In the early 1930's, Balboa spread up the California coast through
Huntington Beach, Long Beach and San Pedro. A string of ballrooms
opened and everyone seemed to be doing this dance. When arriving at
the Rendevous Ballroom, the veteran dancers could easily tell where
you came from by "how" you did the Balboa.
The Balboa has no spins or turns and is done only in closed position
with variations on the 8 count basic (step, step, hold, step--repeated).
As the younger dancers, in the 1930's, started adding travelling steps
with Charleston moves along with turns and spins, the dance was transformed
into what became "swing". Today some people call it "Bal-swing". It's a great
dance when the tempo of the music is unrelenting (above 200bpm and
beyond) because it can be done with little effort.
After many years of being underground with only a few "old-timers" still
dancing The Balboa, it has started to make a comeback. Camp Hollywood (an annual dance camp in its 4th year in July 2001) features Balboa workshops taught by the "old-timers" and couples that have learned directly from the older generation. This camp also features a Shag and Balboa Jam with some of the hottest dancers competing today. Even in Seattle, there are Balboa classes and workshops offered periodically.
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