Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #101691 in DVD
• Released on: 2000-02-15
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Color, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 65 minutes

Amazon.com
Well organized and appropriately paced, dance instructor Cal Pozo's Swing! covers the fundamentals of swing dances including East Coast, West Coast, and country swing. Pozo starts with the very basics, the triple step and the rocking step, and his teaching method works especially well here, as the movements in swing dance are swift, small, and difficult to replicate. He employs his standard teaching method starting with an explanation and history of the dance, animated footprints stepping out the moves, the perspectives (front and back) of each partner, and finally, a full-out demonstration. After the basics are covered, he includes instructions and demonstrations for more intricate maneuvers such as the open break, underarm turn, and sugarfoot--each clearly demonstrated in half-time tempo, so the observer is sure to grasp the moves. If you can't wait to jump into the swing craze, this video will get you jitterbugging in a jiffy. --Beth Massa

Customer Reviews

Cheesy
I suppose this will teach you the steps but it is defintely not very hip. The format is cheesy, the dancers stiff and old-fashioned. Not the instruction I had in mind for swing dancing at the local clubs. But like I said it show what steps are involved so if you want conservative or know how to take what it shows and liven it up, this would be ok.

Jaw-droppingly bad
My husband and I teach swing locally and I picked this tape up at the library for move ideas. I was aghast at what I saw. Please do not waste your time learning Cal Poza's style unless you are restricting your dancing to ballroom-style. It's so far removed from what we dance at swing dances that it would be hard for you to integrate it. If you are really interested in learning how to swing dance, check out many of the other tapes available such as Julie Mertz

ballroom style swing
Cal teaches beginning ballroom style swing. He teaches basics of East coast, Lindy, and West coast very well. His presentation well organized and easy to follow. This is the swing style danced at most "ballroom" dance parties.

After learing the ballroom style I learned the Savoy/Frankie Manning style Lindy Hop. This is the energetic jumping style danced in most "swing" clubs. This is not what Cal teaches.