Not Fest 2026
Back to Flavor
The festival that gives bachata its flavor back.
Dominican tradition × modern sensual.
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Not Fest 2026
The festival that gives bachata its flavor back.
Dominican tradition × modern sensual.
Dominican bachata isn't some "confusing foot-shuffling" — it's a living, musical, playful, incredibly addictive language of dance.
In the European community, bachata has long been associated mostly with sensual / moderna: fluidity, closeness, body waves, beautiful lines, emotion. And that's wonderful — it's the bachata people love, the one that brings them into the world of festivals.
But behind that familiar picture, the source often gets lost. Bachata as the music of streets, bars, backyards, parties. Bachata as flirt, rhythm, lightness, laughter. Bachata that doesn't "show off shapes" but plays with the music.
It doesn't try to impress — it pulls you into its vibe.
Bachata is bigger than we're used to seeing it.
It can be close and tender.
And it can be light, rhythmic, boldly playful.
In 2026 we're bringing this flavor back to the Ukrainian community — the flavor of the Dominican tradition,
while keeping the sensual bachata we know and love.
Not to pit them against each other. Not to say "this one's right and that one's wrong."
But to show the full palette — and let you fall for what you might not have understood before.
Alive, rhythmic, authentic. Footwork, groove, playing with the music, street ease and flirt. Root bachata that gives you new freedom in the dance you love.
Familiar, embodied, emotional, loved by many. Sensual artists who respect musicality and the roots — and help you feel the full palette.
"You can come for the bachata you already love.
But you'll leave the festival with a new sense of what bachata can also be."
We don't lecture you that "you're dancing the wrong bachata." We let you feel it in your body:
"Whoa. This is incredibly fun."
"I don't get what they're doing with their feet"
Dominican isn't complicated. It's a real thrill you can feel in your very first class.
"It's not about connection"
It's a fundamentally different kind of connection — light, alive, playful. Sometimes even deeper than sensual.
"It's old bachata"
It's root bachata — and it's popular all over the world right now.
"I love sensual — why would I need anything else?"
Because sometimes the music calls for something completely different. And trust us — you'll enjoy it so much more once you can express that.
"Nobody dances to this at socials"
Sadly, in Ukraine — not yet. But after our festival, they will. Once you feel it, you'll want to keep exploring.
"It's hard"
It will take effort. We built the program so you go from "zero" to a confident, fearless understanding of the dance — feeling the groove in your body and starting to love this music.
An international weekend in the heart of Ivano-Frankivsk for people for whom just "dancing" isn't enough. We explore. We feel. We savor.
Not "a few confusing Dominican classes on the schedule," but a whole festival built around the concept, music, rhythm and vibe that bachata was born from.
50/50: Dominican tradition + strong sensual artists who respect the roots. Come for the bachata you love — discover the one you didn't know yet.
Pauses, accents, textures, your own groove. After this weekend your sensual will sound different too — deeper and more flavorful.
Flavor, joy, rhythm, flirt, street ease. No preachy "respect the roots" tone — just a living experience in your body.
An intimate format, balanced leads and follows, rotations. No fighting for attention here — just real connection and open hearts.
A city where "intimate" isn't about size, but about atmosphere. Cosiness, fresh air and a vibe that perfectly fits a festival about flavor and sincerity.
We're not against sensual.
We're against bachata becoming one-dimensional.
Revive interest in traditional Dominican bachata within the Ukrainian community
Not just to teach a few steps:
To bring all the worlds of bachata together
This is your festival. Come for the bachata you already love — and discover a new level of freedom, musicality and joy in the dance.
A chance to dive into the world of bachata through culture, music and rhythm in a safe space — where you don't need to "know how," you just need to "want to."
For those tired of standard patterns who want to return to the source: to feel the body anew through groove, rhythm and playing with the music.
Inspiration, new approaches, an inner 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 this?" — if you ask these questions, this space is definitely for you.
Connection with your body. Connection with yourself. Connection with people who also came not for status, but for a living experience.
We want everyone to land in "their own kind of space," so we'll be honest: this format isn't for everyone.
If you're after "maximum moves in minimum time" — you'll most likely be bored. We don't chase a high count of combos. We dig deep: into rhythm, feeling, flavor.
If you're expecting battles and competitions — there won't be any (though do expect surprises). Instead of a stage, a shared floor. Instead of battles, dance as a dialogue and a game with the music.
If it's strictly "only sensual and nothing else" for you — half of our program is about the roots. We'll gently but persistently get you to give them a try.
This festival isn't for everyone. But if it resonates — it's you we're waiting for 💙
Secure your spot in advance at the best price.
Full access to the entire festival
Show choreography in a small group
Full access for a couple
All festival parties
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 — and handy for the festival venues.
There's a large guarded 24/7 car park next door, and a hearty buffet breakfast is included in the room rate.
Participant discount
Walk to the station
Guarded car park
Book with the −20% discount: call +38 (050) 433-75-22 and mention the code word NotFest.
A comfortable single room with all the essentials for a good rest.
A spacious room with a double bed or two separate beds.
An upgraded room with extra comfort and additional amenities.
An elegant, upgraded room with a spacious layout and full amenities.
A cosy studio room in a modern style with a functional layout.
A spacious studio for three — perfect for friends or a small family.
Premium space and style with a dedicated lounge area.
Panoramic city views and top-tier comfort — the hotel's finest room.
Prices are per room per night, with the −20% discount. Capacity: main beds + extra bed. Buffet breakfast included. EUR shown is approximate, for reference only.
Book your room with a −20% discount using the code word NotFest.
+38 (050) 433-75-22 · 40 Nezalezhnosti St., Ivano-Frankivsk
Experience, professionalism and a love for dance
The LE Shkrobtak dance school is a team of professionals who have been creating unique dance events for over 17 years.
We're proud of the success of NotFest 2025 (Bachata Influence and SALSA Special Edition) and Copa De Oro 2018–2021, which gathered hundreds of participants from many cities. Our events always stand out for their special 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 walks away with an unforgettable experience."
Reviews from our past festivals
NotFest 2025: Bachata Influence Edition
NotFest 2025: Bachata Influence Edition
NotFest 2025: Bachata Influence Edition
Copa De Oro participant
Copa De Oro participant
Festival judge
This festival was made exactly for you. Half the program is the familiar bachata you love, with strong artists. The other half makes your bachata deeper and richer: musicality, pauses, accents, groove. You're not "relearning" — you're expanding.
No. The program is built so you can come without fear: first context and basic groove, then practice. You don't need to "master it during the festival" — feeling it is enough.
Yes! We keep a balanced lead/follow ratio, with rotations and plenty of chances to dance with new people.
The festival suits a range of levels — from beginner to advanced. Some basic bachata helps you get the most out of it, but the main thing is the appetite to savor.
It depends on the ticket type. The Full Pass covers everything: workshops, labs, talks, parties and a gift. We'll announce the details of every package as sales open.
Yes, there will be a separate Party Pass for all three parties. Spots are limited — watch for the sales launch.
Registration closes 3 days before the festival begins, or once all tickets are sold. We cap the number of participants to keep the space comfortable. We recommend registering early!
Support NOT FEST on social media and show your friends you'll be part of our dance community!
Use our special 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 — and get an extra small-merch gift at the entrance 🎁
Open the editorGot questions? Want to learn more or reserve a spot? Write to us — we're here.
Festival news, ticket discounts, exclusive content and conversation with dancers from all over Ukraine.
Join the communityTickets are limited — it's an intimate format. Secure your spot at the festival where bachata opens up to its full palette.
