Product Description
The popularity of ballroom dancing is increasing dramatically with all age groups and at all social levels. Now Shall We Dance? makes it easy for everyone to get out on the dance floor, with an entertaining, step-by-step instruction course that teaches the samba, cha-cha, foxtrot, waltz, swing, tango, mambo, and rhumba. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Simple and clear
I got this book to use in addition to some dance classes my husband and I were taking.Though I wouldn't recommend learning to dance from this book (or from any book for that matter), this is the only book I could find that had the dance steps laid out clearly and simply.As a beginning dancer, I didn't want a complicated manual that showed fourteen different foxtrots."Shall We Dance" was exactly the book we needed when we were having trouble remembering which step was which.I love that you can practice by holding the book between you, since it's laid out so that the leader's dance steps are opposite from the follower's dance steps.

Smaller is not better
This book is small and that's about the only thing going for it. I bought this book as a neophyte dancer interested in finding out more about this new activity/sport I was trying to get into.

This book is of no use todancers or non-dancers. It is somewhat cute to look through, but serves nopractical value related to improving your dancing technique, knowledge orstyle.

Thankfully, I bought this book to supplement the class I wastaking. The classes are wonderful; no medium can come compare. Dance, asI'm finding out, is less about where to place your feet and more about yourentire body and the interaction you have with your partner.

This bookshould not feel bad for itself. It has many companions at the poor bookparty.

Shall We Look Ridiculous?
I read this book as a result of a very unfortunate experience. I attended a fund raising event with my husband and 3 other couples. My husband and I have been avid social dancers (and competitors) for a few years. Two of thecouples have also had some dance instruction and the third couple hasalways been `the non-dancing couple". The music started and we all headedfor the dance floor.

I have never felt so badly for anyone as I did forthe `non-dancing couple'.They were physically uncomfortable, looked likerobots, and were totally off time. These are good friends of mine that Ispend time with socially, so I tried to keep the shock out of my voice as Iasked them "so, when did you start dancing?"They proceeded to tell meabout the book they bought - Shall We Dance. Now I have played tennis andgolf with this couple and I know they are physically agile and coordinated,so I asked if I could take a look at this "book" that turned them into suchstiff, awkward specimens.

What a horror! It quickly becomes very clearthat the author knows NOTHING about dancing or what it takes to look goodwhile you are on the dance floor! Closed dance position is skimmed over, asare forward and backward walks with no mention of the geometric accuracythat is necessary when someone takes a good `dance step'. And the sidesteps - "are taken on the balls of the feet, then lowered to the heels asthe feet come together" - that sentence explains why my friends were offtime and lurched as they took their forward and back steps. No mention ismade of the need to completely change weight when the feet are together inrise or the necessary release of the foot without weight as you lower tothe flat foot with weight. How does someone swing his or her leg when bothfeet are planted on the floor without lurching or using their shoulders togenerate movement?In the section on Waltz the author states about theside steps "Dancers should raise their bodies slightly using the ankles..."UGH! Rise with your ankles?Only if you want to look like my friends the"robots"!

The glaring errors contained in this book are too numerous tolist. No wonder my friends started to dance a Swing to an obvious Foxtrotwhen this book states, "In the Foxtrot or Swing, the emphasized beats in afour-beat measure are the first and third beats." Add ignorance of musictempi to this author's ignorance of dance. In a Foxtrot the first beat isemphasized - the 1 is the `heaviest beat' with 2,3,4 becoming gradually`lighter' with crescendo to 5, with 6,7,8 getting `lighter'- in Swing theemphasis is on the second and fourth beat allowing a Swing music toactually be counted 1,2; 1,2 - the rhythm is like a heartbeat, that's whypeople tend to clap along to Swing music!

This book is definitely"pretty" in appearance, but unlike "Madison Avenue" I judge a book by itscontent not its cover! Don't bother.

Such a tiny book with so much to offer!
When I first received this tiny book, I was a little disappointed by its size. I couldn't imagine that it would have much to offer. How wrong I was!! Although it is by no means comprehensive, it provided me with manytechnique tips that other more apparently comprehensive sources did not.For the beginner social dancer, it is an indispensible read.

a short, artfully done book, a great engagement gift!
The best feature of this book:the men's and women's dance steps mirror each other on the pages.Dance partners can hold the book between them and go through the steps together without someone having to read backwards! This pocket-size book has several great vintage photographs of dancing, mostly from classic movies.Plus in the right corner there's a tiny dancing couple which goes through their moves if you flip the pages quickly.The way it's put together it's a pleasure to read ... Read more

Product Description
Beginners, Wedding Dancers, and those with single milestone dates can learn on their own effectively enough to just get by, saving hundreds of dollars in lessons for any simple social occasion or first dance presentation. This book is written as if Jeff is right there with the student giving a private lesson.With over 15 years of teaching experience he has anticipated what the student must encounter in their learning experience and is right there with a useful solution.

