October 2024
In October 2024, the Woodchopper’s Ball is offering monthly class series in LINDY HOP and BALBOA. All October 2024 monthly class series run on Tuesdays for 5 weeks: October 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29. Check the class descriptions and schedule below to decide which class series to take.
Advance online registration for all October 2024 monthly class series is now CLOSED.
However, you can still register for any of the October monthly class series (space permitting) at the door on the first day of class, Tuesday, October 1, at the full price, $130/person. Cash only, please!
Or you can drop in for a single week of any October monthly class series (space permitting) for $30, as described below.
Or just attend our live music Dance Party and learn a few easy steps in our 15-minute drop-in Basic Swing dance lesson, included with the $15 Dance Party admission! This is an especially good option for newer dancers–no monthly commitment, different steps are taught each week, and no partner or registration is required!
As always, enrollment in a monthly class series includes admission to the live music Dance Parties immediately following class each week!
COVID-19 Safety Precautions
As of July 2024, and continuing until further notice, the COVID-19 policy at the Woodchopper’s Ball is as follows:
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- Masking is welcome, but optional, at all times.
- Free masks are still available upon request.
- Eating is allowed.
Registering for More than One Class Series in the Same Month
You may register for more than one monthly class series scheduled during the same month, and pay only half-price for each additional class! Of course, make sure the classes are scheduled at different times. When you register online for your first class, set the Class Type option to “Monthly Class”, and when you register for additional classes, set the Class Type option to “Additional Monthly Class”.
Lindy Hop
The original swing dance from 1930’s Harlem, Lindy Hop evolved from the Charleston and African-American dances along with the jazz music of that era. It is characterized by dynamic movements, the breaking away of partners into open position, and a joyful improvisational nature. Quite possibly the most fun partner dance ever created!
Beginning Lindy Hop
Dates: Tuesdays, October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Time: 8:00-9:00pm (main floor)
Instructors: Hep Jen & Ken Watanabe
Description: The Lindy Hop basics, Side-by-Side Charleston, Swingout, and Lindy Circle, are taught every month, and different variations are taught each month in the later weeks of class. Important concepts like frame, connection, musicality, styling, and etiquette are also introduced. By the end of the month, students will have learned enough to dance on their own! However, many students take this class more than once to review and build confidence with the 8-count basics and fundamentals.
Prerequisites: Previous swing dancing experience is helpful, though not required. Complete beginners are welcome in this class!
Cost: $130/mo door ($105/mo adv, $55/mo as an additional class), $30/wk drop-in (All prices include admission to the Dance Parties.)
Intermediate Lindy Hop
Dates: Tuesdays, October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Time: 7:00-8:00pm (main floor)
Instructors: Hep Jen & Autumn LaVarta
Description: Different steps and concepts are introduced each month, so this class is designed to be taken continuously over several months. Topics include more complex variations, footwork syncopations, fine-tuning of frame and connection, more advanced musicality concepts, jazz steps, and improvisation.
Prerequisites: Students must already be confident with 8-count basics, including the Lindy Hop Swingout and related turns, and basic Charleston steps. They are expected to be social dancing Lindy Hop regularly outside of class.
Cost: $130/mo door ($105/mo adv, $55/mo as an additional class), $30/wk drop-in (All prices include admission to the Dance Parties.)
Balboa
Balboa originated in Southern California in the 1920s and enjoyed huge popularity during the 1930s and 1940s. Because it emphasizes rhythmic weight shifts, subtle movements, and closed-position partnering, Balboa is ideal for very fast tempos (around 180 to 300 beats per minute).
Beginning Balboa
Dates: Tuesdays, October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Time: 8:00-9:00pm (upstairs)
Instructors: Tor Helmer & Carissa Koo
Description: Learn the basic steps, technique, connection, and partnership of Balboa. We’ll be covering both closed position pure balboa and open position bal-swing. Beginner dancers looking to get started, as well as those looking to refine their technique, are all welcome!
Prerequisites: Some previous experience in swing dancing or partner dancing in general is helpful but not required.
Cost: $130/mo door ($105/mo adv, $55/mo as an additional class), $30/wk drop-in (All prices include admission to the Dance Parties.)
NOTE: To keep the numbers of Leader and Followers more balanced, we have temporarily suspended Leader registrations. At this time, only Followers or couples (one Leader and one Follower, together) may register or drop in, at the door. Sorry, but there is no waiting list for this class.
Intermediate Balboa
Dates: Tuesdays, October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Time: 7:00-8:00pm (upstairs)
Instructors: Tor Helmer & Carissa Koo
Description: After having mastered the Beginning-level core material, the Intermediate level classes adds depth and texture, including musicality, refined technique, fancy footwork variations, transitions, classic and new combinations.
Prerequisites: Students must complete 6 months of Beginning Balboa or pass an audition with the instructors. Additionally, students must be able to confidently dance the following moves at 180 BPM or higher: up-hold (gather) basic, down-hold basic, scoots, paddles, out and in, come-around, lollies, and toss-out (a.k.a. send-out or throw-out). Students are expected to be practicing and/or social dancing Balboa outside of class.
Cost: $130/mo door ($105/mo adv, $55/mo as an additional class), $30/wk drop-in (All prices include admission to the Dance Parties.)
Dropping in for a Single Week of a Monthly Class
As long as there is space in class, dropping in and paying for a single week of a monthly class series at the door is allowed for any week ($25/person) and includes admission to that night’s Dance Party. You may also drop in to additional monthly class series on the same night and pay only half-price ($10/person) for each additional drop-in class!
However, because these series classes are progressive, unless you already have sufficient swing dance experience, dropping in for classes later in the monthly series (without having taken that month’s earlier classes) may prove difficult.
To get the most out of the classes, we recommend that you take the full series. In particular, if you cannot make the first week of class for a certain month, we recommend waiting to register for another month in which you can. And if you must miss a class, you may want to consider taking a private lesson from one of your instructors to catch up.
Registration Questions?
Feel free to email Hep Jen at hepjen@hepjen.com. But please do not wait until the last minute on Tuesday afternoon–we will be busy preparing for the Woodchopper’s Ball!