Event Information

Sociable couple-dancing including waltz, foxtrot, swing, tango, close-dancing, "Etcetera"! If you like good music, lead/follow social dancing and a very good dance environment, please sample our events. Newcomers welcome! No partner required!

WE HOST FOUR EVENT SERIES AT THE AVALON BALLROOM. FIFTY-FOUR EVENTS PER YEAR! THEY ARE:

#1) Waltzing and Couples Dancing - Second, Fourth, and Fifth Wednesdays! One-hour instruction in two separate, simultaneous classes; either beginner waltz in the north hall (every 2nd and 4th Wednesday) or take an intermediate level dance class in another topic such as cross-step waltz, foxtrot, two-step, tango, two-step, hesitation, blues, etc.

#2) Swing Dancing to Live Music - Third and Fifth Saturdays at the Avalon! One-hour instruction then live music by the best local bands!

#3) "Tea Dancing" at the Avalon with Live Orchestras - Second Sundays. Instruction then vintage ballroom dancing to live music. Dressy attire. Waltz, foxtrot, tango, two-step and ragtime dances. Couples and singles welcome. Featuring the Mont Alto Ragtime and Tango Orchestra and Susan Rogers' Exuberant Quartet. September through May (no summer dances).

#4) New Years Eve Dance Party! Dancing 7 PM to 2:00 AM. Live music in the ballroom 7:30 PM to 1 AM with Joe Smith and the Spicy Pickles Jazz Band, and the After Midnight Jazz Band. DJ Noslen plays music for Salsa and Bachata in Sodal Hall from 8 PM to 1:30 AM. DJ Tom Souza plays music for Zouk, West Coast Swing, and Kizomba in the Tango Studio 8 PM to 2:00 AM. Great food by Halina Palmer. Cash bar. Dance performances. Champagne toast at midnight. Loads of fun! A longtime Front Range tradition! Dress to Impress!

Volunteers and co-collaborators welcome!

American Vernacular Dance (AVD) hosts the monthly swing dance, vintage ballroom "Tea Dances", and Wednesday Waltz Etcetera nights at the Avalon Ballroom. AVD hosted the 2017 New Year's Eve Party at the Avalon, which was the largest single public event held at the Avalon so far in its fourteen-year history. 

Dance instructor and dance historian Jim X. Boryzm teaches couple dances, performs vintage dance, and hosts social events with live music.  Jim X. is available for private dance lessons, unique dance and music functions, and special dance projects.  Musical interests include piano, concertina and song; ragtime, and syncopated popular music. Jim is a member of the Board of Directors of the Village Arts Coalition.

All events, both regular and special, for this group follow below:

Waltz, cross-step waltz, foxtrot, swing, blues, one-step, two-step, maxixe, tango, hambo -- and "etcetera".

Two dance classes simultaneously!

In our main dance lesson in the ballroom, the first half hour of the lesson is aimed at dancers with fundamental dance skills and covers basic techniques for the dance. The second half hour continues the same lesson topic and is intended to teach towards a more intermediate level of dance. Lessons have included cross-step waltz, nightclub two-step, foxtrot, lindy, fast waltz, blues, schottische, redowa, syncopated waltzing, tango, etc. Classes include partner rotation, but couples can stay together. Singles and couples welcome! Novice and experienced dancers welcome!

In the north studio we have a separate dance lesson focused on novice, beginner and easy-going dance students. This class always covers one of the basic waltz styles, either rotary waltz or cross-step waltz.

Open dancing from 8 PM to 10:15 PM includes a wide variety of dance numbers. Our audio stage system has a screen where you can see the name of the current dance and the ones coming up.

Dress is anywhere in the range of casual to dressy to vintage to costume to ... etcetera!

Your admission fee includes either lesson plus light refreshments and the open dancing. Hear the terrific Avalon audio system, enjoy the great hall acoustics, dance on our fabulous cushioned oak floor, and enjoy lovely company. 

Check this website for any change of event plans due to weather. Generally this event is held during snowy nights!

