Group Information

The vintage dance community sadly reports that dance instructor and historian Jim X. Borzym passed away in early December, 2022. Jim was a longtime member of the Board of Directors of the Boulder Dance Coalition. Jim’s musical interests included piano, concertina, and song, and especially ragtime and syncopated popular music.

Jim, the force behind American Vernacular Dance, was an integral part of our vintage dance community. We are deeply saddened by his loss and will do our utmost to honor his life and contributions by continuing to sponsor vintage dance events. Please bear with us as we attempt to keep this page up to date,
and add more information about Jim’s many contributions to dance at The Avalon
and across the nation.

See below for new contact information for AVD dance events.

A celebration of Jim’s life will be held on January 20, 2023, at 6pm.

For those of you who didn’t know Jim, he was one of the leading forces behind the development and operation of the Avalon Ballroom in Boulder, and also was the organizer of swing dances, tea dances, and waltz nights held in the Ballroom.  Jim served on the board of the Boulder Dance Coalition, which is a part owner and manager of the Avalon Ballroom, for many years.   A memorial website has been created on which you can share memories of Jim, upload photos, and which also contains links to make donations to his preferred causes. 

https://everloved.com/life-of/jim-borzym/

American Vernacular Dance

Sociable couple-dancing including waltz, foxtrot, swing, tango, close-dancing, and “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!

COVID Conditions for all AVD Events:
Masks Optional

Wednesday Waltz Etc.

Waltzing and Couples Dancing Second, Fourth, and Fifth Wednesdays!

Dancing mostly to recorded music with some live piano solo music added, from 7:30 to 9:30 PM.

Two dance classes; introductory waltz at every event. Intermediate dance class in the Ballroom on various topics, changing from month-to-month. Topics include cross-step waltz, foxtrot, two-step, tango, swing, hesitation, blues, and more. Classes simultaneous from 6:45 to 7:30 PM.

Fifth Wednesdays often include special holiday and/or costume themes.

$10 per person, cash or check at the door. No reservations needed.

Contact: Swing Circle, Art and Becky Bragg

Swing Dancing to Live Music

Third and Fifth Saturdays in the Avalon Ballroom! One-hour swing dance instruction for all 7:00 to 8:00 PM
Then live music by the best local bands 8:00 to 11:00 PM.
Snacks provided. Other BYO.

$20 General admission, cash or check at the door. No reservations needed.
$10 Students, $5 Youth with responsible adult.

Contact: Boulder Salsa, Bachata, Rueda & West Coast Swing Social!

Vintage Ballroom “Tea Dancing” with Live Orchestras

Second Sundays September though May.
Featuring the Mont Alto Ragtime and Tango Orchestra and Susan Rogers’ Exuberant Quartet.
Waltz, foxtrot, tango, two-step, maxixe and ragtime dances.
Dressy attire admired but not required.
No dance classes at this time.
2:00 to 5:00 PM

Light snacks provided.
Couples and singles welcome.
September through May (no summer dances).

$20 per person, cash or check at the door. No reservations needed.

Contact: TBD

New Years Eve Dance Party!

Live music in the ballroom with Espresso! Gypsy Jazz Quartet, and the After Midnight Jazz Band.
Salsa and Batchata in Sodal Hall with DJ Nelson. Zouk and Kizomba with Anastasia and Lamar in the Tango Studio.
Three dance classes.
Light snacks before midnight by Roberta Courtney and many friends. Homemade cider by Craig Kontny.
Cash Bar.
Performances by Colorado dance groups. Complimentary champagne toast at midnight. Loads of fun!
A longtime Front Range tradition!
Tickets $35 in advance at www.dancelaughlove.com (no refunds)
Tickets $45 at the door.

Volunteers welcome!

Contact: Boulder Salsa, Bachata, Rueda & West Coast Swing Social!

Updated 20 December 2022