Product Details

• Actors: Mary Lou Kaye, Dan Kaye
• Format: Color, NTSC
• Number of tapes: 1
• VHS Release Date: August 15, 1994
• Run Time: 75 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 0967766729
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #395,887 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer's Bookwatch

"...Goodtimes Productions has put together three outstanding 60 minute, full color instructional vides....that take the viewer from the very basic of beginnings through sophisticated and 'expert level' lively Polka dance moves.....Her exceptionally clear, humorous and easy-to-follow video trilogy are a fun, fast, effective way to learn the contemporary style bounce polka quickly, easily, and at home."

.... "Incidentally, no library video instruction shelf would be complete without Mary Lou's two other dance videos; Basic Social Dance and Wedding Dance."

Product Description

These three tapes follow the progression that a student would encounter in a studio setting. The tapes are planned as a series and the information builds on previous presentations just like private classes would. Each tape runs over 60 minutes with no duplication of material.

Polka 101. Teaches the basic step, the movement (bounce) and several Level 1 variations. It covers the basic structure of the dance and touches on leading and following responsibilities for each of the dancers.

Polka 102. the second in the line of instructional videos is, like the first, fun to watch and easy to follow. It stresses jitterbug-type moves that add spice and variety to any dancer's repertoire and unlocks the secret of moving quickly with less effort.

This secret will enable you to duplicate a high percentage of moves you see others do on the dance floor. You'll be dancing like a pro quickly in the comfort of your home.

Polka 103. If you already worked through Polka 101 and 102, you're ready to fly with this new material. To master the moves presented you should have a comfortable knowledge of the basic step and bounce, the free-style stretch and basic principles of leading and following. This tape show you how to "build" a step, learning it in a very simple way, then changing hand holds, and foot movements in increasingly complex ways until you have a step that is worthy of competition.

Polka 101
Polka 102
Polka 103
Basic Movement Technique
Secrets of Swing moves
Crossed Hands Stomps
Basic Step
Lady Under
Shakes Hands Reverses
Leading
Man Under
Open Reverses
Following
Man's Wrap
Waist Hold Spin
Turns
Changing Hands Turn
Back Spin
Kicks
Double Turns
One Hand Free Spin
Level 1 variations
Leading
Simple Switches
More
Following
More

See all Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This Video Gets the Job Done, March 14, 2001

By 

Edward J. Vasicek "Author, pastor, columnist" (Kokomo, IN USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Polka 101 [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Though the first part of the video is tedious (and almost perfectionistic), including exerces to build muscles for optimum dancing of the Polka, it improves with a little fast forwarding (at least for those of us who just want to grasp the steps).

The Polka steps are taught clearly and gradually, and one who is untrained will come out with a general grasp of basic polka steps. A great place to begin.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For those who don't have a clue, March 8, 2007

By 

PC - See all my reviews

This review is from: Polka 101 (DVD)

I bought this DVD because I wanted to learn how to polka before the next local Polish festival. No one else I know was interested in learning, so I thought a DVD would be the best option. When I got the DVD, I was a little worried because it looked pretty lame. But you shouldn't judge a DVD by its cover! The instructor is a little odd, but an incredibly good teacher and pretty funny. She's very thorough, so it's perfect for someone starting from scratch. Also, you don't need a partner to learn. Another plus! The music is done by a Grammy-winning polka band, the Versatones. I haven't made it all the way through the entire DVD yet (the instructor recommends doing the first few lessons over until you're comfortable before moving on), but I'm very much looking forward to becoming an expert with this super-fun DVD.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Joe loves to polka, September 12, 2010

By 

joe james - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Polka 101 (DVD)

This DVD instruction was great I was dancing like a pro in a couple of days. I will buy other tapes from them