[Dixielandjazz] Balboa

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Danced completely in closed position, pure Balboa evolved in conservative  
dance halls where space was limited. Some of these dance halls had strict rules  
or codes of conduct that prohibited the wild kicks of the Charleston and 
other  exuberant dances. Pure Balboa is characterised by a fairly upright posture 
with  both partners standing 'chest to chest' in close intimate contact. You 
never  break away from your partner, there are no spins or turns, and you 
remain  completely in contact through the chest at all times. 
 
The dance's simplicity and economy of movement make it very well suited to  
fast tempo music. This fact has meant that Balboa is often mistakenly thought 
of  as just a fast dance. Indeed many of the original dancers could dance at 
amazing  speeds. However, they also liked to dance to slower music and the dance 
has  always been done to music of all tempos including some improbably slow 
tunes.  It's been said that pure Balboa was done by older dancers who just 
wanted to  meet and dance with women!
The "Balboa" got its name from the Balboa Peninsula at Newport Beach,  
situated on the coast about 40 miles south of Los Angeles in California. The  dance 
was first done at the beach Pavilion and then latterly at the famous  
Rendezvous Ballroom.
 
The dance developed in the 1920's. By the early 1930's it had become  
sufficiently well known to be given its name. People from the LA area who'd seen  it 
started referring to it as 'The Balboa' or the dance being done in Balboa.  
The dance spread up the coast through the beach resorts of Huntington, Long  
Beach, San Pedro, Redondo Beach, Venice Beach, and finally into the greater LA  
basin area. 
Willie Desatoff said; "Pure Balboa was done strictly in Orange County"  
(includes Newport Beach) whereas Bal Swing was done mainly in Los Angeles  County. 
Very few people travelled and therefore did both dances". 
"We are  confronted with insurmountable opportunities"....Pogo

Joe Hopkins
AZ  Classic Jazz Society Vice-President
Jazz Clarinet...52nd Street Jazz Band  602-810-5888 or 480-396-6798
_www.azclassicjazz.org_ (http://www.azaclassicjazz.org/)