Slow Balboa Workshops with Amanda Gerken & Connor Cole



What: an afternoon of workshops for dancers w/basic social dance experience

When: Saturday Feb 21st

Instructors: Amanda Gerken & Connor Cole

Where: RVA Swing, 6114C Lakeside Ave

Level: basic social dance experience is required, see class descriptions below

Cost: Sliding Scale $15 - $70 depending on number of workshops, choose your own price at registration

Pre-payment is required to reserve a spot in class.  Any unsold spots will be available at the door starting at 12:30pm, but advance registration is strongly advised.


Schedule

12:30pm: Doors open

1pm- Workshop 1: Intro to Slow Bal (no Balboa or Slow Bal experience needed, but must have prior partnered dance experience)

(30 min break)

3:30pm - Workshop 2: Slow Bal Deep Dive (must take Workshop 1 or already have a working knowledge of the fundamentals of Slow Balboa specifically, which in this case is NOT just Balboa done slowly)


----- Dinner break (studio closed)  -----


6:30pm: Doors re-open

7pm: Beginner Swing Lesson with RVA Swing (included with any workshop registration) 

8pm: Jumpin' at the Lakeside social dance (included with any workshop registration) 



About the Workshops

Workshop 1: Intro to Slow Bal

1pm - 3pm

Pre-requisites: No Balboa or Slow Bal experience needed, but all dancers must have prior social dance experience and be comfortable with a close embrace partner connection. This workshop should not be your first partnered dance class ever.

Cost: Sliding Scale of $15 - $40 (choose your price at registration)



Workshop 2: Slow Bal Deep Dive

3:30pm - 5:30pm

Pre-requisites: must take Workshop 1 or already be socially dancing slow bal. (Note! this does not mean just doing regular Balboa slowly)

Cost: Sliding Scale of $15 - $40 (choose your price at registration)



About Your Instructors

Amanda Gerken is always captivated by the siren’s call of a slow swinging tune.  Amanda is ever-exploring Balboa dancing, including Slow Balboa, as a social dancer, teacher, choreographer, and competitor.  In addition to holding Balboa classes and practices in her local D.C. scene, she also competes in Balboa & Slow Balboa, including placing 2nd in the Great Lakes Balboa Escape Slow Balboa competition in 2023 with Connor Cole.  Amanda is one of the organizers of Stardust Slow Balboa Weekend in Washington, DC.






Connor Cole first learned Slow Balboa from Mickey Fortanasce, Jacob Wigger, and Kelly Arsenault and found that the dance opened up a newfound appreciation for the slow and swinging music that he had always loved. Along with Amanda Gerken, he helps organize balboa events in D.C. and holds placements in Balboa competitions, including a recent 1st place showing at the New York Balboa Week competition with Amanda Gerken. He is one of the organizers of Stardust Slow Balboa Weekend in Washington, DC..






Register Online


online registration will open soon
online registration will close at 10pm on Friday Feb 20th




Cancellations & Refunds:

Cancel your registration by emailing RVAswing@gmail.com before 12pm on Feb 21st to receive a full refund.