A Living Legacy
Founded in 1937, The Broadmoor Waltz Club is the oldest active traditional waltz club in the United States, preserving the elegance and charm of formal ballroom dancing for nearly nine decades. Each season, up to sixty couples gather six times a year in the magnificent Grand Ballroom of The Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs to perform twelve choreographed figured waltzes, accompanied by live music from the Waltz Club Quartet. Continuing a tradition born of cultural preservation and community spirit, the Club blends old-world grace, live orchestral music, and timeless patterns of movement, creating evenings that celebrate beauty, heritage, and the joy of dance in a truly historic setting.
Club Details
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AAA five-diamond hotel and resort
A History of Waltz Dancing
From scandal to sociable
Its styles and steps
​​​Black Tie Guide (Men)
A gentleman's evening dress
A lady's evening dress
Etiquette for formal fashion
Board of Directors
The Broadmoor Waltz Club is guided by a dedicated group of volunteer board members who uphold its long-standing traditions and ensure each season runs smoothly. These officers oversee membership, event planning, and the preservation of the Club’s historic standards of elegance and excellence.
History
1930s
Origins of Viennese Waltz Nights
During the Great Depression, Denver music patron Mrs. George Cranmer creates Viennese-style supper club evenings to provide work for symphony musicians. John Browning, conductor of the Denver Symphony Orchestra, and his wife form a dance orchestra, sparking a revival of waltz dancing.
April 1937
Founding of The Broadmoor Waltz Club
Unable to travel to Denver due to gas rationing, a group from Colorado Springs invites part of Browning’s orchestra to the Broadmoor Hotel. Under leaders Harry Osborne and Dr. Lloyd Shaw, Viennese Waltz Nights evolve into The Broadmoor Waltz Club.
Late 1930s
Pattern Dancing Introduced
Dr. Lloyd Shaw establishes the tradition of choreographed “pattern dancing” where all couples perform the same steps while moving counterclockwise around the ballroom.
1987
50th Anniversary Celebrated
The Club hosts a Golden Anniversary dance at the Broadmoor Hotel International Center, welcoming extra guests and honoring decades of tradition.
2009
Signature Dance Introduced
Member Bill Donaldson composes The Broadmoor Waltz (The Last Corté) with choreography by Milo and Grace Ferry, becoming an exclusive and beloved tradition.
Today
Nearly Nine Decades of Elegance
The Broadmoor Waltz Club remains the oldest active traditional waltz club in the U.S., hosting six balls per year in the Grand Ballroom of The Broadmoor Hotel and welcoming dancers from across Colorado and beyond.