(streaming) Bobby & Kate tackle Bal-Swing from mechanics and styles inspired by old timers. They cover all the basic Out & In movements, Lolly Kicks, turns in Lollies, and Toss-outs. They also discuss tension, posture, arm-body relationships, the Out & In’s role as the Bal-Swing basic, and the history of the dance.

Bobby & Kate tackle Pure Balboa from its roots in rhythm and weight placement, allowing for dancers to start playing with the dance from their very first step. It then tackles the two main basics and all of the fundamental Ad-lib steps like forward/back progressives, side-scoots, crab walks, and paddles. They also discuss tension, posture, shuffling, and the history of the dance.

Kate & Bobby revolutionized Balboa learning when they put out DVDs specifically aimed for followers. They were also very pleased at how much Leaders seemed to get out of the DVDs. This streaming version of their DVD approaches the fundamentals of Balboa and Bal-Swing from the viewpoint of a follower — the one who doesn’t know which move is coming next, and must live and react in the moment.

The dance we speak of commonly as "Balboa" today is actually a combination of two Southern California swing era dances, "Balboa Shuffle" and "Swing." This is a video to explain "Swing," which some teachers might refer to as "So-Cal Swing" or "L.A.Swing" today. As with all short history videos, it of course over-simplifies some for the sake of grasping the general ideas. Thanks to Sara-Sofia Rentas for her help!

A short history of Bal-Swing!(Check out the free explanations of "So-Cal Swing" and "Pure Bal" videos first!)

Want to understand Pure Balboa better in just a few minutes? Enjoy this down-and-dirty guide to "Pure Bal," a.k.a. Balboa Shuffle, that of course over-simplifies some for the sake of grasping the general idea.

All levels This FREE lesson covers some basic fundamentals of posture and connection for both Balboa and Bal-Swing.

Beg/Inter “Swivels” are considered by many to be the “fifth basic step” after Pure Bal basics, Out & Ins, Lollies, & Toss-Outs. They especially show off the “twist” of Bal-Swing wonderfully, and thus are one of Bal-Swings signature moves. They often come up in level tests for intermediate classes. This is Part I of Swivels. It covers double-time Lollies, swivel entrances, basic swivels, and basic exit.

Beg/Inter Swivels are, in a lot of ways, the “5th basic” of Bal-Swing. In Swivels I, we covered the basic structure. Ready for round two? In Swivels II we play with kick-step swivels, swivel timing, and give a very satisfying and cool looking turn exit.