Balboa

[Sagitta]

How many of you incorporate balboa into your lindy? I think that it is a pretty cool dance to work in, and works well. If you are wondering what balboa is about go to w w w.paris-swing.com/ and click on the balboa weekend workshop link. They have a couple cool clips of balboa dancing.

[swinginstyle]

I'll mix my balboa into my Charleston into my lindy. I typically use break timing to switch between the two or a double outside turn into an inside turn, catching the girl and flowing right into the balboa basic.

[Flat Shoes]

Balboa is way cool! I'm not very good at it (yet), since not to many people around here do bal. When I do I often mix bal and lindy, since the transition between the dances is so seamless.

I've also extended my Lindy repertoire a little with some bal-like moves I didn't know before I started to learn bal.

[LindyKeya]

I love Bal! And yes, I incorporate it into my Lindy. It's great!

[BettyB]

Balboa is pretty big in London and i certainly appreciate a few balboa steps in a fast song! gives me a chance to dispel the dizzies!

i am looking forward to this ...

http://www.londonbalboafestival.co.uk/ :)

[Flat Shoes]

i am looking forward to this ...

http://www.londonbalboafestival.co.uk/ :)
Was there last year, will be there again this year. It was great, and the party was one of the best ever!

I will also go to the Balboa/Shag class in Herräng this summer. Shag is also great fun, but I think it's going to be sweaty business outside in the middle of summer.

[suek]

I specialize in Bal. It's tied for first in my list of favorite dances (with blues); something about that close contact and body leads, I guess. I know. Oh yeah.

Cleveland All Bal weekend is June 10th. I can't wait. Here's another place to see clips:

http://www.balboanation.com/movies_vintage.html

and

http://www.balboanation.com/movies_modern.html

I like balboa all by itself, mixed with bal-swing, mixed with partner charleston, mixed with lindy, done slowly, done screamingly fast.

Definitions, for those who might not know: balboa is done only in closed position (no turns, no crosses, nothing but chest-to-chest with footwork variations); bal-swing (or jitterbal as Steve and Heidi call it) has closed and open positions, has turns, kicks, crosses, anything you can think of.

[suek]

More thoughts.

I have a great tshirt. It reads: My name is Sue and I am a balcoholic. Thank you for participating in my 8step program. (I like this tshirt so much I actually bought two!)

Also it's been frustrating to specialize in bal here in Sacramento as there are very few people who dance it. So I am beginning to learn to lead, figuring I can increase the number of partners that way.

For me, it's an easier dance to learn to lead than lindy hop, since the connection is so close. At least pure bal is; once it goes to open position I find myself confused: forward? back? aagh! Adding leader skills is tough!

[Sagitta]

Oh, thanks Suek!! Now I know the distinction between balboa and bal-swing. I do see bal-swing incoporated with lindy and charleston. Have rarely seen balboa done by itself, though.

[suek]

Oh, thanks Suek!! Now I know the distinction between balboa and bal-swing. I do see bal-swing incoporated with lindy and charleston. Have rarely seen balboa done by itself, though.Tried to find you a clip of pure bal..no luck right now. Do some searching and viewing. There are some awesome clips out there.

[SDsalsaguy]

I have a great tshirt. It reads: My name is Sue and I am a balcoholic. Thank you for participating in my 8step program. (I like this tshirt so much I actually bought two!)
That is a great t-shirt Sue!

[SwinginBoo]

I took a great bal workshop this year which taught different ways to get in and out of it and how to incorporate it into your lindy. It was nice because previously I had only done some basic bal which I found difficult at times to pick up the lead with different people. Now I can get the lead from anyone who leads it in any way. It's a great dance, especially for fast songs.

[Flat Shoes]

Oh, thanks Suek!! Now I know the distinction between balboa and bal-swing. I do see bal-swing incoporated with lindy and charleston. Have rarely seen balboa done by itself, though.

Just keep in mind, people often use the term balboa when talking about both bal-swing and balboa. That's why many people, when talking about balboa and not bal-swing use the terms pure balboa or pure-bal.