Nice, shiny new dance floor!
Luis Crespo is such a great, funny, helpful instructor. He is the only group instructor I've encountered who regularly demonstrates how followers can style their free, left arms and how followers can create windows of opportunity to play (i.e., "hijack"). Ha ha ha, how the leaders start asking questions and protesting when they must temporarily give up the lead! Luis emphasizes connection and styling, as opposed to patterns. It is a great class to work on your basics (i.e., so many whip variations with turns!) and posture. He teaches at Boogie Woogie Ballroom on Tuesday nights. Oh, and he is a current West Coast Swing champion. Class has been short on followers, which I can't understand why given Luis is so handsome (unfortunately, ladies, he is happily taken). Anyway, followers, go to class! Class is lacking in leaders who are west coast swing specialists (only one or two in class), so it would be nice if you guys would show up too.
Took various classes with James. Being a nine-times champion he is well versed in the material and technique and generous in sharing them with the students. He is sharp in spotting what my problems are and patient and insisting in correcting them at my level. I come away with improvement every time. He and his partner Melody make a perfect couple for teaching.
I first heard of this place when I saw an ad for it at Boogie by the Bay (I know, I live under a rock). It's a nice space: the floor (and bathrooms!) are immaculate; one large central floor, with adjacent rooms for private lesson or practice, and comfortable leather seats along the side, for the wallflowers among us. There's always some snacks in the kitchen. And there aren't any bars nearby, so there's no pressure to drink alcohol.
Anyway, so I came down to take a lesson, and one lesson became ten lessons...! I echo Ana's sentiments. Luis is a fantastic dance teacher who is passionate about teaching. His approach emphasizes a lot on the details: styling, posture, and connection. After class, he enthusiastically spends time to work with students on any problems they might have. His classes run Tuesdays from 7:30-9:30pm, which is great for folks getting off from a long day at work. Honestly, I'm surprised he doesn't have a larger following.
Luis, I just want to say thank you for the group lesson. I had great time and must say that I truly enjoyed my self and the atmosphere of the Boogie Woogie studio. Looking forward to more lessons.
Boogie Woogie Ballroom is such a new, pretty facility, rectangular in size. Main ballroom is in the center with entrances to 2 small practice rooms along one length of the room and another practice room along the other length. Mirrored wall with DJ booth is along one width. Kitchen, a 4th practice room, coat room, and bathrooms & shower facility are along the other width. Black leather bench seating; a lounge area with bar tables and stools; kitchen with fridge, microwave, water dispenser, and peppermint candies.
You can purchase a Yelp $50 gift certificate for $30 and apply it to private lessons, a $150 BWB 10-Class Card, or a $90 BWB 10-Dance Card, which can be shared by 2 people good for 3 months.
You can rent floor space at $10 per hour for 2 people and $15 per hour for 3 or more people. Each of the 4 practice rooms is equipped with a music docking station and mirror.
I love Luis Crespo. Such a great, funny, helpful instructor. He is the only group instructor I've encountered who demonstrates how followers can style their free, left arms. He emphasizes connection and styling, as opposed to patterns. It is a great class to work on your basics (i.e., whip variations) and posture. Thank you so much! He has inspired me to try WCS dancing again. He teaches at Boogie Woogie Ballroom on Tuesday nights. Oh, and he is a current West Coast Swing champion.
Some driving tips on getting there:
If you are traveling N on Foster City Blvd (i.e., after making a left from E Hillsdale Blvd OR after making a U-turn on Foster City Blvd at the intersection with E Hillsdale Blvd), turn right into the driveway of an office building plaza when you see IHOP just in front of you.
If you are exiting Foster City Blvd from Route 92E, stay in the left 2 lanes off the exit, so you can turn left to head towards Foster City Blvd. When you hit the intersection with Foster City Blvd and it's a green light (otherwise, I'd probably take a right on Foster City Blvd and make the U-turn suggested above), you can drive straight onto Triton Drive towards McDonalds and Carl's Jr restaurants. Right before Carl's Jr, there is a driveway on your righthand side that leads straight to the front entrance of Boogie Woogie Ballroom.
