Classes

Balboa

What's that cool dance were people shuffle their feet to faster swing music?

Balboa is the dance!

Take this opportunity to learn this really cool and unique dance!  No pre-requisites;
no prior Balboa or other dance experience necessary.
 No partner required -- single dancers welcome!
Click here to download a registration form (pdf).

Class Description Info:  Tradition holds that Balboa developed in the 1930's in southern California as a result of very crowded dance floors.  Originally, Balboa was danced in closed position, but patterns and steps in the open position also developed.  Today, this is often called Balboa-Swing (or Bal-Swing), although the original Balboa dancers just called their dancing "swing".         

Balboa emphasizes cool footwork, without a lot of upper body movement, with the dance partners both in closed position (often called "pure" Balboa) and open position (Bal-Swing).  Because of it's simplicity and economy of movement, Balboa is well suited for dancing comfortably to faster music, i.e. 190 to 250 beats per minute or higher.  This has meant that Balboa is sometimes thought of as a fast dance.  Indeed many of the original Balboa dancers could dance at extremely fast speeds, but they also liked to dance Balboa to slower music. 

Balboa is very popular with swing dancers today.  Balboa has lots of fancy footwork, although the feet often "shuffle" and hardly leave the floor.  The upper body remains still and the dance does not normally travel much around the room on the social dance floor.  

For this 6-week class, we'll initially focus on the Balboa basic, break timing, the come around and the throw out.  As time permits, we'll add some neat variations, to possibly include footwork variations.  For those with some Balboa experience, these classes are recommended as a good way to increase your Balboa lead/follow and overall skill level.

Are there Pre-requisites?  No pre-requisites; no prior Balboa or other dance experience necessary..

Other Class Series/Workshops Taught by the Hepcats:

• 6-Week Beginner Class - starts Monday, Jan. 26th, 7:00-7:45 pm.
  Want to get started in swing dancing?  This is the class for you!  NO partner required; single dancers welcome.  

• Intermediate Lindy Hop Class - starts Monday, March 23rd, 8:00-8:45 pm.
  Continue to build on what you learned in the Beginner Class - learn some more cool moves!
   

• Intermediate Balboa Workshop - Saturday, March 28th, 1-6 pm.
  Expand your Balboa repertoire!  If you've completed the Beginner Balboa Class or you're familiar with the Balboa basics, you should take this workshop!

Private lessons are an excellent way to really improve your dancing.

•  Maybe you need some extra help with some of material from the beginner class.  Or perhaps you didn't quite get that cool but tricky pattern in the intermediate class.  A private lesson may be just what you need.

•  A big advantage to private lessons is that you get individual feedback and attention from working with the instructors. Private lessons can help solidify your dancing and help get you to the "next level".  Private lessons are great for learning material not covered in the Hepcats group classes. 

•  We all develop "kinks" and bad habits in our swing dancing.  Private lessons are one of the best ways to work those out before they become ingrained in our technique and "muscle memory".  And one of the best ways to learn to swing dance in the least time is with private lessons. 

Private lessons can be arranged for individuals or couples. 
Contact Mike Richardson for more info: 
859-420-2426 or Email, info@Luv2SwingDance.com.