✨Balboa ✨ Lindy Hop ✨ Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA 🌶️⛰️
All information provided is subject to change.
Overview
Breaking Bal, episode 3, is a swing dance weekend in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The Santa Fe Swing Dance Society (SFSDS) is excited to welcome guest instructors Jenn Lee and Blake Croxdale from Seattle, WA. There will be workshop lessons, and social dance parties for Balboa and Lindy Hop dancers featuring live music!
This is Santa Fe’s biggest annual swing dance event! Enjoy 3 nights of social dancing, 2 nights of live music, 2 full days of workshop classes with 2 class tracks, performances and contests, history talks, late night festivities, and more. This year, we’re joined by legendary guest instructors Jen Lee and Blake Croxdale, two of the most talented, experienced, entertaining, and fun-loving swing dancers of our generation! Classes and dances will cater to Balboa enthusiasts and Lindy Hop lovers alike, with a healthy dose of neighboring dance genres like blues, soul, and tango.
Santa Fe is known for its scenic beauty, its delicious green Chile, and its incredibly friendly and welcoming dance community. Come visit us in the Land of Enchantment for an unforgettable weekend!
Guest Instructors
Jenn Lee
Jenn Lee (She/Her) is a renowned swing dance instructor with a passion for fostering an inclusive and collaborative learning environment. She emphasizes the importance of follow voice, ensuring equal attention to both leads and follows.
As a professional follow without a dedicated partner, Jenn’s versatile dance style adapts to various partners and teaching collaborations, enhancing her abilities as an instructor.
Her strong music background allows her to seamlessly integrate rhythmic concepts and musicality into her classes, helping students express themselves on the dance floor.
Jenn is deeply aware that jazz, including swing dance, is a Black cultural art form, and she strives to honor its roots by teaching with respect for its history and the community that created it.
Jenn’s love for social dancing and the swing community is evident in her warm approach and adaptable style, making her a valuable addition to any dance event she participates in.
Blake Croxdale
Blake Croxdale (He/Him).
Biography coming soon.
Fun fact: He grew up in Albuquerque, NM.
Local Instructors
Schedule
Friday, October 16th – evening social dance, instructor demo, contest prelims
Saturday, October 17th – daytime workshop lessons, evening social dance and contest finals
Sunday, October 18th – daytime workshop lessons, and evening social dance
More details to be announced.
Monday, October 19th
Consider sticking around after the weekend for our weekly swing social dance: Monday Night Swing! Start times below are accurate (as of May 2026).
- 6:15PM intermediate themed lesson
- 7:15PM all-levels Lindy Hop lesson
- 8:15PM social dance
Class Descriptions
Balboa and Lindy Hop workshop lessons. More details to be announced.
Pass Prices
Choose your own price tier, either Sponsor, Standard, or Discount. You will select your pass next.
– Sponsor : $200 all-access pass, $110 day pass, $60 dance pass
– Standard: $175 all-access pass, $100 day pass, $55 dance pass
– Discount: $150 all-access pass, $90 day pass, $50 dance pass
– Financial Aid: register with intention to provide volunteer hours and/or pursue a scholarship
à la carte purchases are only available at the door on the day of.
Prices will increase on August 30th. Registering in advance saves you $$$.
T-shirts
Preorder in the registration form for $20 each. Purchase at the event for $25 each. Preorders must be submitted prior to September 21st, 2026.
Competitions
Breaking Bal is not a competition focused event, but we are planning a mix & match contest. “Any Swing Goes”, but with a fast foot element! Be prepared for fun and silly challenges. There will be sweet prizes, including free passes to other regional dance weekends. Let us know you are interested when you register.
Venues
Bands
Burque Jazz Bandits
Amado, rhythm guitar; Matthew, bass; Racquelita, vocals; Arthur, violin.
Based out of Albuquerque, NM, the Burque Jazz Bandits bring fun danceable music inspired by 1920s-40s swing jazz, with toe-tapping rhythms, sizzling instrumentals, and passionate vocals. Formed in the local swing dance community, their shared love of jazz brought the Bandits together. The band has three core members and lots of musician friends. They will form a quintet or sextet for this event. Visit the Burque Jazz Bandits’ website for more information.
To Be Announced Band
More information coming soon.
DJs
Guest DJs
Local DJs
Staff
Email our staff at breakingbalboa@gmail.com
- Emma Underhill
- Josh Pritts
- Silke Maietta-Hatch
- Bandi Chorh Khalsa
- Elli Hindmarch
- Mike Garcia
Cancellation & Refund Policy
If you registered for Breaking Bal 2026 but cannot attend, we offer the following options:
- You may transfer your registration to another person at no cost for Breaking Bal 2026. The last day to transfer your pass is Monday, October 5th, 2026*. They pay you, we just change the name in our records.
- You may transfer your pass to Breaking Bal 2027. The last day to transfer your pass is Monday, October 5th, 2026*.
- You may request a refund. Refunds are considered on a case-by-case basis by emailing breakingbalboa@gmail.com and telling us about your situation. The deadline for refund requests is Friday, October 9th, 2026*
* If you become sick or another illness within 7 days of the event, please contact breakingbalboa@gmail.com to transfer your pass in order to protect the health and safety of others.
Santa Fe Swing 