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All about Balboa!
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What is Balboa?
Balboa is a form of swing dance originated in Southern California in the 1920s and 1930s. It is danced primarily in close embrance, and is led with a full body connections. The art of Balboa is in the subtle communication between the lead and the follow, including weight shifts, which most viewers can not see. As a result, Balboa is considered more of a "dancer's dance" than a "spectator's dance". （wikipedia)
More importantly, it's a dance of its own that everyone, including experienced Lindy Hoppers, is learning a new set of techniques!
So, whether you are an experienced Lindy Hopper, a Lindy Hop beginner or have zero experience about partner dancing at all, you CAN learn Balboa by joining the Balboa Weekend (April 26-27) and progress to joining Balboa Workshop (April 29).
(scroll down to see instructors' intro and video.)
Balboa is a form of swing dance originated in Southern California in the 1920s and 1930s. It is danced primarily in close embrance, and is led with a full body connections. The art of Balboa is in the subtle communication between the lead and the follow, including weight shifts, which most viewers can not see. As a result, Balboa is considered more of a "dancer's dance" than a "spectator's dance". （wikipedia)
More importantly, it's a dance of its own that everyone, including experienced Lindy Hoppers, is learning a new set of techniques!
So, whether you are an experienced Lindy Hopper, a Lindy Hop beginner or have zero experience about partner dancing at all, you CAN learn Balboa by joining the Balboa Weekend (April 26-27) and progress to joining Balboa Workshop (April 29).
(scroll down to see instructors' intro and video.)
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Balboa Weekend
April 26 - 27 (Sat - Sun) Leru & Jared Swing Beijing Venue: iSalsa Studio 23rd fl/Block A, West Tower, Xin An Building No. 200 Zhen Ning Road |
From Basic to Brilliant, teach you all you need to know to start doing Bal! April 26 (Sat) 13:00-14:20 - Class 1 (Down hold steps, Paddles, Crab Walk) 14:20-15:00 - Practice break (practice. ask questions. more practice) 15:00-16:20 - Class 2 (Down hold steps review + Cross Over; Up hold steps & combined basic steps, Come Around, Lollies) April 27 (Sun) 13:00-14:20 - Class 3 (Rotation technique in Come Around, Lollies + variations) 14:20-15:00 - Practice break (practice. ask questions. more practice) 15:00-16:20 - Class 4 (Lollies + Inside & Outside turns, introduction to Toss Out, Swivels & Maxie Stop) |
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Balboa Workshop
April 29 (Tue) Anne-Helene & Bernard Toulouse, France www.studiohop.com Venue: 2F/569, Xie Xu Road |
From Brilliant to Fabulous. Polishing techniques, learning more variations and having fun while looking good while doing Bal! April 29 (Tue) 20:00 - 22:00 |
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Leru is from Russia through Swing Beijing. When dancing in Moscow, Leru has won all the competition there are to win. Since moving to Bejing around 6 years ago, Leru has been teaching, performing, organizing events with Swing Beijing. Leru is specialized in authentic Lindy Hop and Charleston. She is also an expert in vintage clothing, make-up and hairstyle. Her elegant, feminine, cute and sexy dance style effortlessly makes her the center of focus on the dance floor.
Jered caught his first glimpse of swing dance at a summer camp in 1998. He loves the inherent energy, joy & musicality of swing dance and particularly enjoys the subtle connection in Balboa. He delights in his students experiencing these elements and specializes in absurd illustrations and corny jokes to explain the details of the dance. Jered taught swing dance in the USA for 4 years before coming to China and has now been teaching with Swing Beijing for 2 years. |
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Anne-Hélène and Bernard are most responsible for the exciting Balboa scene in France. They have put a lot of work and effort into the built-up of the Balboa community. In Toulouse, France, they opened their own school in 2003 and ever since they have been busy organizing Lindy Hop and Balboa workshops. They are the organizers of the Frenchie Balboa Festival, the Studio Hop Summer Camp, and the Crazy Rhythm Challenge.
It all started in 1998 when the two of them fell in love with Lindy Hop and soon they were participating at workshops all over the world. Thanks to the dancing background of Anne-Hélène (ballet, jazz and modern-jazz) and the experience of Bernard as a musician, within a short time they developed their unique style. They very rarely take part in competitions but when they do, they do pretty well, like the third place of the International Balboa Championship 2007 and a first place at the American Classic Balboa Championship 2007 in Cleveland and 2nd in 2011 ! Since 2001 they have been teaching at international Lindy Hop and Balboa Festivals all over Europe, in the United States, Canada, Australia... They are especially noted for clarity in their teaching methods (but always with a bit of humour thrown in!), their emphasis on musicality and connection, their fluid style and the originality of their variations. |
