Registration is now open on Eventbrite: https://rmbb.eventbrite.com
Rocky Mountain Balboa Blowout celebrates a Swing-era partner dance known as Balboa and Bal-Swing. It features fancy footwork, subtle technique, and some flashy vintage movement. It is usually danced to faster tempos, although Balboa to slower and moderate tempos is possible and encouraged. Our event provides high-quality instruction from the most talented Balboa dancers in the world. We offer 4 class levels, so no matter your level of experience, we will have the right level for you! We feature the best live Swing music, social dancing all night, and strictly and mix & match competitions between the best of the best.
Buy Tickets on Eventbrite!
Pricing
Full Weekend Passes
July 5 - July 31: $169
Aug 1 - 31: $189
Sept 1 - 30: $209
Oct 1 - 17: $229
At the door: $249
Other Passes & Contests
Competitor’s Pass: $109
Dance Pass: $75
Open Strictly: $40
Advanced Mix & Match: $20
Amateur Mix & Match: $20
Evening Dances (at the door only)
Friday: $30
Saturday: $35
Sunday: $25
Day Class Passes - Includes all classes + evening dance for the day (at the door only)
Saturday: $140
Sunday: $130
Single Class (at the door): $30
Policies
By registering for the event you agree to the following:
No full refunds will be allowed. Pass Transfers must be completed by September 19th, 2019. There is a $30 transfer fee to transfer your pass to another person. If a registrant can’t attend and we are notified by October 1st, 2019, we will give that person credit towards next year. (note: this applies to pass credit only; no credit can be given for add-ons or won passes).
I understand that swing dancing is both physical and athletic, and therefore poses some natural risks, for which I accept full responsibility. Furthermore I agree not to hold CMDance, or its organizers legally or morally responsible for any injury or mental discomfort I experience under any circumstance. Therefore, I hereby waive any and all liability claims against CMDance, its organizers, their agents and instructors or their agents for any and all injuries which I might suffer during, and/or as a result of, my participation in the Rocky Mountain Balboa Blowout Event, October 18-20th, 2019 in Denver, CO and its surrounding areas and parking lots. I also assume all responsibility and liability for any injuries I might suffer, or cause, during, and/or as a result of my participation in the Rocky Mountain Balboa Blowout event, October 18-20th, 2019 in Denver, CO and its surrounding areas and parking lots. Furthermore, I absolve CMDance, its organizers, their agents and instructors or their agents of any and all responsibility for future injuries I might suffer or cause as a result of my participation in the Rocky Mountain Balboa Blowout Event, October 18-20th, 2019 in Denver, CO, and its surrounding areas and parking lots.
By executing this waiver, I state that I am in good physical and mental health and know of no reason why I should be unable to fully participate in all event activities in which I partake.
I understand that CMDance intends to record participation in the classes, dances, and special events on video and in photographs. I expressly grant CMDance the unlimited right and authority to use any such recording in any and all media in which I appear by whatever ways or means with no obligation to me. Such recordings are the sole property of CMDance.
Rocky Mountain Balboa Blowout is a private event and may refuse admission to any individual if it believes they pose a threat to any other attendees.
CMDance reserves the right to update these Terms and Conditions at any time, and will update our registrants with the new version when and if that occurs.
Volunteer Opportunities
Interested in volunteering? We have opportunities for people who want to subsidize 50% or 100% of their Full Weekend Pass. Serious inquiries only, please. We cannot replace you at the last minute.
50% Full Weekend Pass Discount = 6 hours of volunteer time
100% Full Weekend Pass Discount = 10-12 hours of volunteer time
100% Competitor’s Pass Discount - 6 hours of volunteer time
We are looking for help in the following areas:
Evening Wristband Check
Floor Crew - Setup and Teardown
Front Desk/Registration
Email: rmbb@cmdance.org for more information.
