Feeling comfortable with basic and intermediate patterns? Here is a list of lessons we think will be of interest to Advanced dancers.
Make sure to check back often, as we will add new lessons about once a month.
FOR PREVIEWS OF ALL LESSONS CLICK HERE
Footwork for Inter/Adv Dancers DVD
Since arms are almost always connected in Balboa and Bal-Swing, much of the dance is expressed through footwork. This DVD gives lots of footwork variations for both Leaders and Followers in all of the “Five Basics” — Pure Bal, Out & In, Lollies, Toss-out, and Swivels.
Aesthetics for Followers DVD
This DVD is for followers who are getting comfortable with their basics and want to start working on how they look and move — their aesthetics. Kate goes through different options of how followers can look, and discusses why she’s made the choices she has. There are variations and practice tips.
The Texas Tommy
This move is probably the greatest scurge of the social-floor follower, who are all to used to having leaders throw their arms around their back and yank on them like lawn mowers. So, our aim was to create the most in-depth Texas Tommy primer we could, geared towards making sure it’s as comfortable as possible, so that everyone will enjoy the experience.
The Seattle Move
This is a Bobby & Kate original. The entrance alone can go a hundred different directions, which is why we give you three exits, including a follower’s double turn exit and the original “Helwiggy” wrap-up exit, which requires some mastery over energy levels, but ultimately is one of the coolest feeling flows we know of. We break it all down.
Maxie’s Slide & Follower Jump-Cross Turn
Maxie Dorf’s Slide is yet another incredible classic move, and involves a double turn for the follower, which requires a special trick for leaders.
In this lesson we show Maxie doing it, and break it down with Maxie’s great timing and styling. We then show a jump-cross turn variation for follower’s, one of Kate’s favorite badass variations.
The Scorpion Kick
Alright, let’s get a little tricky. Have plenty of space on a dance floor? In the middle of your first strictly contest, and you and your partner want to show off a little? Try out one of the slickest moves of the modern Balboa dance floor, borrowed from Tango. Some call it “The Butterfly kick,” or “The Tango.” We like something with a little more bite: “The Scorpion Kick.”
The Vortex
The Vortex, a Bobby & Kate original. One of our favorites moves, but a trick to get quite right.
The Dandy
The Dandy is an explosive step requiring both leader and follower to be in control of both their partner and their aesthetics. For the follower, an Irene Thomas wrapped-up quick stop. For the leader, an unexpected footwork combination into a fast circle slide. A true fanboy/fangirl move, its a combination of three dancers whose inventiveness and aesthetics we greatly admire — David Rehm, Randy Maestretti, and Irene Thomas.
Hal’s Roll
Hal’s Roll, one of the greatest “shine” moves of Bal-Swing history. We break down all the nuances of Hal & Marge Takier’s intricate move. It’s gonna take hard work, but it’s also fun work. Only $10 for a fifteen minute breakdown!