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California Balboa Classic

Society Dress at CalBal 2023
*, Balboa, California Balboa Classic, Sewing Pattern

Society Dress at CalBal 2023

A couple weekends ago featured the return of the California Balboa Classic! Held in January, this was the last big swing dance event I attended in 2020, so it was extra nice to see it come back. I hadn’t figured out what to wear, though, when Gertie released her new Society Dress on Patreon on January 1.

I’ve *never* sewn up a couple of dresses as fast as I did this time! The style is similar to some of my favorite dresses in my closet, with one notable exception – it’s a knit! On January 1st I literally printed and taped up the pattern and went to Joann for fabric. I made the velvet one first, and was so impressed with how fast it came together that I made the poppy dress too. Being a knit means that the fit is forgiving so I skipped the mockup, and I’m getting more comfortable with my rotary cutter too, which is a big time savings. Both dresses are a straight size 10F/G, with the hems shortened 2″. Both fabrics are from Joann, a stretch velvet and double-brushed poly. I will be making more of these! (Plus working on a new pose, lol!)

Oh! I also competed this weekend! Chris and I competed for the first time since…2017? 2016? It’s been a long time. We placed 3rd in the Pure Balboa comp. It was the only contest we signed up for, and it was SUPER INTERESTING only focusing on Pure Bal instead of getting distracted by all the flash of Bal-swing. I have a new respect for the nuances of the dance now!

Cal Bal Classic 2013
Balboa, California Balboa Classic, Hal Takier, Swing Dance

Cal Bal Classic 2013

The weekend before last was the California Balboa Classic, a new Balboa event in Los Angeles with classes and dances. Originally intended as a small event for locals, word about this one spread like wildfire and the workshops sold out within a week or two, even after an entire extra class track was added! And people even flew in from other states! I’m SO excited about this new event – I’ve felt for a long time that LA needs a dedicated Balboa event, and I’m so glad that the response was so good.

Like the hams we are, Chris and I entered the Open Balboa and Swing contest – “Balboa” and “Swing” here referring to their 1930s & 40s meanings where Balboa was only closed (chest-to-chest) position, and Swing is anything that separates from your partner.  I had a TON of fun with this contest – there were several rounds where we were told to demonstrate musicality, showmanship, etc. A lot of Balboa contests tend to emphasize one end of the spectrum or the other, but it was nice to have both in this one.  I just hope it didn’t go on too long for the audience!

Here are the videos I could find – they’re linked from Facebook instead of YouTube, so I hope they work for you.

Open Balboa & Swing Classic Finals – Warm-up

Open Balboa & Swing Classic Finals – Chris & Beth Spotlight

Open Balboa & Swing Classic Finals – Fast Battle

And finally, Chris and I got to take home these GORGEOUS glass trophies! First Place, and the couple featured in the photo are 2 of our dance heroes, Hal and Betty. We stole several of their moves for the Fast Battle, and I will proudly display this in honor of them and all of our old-timers.