Learn Balboa

A fast-paced dance in close embrace

Level description

Description (Round 1, 2025)

The focus of this course will be on bringing your Balboa to the next level. We will bring out figures and variations that you’ve once learned but didn’t have time to integrate them in your dancing. We will connect them to your existing Balboa vocabulary for an easier integration on the social dance floor.

Level guidance
This level is aimed at experienced dancers. As minimum, you have been actively dancing Balboa for 2 years. Pure Bal and Bal Swing basics are your second nature: Collect Step, Down Hold, Come Around, Out & Ins and Throw Out. You are comfortable experimenting with those and applying variations of these steps during social dancing. You are also comfortable with figures like Lollies, Swivels and Drags. If you are in doubt, you can contact Happy Feet Studio or Lara directly.

Please note: There is partner rotation in all our Balboa classes to improve the leading and following skills of the participants.

Shoes

For followers: Slippery shoes are the best, and having dance shoes with a slightly elevated heel is even better. See an example here.

For leaders: Slippery shoes are the best, and having dress shoes with a classic heel is even better. See an example here.

Description

Are you ready to take your Balboa dancing to the next level? Then join us for this exciting Slow-Bal beginners course, designed specifically for dancers with a basic understanding of Balboa.

What is Slow-Bal?
Slow-Bal is a beautiful and expressive dance style that emphasizes smooth, flowing movements and connection with your partner. It is perfect to enhance your dance skills while enjoying the rhythms of slow swing music.

Miranda & Eiki will guide you through essential techniques and style of this dance.

Level guidance

You need a basic understanding of Balboa or alternatively have a strong background in Blues dancing or Tango.

Please note: There is partner rotation in all our Balboa classes to improve the leading and following skills of the participants.

Shoes
For followers: Slippery shoes are the best, and having dance shoes with a slightly elevated heel is even better. See an example here.
For leaders: Slippery shoes are the best, and having dress shoes with a classic heel is even better. See an example here.

Description

In this course we will explore elements like the finer details and variations on Throw-outs and lyrical dancing vs dancing on the beat. Furthermore, we will research how counter body movement applies to Drags, and also how this powerful tool can improve many aspects of your dancing.

Level Guidance:

This course is open to dancers who have completed the previous Balboa for Experienced Swing Dancers part 1 & 2. The current Part 3 course is not a prerequisite, as its material is not needed for 2025 Round 1 course.
If you have completed the highest levels of Lindy Hop in Copenhagen AND have good experience with Balboa, you can contact the studio to see if this course is right for you.
 
Next round of classes
6th of March – 4th of May

Upcoming Round of Classes

Dates: January 6th – February 27th

Registration for all courses is now open!

What is Balboa?

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.

Recommended shoes for Balboa

Having slide-y or slick shoes is a big help to get the optimal Balboa experience. This is not a requirement but it will make it a bit easier to dance Balboa.

For followers:

Slippery shoes are the best, and having dance shoes with a slightly elevated heel is even better. See an example here. 

For leaders:

Slippery shoes are the best, and having dress shoes with a classic heel is even better. See an example here. 

Midweek Social

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! 

Swing Music

We have collected some of our favorite swing  songs, which are good for  practicing, and we put them together in a Spotify playlist 

Teachers

See our full teachers team consisting of almost 40 teachers, all very passionate and eager to share their knowledge with you!