Customer Reviews

Christy Lane's Learn the Dances of the 50's & 60's [VHS]

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you don't know a single move, this tape is good for you. It starts with the rock'n'roll and it is explained very clearly and energetically by Ms Lane. It gets a little repetitive at times, though, as every time she teaches you a figure she repeats the previous moves you've learnt PLUS the new one... I mean, you could well use your "rewind" button to go over them, and so the video wouldn't feel that long. What I would call the second part, you see other dances of the fifties and sixties which I would have expected to see "in action", that is, not only the explanation by the instructor but some professional people performing them to the music. Many of those are dances for people standing in line, and all you get is Ms Lane on her own, which of course substracts from the real flavour of it. However, at the end of the tape you see a multi-aged crowd dancing at a ballroom but you don't really get to appreciate the footwork -these people are total amateurs learning it only for fun, which reminds you of your aunt and uncle dancing at the last family wedding, nothing else. You don't really see properly polished steps and moves, essential if you want to learn to dance elegantly and with style. If you, like me, did not live in the 50s and 60s this will give you an idea of what the dances were like, but let me add that many of them could well be learnt from any episode of "Get Smart," "The man from UNCLE" or "The Avengers." As a matter of fact, I knew lots of the steps Ms Lane shows, the only thing I didn't know was the names given to those moves! The rock'n'roll of the first part is the best bit and if you've never danced it you can be on the dance floor in just a few minutes doing a variety of figures. In general it did not add much to my previous knowledge, but I guess it would be good for a complete beginner.

I found this tape to be very easy to follow, I was anxious to get started learning the dances. I would not hesitate to buy another tape from Christy.

This is a great video! Lots of dances and variations, it makes it so easy to learn. The energy of the instructor encourages the student/viewer to dance and is great for all ages!

I have purchased other Christy Lane videos because I am pleased with the way she teaches. She is enthusiastic and easy to follow. I really had fun learning these dances as I knew very little about them. The swing section is the best. I now know all the right names for all those dances. Thanks Christy! I recommend it for anybody.

I'm a dance teacher and I needed to know what some of the dances of the 50s and 60s (watusi, mashed potato, etc.) looked like for a dance I was creating. I'd heard of them but I wanted to have my students actually learn a step from each one. This tape was perfect -- clearly explained, close-ups of footwork, perfect for someone needing an introduction to these dances -- and fun to learn, too.

I am an elementary music teacher and I use a lot of movement and dance with my students. I have most of Christy Lane's dance videos. This spring I used the Dances of the 50's and 60's to teach students dances for my Dancing Through the Decades music program. The students loved it! Christy makes fun dances easy to learn for all ages!

This was such a great video! Christy is my favorite instructor - and I've tried several. You will learn how to do these dances and have fun doing it! I can always rely on a Christy lane video!

I was disappointed in what was on the tape.I expected more dance moves, but I should have known by the length of the tape.