Product Details

• Actors: Nancy Hays, Greg Gale
• Format: Color, NTSC
• Language: English
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Nancy Hays Entertainment,Inc
• VHS Release Date: March 23, 1998
• Run Time: 60 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6304943849
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #315,405 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Start with a walk and end with a flourish, compliments of professional dance instructors Nancy Hays and Greg Gale. This 55-minute introductory course smartly leads couples through the basic steps of six common dance styles (fox trot, swing, waltz, tango, rumba, and cha-cha), and also serves as a kickoff to additional, more in-depth volumes of their Bring Back the Romance of Dance series. After demonstrating the three building blocks of all ballroom dance (walk, rock step, and triple step), Gale introduces each mini lesson. Viewers listen and watch Gale--shown from the knees down--as he talks and walks through the "man's part." Next, Hays joins Gale to show the woman's corresponding steps. After two or three different moves have been repeated, the camera widens to capture proper arm and body positioning. Then they're off on a minute-long demonstration dance, complete with a few snazzy "bonus steps" not taught in this video. Thus, beginners will learn just enough to relax on the dance floor and visually sample the intermediate lessons covered in Hays's further volumes. --Liane Thomas

Product Description

Bring Back the Romance of Dance - Instruction Series Overview [VHS] [VHS Tape]

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

93 of 95 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great - especially for people with "2 left feet!", April 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Bring Back the Romance of Dance - Instruction Series Overview [VHS] (VHS Tape)

For 30 years, I have been trying to teach my husband ballroom dancing. Nancy Hays' "Romance of Dance" did it in one night! Anyone can do these simple, step-by-step instructions! (Even my husband!) The male instructor, Greg Gale, first shows the man's part very slowly step-by-step and beat-by-beat; then Nancy Hays shows the woman's part; then the two parts are shown together.

The first video is a wonderful overview of the 5 main ballroom dances - Fox Trot, Swing, Rumba, Tango, Waltz and Cha-Cha. Each of the 3 additional volumes concentrates on two specific dances in far more detail, not only showing you the practice steps but giving you the music to practice on your own! My husband actually looks forward to dancing now! What a difference these video tapes have made! A must for anyone with two left feet!!

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Clear but not Sparkling, January 24, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Bring Back the Romance of Dance - Instruction Series Overview [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This tape is an OVERVIEW of ballroom dance, and that's what it delivers - the most basic steps of six dances. The lessons are very clear and I had no problem following the instructions. However, because there's so many dances in one hour, they move through them fairly quickly. But that's what Pause and Rewind are for.

For each dance, Linda provides a verbal introduction, Greg shows the man's steps, then Greg and Linda together show the woman's steps, then they dance together with music for a few minutes, with some flourishes that are not taught on the tape. Greg provides most of the narration.

On the negative side, it's not very imaginative. The music is corny and neither instructor shows much personality. The step-by-step instruction part is entirely shots of their legs from the knees down. They're dancing in a small area, so after the step is demonstrated you have to see them taking back-up steps to get into position again. Also, the man is MUCH taller than the woman and he takes huge steps. Sometimes she looks like a ballet dancer trying to leap along with him.

On the positive side, it's easy to understand, it's lit well and the video and sound quality are good. In the step-by-step part they gradually increase the tempo so you can see how the steps turn into real dancing. At the end of the tape they dance each dance for several minutes, so you can practice along with the music. They very briefly explain what kind of dance goes with what kind of music, which is helpful.

This is a good tape for complete beginners. It will get you started, to the point where you can dance comfortably with another beginner.

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Romance of Dance is a hit, December 6, 2001

By 

Ken Nelson (Meriden, CT United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bring Back the Romance of Dance - Instruction Series Overview [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I am a beginner trying to learn the dances in the privacy of my own home. This is one of many that I am using to learn the basic dances and it is one of, if not the very best. It is simple and easy to follow. I recommend it to whoever is brushing up on the dances or beginning to learn the basic steps.