VENTSPILS GROOVE 2025. Festival Opening

VENTSPILS GROOVE CELEBRATES 20TH ANNIVERSARY THIS AUGUST

From August 24 to 30, Ventspils Music Secondary School, in collaboration with “Kurzemes Filharmonija” Ltd., will host the Ventspils Groove International Contemporary Rhythm Music Festival. The festival brings together students, graduates, educators, and music enthusiasts from various music education institutions, while offering the public a chance to enjoy high-quality free concerts and spontaneous jam sessions in the concert hall “Latvija” and across Ventspils.

Now in its 20th year, Ventspils Groove has become a space where experience meets creativity, technical skill merges with improvisation, and structure coexists with the freedom of musical expression. The festival features an intensive educational and creative process: participants take part in professional masterclasses, perform in public concerts, and engage in free-form jam sessions. Young musicians, guided by experienced mentors, work both individually and in ensembles to develop their skills and co-create the final concert program.

At the heart of the festival are masterclasses led by internationally recognized musicians. This year, Ventspils will welcome mentors:

Danijel Čačija (vocals, Croatia)
Matīss Čudars (guitar, Latvia)
Marc Michel (drums, France)
Kenneth Dahl Knudsen (bass, Denmark)
Stephane Escoms (keyboards, France)
Kārlis Vanags (saxophone, Latvia)
Jason Hunter (trumpet, USA)

Concerts and jam sessions – vibrant, spontaneous, and emotionally charged musical gatherings – will take place throughout the week at various festival locations.

Festival Schedule

Sunday, August 24 at 19:00
Festival Opening / near the concert hall “Latvija”

Tuesday, August 26 at 19:00
Jam Session with Masterclass Leaders / “Meisons Ventspils” Restaurant (Skolas iela 6)

Wednesday, August 27 at 19:00
Ventspils Big Band Concert “All Stars Originals” / Small Hall, the concert hall “Latvija”

Thursday, August 28 at 19:00
Concert “Holding On to Summer” / Café “VIETA, KUR būt” (Ventspils Beach, near walkway No. 5)

Friday, August 29 at 19:00
Masterclass Leaders’ Concert / Amphitheatre, the concert hall “Latvija”

Friday, August 29 at 21:00
Groove Jam Session with Patrīcija Anna Doniņa Quartet / “Meisons Ventspils” Restaurant (Skolas iela 6)

Saturday, August 30 at 15:00
Masterclass Participants’ Final Concert / Amphitheatre, the concert hall “Latvija”

Please note that photography and video recording may take place during the events. The materials will be used for promotional purposes in the media, and on the websites and social media channels of Ventspils Music Secondary School, Ventspils Groove, and the concert hall “Latvija”.