The Slow Down 2025

13–15 June 2025

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.

 

Register now

OUR TEACHERS

  • Vicci Moore & Adamo Ciarallo
  • Els Houttequiet
  • Lotte Dijkstra & Wouter Vervloet

MUSIC

  • Vienna Blues Association
  • Organic Dudes
  • Bobby’s Funeral
  • Géri & The Lizards

THE BASICS

  • Five hours of classes (four for newbies)
  • Three main parties & one afterparty
  • Mix of juke-joint and ballroomin’ parties
  • Additional activities such as beer tasting
  • 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 for that, but don’t worry, the after-party is in a bar 😉

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 recap from previous year

The Slow Down 2024 is a history, but a beautiful one. Let us bring you back with us to that particularly hot summer weekend with a thousand little stories to tell – and some of them, to forever hold a secret.

 

Classes

Our teachers are:

    • Adamo & Vicci (Italy & England)
    • Els (Belgium)
    • Lotte & Wouter (Netherlands)

 

All classes will be held in English.
There will be partnered tracks and solo track, five hours of classes.
There will be a partnered track also for complete blues beginners, three hours of classes.
The classes will take place at the Swing Wings studio (3rd and 4th floors) and Art Factory.
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 want to dance blues!

  • I am a beginner; maybe I’ve only taken one or two open classes.
  • Includes two partnered classes, one solo class, 75-minute each.

I dance blues!

  • I take classes locally and maybe I have attended an international festival; I know some basic steps, some variations, and a few fancy moves.
  • Includes three partnered classes, one solo class, 75-minute each.

I dance blues a lot!

  • I attend international festivals regularly; I have a wide dance vocabulary and some understanding of blues aesthetics and blues idiom dances.
  • Includes three partnered classes, one solo class, 75-minute each.

I dance blues a lot!+

  • If you are willing to participate in auditions, you may be invited to join this level for additional challenges.
  • Register as I dance blues a lot!
  • Includes three partnered classes, one solo class, 75-minute each.
TSD | Schedule published on web by Peter Sinal

Bands and parties

 

Thursday pre-party with a DJ

Location: Smoking Rabbit bar, juke-joint party

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.

(Please note that the entrance fee is not included in any of the passes and must be paid in cash at the door.)

Friday party with Vienna Blues Association

Location: ArtBar Druhý Pád, juke-joint party

For almost 20 years now, Jörg Danielsen’s heart has been captured by the blues. His influences reach back to the electric blues of the 1960s & 70s and cover a wide range of styles within that era. The leg shaking and body twisting energy of Danielsen and his 2 other fine young gentlemen Martin Melzer and Christoph Karas on stage won’t leave any dry seats in the house.

Saturday party with Organic Dudes

Location: Dělnický dům, Ballroomin’ party

Organic Dudes is the long-awaited collaboration between The Dudes of Ellington and the one and only Jan Kořínek and his fellas! Instead of the traditional double bass and piano, Jan will take over the legendary B3 Hammond. The ever-kind Oliver Lipenský will be on drums, Osian Roberts, the tenor sax madman, Lukáš Hasa on trombone, Michal Cálik on trumpet, Vít Beneš on guitar, and to complete the lineup, wholesome, stylish and demure Géraldine Schnyder will join the band as lead vocalist.

Saturday afterparty with Bobby’s Funeral

speakeasy juke-joint party

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.

 

Sunday party with Géri & The Lizards

Location: ArtBar Druhý Pád, juke-joint party

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 that experience. Our additional program is here to help you connect, chat, and share good times beyond the dance floor.

Mini-party at a tiki bar

Friday 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., location: Tiki Espresso Bar & Cocktails

Cozy little warm-up party with fun tiki cocktails and blues music. Come to chat and have a few dances before the main event begins. The place is tiny, so come early to secure a place to sit or dance. No registration – first come, first served.

History/culture talk by Vicci Moore

Friday 8 p.m., location: ArtBar Druhý Pád

Blues is an African-American dance. We care about its historic roots and cultural significance and believe that understanding them can even help you become a better dancer. That’s why we asked Vicci to share with us her amazing talk on how Black culture and blues dance are linked. Join us for a deeper look into what shaped the dance we love!

(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.

(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.

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

 
 Ticket Early Bird price* Regular price What’s included
Full Pass (Partner/Solo) 3 650 CZK
150 EUR		 4 150 CZK
170 EUR		 four 75-minute classes, three nights of parties, Saturday afterparty
Newbies Pass 2 350 CZK
96 EUR		  2 750 CZK
113 EUR		 three 75-minute classes, three nights of parties, Saturday afterparty
Party Pass 1 600 CZK
66 EUR		 1 900 CZK
78 EUR		 three nights of parties, Saturday afterparty,

 

* Register for the early bird price until 18 March 7 PM.

Registration

 

Registration will be open on February 18, 2025. 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 waiting 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.

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