Rapid Responder

One of the most outstanding members of The Bash for 2022!

Best of 2022

Grants Pass

Oregon

Dance Leader/Instructor/DJ Services
Carl Ballou, aka CBDanceman, has been a dance leader for over 30 years, MC-ing Folk and Square Dance programs for Churches, Schools, Scout Troupes, YMCA groups, youth organizations, and other functions from the West Coast to the Mid-West. Carl's specialty is taking a group with little or no dance experience and introduce them to the joy of dancing.  
His programs (about 2 hours long) consist of fun, easy dances from America's Heritage that everyone can do - with brief instruction from the floor. Carl has worked with groups of all ages, from school kids to seniors, a wide range of abilities, including troubled youth and handicapped, and even a young adult church group where half the dancers were deaf. 
Carl is also available for private and small group instruction in Basic Ballroom Dance, customized choreography for Bridal Couple's First Dance, and DJ services for Special Events and Weddings.
  
Carl Ballou grew up in a folk dancing family. Born & raised in San Jose, California, he was dragged out onto the floor at a YMCA family folk dance camp at age 5 and introduced to fun dances such as Hokey Pokey and Virginia Reel.  Returning to the camp each Labor Day Weekend with his family, by 14 he had learned waltz, polka, schottische, contra, quadrille,  and square dances, plus other folk dances from around the world. In high school, Carl and his family were taking weekly classes and attending folk and square dance festivals in the San Francisco Bay Area.  
By college, he was a popular square dance caller.  His love of dance and his enthusiasm for fun, family-oriented activities led him to specialize in programs for groups that have no previous dance experience.    
Over the next two decades Carl was a Dance Leader / MC for schools, churches, YMCA, company parties, youth and senior citizen groups throughout the Bay Area.  When he moved to the Mid-West, he opened a dance hall in Branson, MO.  Unfortunately, the Branson Dance Barn closed after one year, but he continued to lead programs for local high school students, regional Girl Scout troupes and a home-schooled children's group.  
Retuning to the West Coast, he continues to provide Oregon and Northern California communities with a unique and much needed social activity. His goal is to introduce everyone to a fun, old-time family-oriented experience that America grew up with, before TV, the internet and Covid-19.  The music and dances from a variety of different cultures influenced the growth of this country and brought people together. 
Whether it's a Church Social, Barn Dance, community picnic, youth club activity, or school function - Dancing is Fun for Everyone, Set to Music!

Carl was wonderful.  He was energetic and happy and engaged all ages of my family reunion of 33 people.  All were dancing and laughing and had a wonderful time.  I would do it all again!  We loved square dancing with Carl!!!

It was great - great pace, great instruction, accommodating to our group, accessible to all ages, and great experience overall.  We'd hire him again in a heartbeat.  


EVERYBODY LOVED HIM, PRAISED HIM..PRAISED ME FOR THE DANCING

Patty Cake Polka

Hurry Scurry

La Raspa

Wedding DJ, Barn Dance at Holland Barn

Square Dance Caller

Carl came to our family reunion Western night and presented a wonderful program that included ALL ages, from 5 years old to 80! We had sooo much fun! Most of the younger ones had never experienced square dance and they loved it because Carl did an excellent job of explaining the moves. It was a fabulous kick-off to our week. Thank you, Carl!

CBDanceman Reviews

5 Reviews for CBDanceman