I have dropped into this beautiful ballroom a number of times...cheryl..the owner is very nice and professional...staff is very cordial and nice...very beautiful ballroom with beautiful floor ...when you dance ..your feet will just slide without effort...kitchen..shower. ..private studio rooms...very excited to see this new studio grow as i see this studio as having great potential..very nice..and very good dancers...
West Coast Swing classes with Luis are awesome. Refreshing, contemporary styling. Luis is a great teacher.
Salsa Rueda is a group salsa dance -very very fun. Lessons are awesome
Took various classes with James. Being a nine-times champion he is well versed in the material and technique and generous in sharing them with the students. He is sharp in spotting what my problems are and patient and insisting in correcting them at my level. I come away with improvement every time. He and his partner Melody make a perfect couple for teaching.
My husband and I enjoyed the dances in Burlingame, but the new facility in Foster City is so convenient to get to and much closer to us. It has such a beautiful main ballroom. It's nice to dance in an air conditioned facility, especially when it is warm out. The lessons are very well run by the instructors, and we have had the opportunity to begin to learn a number of dances in which we did not previously have any experience. |
I took a For Beginners Only class (FBO). Teacher was great and teacher-student ratio is better than most other ballrooms. Nice, shiny new dance floor!
OMG, it (new studio) looks amazing!
Congratulations on 2 years!!!!!! You always give a good party!!!!
Congratulations on a spectactular performance on June 6, 2010 In San Mateo. All the best to you and Alan. Thank you for offering this first -class dance venue!
Thank you for putting on a wonderful Dance and all the nice decorations and extra food for Valentine's Day 2010!
The dance was wonderful and it was great to see everyone in the spirit of the "Red Dance". (Valentine's Day 2010)
Thank you again for putting on a terrific dance party (Valentine's Day 2010)! I always look forward to dancing on Sundays at the Boogie Woogie Dance Club!
You offered a "Frightfully Good Halloween Party" on October 24th. It was shockingly full of fun, complete with an exquisite performance by USA national dance champions, a Brazilian Samba show, plus costume contest and cake and ice cream. Thank you for the great music and for holding this special dance party.
Thank you again for the opportunity to perform for you and your guests, we had a blast and your guests seemed very entertained. I hope you have a great Halloween and a festive holiday season coming. Best Wishes!
It was a great night and well worth staying back a few minutes to help out. You did a great job organizing the event.
What a great dance evening we all had at the One Year Anniversary Party for the Boogie Woogie Ballroom. Beginners and more advanced dancers were treated to excellent lessons in Evening Two Step. There were also two wonderful dance presentations. For the rest of the time we all were able dance the evening away to heart warming tunes. Yes the Boogie Woogie Ballroom dance on Sundays evenings continues to be an exciting dance calendar event.
The Boogie Woogie Anniversary Party was fabulous. Lots of great dancing with a terrific variety of music plus mixers and line dancing. Also, we all enjoyed a magnificent performance from a professional dance couple plus were treated to a great buffet dinner. Cheryl Steeper has done an incredible job of organizing weekly Sunday dances in a warm, friendly environment.
Thanks again for providing such a great dance opportunity for ballroom dancers. The lessons are very good and the food is excellent.
You've done an unbelievable job. Great crowd. Thank you!
Congratulations, Cheryl! You did a great job of organization and promotion. It was really nice to see a successful new dance being born.
Thanks for organizing the enjoyable Opening. My friends and I plan to attend your future events.
We were impressed with the organization and attention to detail that you gave every aspect of your grand opening. Your orchestration resulted in a well-paced event with smooth transitions. It was clear that there were a lot of people really enjoying themselves.
It was fun!
Thank you for the dancing and food!
...the dance was good and I will tell some friends to go. I know it will be a hit.
I will be back dancing with you!
I keep spreading the word about you!
Thanks for running such a great dance on Sunday evenings. I look forward to it very much each weekend.
You are doing a wonderful job on this new creation.
I have been telling everyone what a great dance you are providing.
Our group had a great time at your opening and this past Sunday.
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