Explore this beautiful connected swing dance through foundational Pure-Bal and Bal-Swing rhythms and techniques that will have you social dancing basic patterns by the end of the session. No experience or partner required. Dancers will rotate so all leads will dance with all follows.
2.15pm - Doors open, check in
2.30 - 5.30pm - Class time with breaks and guided practice with Mandy & Ian
About the dance: Balboa is a wonderful partnered, connected, often rotational, swing dance. It uses a relaxed close hold connection as well as some more open positions, using smooth, shuffling, sliding, and swinging footwork patterns to enable us to dance smoothly to very quick tempos but can also be enjoyed at slower tempos too. Some of the techniques and moves in Balboa can also be incorporated into Lindy Hop dance or danced solo in Jazz freestyle. Dancing Balboa is a joy in itself, with a long history and culture to discover, but will also teach you more about getting comfortable with connection and relaxed rhythmical footwork.
Teachers: Mandy and Ian are very experienced and kind and gentle Balboa teachers so you will be in safe hands while having a lot of fun along the way too. Our Lisa will also be around to help things run smoothly through the afternoon.
Venue: St Christopher’s Church Hall, Trent Road, Sneinton, Nottingham (separate building to side of/behind the church).
Breaks: Simple refreshments are provided during breaks throughout the session.
Travel: There is free on street parking around the venue with some, limited spaces inside the gates. The venue is also close to bus routes from the city centre and we can keep bicycles safe inside if you wish to cycle or scoot.
Clothing: Wear comfortable clothing, tops should cover the back, shoulders and chest. Layers are good that you can adjust depending on how warm you get but avoid tags/tassel/hooks etc that could get caught up.
Footwear: should be comfortable with a slippy (not grippy) sole. Note you can temporarily adapt grippy soles with duct tape or dance socks if you don’t have anything that slides easily. Lisa can help you with this if you ask her. Follower dancers may be more comfortable in a slight vintage style heel or wedge (this should NOT be a narrow, spiky stiletto type heel however).