Dance Events Specialist

Andris Sietins

Senior curator of Latin dance events across Latvia, connecting mature dancers with vibrant salsa socials, bachata weekends, and seasonal festivals since 2008.

jurmalawood SIA

16 years in dance event organization

About Andris

From Dancer to Documentarian

How passion for community became a career in event curation

Andris discovered his passion for Latin dance in 2008 when he walked into his first salsa social in Rīga's Old Town. What started as a hobby quickly became an obsession — not just with dancing, but with understanding the entire ecosystem of Latvia's dance community. He realized something important early on: mature dancers weren't getting the resources they deserved. The 45+ demographic had energy, experience, and genuine interest, but finding quality events meant digging through scattered Facebook posts and outdated websites.

Over the next seven years, Andris transitioned from full-time dancer to event organizer. He started small — documenting salsa socials in Rīga, building relationships with venue owners, understanding seasonal patterns. His breakthrough came in 2015 when he launched the first comprehensive salsa social calendar for the capital. The response was immediate. Dancers who'd been isolated suddenly had a reliable resource. That success led to expansion: bachata weekends in Jūrmala, seasonal festivals in Ventspils and Cēsis, and most importantly, tracking the Jāņi outdoor dance gatherings that've become legendary among Latvia's dance community.

When Andris joined jurmalawood SIA in 2019, he brought this hands-on methodology with him. He doesn't just publish event listings — he personally visits venues, interviews organizers, and attends events to verify details. He's coordinated over 200 dance events and helped hundreds of mature dancers find their next unforgettable evening. His work preserves something important: the cultural significance of Latin dance in Latvia, especially during peak seasons when the energy across the country is electric.

Years in dance event organization

200+

Dance events coordinated

Major Latvian cities covered

2015

Year first calendar launched

Core Expertise

What Andris Knows Best

Salsa Socials in Rīga

Knows every active salsa venue in the capital. Tracks weekly socials, identifies which venues welcome beginners versus experienced dancers, and understands the rhythm of Rīga's salsa calendar throughout the year.

Bachata Weekends in Jūrmala

Specializes in Jūrmala's coastal dance scene, particularly bachata events that blend intimate dance culture with seaside atmosphere. Understands seasonal variations and special weekend workshops.

Jāņi Outdoor Dance Festivals

Deep knowledge of Latvia's most important seasonal celebration and its connection to dance culture. Tracks outdoor summer gatherings, traditional music integration, and the unique energy of Jāņi season across the country.

Regional Latin Festivals

Maintains comprehensive knowledge of seasonal Latin dance festivals in Ventspils and Cēsis. Understands regional culture, venue characteristics, and how festivals adapt to local communities.

Community Building for 45+

Understands the specific needs and preferences of mature dancers. Knows how to connect isolated dancers with thriving communities and facilitate meaningful social connections through dance.

Event Documentation & Curation

Meticulous approach to event verification, venue partnerships, and reliable resource creation. Doesn't just publish listings — personally attends events to ensure accuracy and authentic community representation.

Background

Education & Experience

Education

Bachelor of Arts in Cultural Management

Riga Stradins University

2010

Event Management & Venue Operations Certificate

Baltic Event Professionals Association

2014

Community Engagement & Cultural Preservation Workshop

European Cultural Heritage Foundation

2017

Professional Experience

Senior Dance Events Curator

jurmalawood SIA

2019 – Present

Curates comprehensive dance event calendar for 45+ demographic across Latvia, coordinating 200+ events, managing venue partnerships in Rīga, Jūrmala, Ventspils, and Cēsis.

Dance Event Organizer & Community Coordinator

Independent / Various Venues

2015 – 2019

Founded and maintained first comprehensive salsa social calendar for Rīga, expanded to bachata weekends in Jūrmala and regional festivals.

Event Assistant & Venue Liaison

Rīga Cultural Events Association

2012 – 2015

Supported event coordination, venue management, and community outreach for cultural programming across Rīga.

Recognition & Achievements

Best Cultural Resource Initiative

Latvian Cultural Heritage Association

2018

Community Builder Award

Rīga Arts Council

2020

Featured Speaker — Latin Dance Culture in the Baltics

Baltic Cultural Exchange Forum

2021 & 2023

Approach

Why Andris Does This Work

"Dance isn't just movement. It's community, culture, and connection. For mature dancers in Latvia, finding authentic events shouldn't be difficult. My job is making sure they don't have to search — I do that work for them."

— Andris Sietins

Hands-On Verification

Andris doesn't publish event information he hasn't personally verified. He visits venues, talks with organizers, and attends events regularly. This commitment to accuracy means you're always getting current, reliable information — not outdated listings or false details.

Community First

The goal isn't clicks or traffic. It's connecting isolated dancers with thriving communities. Andris measures success by the friendships formed, the dancers who found their people, and the energy sustained in venues across Latvia. Every event he documents is a potential life-changing connection for someone.

Cultural Respect

Latin dance carries cultural significance — especially during important seasonal celebrations like Jāņi. Andris approaches his work with genuine respect for the traditions, the communities that maintain them, and the cultural heritage he's helping to preserve in Latvia.

Inclusive Accessibility

The 45+ demographic shouldn't feel excluded from dance culture. Andris specifically identifies beginner-friendly venues, tracks accessibility information, and ensures that experienced dancers and newcomers both have clear pathways into their local dance communities.

