April 2025
In April 2025, the Woodchopper’s Ball is offering monthly class series in LINDY HOP and BALBOA. All April 2025 monthly class series, except for Performance BALBOA, run on Tuesdays for 5 weeks: April 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29. The Performance BALBOA class series already started on March 4 and continues to run on Tuesdays for a total of 9 weeks: March 4, 11, 18, 25, and April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29.
Check the class descriptions and schedule below to decide which class series to take. By registering in advance (by Monday, March 31, 11:59pm), you guarantee yourself a spot in class and pay only $105/person for the full monthly class series, saving $25! NOTE: Registration for the Performance Balboa class series is closed.
You can also register for any of the full monthly class series (space permitting), except for the Performance Balboa class series, at the door on the first day of class, but you’ll need to pay the full price, $130/person.
Either way, enrollment includes admission to the live music Dance Parties immediately following each week’s classes for the whole month! Leader and Follower dance roles are non-gender specific. Newcomers, singles, all genders, and all ages are welcome!
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, April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Time: 8:00-9:00pm (main floor)
Instructors: Catie Riggs & Zach Olstein
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, April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Time: 7:00-8:00pm (main floor)
Instructors: Hep Jen & Ken Watanabe
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).
Performance Balboa
Dates: Tuesdays, March 4, 11, 18, 25, April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 (9 weeks)
Time: 8:00-9:00pm (upstairs)
Instructors: Jeff & Mimi Liu-Leyco
Description: The performance group will be led by Jeff and Mimi Liu-Leyco, both of whom bring over 15 years of performance and teaching experience in Balboa and Lindy Hop. This routine will feature some fun tricks, and the instructors are excited to create something amazing together! Limited to 10 couples. Participants must commit to attending at least 7 sessions, are asked to catch up on their own for any missed classes, and must be able to attend the final classes on April 22nd and April 29th, as these will likely be dress rehearsals before performances. There are four confirmed performance opportunities, and participants are asked to commit to performing in at least two of the following:
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- Thursday, April 24th at The Breakaway
- Tuesday, April 29th at Woodchopper’s Ball
- Saturday, May 3rd at Bal Haus
- Wednesday, May 7th at Wednesday Night Hop
Prerequisites: Intermediate-level Balboa proficiency or higher, comfortable dancing both solo and with a partner to songs at the 200-210 BPM range. Depending on the number of people interested, you may also need to pass an audition on February 11 or 18, 2025, 9:15-10pm, at the Woodchopper’s Ball (or on another date and location if necessary).
Cost: $180/person (includes admission to the March and April Dance Parties). No drop-ins.
Registration: The Performance Balboa class series started in March, and auditions and registration were closed in February. Thank you to everyone who tried out!
Intermediate Balboa
Dates: Tuesdays, April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Time: 7:00-8:00pm (upstairs)
Instructors: Jeff & Mimi Liu-Leyco
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 ($30/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 ($15/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!