1. First in the Quickstart to Dance Series with Jeff Allen's breakthrough technique that is changing the methods that social dancing is being taught.

2. Lays down the foundation in the six major dances including: Foxtrot, Waltz, Rumba, Merengue, Swing, and Cha-cha to use on your own or to compliment your dance lessons

3. A virtual Bible for the bride and groom's first dance at their wedding.The only text in print that teaches how to prepare for and conduct the 1st Wedding Dance!

4. Perfect for the beginner and occasional dancer at weddings, resort vacations, parties, and cruises.

5. Using language for the laymen or non-dancer, the easy-to-understand physical references and directions make this title a must for the beginner reader/user. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (34)

1st & 2nd are the same great dance books
I have owned the 1st edition since 1997 it is a great easy to read book.I noticed that the 2ns edition was sold out so I contacted the publisher and they said there are plenty of 1st editions available. Order them through at this website and they'll show up very soon.I use them all the time for my beginner students.The font is very large and there is no dance language that can cause confusion to those who have no dance experience!If you understand the process of walking and know what it looks like this book will be very simple to use.

I must admit I chuckle at those other reviewers who dislike this book because there are no pictures.If you look in the mirror and see yourself in the now than watch yourself improve in stature isn't that picture and example enough.I wonder if they have really read this book before casting dispersions.There is another reviewer who says there are only three dances covered while there are actually six.The book is only 10 - 15 percent geared to weddings. But that is important since wedding are the prime reason for students enrolling into a studio.Apart from some temporary fad 90 percent of the calls are wedding related.The same reviewer did not understand why the analogy of lifting a tray was used. The answer is two fold. One, that's the way the man, presents the lady, in the dance frame.Two, when the man lifts his arms with the elbows pointed 45 degrees to the floor he alleviates cramping in the rotator cuff.

I point these things out because I wonder whether some reviewers look for their 15 minutes or even if they have actually read the book at all.The review by the one called "dance reviewer" are the best wherever they appear.Most by teachers are the ones to trust.

In closing this is the best primer and speaks of the most important attributes to successfully partner another in the early stages of the 6 most popular beginner dances.

Nuts & Bolts More Important Than Pictures!
Quickstart to Social Dancing is a great book!The contents are so clearly stated, the descriptions and the analogies are so vivid, that pictures are not necessary.This book is about what it takes to dance and what preparations are necessary.The book sets forth some physical challenges to the reader required to achieve the minimum standards of ballroom dancing - basically, how to move with a partner.Believe me you do not need pictures of qualitative movement or standing up straight.I'm quite sure that a picture cannot reveal the amount of floor pressure that is required to establish rhythm - but clear descriptions can.A picture cannot reveal effort or force - but descriptions can.

The book unravels the non-dancers preconceive notions of social dancing and sets the record straight.From there in a wonderfully conceived and remarkably simple cumulative approach the author helps you develop, the basic steps in six major dances in a way you CANNOT MISS!Just get up of your seat and do what the instructions tell you to do.If you have a mirror in your home and a 9 foot by 5 foot area to practice you'll have everything you need to begin a wonderful time with social ballroom dancing.There is also wonderful and indispensable information for those preparing for a future wedding.

I heartily recommend you buy this book.It contents improves any video you may purchase or any group class you may attend.

You've got to be kidding!
Although this book is clearly written, it contains no pictures and virtually no diagrams. If you can learn dance steps without pictures and diagrams, more power to you. I found this book to be useless.

The Line of Dance
As one insightful reviewer mentioned all of the reviews for this book are uncannily love or hate.Though I have my own opinion of this book, I recognize that another Love-Hate review is not going to help you decide whether or not to spend your money, so I'm going to try to break the division and write an objective review with a neutral star rating.

I believe the strict separation of ratings is due to differing expectations.As a beginner you are looking for a book with easy to follow instructions and patterns on how to make everyone off the dance floor jealous.A CD of appropriate music with someone counting in the background would be nice, perhaps some full scale foot print charts, maybe a pop-up partner if you're single.The beginner, however, has greatly underestimated the complexity of dancing and devotion it takes to become a good dancer.

