Description (Round 6, 2025)
Ready to co-create a Balboa show? Join us for a unique course where we will work together to create a Balboa show routine. We will blend choreography with the playful group format of Balboa Rueda, focusing on connection, creativity, and community.
Level guidance
– Open if you have participated in “Bal Lab” or “Balboa for Swing Dancers 3” at Happy Feet Studio.
– If you come with Balboa experience outside Happy Feet, you are very welcome if you are able to dance the fundamentals of Pure Bal and Bal Swing, i.e.:
Up-hold, Down Hold, Come Around, Throw Out, Lollies, Swivels, Drags
You are comfortable dancing tempos like 220 bpm
Please note: We will be doing partner rotation in some parts of these classes, but for the show you will end up working more with one partner.
Recommended shoes
Slidey shoes are crucial for the dance and your physical comfort and health.
Description (Round 2, 2026)
Ready to elevate your Balboa skills? Join this course designed to deepen creativity, sharpen musicality, and enhance partner connections. Explore musical expression partner dynamics, and exciting variations to inspire your dancing.
Recommended shoes:
Balboa is best danced with slippery shoes. That will enable the correct technique and minimize strain on knees and ankles.
Dates: March 2nd – April 30th
– 8 weeks, with classes once per week
– Easter Break with no classes in week 14
Registration is open!
Balboa is a swing dance that originated in Southern California during the 1920s and enjoyed huge popularity during the 1930s and 1940s. It is a dance primarily danced to up-tempo swing jazz and is danced in a close embrace position as well as a more open, closed position.
Two styles of modern Balboa dance developed back in the early days of the dance.
“Pure Bal” is danced in close embrace and has developed as an answer to packed dance floors . Pure Bal has focus on footwork and musicality.
“Bal Swing” developed when Swing dancers started using Balboa steps in their more open-style dance. Bal Swing is danced primarily in open position, with a focus on figures, spins and turns.
On the social dance floor most Balboa dancers dance a mix of both during a song.
Slippery shoes are the best, and having dance shoes with a slightly elevated heel is even better. See an example here.
Slippery shoes are the best, and having dress shoes with a classic heel is even better. See an example here.
Social dance & hang out with your dance friends during Midweek Social every Wednesday from 20.15-22.30. It’s free and open for everyone!
We have collected some of our favorite swing songs, which are good for practicing, and we put them together in a Spotify playlist
See our full teachers team consisting of almost 40 teachers, all very passionate and eager to share their knowledge with you!
