The Chicago folk dance group “Suktinis” was founded in 2005 by Salomėja and Vidmantas Strižigauskas. Since 2009 it has been led by Giedrė Elekšytė-Knieža. It is regarded as the most popular Lithuanian folk dance group in North America. In 2015, it performed in the Chicago McDonald’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and returned in 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024, all broadcast nationally. 

 

For 14 years, “Suktinis” has performed at the Museum of Science and Industry and works with the Lithuanian Consulate on Navy Pier events. The group has appeared in Los Angeles, Boston, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Chicago Song Festivals (2006, 2015), and Lithuanian Dance Festivals (2014, 2018, 2024). It was also invited to Lithuanian Days (2013, 2015, 2021). 

 

Today, “Suktinis” includes four children’s groups taught by six instructors: Lidija Ringus, Aušra Karalienė, Daina Miežlaiškis, Rasa Krupskis, Audra Babich, and Giedrė Elekšytė-Knieža.

 

Instructor: Giedrė Elekšytė-Knieža