Balboa is a type of swing dancing that developed in the 1920s and ’30s in Southern California.  The name Balboa comes from the Balboa peninsula in Newport Beach where it is believed to have been popular.  The movements look and feel like they are loosely based on Charleston, but became something entirely unique.

For us, Balboa, as a partnered social dance, is about joy and connection and community. To that end, we wish to foster an environment where everyone has fun, and where we always treat one another with respect and kindness, regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, cultural background, or dance role.

At our events, we want each person to feel comfortable asking anyone for a dance, and equally comfortable declining any such request. We encourage all dancers to learn and socially dance whichever role they enjoy, or to embrace both. We believe partner dancing works best with active and enthusiastic participation from both partners.

“Everybody leads, everybody follows” means exactly what it says: everybody will be both leading and following in this class. This class will be suitable for ALL LEVELS, from those with no previous Balboa experience to advanced Balboa dancers, and will cover movement basics and the fundamentals of Balboa. Nelle says: “come to class to learn the FUNdamentals!”

Open practice is largely unstructured. Have something in particular that you’d like to work on? Let us know! Have something interesting you’ve learned recently or been playing with? Come and share! We’ll play music, and instructors will be available to facilitate.

The planned schedule:
12:30-2:00pm — Balboa: ELEF led by Nelle Cherry
2:00-2:15pm — break
2:15-3:30pm — open practice

Website: https://bostonbalboa.org/

https://bostonbalboa.wufoo.com/forms/november-2022-boasante

pay what you can (suggested: $15 for class, $5 for practice)