February Announcements

Survey
Please take the time to respond to our survey. The club board is always interested in suggestions and comments that improve your dancing experience. To that end we are conducting an electronic survey, please use the following link and help us be a better club:
Balboa Park Survey Page.
If you have not responded to the survey please take the time to share your opinions, even if you have filled it out before we have made some changes and need your updated answers. The survey results affect decisions on issues such as the class calendar and music so take a moment and share your thoughts.

Classes
In February our smooth/standard dance is American/International Tango and the latin/rhythm dance is Cha-Cha-Cha.

American/International Tango

Tango is a partner dance that originated in the 1880s along the River Plata, the natural border between Argentina and Uruguay, and soon spread to the rest of the world. Early tango was known as tango criollo (Creole tango). Today, there are many forms of Tango danced in the US. Popularly and among tango dancing circles, the authentic tango is considered to be the one closest to the form originally danced in Argentina and Uruguay.

Tango is an iconic dance, that's why you see it in Bond movies, Scent of a Woman, and many others - even the Addams Family! The walking movements exhibit a variety of different characteristics expressed by the couple and are unlike the walks of other ballroom dances. Movements are sometimes slow and slithery, and other times sharp and staccato, such as a quick foot flick or a sharp head snap to promenade position.

Cha-Cha-Cha

The Cha-Cha-Cha, aka Cha-Cha, is a dance of Cuban origin. The dance consists of three quick steps (triple step or Cha-Cha-Cha) and two slower steps on the one beat and two beat. The Cha-Cha-Cha is in 4/4 time with the rhythm being counted as 2 3 4 & 1, the '4 & 1' are recognized as being the familiar Cha-Cha-Cha triple. Note that the last beat of the triple is the first beat of the next bar. Cha-Cha's continued popularity can be heard in the music of Ricky Martin, Marc Anthony and Carlos Santana. The name of this dance is said to arise from the sound of sandals slapping against the floor in the cha-cha chasse.


Calendar

We have a cancellation on 02/02 due to a city event in the ballroom, the monthly party is on the 9th hosted by Stephen Showers

Remember to check the calendar in case there are last minute cancellations. Click the calendar image to view the online calendar.

Club Dance Party - Valentine's Theme


Our intermediate class instructor Stephen Showers is hosting the party and he is a terrific DJ. For more than two decades Stephen Showers has won acclaim as a professional dance instructor in both Arizona and California. Fred Astaire trained and certified, Stephen is accomplished in American and International styles for all of the Ballroom, Latin, Swing and Nightclub dances.

We play music for a variety of dance styles, from classic ballroom (Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango) to Rhythm and Latin Dances (Salsa, Rumba, Cha-Cha, swing). We also take requests for your favorite song. There will be snacks and cool drinks in the foyer. During the course of the evening we will have a mixer or two and Stephen will teach a short lesson that will be really fun.

Our parties are a potluck affair, we ask attendees to bring finger foods - sweet and savory - in disposable containers ready to serve. The club will be providing extra sumptuous snacks in the way of savory foods


IDA Dance Festival
The International Dance Association of San Diego County invites you to its annual
International Dance Festival
Sunday, February 11, 2018
Join the dance clubs of the IDA in Balboa Park as they teach and demonstrate various styles of social dancing and give you a chance to learn easy, enjoyable dances from around the world! The club is scheduled to perform and teach at 4pm. Click the banner for a full schedule.

Facebook
The club now has a Facebook group page. We invite you to join the page to allow the cub to better communicate and allow you to engage with your fellow dancers. Our instructors will be posting tips and special events to improve your dancing and the board will post last minute calendar changes and parking warnings.



Tim Waldowski
President, Balboa Park Dancers
http://www.balboaparkdancers.org
Phone (outgoing message only) 858-859-1926.