CBDanceman

Barn Dance Program - Family friendly dancing - ages 7 and up
This program is 2 hours long and starts with simple non-partner dances that anyone can do with a short period of instruction. Carl uses a wireless mic and demonstrates all dances in the center of the floor. Each new dance builds on the previous dance skills, and he varies the program to each group’s ability to ensure maximum participation and enjoyment. Basic contra, square dance, and circle figures are introduced, with couple, mixer, and non-partner dances included throughout the program. With 2 short breaks for refreshments and announcements, the dancing commences with fun novelty dances such as the Hokey Pokey, Macarena, and Chicken Dance. And it all concludes with the traditional Virginia Reel and Big Circle Dance.

DJ Services - For Special Events, Company Parties, Church Socials, Fund Raisers, School Functions, Family Celebrations - with a music library that spans Big Band to Hip Hop, Classic Rock to Modern Pop, Country to Electronic Dance Music, plus a fun mix of waltz, polka, swing, cha-cha, latin, mixers, and novelty dances that gets everyone up and boogie-ing.
Personable and professional, Carl's goal is to make sure everyone is having a great time and keep the event moving along. All family friendly and in good taste.
And, if you wish, you can include a Barn Dance segment where Carl introduces fun old-fashioned dances from America's Heritage that everyone can do, with a brief instruction from the floor.

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 Barn Dance programs for groups that have no previous dance experience.
Over the next two decades Carl was a Dance Leader / Emcee for schools, churches, YMCA, company parties, youth and senior citizen groups throughout the Bay Area. In 1998 he moved to the Mid-West, opened a dance hall in Branson, MO., and lead programs for local high school students, regional Girl Scout troupes and a home-schooled children’s group. He started CBDanceman when he relocated to Rogers, AR., and was featured at Street Fairs, Chamber of Commerce Events, Weddings, and School Programs.
Returning to the West Coast in 2019, his goal is to introduce everyone to a fun, old-time family-oriented experience that America grew up with - the music and dances from a variety of different cultures that influenced the growth of this country and brought people together.
Carl is also available for private and small group instruction in Basic Ballroom Dance, Custom Choreography for Bridal Couple's First Dance, and DJ/MC services for Special Events and Weddings.
Whether it’s a Church Social, Barn Dance, community picnic, youth club activity, or school function - Dancing is Fun for Everyone, Set to Music!

All that is required for CBDanceman is an electrical outlet, a sturdy 2'x6' table, and an open floor space for your group. If I am to set up on a raised stage or platform, it must have easy access to main floor, since much of my dance demonstration is done from the center of the room with a wireless microphone.