Boston Balboa

Sadly, due to circumstances beyond our control, we must postpone Balboa for Blues Dancers from its original date in June. Please stay tuned and we'll let you know once we have a new official date.

Are you a Blues dancer who's maybe a little Bal-curious? (It's ok, we won't judge.)  Join Mike & David and learn to share this beautiful, connected, intimate dance!

Balboa for Blues Dancers brings together David Rehm, one of the world's top Balboa instructors, and Mike "the Girl" Legett, one of the world's top Blues instructors (who also has a love of Balboa), for a two-day series of workshops in Boston bridging the divide between these two scenes -- a chasm not so wide as you might think.

The idea is not to try to convert you to a Balboa dancer, nor will they be teaching some kind of Bluesy Balboa hybrid. Rather it's about introducing solid Balboa fundamentals for the increasing number of Blues dancers who have expressed interest or curiosity, from the unique perspective of what both scenes can appreciate and have in common. If you weren't curious before, perhaps you are now?

This workshop requires no prior knowledge of Balboa (or technically Blues for that matter), and will present both the basic figures and connection principles from the ground up, albeit at a faster pace geared for those with some dance experience and body awareness (as opposed to a 'beginner class'). Lindy Hoppers and existing Balboa dancers (even those who do not dance Blues) who are interested in revisiting core technique are also welcome and encouraged to participate.

Registration price includes:

- 8 hours of workshops, 4 on Saturday and 4 on Sunday!

- Saturday night practica/dance at Crosby Whistle Stop with awesome Balboa DJs: Dan Rosenthal Legenthal and more!

- Sunday night Balboa Speakeasy Social!

Registration Pricing:

Early Bird -- on or before May 6: $80

Pre-Registration -- on or before May 27: $100

Walk-in: $120

Both David and Mike will also be available for private lessons before the event.

Schedule:

Saturday, June 1

10:30am - Doors open

11:00am - 1:00pm - Workshops at Crosby Whistle Stop, 24 Roland St, Charlestown

Lunch break

2:30pm - 4:30pm - Workshops at Crosby Whistle Stop

8:30pm - 12:00am - Social dancing/practica with awesome Balboa DJs at Crosby Whistle Stop ($10 to the public; free for workshop attendees)

Sunday, June 2

10:30am - Doors open

11:00am - 1:00pm - Workshops at Crosby Whistle Stop, 24 Roland St, Charlestown

Lunch break

2:30pm - 4:30pm - Workshops at Crosby Whistle Stop

4:30pm - 8:00pm - Balboa Speakeasy Social (dancing free; food and drink are pay as you go)

Learn the important stuff in one afternoon!

Balboa is “the dancer’s dance” – it just feels good!

If you love joyfully fast swing music, or vintage outfits, or cute high-heeled shoes, you owe it to yourself to learn Balboa.  This dance originated in Southern California in the 1930s, invented by sharp-dressed cats and exuberant teenage jitterbugs in the crowded ballrooms of the day.  The movements are small, so they can be done at very fast tempos, and the close connection supports subtle, beautiful musicality.  We love Balboa, and we want to help you love it too!

The Balboa Crash Course will cover the basic figures and connection techniques of Balboa, and give you the skills you need to dance Balboa socially. We also host a monthly Balboa practice session (Balboa on a Sunday Afternoon) and bring in national-level Balboa instructors for workshop weekends throughout the year.  The Crash Course is intended for students with previous swing dance experience, but beginners up for a challenge are welcome too!