Avalon Ballroom

I’ve been invited to this establishments many times over the years and am happy that I finally made it out. Yesterday marked the 25^th anniversary of the Boulder Dance Coalition and the 10^th Anniversary of the Avalon so it was an extra special fun-​filled day of live music, free dance lessons, International Bazaar topped with folks of all ages and dance abilities.
As this was a special occasion the hall was decked out with a number of tables, tablecloths, as well as a bar. The dance floor featured several couches/​chairs along one side which folks used to relax and catch up in-​between dances. My friend and I found a table with a few spaces and hadn’t been sitting there for more than 2 minutes before a gentlemen came up and asked her to dance.
Not being much of a dancer myself I was a bit hesitant and guarded to start but urged myself to stay at least through the dinner. Meeting up with my pal at the water fountain following her dance it was my turn to take a spin on the dance floor. The gentlemen that asked me to dance was happy to teach me the basic steps of swing and after a few minutes of fumbling I let loose and before I knew it we had danced for a few songs. I was sold, perhaps dancing didn’t have to be as difficult as I’d thought.
Soon after the dinner began. We feasted on lush green salads with fig, rice, harissa chicken, and pulled pork with peppers — all prepared by volunteers — amazing! Dessert was spiced cheese, jellied apple german cake with whipped cream, spice cake, lemon poppy cake with delectable lemon icing, as well as hand made local ice cream (which appeared to be made by one of the patrons).
There was a brief slideshow of the history of the space highlighting all the hard work the volunteers had put in to lay down the floor and continuously take care of the buliding. Just that day volunteers had erected a new Avalon sign outside. Their philosophy is that if each person does a little no one has to do a lot — awesome.
My partner surprised us with a visit to the event and we were soon all contra dancing out on the floor (think square dancing but much older). It was a fun, wild, dizzying adventure but well worth writing home about. I had to say it really was a lot of fun dancing with so many different people, though this had initially been something I was a bit nervous about.
Another smaller ballroom featured folk dances as well as a Swedish band from Stolkhom. So awesome, many folks got way into it with festive garb which was just amazing.
I’ll definitely be returning soon for a lesson or two.

Very nice place! BYOB, salsa dancing, swing dancing — only intimidating thing is everyone is advanced! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

We rented the Avalon for our wedding. The space is large and in that way served our needs quite nicely. We were able to bring in our own caterer, which was also great. Lighting is poor, so be aware of that if you rent the space for an event. We had to supplement stage lighting, and in the back is was quite dark. The major complaint was not that, but rather that the guy who runs the place did not show up for the walk-​through with our caterer, and we either did not receive responses to our emails to him, or received them very late. He also told us clearly that no one else would be using the building during our event, which he never felt the need to apologize for, when that turned out not to be the case. On top of that he charged us and addtional $ 200 for his time, beyond the room rental fee. And now I am waiting weeks for my refund for the security deposit after having left the place immaculate when we departed. In fact we were even questioned as to whether we walked off with a piece of their kitchen equipment! I complained to the owner via email about the poor service, but received no response, as apparently this is the culture of the place. Too bad, because it’s a great space. Just make sure you don’t have high expectations about customer service if you rent it for an event.

Large ballroom with a variety of bands. Swing dance every 3^rd Saturday and also on the 5^th Saturday in months that have 5. Always a great crowd so you don’t have to have a partner. Swing dance lesson at 7PM and the dance at 8PM. $ 15 includes lesson, dance and light snacks.

Avalon ballroom is a dancers haven in Boulder. The Thursday night Salsa classes are a great way to start off the weekend on the right foot. At 6:30 is the Rueda class, then 7:30 Salsa, and 8:30 — 10:30 is open dance. For just $ 8 you can take a class and stay as long as you want after to dance, and just $ 5 to come at 8:30 to dance.
The ballroom is large and the classes offer 3 levels– beginner, intermediate, advanced. I took the 7:30 class at the intermediate level and there were way more men than women. This was unfortunate for the guys that had to wait for a girl to dance. Someone told me they wished there was a class in between the intermediate and the advanced, I think it makes a big jump.
The music was great and there were lots of people. If you go on the website you can find out all the different types of classes they offer, all types of music and dance, most nights of the week.
I think this is a great place to come out and practice and have fun. My suggestion if you’re learning salsa is to perhaps take classes at a smaller studio in addition to these because these classes are so big you may get lost in the mix. Otherwise, it’s a fun place to practice and get out and boogie!

I love to come out here to dance. The ballroom looks like a warehouse from the outside. But then you come in. The entryway is filled with art. Then, when you keep going a little deeper, you are in a HUGE ballroom, with the most beautiful floor you’ve ever seen. There is a chandelier and cloth decorating the ceiling. There are paintings of dancers on the walls. It is lovely!