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.
Please note: There is partner rotation in all our Balboa classes to improve the leading and following skills of the participants.
For followers: Slippery shoes are the best, and having dance shoes with a slightly elevated heel is even better.
For leaders: Slippery shoes are the best, and having dress shoes with a classic heel is even better.
Description (Round 1, 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.
Level guidance
– Ideal for experienced Balboa dancers.
– Fundamentals of Pure Bal and Bal Swing (e.g., Up-hold, Down Hold, Come Around, Out & Ins, Throw Out) should be second nature.
– Comfortably dancing figures like Lollies, Swivels, and Drags is expected.
– You are comfortable playing with variations and can adapt the figures you know to fit the music and your partner.
Please note: There is partner rotation in all our Balboa classes to improve the leading and following skills of the participants.
Recommended shoes
For followers: Slippery shoes are the best, and having dance shoes with a slightly elevated heel is even better.
For leaders: Slippery shoes are the best, and having dress shoes with a classic heel is even better.
Description (Round 2, 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.
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.
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:
New weekly classes will start in January
Dates: January 5th – February 26th
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Registration for Beginner Courses in Lindy Hop is now open!
Registration for the other courses will open on December 11th
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!
