Salsa
What holds it all together. Partnering, musicality and the pure joy of social dancing
Not Fest 2026
SALSA Back to Roots
Salsa, rumba and Afro.
Shows, parties × seriously deep learning
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Not Fest 2026
Salsa, rumba and Afro.
Shows, parties × seriously deep learning
23–25 October — salsa, rumba, Afro, energy, shows, parties and seriously deep learning ❤️🔥
We're deliberately keeping the format very intimate. So that everyone really gets to learn, to go deeper, to dance, to talk to the teachers — and to feel not just part of the atmosphere, but one of the people creating it
Every one of you shapes the present and the future of salsa in Ukraine
A small festival by headcount — a big one by what you take home
- Three days to go deeper into salsa than you usually get to
- Top international artists, the Ukrainian teachers you already love and an intimate community
- Salsa, rumba and Afro — from the roots to complete freedom on the floor
- And, of course, Alona's birthday — which means it definitely won't be a quiet one
Afro, rumba, son, salsa are not separate worlds — they are parts of one culture. And here we take it apart down to the roots, to put it back together in your body
What holds it all together. Partnering, musicality and the pure joy of social dancing
Character. A dialogue between body, music and partner. Guaguancó, yambú, columbia — different characters of one culture: humour, flirt and the real sabor
Where a completely different understanding of the body begins. Weight, ground, breath, coordination, isolations and polyrhythm — the base that changes the way you move
You can come for the salsa.
And leave finally understanding where it grows from
An international weekend in the heart of Ivano-Frankivsk. For those for whom just dancing is no longer enoughWe explore. We feel. We taste. We enjoy
Two (and maybe more) top international artists. Names to be announced soon — watch this space
The same names you keep coming back to. People who explain things in a way that makes everything click by the end of class
Not a couple of token classes, but a full concept that by the end of the festival adds up to a deeper understanding of what you dance
Performances that give you goosebumps. The reason to show up to the party on time and not miss a single number
A festival you can play. Challenges, points, surprises and prizes. One more excuse to meet half the dance floor and live the festival to the fullest
We deliberately cap the number of places so everyone actually gets to learn, dance and talk to the teachers
We're not chasing the number of participants.
We're chasing the quality of every single day
Gather the community somewhere you can actually learn, instead of just ticking a box
Be part of the atmosphere, not lost in the crowd
This is your festival. Three days of floor, partnering and music — plus new sides of the dance you already love
An intimate format is exactly the environment where starting isn't scary. You don't need to "know how" — wanting to is enough
Rumba and Afro give you what one more pattern workshop can't: a different sense of body, weight and rhythm
Inspiration, new approaches, an internal upgrade. An experience you can pass on — through the body, through meaning, through yourself
"Where does this music come from? What does this movement mean? Why exactly like that?" — if you ask these questions, this space is definitely for you
Connection with the body. Connection with yourself. Connection with people who also came for a living experience, not for status
We want everyone to land in "their" environment, so we're honest: this format isn't for everyone
If you're looking for "the most patterns in the least time" — you'll most likely be bored. We're not chasing the number of combinations. We dig deep: into rhythm, sensation, flavor
If you need a thousand-person scale and a dozen parallel rooms — this isn't it. We keep the format intimate on purpose
If you're only interested in partner salsa and nothing else — half the program is rumba and Afro. We'll gently but firmly get you to try them
This festival isn't for everyone. But if it resonates — you're exactly who we're waiting for 🧡
Two (and maybe more) top international artists plus the Ukrainian teachers you already love. Names to be announced soon
Secure your spot in advance at the best price
A show routine in a small group
23 October
Full access to the entire festival
Bought separately — ₴10,700
the pass saves you ₴6,000
23–25 October
Full Pass and Bootcamp in one ticket
Bought separately — ₴11,200
the pass saves you ₴6,000
23–25 October
The perfect option if you are coming for one day only
Full access for two
Every party of the festival
A festival you can play. Earn points for the things you'd do anyway — and trade them for real prizes
We launched the Quest at Bachata Edition: Back to Flavor — and it landed so well that not continuing would have been a crime. So it plays on.
