We are very excited to have invited Rob and Tina from Swing Dance Leeds to come and teach a 4 hour workshop on Balboa for beginners! They have been teaching and performing together since 2012, including their weekly classes in Leeds, as well as at a variety of weekend events across the UK! They strive to give dancers a deeper understanding of the dance beyond just learning moves to help develop their own style, and have better dances with any partner.
What is Balboa?
Balboa is one of a variety of dances that traces its origins to the jazz era of the 1920s and 1930s in the USA. Its development was deeply rooted in African-American culture and communities.
“Pure Balboa” is a partnered dance characterised by its chest-to-chest connection (a necessity in crowded ballrooms). It originated in Southern California, and its name comes from the Balboa Peninsula at Newport Beach, where it is believed to have first developed. In the 1930s, there was also the emergence of a Swing dance with turns, kicks and breakaways which led to what we know as “Bal-Swing”. The two styles are danced interchangeably, and allow for a lot of creative freedom on the dancefloor.
While not exclusively danced to fast music, Balboa’s simplicity and efficient movement make it particularly well suited for quicker tempos (and is great for being able to dance all night!).
What to bring:
- Comfortable, flat shoes with minimal grip for ease of movement
- An open mind and energy to dance!
- No prior experience of Balboa necessary!
Secure your spot now:
- Limited capacity - book your ticket via DanceCloud soon to avoid missing out!
- Join us for an exciting workshop, followed by an evening social to try out your new skills!