Swing Craze (2005)

So you've heard about the swing craze taking the nation by storm and want to know more? Get the flicks Swing Kids and Swingers, buy up all the Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy you can find, and settle in with Swing Craze for some instruction before hitting the clubs. Vintage clips of hep cats from the 1930s--unfortunately interspersed between less thrilling commentary--will leave you breathless, and the clear, easy-to-follow demonstrations will have you rock-stepping in no time. The production values aren't as glossy as on a big-studio release, but, with material aimed at new zoot suiters rather than folks looking for fancy air moves, this is a solid introduction to the dance, the lingo, the culture, and the history of swing. --Jhana Bach Amazon.com

a better resource

Some reviewers have expressed their dislike of this video...but I have to say...compared to what I have seen...this one is the best swing dance video I have seen. It is clear, easy to follow and covers quite a lot of information. Sure it lacks the super shiny editing efforts and sound engineering...(the garnish) but there is enough information here to get you started so you can practice the basics of swing. It's affordably priced and the teachers are real and likable in their presentations. I checked this video out from the library...then purchased a copy for myself. If you are uncertain, check your local library and preview the tape...better yet...preview several swing videos...and you will soon see what I mean about this one holding its own! May 6, 2008

Basics

The DVD is good for an introduction to swing dance, but you could get a lot more out of going to classes. After I purchased this item I attended BYU's Swing Kids club, and realized that the dancers on the DVD are not nearly as talented or fun to watch as the people in that club. Still, if you don't have access to a swing club this will give you a start on the style and steps of swing dancing. January 13, 2007

The Great American Swing Dance Scene

Wow. What ENERGY. What a live Swingin' Scenario of Dancers, Ballrooms, Teachers and just a pure blassssst of Amazing F-U-N! How exciting was it to hear and see live swing-" dancers just havin' the time-of-their-life and just swingin'-on-out on the dance floor at a "jumpin' back to the 40's/50's Downtown Minneapolis, MN. Swingl-joint" called Lee's Liquor Lounge. What an exciting venue to see Lindy(East-Coast) and Lindy Hop(Savoy Style) both on the dance floor and by the Dance instructors. There was none of that stuck-up, show-off, and corner-dance-jam pseudo-fun like you see in California a lot. This was great for "the history of swing" by the amazing Dance Historian--Sir Lance Beneshek and all the Super Cool people they interviewed right off the street========Yeah California, there was no prep; they just "shot from the hip" (So, get "Hip to the Tip") and they spoke right from their swingin" and beatin" heart. I love those people from the Midwest....they are so 100% down-to-earth real...Buy this Video and re-experience what it's like to have real pure fun and learn some of the swing moves without the "California Plastic-Fantastic and yet Energetic-&-Synthetic" type of Dancers and their Videos. This is the real Americana "Gem of Swing". To the High Self-Esteem People of Swing Dance-----this Video is a "SWING CRAZE" of pure unadulterated FUN to the Nth Degree of Swing. If you want to capture and discover or even re-discover the meaning of FUN in Swing Dancing....Do yourself a Flavor and Buy it and Own it and Enjoy it for the rest of your Swingin' Years on Planet Earth. October 22, 2000

Pablo works it

This is a good video for beginners. It taught me all the East Coast basics, and I feel pretty confident with my East Coast now. The quality is pretty low budget, but it's a dance instructional video, not a feature film. Anyhow, they play a great song at the start of the swing jam, but they fail to credit it anywhere. If anyone out there knows the name of the song, post it here. Thanks. November 21, 1999

Excellent for Beginner Swing Dancers Only

This video is a great one for those who want to learn how to swing dance, especially young teens. I started out with this video and have successfully began a great hobby of swing dancing. One observation I might point out is that there are 4 couples dancing. This shows the different styles between the couples. I recommend this for the absolute beginners...it's easy to learn and fun too! October 8, 1999

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