Sylvia Sykes
An internationally recognized authority on several different forms of swing dance, Sylvia Sykes has lectured and taught dance workshops all over the world since 1985. She has competed in numerous dance competitions, appeared on television, been featured with orchestras such as Glenn Miller, Artie Shaw, and Count Basie, as well as being voted into the California Swing Dance Hall of Fame as well as the National Swing Dance Hall of Fame.
Sylvia studied Balboa with Maxie Dorf and spent years learning from the greatest Southern California Balboa dancers. She was also privileged to study Lindy Hop with Dean Collins, and was a member of his last dance troupe. Together with her original partner Jonathan Bixby, Sylvia was a six-time U.S. Open Finalist and two-time Southern California Balboa Champion. Sylvia is the driving force behind Balboa all over the world and has been for many years. She has played a major role in nurturing the growth of the All Balboa Weekend and we’re proud to have her back for a 9th consecutive year.
Nick Williams
Nick Williams has embodied the passion and spirit of swing dancing ever since his first lesson in 1998. The depth of his understanding of Lindy Hop, Balboa, and Collegiate Shag stems from studying with the original dancers. Nick’s desire for authenticity, combined with his passion for dance evolution, leads to a style known for precision, lightness, musicality and dynamic energy.
His successes include World Lindy Hop Champion, US Open Swing Dance Champion, American Lindy Hop Champion, National Jitterbug Champion, International Lindy Hop Champion, Ultimate Lindy Hop Champion, American Classic Balboa Champion and California Balboa/Swing Champion. Nick was honored to be recognized by the California Swing Dance Hall of Fame. He is also an accomplished choreographer and has choreographed for the hit television show So You Think You Can Dance. As an instructor, he is known for his ability to break down movements and technique to create a fun and light-hearted learning environment. His true love of music and dancing will forever inspire him to learn, teach, and grow.
Kate Hedin
Following in the path of her great ancestor, Swedish explorer Sven Hedin, Kate has traveled to the greatest unknown regions of following and footwork. Aside from a love of classically inspired Lindy Hop, she is most known for her unique and elegant style of Balboa.
The result is an impressive resume. Kate holds championship titles in almost every major competition, including the American Classic Balboa Championships, the International Lindy Hop Championships, the Euro Balboa Cup, and more. She is also a highly sought-after competition judge. In 2012, she released two highly praised DVDs specifically for Balboa followers on technique and aesthetics. As a teacher, Kate is known and loved for her logic-based language, her unique methods of teaching technique, and, overall, never leaving student followers disappointed.
She is proud to have held, along with her friends at Get Hep Swing in Cleveland, the Guinness World Record for longest dance party ever (52 hours, 3 minutes). Her fashion is admired by many, her lines desired as far as the Orient. She also does trapeze.
David Rehm
David Rehm is a geek-turned-professional-dancer specializing exclusively in the partnered swing dances, Lindy and Balboa, and widely considered one of the top Balboa dancers and instructors in the world. He is regularly featured teaching and judging at the most prestigious events dedicated to those dances throughout North America, Europe and Asia. In addition to numerous awards, in 2006 David captured both the American and European Balboa titles (with different partners) by winning the American Classic Balboa Championship and the Euro Bal Cup. He is also the creator of The Experiment, “the world’s most intimate and intensive Balboa workshop”, as well as the founder of the Northeast Balboa Corridor (NEBC) project. David is best known for his ability to capture both broad thematic abstractions and technical details all in the form of conceptual principles.
Laura Keat
Laura began her swing dance career in Denver when she joined the award-winning Lindy Hop performance team, 23 Skidoo! She immediately developed a passion for the art of swing dancing. Ever the disciplined student and skilled competitor, Laura began winning national titles and gaining recognition as a championship lindy hop follow with an independent style and point of view.
She loves dancing with a wide variety of leads with diverse styles and ideas to challenge and broaden her own abilities as a follow. And as an instructor, she brings a fresh perspective towards developing each student’s technical foundation and individual style. For Laura, every dance is a chance to put smiles on peoples’ faces with an entertaining performance which shares and inspires the joy and excitement for swing dancing.
