Sugarfoot Stomp Presents:

Balington

Balboa Dance Weekend

Got the Bal bug? Ready to level up your dancing and have a whirlwind of a good time?

Join Sugarfoot Stomp in the capital for Balington, a wonderful weekend of Balboa with special guest teachers Julia and John Wharington. Expect three nights of social dancing and two full days of workshops in the central city, covering both regular and slow Balboa.

Event Details: 15th - 17th May, 2026, Wellington

Workshops: Saturday 16th May and Sunday 17th May

Socials: Friday - Sunday

Live band on Saturday: Mat and the Balboa 3

More details about workshops and socials below.

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Event Registration

Register here (Tickets are sold out! if you would like to join the waitlist, please register anyway.)

General Passes: $175

Sugarfoot Stomp Members: $165

Social only pass: These will be made available at a later date, if numbers allow.

Workshops

Location: Vogelmorn Hall, 13 Vennell Street, Brooklyn, Wellington 6021

Saturday:

  • Balboa (Open level): 9:00am - 10:15am

  • Balboa (Open level): 10:30am - 11:45am

  • Lunch: 11:45am - 1:30pm

  • Slow Balboa (Beginner 1): 1:15pm - 2:30pm

Sunday:

  • Balboa (Open level): 10:00am - 11:15am

  • Balboa (Open level): 11:30am - 12:45pm

  • Lunch: 12:45am - 1:30pm

  • History of Balboa-Presentation by Julia & John: 2:15pm - 2:40pm

  • Slow Balboa (Beginner 2): 2:45pm - 4:00pm

Level: 

To attend Balington you need to have some balboa foundations (e.g., if you can smoothly lead or follow a Pure Balboa basic as well as out-and-ins). No experience with Slow Balboa is required.

There will be an opportunity to book a pre-workshop a week before Balington which will cover the foundations if you are a bal-baby or need a refresher! Please note: the refresher class is an additional cost and not included in your Balington registration. More details about this are coming soon.

Notes: 

Please arrive 20 - 30 minutes before the first Saturday workshop and 10 minutes before the first Sunday workshop. It gives you a chance to meet and greet, register, and change shoes. This also enables Julia and John to start teaching on time with no interruptions after the workshop has begun. We understand that road traffic might be busy, ensure that you leave a bit early to allow for travel time to the venue.

Bring a drink bottle, wear comfortable clothes you can move in and wear shoes with a bit of slip in them.

Please keep videos of class recaps private. If you would like to publish any videos please get permission from us before doing so.


Social Dances

Free entry to all social dances with the General Pass.
Due to availability, there will be no social passes or door sales.

Friday Social

  • 15th May 7pm - 10pm

  • Aro Valley Community Centre, 48 Aro Street, Aro Valley, Wellington 6021

  • Please BYO Beverages and Snacks.

Saturday Social

  • We’re very lucky to have Mat and the Balboa 3 playing for us. Don’t miss out!

  • 16th May 7:00pm - 10:45pm

  • Aro Valley Community Centre, 48 Aro Street, Aro Valley, Wellington 6021

  • Please BYO Beverages and Snacks.

Sunday Cooldown Social

  • 17th May 4.15pm - 6.15pm | Vogelmorn Hall, 13 Vennell Street, Brooklyn, Wellington 6021 (same venue as the workshops)

  • Please BYO Snacks. No Alcohol is allowed at this venue

Please keep videos of performances private. If you would like to publish any videos please get permission from us before doing so.

We will accept Bank Transfer or Cash only for door sales.

Sugarfoot Stomp Incorporated
38-9020-0106866-00
Reference: Bal Soc Fri/Sat/Sun

Further Details

By attending any of the above workshops and socials, you agree to the Disclaimer + Terms and Conditions, Code of Conduct, and the Event Refund Policy (see Disclaimer) for this weekend, as well as any additional information listed on the registration form.

About Julia and John

Photo by: Michael Collins

John and Julia Wharington are passionate about all things Balboa, be it slow or fast. They are experts in their field and love sharing their enthusiasm for the dance with dancers at any level. Over the last two decades, they have attended countless international and Australian Balboa events, and won or placed in many Balboa competitions. They've been teaching Balboa together for 15 years, including local classes, troupes and workshops nationally and internationally. Having learned from and danced with some of the original dancers, their approach to teaching the dance is to be respectful of the roots of the dance, whilst bringing their own ideas and modern perspective into expressive and creative content. From their classes you can expect an infectious energy, innovative teaching techniques, and challenges that get you thinking out of the box, all bundled in a fun and unique package. Their aim is to get you dancing Balboa comfortably and confidently, looking and feeling good in no time.

Check out Julia and John in action here:

Fast Foot Jam 2025 teacher demo: https://youtu.be/v0u_UZ2sIgE?si=EMIR8uvcIFNgeAhi&t=493