Were you at the previous festival? That's +10 points before you even arrive
Anyone with a paid ticket plays — not just Full Pass holders. After payment you get a ticket number in the NF26-XXXXXXXX format
Go to @notfestbot on Telegram and hit /start. That's your account: points, level, history, leaderboard
Once — to link Telegram to your ticket. Nothing else to fill in ever: no forms, no applications
The bot hands you a personal QR code. Organizers scan it at every activity and the points land instantly
Tick what you're planning to do. Tap the repeatable ones more than once — the count goes up
Points don't expire: whatever you don't spend carries over to any LE Shkrobtak event or class. Spending them doesn't drop your level or your place in the ranking
Pre-ordering before the festival is cheaper than on site, and it guarantees the colour and the size you want. You can also pick up something left over from the previous editions — if you missed it back then, or simply want a brand-new one of the same thing
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The largest hall in Frankivsk, with a great floor for dancing and a stage for the teachers. A perfect fit for an intimate festival. And in autumn it is no longer as hot as in summer, so it will be even more comfortable
Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine
It has taken us in twice already — and both times it gave us exactly the sense of space we want for the festival
Hotel "Nadiya" is the festival's official accommodation partner. A special −20% discount for NOT FEST participants
Official accommodation partnerHotel "Nadiya" (40 Nezalezhnosti St.) is a 10-minute walk from the railway station, right in the heart of Ivano-Frankivsk. The festival venues are easy to reach too
There's a large car park with 24/7 security nearby. A hearty buffet breakfast is included in the room rate
Discount for participants
Walk to the station
Guarded car park
To book with the −20% discount, call +38 (050) 433-75-22 and give the code word NotFest
A comfortable single room with everything you need for a good rest
A spacious room with a double bed or two separate beds
An upgraded room with extra comfort and amenities
An elegant, upgraded room with a spacious living area
A cosy modern studio with a functional layout
A spacious studio for three — ideal for a group of friends or a small family
Premium space and style with a lounge area
A panoramic city view and maximum comfort — the hotel's best room
Prices are per room per night with the −20% discount. Capacity: main beds + extra bed. Buffet breakfast included
Book a room with a −20% discount using the code word NotFest
+38 (050) 433-75-22 · 40 Nezalezhnosti St., Ivano-Frankivsk
Have a look at the guide we put together for visitors to the city. It also shows where to eat well right next to the venue
Experience, professionalism and love for dance
LE Shkrobtak dance school is a team of professionals that has been creating unique dance events for over 17 years
We're proud of NotFest 2025 (SALSA Special Edition and Bachata Influence), NotFest 2026: Bachata Back to Flavor and Copa De Oro 2018–2021, which brought together hundreds of participants from many cities. Our events always stand out for their atmosphere, attention to detail and innovative approach
Nationwide events
Happy participants
Ukrainian stars
"Our goal isn't just to organize a dance event, but to create a space where everyone feels part of a big family and takes away an unforgettable experience."
Messages participants wrote themselves in our Telegram channel right after NOT FEST 2026 — Bachata Edition. Nothing rewritten: you can open the original screenshot
A festival participant · her first NOT FEST
"If the aftertaste of this festival were a dish, I would give it every Michelin star"
"I have been dancing for a long time and been to different festivals, but honestly — of all the bachata festivals in Ukraine this one is the best organised, thought through to the smallest detail… and the atmosphere too"
"I had doubts — to go or not to go. They were put to rest… It felt cosy, like family — the aftertaste will stay with me for a long time"
"When a festival ends it is always a little sad. Because these were days when you are among your own"
"Going back to the source, where a carefree and vivid culture lives — a rare chance, and this is already my third NOT FEST in a row"
"This is heartbreak and love from the very first step! It was not just an intensive, but a deep dive into the real roots — the passionate rhythm, the spirit, the authenticity"
"This is my first festival where I went to the workshops and the parties… The workshops I made it to were of a really high level"
"Special thanks to the organisers and the teachers, who make these days full and special in such a restless time for all of us"
"Thank you all for the dances, the warm welcome and the atmosphere! See you next time!"
Read more first-hand reviews in our official Telegram channel — they land there during and right after every festival
This is where the festival lives between festivals: all the latest news, photos and videos from the parties, and a genuinely warm, supportive crowd
Because that's where salsa grew from. Rumba gives you character and a dialogue with the percussion; Afro gives you weight, isolations and contact with the ground. You're not relearning anything — your salsa simply starts to sound different afterwards
No. The program is built so you can arrive without fear: first the context and the basic groove, then practice. You don't need to "master them in one festival" — feeling them is enough
Yes! We keep the role balance even, with rotations and plenty of chances to dance with new people
The festival suits a range of levels — from beginner to advanced. We recommend some basic salsa knowledge to get the most out of it, but the main thing is the appetite to learn
A festival-wide game runs alongside the program: challenges, points for taking part and prizes at the end. It's also the easiest way to meet half the dance floor. Details closer to the start
Two (and maybe more) top international artists plus the Ukrainian teachers you already love. We'll announce the line-up soon — follow our socials
That's a deliberate choice. An intimate format is the only way to make sure everyone actually learns, dances and talks to the teachers instead of getting lost in a crowd. So register early
Registration closes 3 days before the festival starts, or once all tickets are sold. Places are limited — we recommend not putting it off!
Support NOT FEST on social media and show your friends you'll be part of our dance community!
Use our little tool to create a unique profile photo with the festival frame. Upload your photo, adjust it — and get a stylish result in seconds!
Create your profile photo, post it on social media and tag us with #NotFest2026 or @notfest_ua
Create it, share it and get your extra 20 points in NotFest Quest 🏆
Open the editorGot a question? Want to know more or reserve a spot? Write to us — we're here
Festival news, ticket discounts, exclusive materials and conversation with dancers from all over Ukraine
Join the communityTickets are limited — the format is intimate on purpose. Secure your place while there still is one
