Downtownswing presents
March 23-25, 2018
with
Sanna Leinonen
and
Adam LaMontagne

Downtownswing Studio
Hohlstrasse 86a
8004 Zürich
Switzerland

Concept

Bring together a group of motivated and like-minded Balboa dancers and individually progress to a next dance level.

The small workshop environment allows to work and interact in an intimate atmosphere.

Work on Balboa aspects guided by instructors and polish your steps during practice sessions in a group setting and with your dance partner.

Two classes per day led by our instructors followed by a practice session after each class.

Teachers
Portrait Sanna Leinonen
Sanna Leinonen
Portrait Adam LaMontagne
Adam LaMontagne
Schedule
Level 1
Saturday & Sunday
10:30
Registration/Coffee
11:00
Class Level 1
Sanna & Adam
Break
12:15
Practice Level 1
Practice Level 1
13:15
Lunch
14:15
Class Level 1
Sanna & Adam
Break
15:30
Practice Level 1
Practice Level 1
Level 2
Saturday & Sunday
11:45
Registration/Coffee
12:15
Class Level 2
Sanna & Adam
Break
13:30
Practice Level 2
Practice Level 2
14:30
Lunch
15:30
Class Level 2
Sanna & Adam
Break
16:45
Practice Level 2
Practice Level 2
Levels
General Information
  • There will be only 2 levels
  • There will be no audition
  • In order to allow for 2 balanced groups, the workshop admission and final level classification will be performed by the organisers
  • The level classification depends on various factors
  • Due to the special Balboa Lab format (small size & combination of taught classes with organized practice sessions) we highly recommend to register with a dance partner of comparable dance level
Level Classification

Multiple criteria play a role for the level classification, such as:


  • Motivation and self-perception (including self-criticism)
  • General experience in Balboa (content and duration)
  • Experience in other Swing dances
  • Experience with open and experimental learning approaches
  • Participation in previous Balboa Lab editions
Level 1
  • You know Pure-Bal and Bal-Swing and you dance comfortably in the range of 175 to 225 bpm - see examples below
  • You master the following steps & techniques
    • Down-hold and up-dold basic step (also kown as single und double time basic)
    • Side-steps und paddle-turns
    • Come-around
    • Toss/throw-out (and variations thereof, such as left/right hadn, texas tommy)
    • Lolly kicks (with entry, exit & transitions)
    • Swivels (with entry & exit)
    • Out&ins and cross-overs
  • You go out for social Balboa dancing on a regular basis
  • You know your strenghts and weaknesses and would like to get challenged
  • You have been dancing Balboa for about 1-2 years
Level 2
  • You fulfill all prerequisites of level 1, plus:
  • You feel very confident in your Pure-Bal basic and know multiple variations such as drags, crab-walks, shuffles, etc
  • You feel very confident in Bal-Swing moves and variations of Lolly kicks, turns, throw/toss-outs, texas tommy and rhythm variations in out&ins
  • Your focus does not lie in new moves but in the improvement of quality of movement and flow
  • You enjoy working on fine details of shuffle variations, connection and rhythms
  • You participate in (international) Balboa workshops on a regular basis
  • Music faster than 240 bpm (see examples below) anmiate you to dance
  • You are working on defining your own Balboa style
  • You know your strenghts and weaknesses and would like to get challenged
  • You have been dancing Balboa for 3 or more years
ca. 175 bpm

Artie Shaw and his Gramercy Five Hop Skip and Jump

ca. 200 bpm

Lionel Hampton & His Orchestra Down Home Jump

ca. 225 bpm

Charlie Christian Airmail Special

ca. 250 bpm

Count Basie Panassie Stomp

Photo by → LIGHT EX MACHINA
Registration

Before registering

  • carefully read the level description and the general terms
  • registations with partner will be preferred
  • every participant has to sign-up individually
  • single registrations will be handled through a waiting list
Register now

(form opens in new window)

Pricing

Workshop pass includes:

  • 4 classes with Sanna & Adam + 4h practice sessions
  • Friday warm-up party (189 | one-eighty-nine)
  • Saturday party LIVE @ El Social
Early Bird Student
164
  • regular price
  • Early Bird price from Jan 18, 2018
Early Bird Regular
189
  • student/Legi price
  • Early Bird price from Jan 18, 2018
from Jan 18, 2018
Late Mammal Student
184
  • regular price
  • Late Mammal price from Feb 5, 2018
from Feb 5, 2018
Late Mammal Regular
209
  • regular price
  • Late Mammal price from Feb 5, 2018
from Feb 5, 2018
Parties
189 | one-eighty-nine
Fri, March 23
  • 20:00 - 21:00 Practice Session
  • 21:00 - 00:00 Social Dancing

  • Vinyl Set by DJ Glencheck
15
DJ Glencheck
Party Time!
Sat, March 24
  • 20:30 - 01:00 Social Dancing

  • Live Music by Benny's from Heaven
  • Vinyl Sets by DJ Glencheck & Matt Swift
30/25
We are looking for Volunteers
Help us for 1.5h and get a 50% discount
Please sign up via Doodle Link
Thank you for your support!
Benny's from Heaven

«Benny’s from Heaven» ist zweideutig zu interpretieren, zum einen ist der Bandname eine Anspielung an den Jazzsong und den gleichnamigen Film «Pennies from Heaven» von und mit Bing Crosby. Zum anderen war Benny Goodman der King of Swing, und dem Repertoire, welches er zu spielen pflegte,hat sich diese Band mit grosser Leidenschaft verschrieben, um diese grossartige Musik wieder aufleben zu lassen. Unvergessliche Nummern wie «Stompin’ at the Savoy», «Lady Be Good», «Memories of You» und viele mehr. Ein Ohrenschmaus der Extraklasse, let’s dance!


DJ Glencheck DJ Matt Swift

Serving Vinyl & Shellack records, DJs Glencheck & Matt Swift providing you authentic Balboa Dance music at its best. With a hot ride through period genres, a thrilling compilation of energized, rhythym pounding Big Band Swing, Westernswing, Hot Jazz & New Orleans music will guarantee finest dancing pleasure throughout the night.

Locations
Downtownswing Studio
Hohlstrasse 86a, 8004 Zürich, Switzerland
  • Friday warm-up party (189 | one-eighty-nine)
  • Workshop Classes Saturday & Sunday
El Social
Viadukstrasse 67, 8005 Zürich, Switzerland
  • Saturday Party
  • Social Dancing
Contact

Do you have any questions?

Don't hesitate and drop us a line!

General Terms and Conditions