SlowBall Weekend is an intimate slow dance experience.
Classes on slow Balboa, slow Swing, and Laminu.
Event Highlights:
Internationally recognized instructors
Two competitions
Saturday night, a slow Mix&Match
Slow Strictly.
Live swing music
Social dancing all night
By registering for the event you agree to the following:
No full refunds will be allowed. Pass Transfers must be completed by May 6th, 2019. There is a $30 transfer fee to transfer your pass to another person. Since we are in our first year of this event, then we are unable to offer attendees the option of using this pass for future years as we are unsure if we will hold this event again. (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 Event, 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 Event, 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 Event, 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.
The SlowBall Weekend 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.
Click on the picture above to be taken to our registration website.
Olga Marino
Olga was born into a family of teachers 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. Now Olga is the international balboa instructor, teaching solo and couple Balboa all over the world.
At her classes she 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 love of dancing. For the time being she is passionately developing a new direction of swing dance practices – iSoloBalboa – offline and online solo classes for balboa leaders and followers which aim at polishing up technique and developing creativity and musicality
Andreas Olssen
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”.
Jeremy Mohney’s Swing Band
Jeremy Mohney is swing. He and his band's music conveys the pure joy of life through a catchy rhythm, floating melodies and a voice for wooing any skeptic. Whether singing or playing the sax, his knack for timing and harmony is always swinging. He will have you tapping your toe if you aren't already up dancing.
Based out of Colorado, Jeremy and his band perform regularly. He has captivated audiences at venues like Denver's Mercury Cafe, Dazzle at Baur's, and countless swing events. He's no stranger to the road with several tours across the US under his belt. His original music is available on all major music outlets such as Spotify and Itunes.
DJs
Kate Hedin
Andreas Olssen
SLOW DANCE CONTESTS
Prizes are awarded to the top placing couples in each competition, and will consist of cash or passes to events. **Organizers reserve the right to change this without notice at any time.***
Competitors must be Full Weekend Pass or Saturday night’s Slowball pass holders.
Slow Dance Mix & Match
Anything in the realm of slow dancing goes (Balboa, Blues, Lindy, Laminu). Judges look for timing, teamwork, finesse, foot work, and musicality.
Competitors will be randomly partnered up with another competitor.
There are no prelims and the finals format may be spotlight, jam, all skates, or a combination of these formats.
Contest is limited to 12 follows and 12 leads and registration is first come, first served. Open to those holding a boutique experience pass or a dance pass.
Slow Strictly
Anything in the realm of slow dancing goes (Balboa, Blues, Lindy, Laminu). Judges look for timing, teamwork, finesse, foot work, and musicality.
Competitors will enter with a partner and dance with the same partner for the entirety of the competition.
There are no prelims and the finals format may be spotlight, jam, all skates, or a combination of these formats.
Contest is limited to 12 couples and registration is first come, first served. Open to those holding a boutique experience pass or a dance pass.
The SlowBall Weekend
provides high-quality instruction from the most talented Balboa dancers. We will have two days of 1 hour and 15 minute long classes covering slow balboa, slow swing, and laminu. Make sure you register early as classes are capped at 20 leads and 20 follows. The class schedule will be released in the near future.
Topic Laminu
Laminu originated in Long Beach California. Long Beach is on the northern coastal border of Orange county, the principal region where Balboa was danced. The basic and style of Balboa varied greatly between the different cities of Orange county. Balboa was danced in Long Beach and even has a particular type of basic step pattern named after it, the 'Long Beach Break'.
Over time a preference evolved amongst some of the Long Beach dancers for dancing to slow music. Their dancing changed to adapt to the slower tempos to such an extent that the dance became sufficiently different that it acquired its own name. And thus, the dance known as Laminu was born!
There were many ballrooms in Long Beach in common with all cities at that time. These included the Cinderella, Silver Spray, and Majestic (latterly the Lido) Ballrooms. The two photos to the right show the Majestic Ballroom in 1935 and then again later in the 1950s after it had been renamed the Lido.
Read more about Laminu here...
Topic Slow Swing
In slow swing you don’t always have to do triple steps. You will find various steps in closed positions as well as mixing slow steps and “quick, quick” steps. You can also expect to go over how the technique changes when the speed slows down.
Topic Slow Balboa
You will experience the break down of the beautiful Slow Balboa basics from scratch at an achievable pace. Slow balboa is a great dance to add to the toolkit to allow you to dance when those slower numbers come on at a social dance. Expect the tempo to be brought down to explore the smoother and sultry side of Balboa.
Topic Savoy Walks
The Savoy Walk is a “two-step” area dance, that is to say, it uses two types of base rhythms:, slow steps (one weight change over two counts) and quick steps (one weight change over a single count). Its base movement is related to the Peabody/Foxtrot. It was inspired by the dancing of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, a favorite in Harlem theaters, as well blending aspects of pas de deux with a distinct lindy hopper sensibility for music and love of tricks.
Below is the full class schedule for The SlowBall Weekend. You can find the overall weekend schedule, including competition and social dancing times, on our Full Weekend Schedule page.
All classes and dances listed below are located in the Washington Street Community Center. Full information, including the address, can be found on our Venues Page.
Class Schedule
**schedule subject to change**
SATURDAY
Classes (Olga & Andreas)
(Fundamentals Slow Swing, Slow Balboa, Laminu)
11-12:15p
-lunch-
1:30-2:45p
3:00-4:15p
7:30-8:30p Savoy Walks
SUNDAY
Classes (Olga & Andreas)
(Expanded Material on Slow Swing, Slow Balboa, Laminu)
1:00-2:15p
2:30-3:45p
4:00-5:15p
**schedule subject to change**
FRIDAY
Mixer Dance @ Denver Turnverein
7-8pm Slow Swing Class w/ Andreas & Olga
8pm-12a Social dance to Dj’d music
SATURDAY
Classes (Olga & Andreas)
(Fundamentals Slow Swing, Slow Balboa, Laminu)
11-12:15p
-lunch-
1:30-2:45p
3:00-4:15p
The SlowBall (fancy)
7:30-8:30pm Savoy Walks Class (Kara Fabina)
8:30p-1:00a
-Live Music by Jeremy Mohney’s Swing Band
-Contests During Main Event:
Slow Dance Mix & Match
Slow Dance Strictly
-After Hours Social TBA
SUNDAY
Classes (Olga & Andreas)
(Expanded Material on Slow Swing, Slow Balboa, Laminu)
1:00-2:15p
2:30-3:45p
4:00-5:15p
Social Outing @ Tavern Platte Park
6p-9p
**Tell the servers you are with CMDance and 15% of your bill gets donated to CMDance’s school programs.
Denver Turnverin
1570 N Clarkson St.
What’s happening here:
Friday Night Activities
Washington Street Community Center
809 S. Washington St.
What’s happening here:
Saturday Classes & Dance
Sunday Classes
Tavern Platte Park
1475 S Pearl St, Denver, CO 80210