Balboa 1 (8 week series)

What is Balboa?

Balboa is a partner dance that originated in Southern California during the 1920’s and 1930’s. It emerged as a response to the crowded dance floors of the time, where space was limited. Balboa’s close embrace and intricate footwork allowed dancers to navigate tight spaces with ease, making it a popular choice for crowded ballrooms and jazz clubs. Over the years, Balboa has evolved, with different styles and variations emerging worldwide.

Balboa is characterised by its smooth and elegant movements, close connection between partners, and precise footwork. The dance is often performed to upbeat swing music, and dancers strive for seamless connection and flow on the dance floor. Balboa emphasises subtle weight shifts, quick footwork patterns, and intricate partner communication. It provides dancers with the opportunity to showcase their creativity through variations and improvisation while maintaining a strong connection with their partner.

Balboa 1 is an introduction to the basics of pure Bal with each class building on the last. It’s designed for complete beginners, so no prior experience is required. Those with a background in dance or other movement-based practices may find the material comes more naturally to them, but the class is open to all.