Jeremy Otth
Jeremy amassed a great amount of knowledge on the historic essence of vintage swing dances from many of the original jitterbugs and swing dancers. Along with his seemingly inexhaustible amount of energy, Jeremy’s natural talent and dedication led him to accumulate championship titles at many acclaimed dance competitions such as the International Lindy Hop Championships, National Jitterbug Championships, American Classic Balboa Championships and the US Open Swing Dance Championships.
Jeremy is now able to share that breadth of knowledge and passion for these classic partner dances by entertaining and educating feet from Southern California to around the world.
Olga Marina
Olga was born into a family of teachers (language and music) and since early years has been an energetic live wire – studying music, doing athletics, martial arts and gymnastics. In 2007 she was introduced to Lindy Hop and this is where the real passion story begins. She got dance hooked and started to explore more of the dance world by getting into Blues and later Balboa. She has been actively travelling the globe in pursuit of more opportunities to dance, learn and compete. Later she began to share her love for swing music and dance by teaching. At her classes Olga pays a lot of attention to getting the students interested and involved by giving challenging and fun tasks, working both on technique and musicality and infecting them even more with the passion for dancing.
Andreas Olsson
Andreas Olsson lives in Stockholm, Sweden. He grew up on the wrestling mat, fighting other little boys in leotards. He won most of the time since he’s always given 100% in everything that he does. He also played the violin in an orchestra during his childhood. You might not think classical music and wrestling has much in common with Swing dancing, but it has definitely contributed to him becoming the unpredictable, creative, musical and interesting dancer he is today.
Andreas was introduced to Lindy Hop in 2001 and a few years later to Balboa. Andreas teaches dance because he loves to see students learn and improve. As Andreas sees it, teaching is inspiring since it offers a possibility to contribute to the ever-changing dance style and scene.
Andreas claims to be the unchallenged record holder (so far!) of most hours spent on social swing dance floors in Stockholm. He is an energizer bunny, and only takes a break to change into another colorful tie.
He has been placed in a number of prestigious competitions in both Lindy Hop and Balboa around the world with a number of well known swing dancers. He is also a history lover and one of the very few marine archaeologists in the world. Ask him about the ”Vasaship” or ”Vikingships”.
Heather Ballew
Heather Ballew hails from the lovely, landlocked city of Denver where majestic mountains tower over the skyline, sunny days are plentiful, and the name “Mile High City” now has several connotations. As a participant of the 1990’s swing renaissance, Heather Ballew swears she learned everything the wrong way first and has relearned and refined every bit of her dancing over the years. Because of this, Heather has a keen eye for what works and what doesn’t. She believes that swing dancing should look good and feel great but most of all it should be FUN! She loves social dancing with people of all levels and she is most known for her connection and rhythmic musicality. She can be found teaching around the United States
Javier Johnson
Javier Johnson is a rocket scientist by trade, and he brings a powerful analytical sense which joins the mechanics of dance and the soul of expression. He is well versed in all the swing dances, but specializes in Balboa and soul. As an international swing dance instructor, he's travled around the world sharing his joy of teaching and his passion for jazz dances.
The Greg Ruby 6
will be playing the compositions and arrangements of the great 1930’s swing guitarist, Oscar Aleman. An unsung hero of the Parisian jazz guitar scene of the swing era, Aleman rivaled the infamous Django Reinhardt.
The Greg Ruby 6 debuted this project at the annual Lindy Focus event in 2017 and is excited to be bringing the project to Denver. Featuring Ruby on lead guitar, Jonathan Doyle on reeds and Andrew Finn MacGill on violin, the band will be backed up by a local rhythm section.
Travis Whetman, Head DJ
Travis fell in love with swing music early in his dancing life and has been collecting it ever since. A regular Seattle DJ since 2003, Travis focuses on swing music from the 1930s and 1940s and is comfortable playing songs for many styles of dance.
Travis currently holds Head DJ roles at Camp Jitterbug, Balast Off, Rocky Mountain Balboa Blowout, and now All Balboa Weekend!!
