Events

Balboa Night *Monthly Event* Sundays

Come along and dance the night away in style. The original balboa dancers always dressed up and the elegance of the dance and the skirts, heels, suit jackets were all part of the special night out, dancing with friends. We would like to invite you along to this night to dance, perhaps discover for the first time, build on what you know or just go nuts and celebrate this lovely dance.



What is Balboa?

Danced in a closed position, Pure Balboa evolved due to conservative dance halls where space was a major issue.  Halls often had strict rules which prohibited the Charleston and other exuberant dances... so a dance which required very little space was rapidly welcomed within the crowded halls.  Naturally the dance evolved and started to introduce fancier variations such as spins, turns, dips, tricks, and even air steps! Today the two dances are acknowledged but are often danced as one, switching between the close style of Pure Balboa and the throw-outs, spins and other moves now known as Bal Swing.


    Maxie Dorf and Collen            Venna Archer & Gil Fernandez in 1939

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Details at a Glance:
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Date: First Sunday of the Month
Venue:  The Unity Hall (292 Darling Street, Balmain)
Time:  6.30pm - 10.30pm
Cost:  $14 per lesson or $6 for just social dancing (see below)

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Format for the Night:
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6.30pm - 7.30pm - Level I Balboa class (no experience needed)
7.30pm - 8.30pm - Level 2 Balboa class
8.30pm - 10.30pm - Social dancing = $6 (free if you did the class)


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Dates for your Diary:
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The Balboa evening will be on the FIRST Sunday of every month:
Dec 7th

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Frequently Asked Questions:
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1.  Can we dance lindy on the night?
Yes, sure. We're not the dance police; there are no restrictions on what you dance.

2.  What will the music be like?
The music will be general swing with a balboa edge. Basie, Goodman, Shaw and some contemporary bands like Campus Five, Mora's Modern Rhthmnists just to name a few.

3.  Will all the music be Fast?
No. Balboa like lindy hop, can be fast, slow and everything in between.  There will be a wide range of speeds.


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Interactive Corner:
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Check some of the original dancers (Willie Desatoff & Ann Mills and also Marge Takier) doing a Balboa Demonstration HERE.

A little closer on to home... check out some local Balboa dancers HERE.