Lesson: Collegiate Shag & Balboa Taster with Minn Vo & Karolina Chrapkova

Get a taster of Collegiate Shag and Balboa steps with International Champions Minn Vo & Karolina Chrapkova!
^{No partner required!}

ABOUT YOUR TEACHERS

MINN VO

KAROLINA CHRAPKOVA

ABOUT THE DANCE STYLES
Collegiate Shag (or “Shag”) is a partner dance done primarily to uptempo swing and pre-swing jazz music (185-250+ beats per minute). It belongs to the swing family of American vernacular dances that arose in the 1920s and 30s. It is believed that the dance originated within the African American community of the Carolinas in the 1920s, later spreading across the United States during the 1930s. The shag is still danced today by swing dance enthusiasts worldwide.
[Defenition pulled from Wikipedia]

Balboa, also known as “Bal” is a swing dance that originated in Southern California during the 1920s and enjoyed huge popularity during the 1930s and 1940s. An 8-count danced in closed position, the earliest form (often called “Pure Balboa”) evolved in the mostly conservative dance halls of southern California where space was limited and strict codes of conduct were enforced. These dance halls usually prohibited the wild kicks of the Charleston and Lindy Hop. Pure Balboa is characterized by an upright posture with partners standing chest to chest. Step variations generally play with the rhythm or look and feel (style) from below the knee downwards and deal with changes in direction. Balboa is frequently danced to fast jazz (usually anything from 180 to 320 BPM), though many like a slower (170-190 BPM) tempo. While most dancers differentiate between pure Balboa and Bal-Swing, both are considered to be a part of the dance. Bal-Swing evolved from Balboa when original Balboa dancers experimented with fancier variations of the dance which forced the chest to chest connection to be broken. In this form of Balboa a variety of spins, turns, dips, tricks, and even air steps are introduced.
[Defenition pulled from Wikipedia]

* In addition to this class, don’t miss the mini-lessons and entertainment between jazz band breaks!

The lesson will be held at the Jazz Age Stage on Lummus Park & 12th Street from 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm