Topic: How to Balboa

[andrew_w]

The closed hold position - Posture is upright  chest to chest lady leaning in slightly. This is VERY close, no gaps.Mans right hand flat in small of ladies back just below shoulder blades. Ladies laft hand on mans right shoulder. Mans Left hand to ladies right held at head height (not high like Shag)

Basic Rhythm
quick quick slow quick quick slow

Men
Back step Hold/Down forward step Hold/Down
L R L R L R

Ladies (as led by men they have no choice)
Forward Step Hold/Down Back Step Hold/Down
R L R L R L

Style - slip feet don't use any big steps. The hold after a back step should be slightly to the side, the one after the forward step is more like a tuck behind the other foot.

Travelling - simply repeat 5/6 step as many times as required (forward step for men) this is a body lead - contact through the chest. Return to basic by executing the hold down (7/8). Firm pressure from man's R hand at this point helps. Going backwards is very similar repeat the 1/2 (back step) as required end with the hold down (3/4).

Outside Turn

Back step hold down (prepare for turn create a little space left hand pulled back slightly) step step (turning lady clockwise) hold down (regather partner)

Inside turn

Back step hold down (prepare for turn create a little space left hand pushed away slightly) step step (turning lady anti clockwise) hold down (regather partner)

Get from Lindy to Balboa & back again

From a closed hold basic (back step slow slow) on the next back step, move square, raise left hand, on the Hold down pull partner in close & ensure that weight is moving forward into step step. To exit open out on the Back Step, drop left hand to waist height.

Transition step

Back step hold/down step step (create space) slide (mans R goes to L, twist to L draw partner forward to R but don't allow frame to collapse, Lady slides L diagonally)

into crossovers

Step Step Slide (weight fully commited, it's not a tap). Each slide the man crosses his feet R over L or L over R, lady slides foot diagonally.

exit crossovers
after step step slide with man's weight commited to R foot execute a back step - this time the man is looking to push his partner away (gently!) and then restart the hold/down pattern as normal, whilst drawing partner back into the closed hold

Back to Shag next week

[marty_baby]

well done for the write up Andrew!


..I loved this dance... all that shuffling around - cool!   

[andrew_w]

Part 2

Revisit footwork

Outside & inside free turn - same principle as turn but this time release the lady and regather ready for the hold on 7

Crab Steps - repeating steps 1 2 (or 5 6 but reversed) changing weight each step not tapping - much like a mambo step L (back) R (in place) L (Forward) R (In place) etc

Lolly Kicks from crossover step after 1 2 (lady on right) lead with right hand to twist partner kick through with right foot (partner left) then down next to left (not crossed) (beats 3 4) Left foot (man R partner) toe point down next to right foot (bend knee) (beats 5 6) repeat unitl bored exit on beat 4 or 8 (right foot down so possible to lead a back step)

Down Turn back step down (left) pivot turn on 3 4 step behind on 5 to continue turn (r) step 6 (l) hold 7 down 8 (r)

Follow up workshops are being planned for Balboa & maybe Shag at the end of September at Elmgrove on a Sunday afternoon

Marty we missed you - we'll have to make do with our memories

[marty_baby]

I do not look like that when I'm concentrating!   

Real sad I couldn't make the Class last night - my fav shuffling thing out of all this lindy stuff....


Well done with the write up!