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For Hal
[This article would not have been possible without the help of many people, especially Hilary Alexander, Marge Takier, Peter Loggins, and Nick Williams.] Harold “Hal” Chavoor Takier, unarguably one of the greatest original jitterbugs, passed away at his home in California on January 9, 2012, from complications of Alzheimer’s disease. He was 94 years old.…
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Interview with Valerie Salstrom, mastermind behind the All Balboa Weekend
Valerie Salstrom, a professional swing dancer, founded the very first All Balboa weekend with Joel Plys in 2001, and developed the event with Marty Klempner for many years before taking it all over alone. As the event turns towards its 10th year, she talks to us about working with Maxie Dorf, reflects on the growth…
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A Way-Too-Brief History of Balboa
2019 — This Article from 2010 was an early attempt to explain the history of Balboa in a brief way, which was used for some events. Looking back, I don’t think it did a very good job. From what I know now, it is incomplete and misleading. The only reason I still have it…
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A Year of Clips #5: Start Cheering
Many people can picture Frankie Manning swinging out in Hellzapoppin. But can you picture an original Balboa dancer doing a Toss-out or Lolly Kicks? Try not to blink during this clip, or you might miss one of the most important moments in Balboa/So Cal Swing history. It’s from the enormously long and strange dance sequence…