BALBOA ~ WHAT IS IT ?
IT IS a swing dance, because it is danced to swing music
IT IS a jazz dance, because when you've learnt how it works, you can improvise and play around
with the music
IT IS a very sociable partner dance, because when you get the hang of leading or following,
you can dance with other Balboa dancers everywhere
IT IS a mixture of "Pure Balboa" where you are in a close hold with your partner,
and "Bal-Swing" where you open out into an infinite variety of turns, spins, kicks and slides
IT IS a living, evolving, exciting dance, growing rapidly in popularity all over the world
amongst people of all ages
IT IS NOT a piece of history to be preserved in the archives
IT IS NOT a competition or show dance with rules & judges
WHERE DOES IT COME FROM ?
It originated on the Balboa Peninsula south of Los Angeles in the 1920s-30s, when
ballrooms were crowded and live music was beginning to swing. It probably evolved
from Foxtrot or Charleston, as did other swing dances appearing in other parts of the
USA at the same time. It was saved from dying out in the 1980s by a few dance-lovers,
who decided to learn it from the old timers, and teach it to a new generation of dancers worldwide.
WHERE CAN I DO IT ?
Caroline and John's BALBOA FRIDAYS take place at Stratford St. Mary (between Ipswich & Colchester)
on the 2nd and 4th Friday evenings of every month. They consist of classes for beginners and improvers,
plus some time to practise and socialise.
Our venue is Institute Hall, The Row, Higham Road, Stratford St. Mary, Ipswich CO7 6JU
see www.balboatime.co.uk contact caroline@balboatime.co.uk 01206 735461
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