The Reality Behind the Calendar

What started as one person's frustration with scattered event information has become Latvia's most trusted dance event resource. But behind every listing, there's real relationship-building. Andris's success isn't measured in statistics — it's in the regular emails he gets from dancers saying things like "I found my salsa family thanks to your calendar" or "I wouldn't have discovered that bachata weekend without your help." That's the work that drives him forward. The calendar is just the tool. The real mission is ensuring that anyone in Latvia who wants to dance — at any age, with any experience level — knows exactly where to go.

Q&A

Inside Andris's Work

Questions about expertise, community, and the future of dance in Latvia

How'd you get into documenting dance events instead of just dancing?

Honestly, it happened gradually. I was dancing regularly in Rīga, and I noticed something frustrating — a lot of good events just disappeared because nobody tracked them properly. There'd be amazing salsa nights that new dancers never found out about. I started keeping a personal spreadsheet, just for myself. Then friends asked if they could see it. Then friends of friends. By 2015, I realized I had something useful and decided to make it public. Once I started building the calendar, I couldn't stop. There's something satisfying about being the person who knows where things are happening, who can connect dancers with exactly what they're looking for.

What's the difference between Rīga's salsa scene and Jūrmala's bachata weekends?

They're completely different energies. Rīga's salsa socials are regular — weekly, consistent, usually mid-week or Friday nights. It's about maintaining community throughout the year. You've got your regulars, your venues, your rhythm. Jūrmala is different. Bachata weekends are seasonal events, usually built around longer stays, sometimes incorporating workshops. There's something about the coastal atmosphere that makes bachata fit naturally. People come for the weekend, not just the evening. The Rīga scene is about showing up consistently. Jūrmala is about escape and immersion. Both are valuable. Both serve the 45+ crowd really well.

You mention visiting venues personally. How often are you actually at events?

During peak season, I'm probably at events three or four times a week across different cities. During slower months, maybe once or twice a week. I don't attend just to dance — though I do that too — I'm there to verify details, check venue conditions, talk with organizers about upcoming events, and get a feel for the community energy. It's the only way to keep the calendar authentic. I can't write about venues I haven't been to in months. Things change. New organizers take over. Venues update their format. You need to be there to know what's actually happening.

What makes the 45+ demographic special in dance culture?

They're often underestimated. There's this assumption that dance is for young people. That's not true at all. The 45+ dancers I work with have more confidence, they're not self-conscious about their bodies or their progress, they're genuinely interested in the culture, and they're committed. They show up regularly. They build real friendships. They're not there for Instagram photos. They're there because they actually love dance and community. Plus, they've got disposable income for workshops and travel to festivals. They're ideal members of any dance community — stable, engaged, serious about improving.

What's your take on the Jāņi outdoor festivals? Why are they important?

Jāņi is culturally crucial in Latvia. It's not just a summer party — it's connected to our identity. When dance integrates into Jāņi celebrations, especially Latin dance, you're bridging traditional culture with contemporary interests. These outdoor festivals create moments where dancing becomes communal in a way regular socials can't replicate. Everyone's outside, it's warm, there's live music mixed with DJ sets, and the energy is electric. I track these events specifically because they're magical. They happen once a year. Miss them and you wait twelve months for the next one. Making sure dancers know about them, know where to go, understand what to expect — that matters.

Ventspils and Cēsis seem smaller than Rīga. How do those regional festivals work?

They're intimate. That's actually the appeal. Ventspils and Cēsis festivals draw serious dancers willing to travel for quality events. You're not going to have thousands of people. You're going to have maybe a hundred dancers, often from multiple countries, for a focused festival experience. There's usually a workshop component — professional instructors teaching — followed by socials. Regional festivals attract dancers seeking depth over volume. The venues are charming, the communities are tight-knit, and the festivals often have specific themes or focuses. Andris Sietins isn't just tracking when they happen — I'm documenting what makes each one unique so dancers can pick festivals aligned with their interests and level.

What's next for you? What's the vision for this work?

Honestly, I'd like to see the calendar become even more comprehensive. Not just Latvian cities, but connected to broader Baltic networks. I want to include detailed venue accessibility information — parking, accessibility for people with mobility issues, family-friendly options. I'd love to build a mentorship component where experienced dancers help newcomers navigate their first events. Long-term, I'm interested in documenting the cultural history of Latin dance in Latvia. These communities have stories worth preserving. I'm also curious about growing the 45+ demographic specifically — maybe workshops or introductory events designed for people coming to salsa or bachata for the first time at an older age. There's untapped potential there. The work isn't just about listing events. It's about strengthening communities, preserving culture, and making sure nobody ever has to feel isolated because they don't know where dancers gather in their city.

Featured Resources

Explore Andris's Articles

Deep dives into Latvia's dance communities and event culture

Salsa Socials in Rīga — Where to Dance Every Week

Complete guide to Rīga's active salsa venues, including beginner-friendly options, regular schedules, and what to expect at each location.

Read Article

Bachata Weekends in Jūrmala — Your Guide

Explore coastal bachata culture, seasonal weekend events, and why Jūrmala's relaxed atmosphere makes it ideal for intimate dance experiences.

Read Article

Jāņi Season Dance Festivals — Outdoor Celebrations

Discover Latvia's most magical season, outdoor dance festivals, and how traditional culture blends with contemporary Latin dance during Jāņi.

Read Article

Ventspils & Cēsis — Regional Latin Dance Festivals

Detailed profiles of regional festivals, what makes them unique, travel tips, and why serious dancers journey to these intimate events.

Read Article

Ready to Find Your Dance Community?

Explore comprehensive event calendars, venue guides, and festival information created by Andris Sietins specifically for dancers 45 and older across Latvia.

Browse Dance Events Calendar

Questions about events or communities? Get in touch — Andris is always happy to help dancers find exactly what they're looking for.