The much-anticipated event of the year kicks off on Friday evening with the ultimate musician for blues dancing, New York pianist Gordon Webster, and his blues band. He’s a modern day Oscar Peterson meets Fats Waller, unparalleled in passion and skill. To kick-start the amazing weekend catch up with friends, both old and new, setting the tone for the biggest Blues dancing event of the year!

When: Friday 12 April 2013, 7pm – midnight
Registrations: collect passes from 7pm
Doors open: 7:45pm
Dance Lesson: 8pm Complementary class with Steven & Virginie!
Venue: St Brigid's Hall, corner of Nicholson Street and Alexander Parade, Carlton (enter off Nicholson Street)
Music: Gordon Webster Blues Band
Cost: $40 or FREE with a BBS pass
Dress: Smart Casual
Bar: Liquid Infusion. Strictly no BYO

Let your hair down and get your blues on as BBS slows it down a notch or two. The late party is where blues dancing really comes alive.

When: Friday Late, midnight till late
Venue: Czech House, 497 Queensberry Street, North Melbourne
Music: Australia's best blues DJs
Cost: $15 or FREE with a BBS pass l
Bar: BYO

BBS serves up another flavour of blues as we shift gears to a classy, stylish evening fit for the 1930s ballroom. Pull out your fancy frocks and debonair dacks as Traditional Jazz & Blues take centre stage. Full of new material from a day of workshops, you’ll be busting to dance all night long. Keep an eye out for dance performances throughout the night!

When: Saturday 13 April 2013, 8pm – midnight
Dance Lesson: 8pm Complementary class with Shob & Andy
Venue: St Brigid's Hall, corner of Nicholson Street and Alexander Parade, Carlton (enter off Nicholson Street)
Music: Gordon Webster Full Band featuring Yvette Johansson
Cost: $45 or FREE with the BBS pass
Dress: 'Sunday best'
Bar: Liquid Infusion. Strictly no BYO

At the late night things are going to get a little swampy as cutting guitars and heartfelt harmonicas sweep you through till dawn.

When: Saturday Late, midnight till late
Venue: Czech House, 497 Queensberry Street, North Melbourne
Music: LIVE Blues Band & DJs
Cost: $20 or FREE with the BBS pass
Dress: Casual
Bar: BYO

Hetty Kate has captured the hearts of blues lovers all over Australia and is here for the first time at BBS! Slow it down, relax and be swept away by her velvet voice. This will be your last chance to grab that person you’ve been hoping to dance with all weekend.

When: Sunday 14 April 2013, 8pm – midnight
Dance Lesson: 8pm Complementary class with Drew & Meral
Venue: Revolt, 12 Elizabeth Street Kensington VIC 3031
Music: Hetty Kate Blues Band
Cost: $30 or FREE with the BBS pass.
Dress: Casual
Bar: Strictly no BYO

Stay to the end and reap the rewards as Gordon Webster provides "music for the soul & inspiration for the feet", flying solo on a grand piano. Blues-ing late into the night will take you to a new level of creativity, musicality & emotional interpretation. Dance till you drop as BBS sways to a ‘grinding’ halt …

When: Sunday Late, midnight till late
Venue: Czech House, 497 Queensberry Street, North Melbourne
Music: Gordon Webster Solo & Australia's best DJs
Cost: $20 or FREE with the BBS pass
Dress: Casual
Bar: BYO