BALBOA CONTESTS
Cash prizes are awarded to the top placing couples in each competition.
Competitors must purchase a Competitor’s or Full Weekend Pass.
Amateur Mix & Match
Anything in the realm of Balboa/Bal-Swing goes. Judges look for timing, teamwork, finesse, foot work, and musicality.
Preliminary Round – During the preliminary rounds, dancers rotate. The number of heats (and rotations within each heat) is determined by the event organizers. Competitors are selected to advance to the finals individually but judged on how well they dance with their partners.
Final Round – Finalists are paired randomly and compete as a couple. Couples do not change partners during finals. Couples dance to DJ music. The format may be spotlight, jam, all skates, or a combination of these formats.
Advanced Mix & Match
Anything in the realm of Balboa/Bal-Swing goes. Judges look for timing, teamwork, finesse, foot work, and musicality.
Preliminary Round – During the preliminary rounds, dancers rotate. The number of heats (and rotations within each heat) is determined by the event organizers. Competitors are selected to advance to the finals individually but judged on how well they dance with their partners.
Final Round – Finalists are paired randomly and compete as a couple. Couples do not change partners during finals. Couples dance to DJ music. The format may be spotlight, jam, all skates, or a combination of these formats.
Open Strictly
Anything in the realm of Balboa/Bal-Swing goes. Judges look for timing, teamwork, finesse, foot work, and musicality.
Preliminary Round – The number of heats (and rotations within each heat) is determined by the event organizers. Competitors are selected to advance to the finals as a couple.
Final Round – Couples dance to live music. The format may be spotlight, jam, all skates, or a combination of these formats.
Rocky Mountain Balboa Blowout
provides high-quality instruction from the most talented Balboa dancers. We will have 4 different tracks running at the event, so no matter what your level of experience, we will have something for you. Make sure you check out our level descriptions to find out what track will suit you the best. The class schedule will be released in the near future.
Please Note
There is no level testing. Final placement, in all levels, is at the discretion of the RMBB promoters and staff. On Saturday during classes, you may be asked to move to a different level (up or down). Please understand that this request would be made in order to ensure that all students (including yourself) at RMBB would be in the best learning environment possible. If you choose not to comply with the RMBB promoters’ request, you will be politely asked not to take the classes. We appreciate your cooperation!
Level 1
This track is for those who are new to or reviewing the Balboa & Bal-Swing basics, vocabulary, technique, and styling. Classes will include Pure Balboa, come-arounds, lolly kicks, out-and-ins, throw outs, and other foundational moves.
Level 2
This track for dancers who already know Balboa & Bal-Swing basics. You should be able to switch betweenBalboa & Bal-Swing but may need some improvement on transitions. This track will review and refine important steps in addition to adding moves, rhythm changes, and creativity to your dancing. You must already know pure balboa, come-arounds, lolly kicks, throw outs, and out-and-ins.
Level 3
This level is for Balboa dancers who are already able to dance musically, add variations, and are able to dance at slow, medium, and fast tempos. Dancers in level 3 should be comfortable with Pure Balboa and Bal-Swing basics and also know paddles, crab walks, drags, turns, independent styling, rhythm variations, footwork, elbow-catches, momentum changes, and improvising with your partner.
Level 4
In addition to being comfortable with the moves required of Level 3, dancers at level 4 will be confident at all tempos, have begun to develop their own style, and are able to improvise footwork, styling, and musicality. Dancers in Level 4 are typically at the higher level in their scene and are likely teaching locally, traveling to balboa events throughout the year, and may have started competing or performing.
Below is the full class schedule for Rocky Mountain Balboa Blowout. You can find the overall weekend schedule, including competition and social dancing times, on our Full Weekend Schedule page.
Not sure what class level you should be in? You can find class level descriptions on our Class Levels page.
All ballrooms listed below are located in the Castle Events Center at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Northglenn. Full information, including the address, can be found on our Venues Page.
