The Workshops
We want the levels to be as even as possible and the class learning environments to be the best they can be. We purposely avoid using level terms like 'beginner' and 'advanced' because these can vary greatly from place to place and depend entirely on the people actually attending any given event.
When we first start a dance, we may only see 2 levels - those who can and those who can't. It is only with time and experience that we start to see all the levels that are possible, and each time you reach the next level, you realise how many more levels there actually are! We'll be splitting everyone into 6 or 7 levels of classes at the festival this year.
When you sign up you'll be asked to choose a description that best describes your current knowledge of Balboa. If you are in doubt between two, please choose the lower of the two descriptions, but let us know in the comments section that that is what you have done. If your level changes before the festival, we are happy for you to let us know prior to the weekend so that we can make adjustments as necessary. We will also ask several more questions regarding your knowledge of Balboa so that we can best place you according to the other people attending the festival.
We'll then use this information to split everybody into the most appropriate levels of classes. The descriptions are:
- You have never done any Balboa before, or you have only taken the occasional taster and do not feel confident to social dance Balboa.
- Leaders: You have done some classes in Balboa, but find that you are limited in your social dancing to just the simplest basic steps and tend only to incorporate Balboa into your lindy hop for short phrases at a time. Followers: You have done some classes in Balboa, but find that you struggle to get through a tune with someone who is doing more than just the basics. Both: You would prefer to spend the weekend learning a repertoire of the classic balboa moves, in order that you can dance balboa throughout a whole song.
- You have taken several workshops, and you are just starting to become comfortable social dancing whole songs of balboa. You feel you do not have a complete basic repertoire of Balboa, but you have enough to dance to a whole song. You still need to work on some of the classic balboa repertoire, but would like to start learning more challenging patterns.
- You take classes whenever you can, but they are not on a regular basis. Leaders: You are comfortable social dancing entire tunes of Balboa and have a variety of moves. Followers: You are comfortable social dancing entire tunes of Balboa, and with leaders that are really good you can be thrown into some fancy things. Both: You have worked on all the standard basics (Lollies, Transition Step, Cross Overs, Throw Out (Spike), Paddle, and Crab Walk) but do not always execute all of them well. Your pure balboa is particularly limited. You would like some revision of these moves in order to improve them, but would also like to expand your variety of moves.
- You have taken classes regularly and can happily dance Balboa all evening. You know all the usual basic steps and can add some variations into them; Lollies, Transition Step, Cross Overs, Throw Out (Spike), Paddle, and Crab Walk and can show them when the teacher asks. You know some variety of moves on the Throw Out, but are not always able to practice these. You don't always do well if you get into holding on 1 & 5. You are at the level where you really want to improve the quality of your leading / following, not just get more steps (but one or two flash stylings wouldn't go amiss).
- You take classes or practice on a weekly basis, and social dance Balboa as often as you can. As well as all the basics listed in 6, you have learned a very large variety of moves like the Apache (Texas Tommy) and complex bal-swing moves. You have a variety of pure bal patterns beyond the basics of crab walks and paddle turns. Leaders: You do well when you are dancing with a good follower, but it falls apart if she does not know what she is doing and you struggle to compensate. You can move between holding on 3 & 7 and holding on 1 & 5 without freaking out too much. Followers: Following most leaders is not a problem for you and happy to move between holding on 3 & 7 and holding on 1 & 5 without freaking out too much. Although you are a pretty good follower, you feel quite stuck in your dancing and think that it is kind of boring. You may also be uncomfortable with multiple turns / spins. Both: You now are at the stage where you want to start thinking about the quality of your leading and your musicality.
- You take classes or practice on a weekly basis, and social dance Balboa on a weekly basis (more than just one or two in an evening.) You are one of the better dancers for the area that you come from, and may even be teaching Balboa if you are in an isolated area - but you know you still have a lot to learn. Leaders: You can generally get most followers through a Balboa dance and they tend to be complimentary about it. You are starting to think musically. You are starting to add footwork and styling into your leading. Followers: You can dance Balboa with most leaders, and make them feel comfortable. You're starting to add footwork and styling to the basic moves. Both: You feel a bit stuck in your dancing and are finding it difficult to get to that next level. You want to work on your styling, including footwork, and improving your basics. You would also like to improve your musicality.
- You take classes or practice on a weekly basis, and social dance Balboa on a weekly basis (more than just one or two in an evening.) You are one of the best dancers from your country. Leaders: You can lead the more subtle pure bal moves like hangman and holds in crabwalks, as well as complex bal swing patterns. You have good footwork and styling. All followers want to dance with you. Followers: You can dance Balboa with all leaders, even if they are beginner and off the music, without backleading. You can follow the subtle pure bal patterns. You are successful at putting in footwork in basics and more complex patterns, without putting off the leader. Both: You have not necessarily spent time to decide how you will do your basics, so you are interested to see how each of the teachers chooses to do the basics. You also have not spent time to create your own style or own moves, so you would appreciate learning how other teachers are creative.
- You take classes or practice on a weekly basis and social dance Balboa on a weekly basis (all evening - not just one or two in an evening.) You are the best balboa leader / follower from your country, apart from those teaching internationally, and dance partners always comment about how good you are. You may have entered international Balboa competitions and done very well. You are musical with your balboa and can put in foot variations and slides. Complex patterns are easy for you and you can easily do multiple spins and turns. You have the body control to change what you are doing when given feedback from the teachers. You now want to really work on basics and getting to the essence of what makes 'bal bal.' You are starting to create your own moves, so getting interesting ideas from the teachers will also be useful.
- You are at the professional level of Balboa, and are one of the best Bal Dancers in the World. You have developed a style of Balboa that is unique. You incorporate your own foot variations and slides, and can create your own moves. You are interested in getting to know the style of each teacher so that you can further refine your own style and get new ideas as a platform of your own creativity.
When you complete the on-line booking form you will also be asked several more questions regarding your knowledge of Balboa. The answers that you provide to these extra questions will help us to place you in the most appropriate level.
If your level changes before the festival, you will need to let us know no later than 1 month prior to the weekend so that we can make adjustments before we allocate people to classes. We will also ask several more questions regarding your knowledge of Balboa so that we can best place you according to the other people attending the festival.
Classes will take place from about 9:00am to 5:00pm on Saturday and Sunday. All levels will receive about 8-10 hours of classes. The classes will be held in Chiswick, West London. The main venue being:
The detailed schedule for 2007 has now been published: LBF2007 Schedule
|
