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Thread: Balboa

  1. #21
    Registered User Battlecat's Avatar
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    Re: Balboa

    There was a introductory workshop on it at "Blush". It was really good fun and energetic. It was delivered by Nigel and Nina.

  2. #22
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    Re: Balboa

    Quote Originally Posted by clevedonboy View Post
    It's fun though and shouldn't be taken too seriously (I see lots of people dancing what appears to be Balboa but it clearly isn't because they just look sooooooo grim).
    Hmm - what do you think the dominant emotion of Balboa is?

  3. #23
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    Re: Balboa

    Quote Originally Posted by MartinHarper View Post
    Hmm - what do you think the dominant emotion of Balboa is?
    Like any dance I see it as an enjoyable experience - but Balboa seems to bring out the same furrowed concentration as beginners ballroom in far too many people - I truely believe that many people think that it's "really hard" so it must be "really worthy" whereas it's "really just dancing"

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    Re: Balboa

    Quote Originally Posted by Double Trouble View Post
    Nope, you're having a day off for a change. In fact, if you google Balboa, it comes up with lots of pictures of Rocky Balboa.

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    Re: Balboa

    Quote Originally Posted by straycat View Post
    Natasha & Paul, of SDF fame.

    Great class, excellent teachers.
    We just got to do a lesson with them at Eclipse. Definitely hooked now.

    Quote Originally Posted by clevedonboy View Post
    If you can't get a class, try Marcus & Barbl's DVD which I got from the states via the web (There are UK ? European sites that sell it as well) - very useful (i take it everywhere with me on my iPhone!).
    I didn't realise it at the time, but I saw them Lindy Hopping in Central Park and thought they were amazing.

    Quote Originally Posted by clevedonboy View Post
    Like any dance I see it as an enjoyable experience - but Balboa seems to bring out the same furrowed concentration as beginners ballroom in far too many people - I truely believe that many people think that it's "really hard" so it must be "really worthy" whereas it's "really just dancing"
    Maybe I haven't thought about it enough, because the "basics" don't seem that hard to me?

  6. #26
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    Re: Balboa

    Quote Originally Posted by straycat View Post
    For London, your best (probably only?) bet is going to be Dan Guest - his website is here. He is an amazing teacher, runs the London Balboa Festival, and he runs weekly classes in Chiswick most Fridays.
    Thanks straycat.
    It seems they're just over an hour away; class starts at 19:30 and I get home from work about 18:00. It'll be cutting it fine through Friday evening traffic, but DT and I are going to attempt to go twice a month if we can. Can't wait!

  7. #27
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    Re: Balboa

    Quote Originally Posted by Gav View Post
    Maybe I haven't thought about it enough, because the "basics" don't seem that hard to me?
    The basic steps aren't hard at all.... and a lot of the balboa teachers will tell you that once it clicks, it isn't a hard dance at all. Myself, I'm not quite at that stage yet - it clicks occasionally, but not reliably. I think the problem a lot of people have with it is that it's a very fast dance that requires a very subtle, relaxed but totally connected lead..... and what many people do (I used to do this a lot) when dancing fast is to tense up. Which is not good for one's leading or following at the best of times... but at Balboa speeds, it makes things ten times harder.

  8. #28
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    Re: Balboa

    For anyone who's interested in why the ultra-compact dances like Balboa became popular, this picture (Hollywood Palladium, 1940) might prove enlightening....


  9. #29
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    Re: Balboa

    Quote Originally Posted by straycat View Post
    For anyone who's interested in why the ultra-compact dances like Balboa became popular, this picture (Hollywood Palladium, 1940) might prove enlightening....

    Might have been a good skill to have when the Black and White Ball at Ashtons was on, back in the day
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  10. #30
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    Re: Balboa

    Quote Originally Posted by straycat View Post
    The basic steps aren't hard at all.... and a lot of the balboa teachers will tell you that once it clicks, it isn't a hard dance at all. Myself, I'm not quite at that stage yet - it clicks occasionally, but not reliably. I think the problem a lot of people have with it is that it's a very fast dance that requires a very subtle, relaxed but totally connected lead..... and what many people do (I used to do this a lot) when dancing fast is to tense up. Which is not good for one's leading or following at the best of times... but at Balboa speeds, it makes things ten times harder.
    I think I certainly had the advantage over "MJ only" dancers in that I'm used to dancing an 8-count pattern, through Lindy Hop.
    Maybe I'm just able to relax more because I'm only doing the basics and 1 other "move" at the moment.

  11. #31
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    Re: Balboa

    Quote Originally Posted by straycat View Post
    Natasha & Paul, of SDF fame.

    Great class, excellent teachers.
    Not to mention the loveliest two people that I've ever met in my life.

    I miss seeing them, actually - our paths never cross on the weekender circuits any more.

    Rachel

  12. #32
    Senior Member Minnie M's Avatar
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    Re: Balboa

    Quote Originally Posted by straycat View Post
    .......For London, your best (probably only?) bet is going to be Dan Guest - his website is here. He is an amazing teacher, runs the London Balboa Festival, and he runs weekly classes in Chiswick most Fridays.
    Dan is known to be one of the best teacher (if not the best) of Balboa in the UK - I am soooooooooo lucky as he is teaching at the HepCats weekend I am going to tomorrow.

    If you dance swing, you HAVE to learn Balboa - if not you will find yourself sitting out lots and as many people don't dance fast lindy any more (and certainly not in this weather)

    I have been putting off learning as I don't like close contact dancing much, but Bal Swing looks fun


    Quote Originally Posted by Trouble View Post
    Am i the only one that thought this thread was going to be about Rocky!!!


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    Re: Balboa

    Me and Gav are off to Chiswick tonight for a Balboa class. I can't wait!

  14. #34
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    Re: Balboa

    Quote Originally Posted by Double Trouble View Post
    Me and Gav are off to Chiswick tonight for a Balboa class. I can't wait!
    Scuppered by the north circular, M25, M4 and Friday traffic .

    I guess we'll be looking for DVDs then .

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