SPECIAL FIFTH WEDNESDAYS;  On fifth Wednesdays our dances have special dance, musical or artistic themes. Some involve costume opportunities. Some have live music. Some have special dance performances. Tune in to AVD email notices for information on these special theme parties. Note: we do not typically offer a separate beginner class on fifth Wednesdays.

Contact AVD to get on the email notice system.

"Vintage" ballroom dancing to great live music at the Sunday afternoon Ragtime-Era Tea Dances. Waltz, tango, foxtrot, one-step, blues, two-step, Charleston, early swing, maxixe and half-and-half are among the couple dances we enjoy at the "Tea Dances".

Live music by the Mont Alto Ragtime and Tango Orchestra with vocalist Susan Rogers, or Susan Rogers' Exuberant Quartet, and occasionally other great local bands.

The dance lesson and lovely light refreshments are included in your admission price. The lesson is always aimed at easy lead-follow dance skills to get you dancing comfortably and meeting other dancers.

No prior dance experience required. No partner needed. Second Sunday of the month, September through May (no summer dances).

"Vintage dance" means early styles of couples dancing, including those from the early American ballroom dance craze of the ragtime-era, which is roughly that sentimental period of 1909 through 1914.

Recommended dress is dressy; i.e. vintage, neo-vintage, contemporary fashionable, or otherwise clean and neat. No shorts or casual t-shirts for men.

The Tea Dances are conducted by American Vernacular Dance.

Contact AVD to request notices via the email alert system. Any weather-related cancellations will be posted on this VAC website.

 

    New Years Eve Party



Please Join Us !



Monday, 31 December

 

Many, many of you have joined us for our last few New Years Eve parties and they have been amazing!

 

Ring in the New Year in Style – with Music and Friends!



The Avalon Ballroom in Boulder, Colorado.



THE LARGEST Social Dance Event of the year!

Three dance floors!

Great food! Dance performances. Champagne toast at midnight!

Our bands this year will be Joe Smith and the Spicy Pickles, and After Midnight!

Put it on your calendar!

Swing dancing with live music! Fist an hour-long swing dance lesson (7 - 8 PM) in the basics of swing dancing, plus lots of cool moves. Then open dancing from 8 to 11:00 PM with live music by a variety of local dance orchestras.

Bands include Swing City, the Hot Tomatoes, the After Midnight Jazz Sextet, the Flatirons Jazz Band, the 18-piece Colorado Swing Big Band, Bob Harris and the Bringers of Swing, Joe Smith and the Spicy Pickles, Susan Roger's Exuberant Quartet, Gypsy Swing Review, The Crystal Swing Band, Katie Glassman and Snapshot, and others.

All welcome; couples and singles, beginners, all ages. Casual or party attire. A nice place to listen to live music, even if you don't dance!

The dance lesson and light refreshments included with your admission price.

A great place to practice, and to meet other dancers!

This Saturday Swing Event is very occasionally "bumped" from the Avalon calendar! (That's one way to keep our price really low!) Check this website for alerts on the calendar for possible cancellations. Also for weather comments. Contact AVD to get on the email alert notice system, by which detailed and timely announcements are made for AVD events. Confirm before you drive!

Joe Smith and the Spicy Pickles Jazz Band is a Denver-based vintage jazz band dedicated to swing music and dance. This small group style swing band packs a punch of power, personality, and wit into each show, intriguing generations new and old with the beloved charm of big band swing from the late 30’s and early 40’s. The Pickles bring it all – high energy, quality musicianship, and an authentic big band sound and look that celebrate the unique American spirit of swing. The band fuses musical influences from the sounds of Count Basie, Benny Goodman, and Artie Shaw with the showmanship of Louis Armstrong, Lucky Millinder, and Jimmy Lunceford. With a smart respect for the preservation of vintage jazz music and entertainment, the Pickles are constantly adding new and original tunes to their repertoire. They bring a unique visual flair to each performance with gimmicks, tricks, horn movements, and hat work inspired to captivate audiences all night long.

Please join us for what will not doubt be a remarkable evening!



Dance lesson at 7 PM. Beginners and experienced dancers all welcome.

Live music 8 to 11 PM.

$15 general admission, cash or check at the door. All ages.