Class schedules subject to change.
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Friday
3:00 PM: Registration opens
4:00 PM to 5:00 PM: Performance Group Rehearsal (Invite only)
5:00 PM: Advanced Mix & Match Registration Closed
8:00 PM: Balboa Drop-In Lesson with Travis Whetman & Jennifer Reed
8:00 PM: Advanced Mix & Match Check-In & Prelims
9:00 PM to Midnight: Social dancing to the The Greg Ruby 6
9:45 PM (or first band break): Instructor Jam
10:45 PM (or second band break): Advanced Mix & Match Finals, Diamond Dolls Performance
Midnight to 2:00 AM: Social Dancing to the RMBB DJs
Saturday
9:00 AM: Stretching with Keegan
10:00 AM to 5:00 PM: Classes
12:15 PM to 2:00 PM: Lunch
4:30 PM to 5:30 PM: Rehearsal - Performance Group
4:00 PM: Registration deadline for Saturday contests
6:00 PM: Open Strictly check-in and prelims
9:00 PM to Midnight: Social dancing to The Greg Ruby 6
9:45 PM (or first band break): Open Strictly Finals
10:45 PM (or second band break): Performances - CM Dance & Bal-Dazzled!
Midnight: Cocktail Hour (Hotel Bar)
Midnight to 3:00 AM: Social dancing to the RMBB DJs
Sunday
10:00 AM: Stretching with Keegan
11:00 AM to 6:30 PM: Classes
1:15 PM to 3:00 PM: Lunch
4:00 PM: Registration deadline for Sunday contests
7:00 PM: Amateur Mix & Match check-in and prelims
9:00 PM to Midnight: Social dancing to The Greg Ruby 6
9:45 PM (or first band break): Amateur Mix & Match Finals, Performance by Nick & Kate
Midnight: Awards
Midnight to 2:00 AM: Social dancing to the RMBB DJs
Castle Events Center
at the
Doubletree by Hilton
Exit 223 off Interstate 25 in Northglenn, CO
Google Map
The Castle Events Center is located in the Doubletree by Hilton in Northglenn, CO. Located just off of Interstate 25, there are plenty of restaurants within walking distance, including a Starbucks in the same parking lot.
The Castle Events Center includes 4 ballrooms where all classes and dances will be held.
Accommodations
Doubletree by Hilton in Northglenn:
The Doubletree by Hilton in Northglenn is where all classes and dances will be held throughout the weekend, and they have also offered some wonderful discounts for room rates.
https://doubletree.hilton.com/en/dt/groups/personalized/D/DENTNDT-RMB-20191017/index.jhtml?WT.mc_id=POG
A room with 2 Queen-sized beds is only $127/night
A room with 1 King-sized bed is only $117/night
You can book your room online by clicking here.
Our room block is valid from check-in from October 18 through checkout October 23.
Group code: RMB
Flying Into Denver
The nearest major airport to Denver is the Denver International Airport (DIA). DIA is a stylish, up-to-date facility receiving all popular airlines. You can find deals at respective discount airfare sites or directly from your preferred airline. We suggest checking fares often and signing up for low fare alert services. Research shows that the ideal time to buy your airline tickets is generally about 54 days before travel. After 54 days, prices begin to rise and then shoot up 30 days before the flight. Remember to check out package discounts for hotels and car rentals, if you wish. Here are some sites you can use to find deals and set up price alerts:
www.southwest.com – www.farecast.com – www.orbitz.com –www.kayak.com – www.priceline.com – www.hotwire.com –www.travelocity.com
Getting Around Denver
Rideshare programs like Uber or Lyft are highly active in Denver. We also have Car2GO, a convenient smart-car rental service providing over 400 2-person cars spread throughout Denver; just take it, drive it, and park it, within the designated city area (membership required).
RTD Buses – For public transportation, our RTD buses and light rail system are an effective and inexpensive method of getting around Denver. Check out the RTD website for a helpful Trip Planner and more details on Denver public transit.
