Balboa, balboa, balboa, it’s really the buzz word right now and this weekend we have a workshop with England’s  ‘Mr. Balboa’ – the great Dan Guest. He is Britain’s busiest teacher of Balboa but we have managed to pin him down to share some of his knowledge with you. Time to get a taste of this wonderful dance we all love so much. Don’t we just spoil you? Oh yes we do. Register now to avoid disappointment.

AND…If you were in any doubt whatsoever as to precisely how cool Balboa is, then check out this clip of Mickey Fortenasce & Kelly Arsenault at EBC 2009.  Doing the Bal to a pretty unexpected soundtrack…See you on Saturday, mullets optional.

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Donnning your glad rags

So we’re all off to Stokey! Are you donning your glad rags and heading out to the gin mill this weekend? Perhaps you’re off to get an edge off some giggle water or get goofy with some fish or who knows…maybe you’re heading for a real flat tire? Whatever you’re doing, get swotting up on this new installment of essential twenties slang – if only so you can find out what all of that actually meant

Edge - intoxication, a buzz.  i.e. “I’ve got an edge.”

Egg - a person who lives the big life

Fall Guy – Victim of a frame

Fire extinguisher – a chaperone

Fish -(1) a college freshman (2) a first timer in prison

Flat Tire – A dull witted, insipid, disappointing date. Same as pill, pickle, drag, rag, oilcan

Flivver - a Model T; after 1928, could mean any old broken down car

Flapper - A stylish, brash, hedonistic young woman with short skirts & shorter hair

Fly boy – a glamorous term for an aviator

Frame - To give false evidence , to set up someone

Gams - A woman’s legs

Get a wiggle on – get a move on, get going

Giggle Water – An intoxicating beverage; alcohol

Gin Mill – An establishment where hard liquor is sold; bar

Glad rags – “going out on the town” clothes

Gold Digger – A woman who associates with or marries a man for his wealth

Goofy - in love

Essential twenties slang A-B

Essential twenties slang C-D

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Ladies and gentlemen meet Buddy Guy…

Now meet Gui Cavalcanti and Jenn Martinez, blues dancers, in love, getting married and on a campaign to get above-mention King of Blues to play at their wedding. Yes that’s right, their wedding!  Crate & Barrel is sponsoring a contest with a $100,000 prize towards the wedding of your choice meaning if Jenn and Gui can muster enough votes they would be able to pay Buddy Guy and his band the small sum of $75,000 (plus a rider…i know) to play at their wedding.

Bonkers? Maybe. Adorable? Absolutely. Go on, do it for Blues dancing and do it for romance. Get involved on facebook or directly at the Ultimate Wedding Contest and save them from this guy.

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“Imagine if David Lynch had discovered a time machine with the dial stuck on 1950 and decided to send a Soho nightclub back through it. Then listen to Sweet Tooth.” Big Cheese magazine

There’s been a great deal of buzz about electro swing lately and any keen listener should not miss out on the irresistible sounds of London based band Sweet Tooth. I’ve had their new Charleston inspired release Venus in Hollywood blasting out my laptop since they put in on their MySpace last week. Sit back, close your eyes and let their sultry retro lounge pop transport you to another time. Don’t forget…you heard it here first.

http://www.myspace.com/sweettoothlondon

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