Geek Out Your Balboa with the Mankes

This Independence Day weekend, Bal Haus invites you to celebrate Balboa's rich history and enduring legacy with Geek Out Your Balboa with the Mankes. Join Susan and Corey Manke, two of the most respected teachers, researchers, and ambassadors of Balboa, for a workshop dedicated to exploring the ideas, aesthetics, and qualities that have shaped the dance for generations.
Since discovering Balboa in 2004, Susan and Corey have spent more than two decades studying Balboa and Bal-Swing, developing extensive knowledge of the original dancers and the characteristics that made their dancing so memorable. Longtime participants of The Balboa Experiment and Distinguished Fellows since 2016, they are known throughout the Balboa community for their passion for preserving the history, feel, and spirit of the dance.
As instructors, Susan and Corey combine historical insight with practical techniques that dancers can immediately apply on the social floor. Whether you're fascinated by Balboa history, curious about what made the classic dancers so special, or simply looking to deepen your understanding of connection, movement, and partnership, this workshop is your chance to geek out with two of the community's most knowledgeable and inspiring teachers.
***THE WORKSHOP***
Saturday Workshop (All levels)
Open to dancers of all levels with a foundation in Balboa or swing dance fundamentals. This track is best suited for those who are comfortable dancing all the basic Balboa figures at tempos of 180+ BPM and are ready to refine their skills.
Topics:
❖ Common Traits of Classic Dancers
Exploring the qualities, aesthetics, and habits that defined the original Balboa dancers and how they can enrich your dancing today.
❖ Leg Releases
Experimenting with different leg releases to create a variety of looks, textures, and feels within Pure Bal.
❖ Classic Moves
Learning old-timer-inspired movements and figures that capture the spirit and style of classic Balboa.
Sunday Workshop (Int/Adv level)
Designed for experienced Balboa dancers with a solid repertoire of moves and styling that can be danced with a wide range of partners, including less experienced ones. Participants should be able to maintain flow and musicality at both high tempos (220+ BPM) and slow tempos (around 80 BPM for Slow Bal).
Please note that the Sunday workshop is by invitation only.If you do not receive an invitation by June 13 but feel ready, please send us an audition video of yourself dancing Balboa with a partner to a swing song of your choice at 220+ BPM. ([email protected]) Even if you have auditioned in the past and were not accepted, we encourage you to audition again. Dancers grow and improve over time, and we'd love the opportunity to see your progress.
***SCHEDULE***
Saturday: 4 hours (1–5 PM)
Sunday: 3 hours (1–4 PM)
Hours include breaks to rest, ask questions, get feedback, and practice with fellow attendees.
***PRICE***
Register early to secure your spot and avoid missing out!
(Price includes FREE admission to the evening Bal Haus dance party)
$70 Early Bird: until June 20 (11:59 PM)
$80 Regular: June 21 – July 3 (11:59 PM)
$90 Walk-in: Cash or Venmo only (if space allows; walk-ins may not be accepted if full or if there’s a lead/follow imbalance).
👉 Register here: https://square.link/u/Oa2s4VMl
(Sunday workshop registration link will be included in the invitation emails.)
🎥 Want a preview of their dancing?
(GLBE 2025)
(Calbal 2026)
(Phila-bal-phia 2024)
***PRIVATE LESSONS***
Susan and Corey Manke are available for private lessons while they are in town (Feb 3–5). If you’re interested, email [email protected] to book a slot. Please provide your availability when emailing.
***PUBLIC SAFETY and LAST-MINUTE CANCELLATIONS***
If you cannot attend due to health concerns, you may request a refund or credit as long as we hear from you before 12:00 PM on July 2. You can also transfer your pass directly to another dancer to help us avoid transaction fees. Please note that we cannot accommodate cancellations for other reasons. For assistance, email [email protected] or message us on Facebook.
***ABOUT THE INSTRUCTORS***
Corey and Susan Manke are Balboa and Swing dancers from Nashville, Tennessee. While Lindy Hop was their first passion, they soon discovered their true love of Balboa in 2004 fascinated with its connection, rhythms and partnering. They have spent over two decades studying balboa and bal-swing with extensive knowledge of the original dancers.
Corey and Susan are particularly drawn to the aesthetic, connection and feel of the original dancers. They strive to implement these elements into their own dance style and reference these dancers in their teaching to preserve the original dancers’ contribution to the dance floor.
They have been participants of The Balboa Experiment 2010-2025, served as Guest Mentors since 2012, awarded “Honorary Fellows” in 2014 and became "Distinguished Fellows" in 2016. Corey and Susan have been instructors at many regional, national and international events, as well as competition judges. Some of the events include All Balboa Weekend, Atlanta-Bal-phia, Bal-ast Off, Barcelona Balboa Festival (Spain), California Balboa Classic, Eastern Balboa Championships, Edinburgh Balboa Weekend (Scotland), Great Lakes Balboa Escape, Northwest Bal Fest, Minor Swing (Sweden), NuBalboa (Spain), Phila-Bal-phia, Thames Valley Balboa Festival (UK) and Zaragoza (Spain).
Corey and Susan have received placements at All Balboa Weekend, Bal-Ast Off, Great Lakes Balboa Escape, Northwest Bal Fest and are regular finalists in several national competitions. However, they enjoy the aspect of social dancing the most.