues dancer from Kyiv, Ukraine. She likes to learn, teach and explore. Really appreciates the process of teaching, working with people, sharing energy and ideas. On the classes mostly works on discovering body motion, body control, joy of listening to music and being moved by music.
Photo courtesy of Genia
KonradKonrad as a curious person tried a variety of different activities. From primary school he had been learning Japanese martial arts which as a result led him from soft to a bit harder styles. When in 2013 by coincidence he discovered Lindy Hop, boxing gloves had been abandoned permanently. Since then dance turned his world up-side-down and revealed different ways of enjoying life. Creativity and curiosity directed him into Blues and Swing, in which he found complementation of dancing and also deeper connection and feeling.
Photo courtesy of Agnieszka and Konrad
AlexiaTeaching is Alexia’s passion. She’s been dancing Lindy Hop since 2005, and has founded her own school in the city of Paris. She’s always exploring how to teach her concepts and values, working hard to respect the original black African American culture, in which she considers herself a lucky guest.
Individual responsibility in the partnership, self-expression, inspiration drawn from music are some go-to topics that she will teach in many different ways. She will help the students find their own way to move – by themselves and with a partner – in the (let’s hope) spirit of jazz. She’ll shake you in a pleasant and caring way.
SepSep Vermeersch is a unique and committed creative. He’s a passionate jazz, blues & swing dancer. A lifelongstudent and daily practisioner. When teaching he prefers holding space as a facilitator. It’s about the ‘jazz’ process: historical context, personal development and expressing your own style while trying to appreciate these African American social dances as a guest.
The combination of his educational background, playful attitude and daily practice make him a unique person to collaborate with. His curiosity for the deep ways of jazz, humanity and his successful performances in the sector make him a welcomed guest in various projects around the globe. Get to meet Sep and allow yourself to be shaken with love and groove.
Photo courtesy of Alexia and Sep