As an instructor you hope people will read a book that doesn't promise beginning steps in chapter 1, lifts and splits in chapter 2, and have an addendum with costume patterns.You hope the beginner will appreciate that every step in a dance is far more than moving a foot from A to B, and that some people devote their lives to dancing well (Ballroom dancing is now an Olympic Sport to those unaware).If you had your way students would spend their fist month simply standing with a good dance frame and maybe by month two they could take their first step.Instructors sometimes forget, however, the passion and anxiousness of the beginner.

That being said this book offers the beginner basic steps for three dances.Realize, however, that the basic Merengue step is extremely simple, And that the Waltz and Foxtrot steps are nearly identical (because the foxtrot can also be danced in the Waltz box pattern).When I say steps I mean the steps that constitue the most basic single pattern for each dance.This book does not include turns, dips, cuddles, or that thing Patrick Swayze does in "Dirty Dancing".

With the steps it does offer, however, this book attempts to explain them in their most correct execution.It offers many metaphors and illusions for the most simple movements and attempts to write at a level that everyone can comprehend.Some of the content you may find painfully obvious, some of it you may not understand for quite a while.Some of us don't cook and will never have any idea what his point was with the turkey platter.

In terms of physical existence this book is thin with large font.There are no pictures save some clip art quality graphics and the wedding section is probably 1/3 to 1/4 of the book.This is not special wedding dance moves reserved for gowns and tuxedoes, by the way, but rather that wedding planning type thing that seems to occupy future mothers-in-law.There is a handy list of good songs for these steps at the back of the book.Music which most people probably already have in their collection.

I hope this review has helped to bridge the divide for this title.Whether you buy the book or not, however, don't focus to much of your energy on words describing dancing...

Only Hours Away from aFun Filled Latin/Merengue Night
I bought this book based on the strong recommendation from a previous reviewer who heralded joy and success they had dancing the Merengue.They were absolutely on the money!!It was simple, so very simple, to follow the basic body movements with the accommodating and accompanying foot placements.The book was certainly cheaper than even a group class but more importantly much more convenient.The author, Jeff Allen, correctly states in the book, "read my book aloud and you have the feeling of having me right in the room with you."We already owned the all time favorite party song Hot, Hot, Hot, the author suggested to use as our first Merengue and once we caught on the rest of the evening was spent with Merengue and Sangria.Thanks for the instructive review and of course to Jeff Allen's book Quickstart to Social Dancing! ... Read more

Product Description
The inside story of the life of Cheryl Burke, professional dancer, choreographer, and two-time champion on the top-rated TV hit series Dancing with the Stars

Cheryl Burke has been dancing since the age of four and competing since she was thirteen years old. Over several exciting seasons, she has captivated audiences of Dancing with the Stars with her incredible dance performances, Emmy-nominated choreography, high energy, and bright smile. In Dancing Lessons, she takes you from her childhood years into the world of competitive ballroom dancing and on to Dancing with the Stars.

In each chapter, you will discover a depth of passion in Cheryl's life that perfectly matches the commitment she displays on the dance floor. Cheryl's accounts of being a powerful woman putting her talent to work will inspire everyone to pursue their own dreams.

• Includes behind-the-scenes stories and photos from the life of the first two-time champion of Dancing with the Stars
• Shares lessons Cheryl has learned from each of her celebrity partners on Dancing with the Stars, from Drew Lachey to Chad Ochocinco
• Includes never-before-discussed revelations concerning Cheryl's childhood, weight issues, and the media

Read Dancing Lessons and let Cheryl Burke whisk you away to a world full of dancing, entertainment, and life. ... Read more

Product Description
A handbook on Latin American dancing for complete beginners. It gives separate guidelines for men and women and step-by-step illustrations of the footsteps integrated with music beats. It covers the cha-cha-cha, rumba, jive, rock 'n' roll, samba, paso doble, mambo, bossa nova and Argentine tango. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Save your money- This book is awful.
This book is just terrible.I bought it as a reference and to so that Iwouldn't have to write down everything from dance class.But upon readingit I find almost every dance is presented in ways I have never been taughtor seen practiced in any of the clubs here in San Antonio.I think maybethe Salsa step was the same and some the rumba but all the other dancesjust look wrong.Also the dance frames shown are the type of holds I havebeen taught as wrong. ( hand on the poor girls kidney instead of higherup.)In terms of the step being taught the diagrams and descriptions arenot clear and many times they will use a term like Ball-Flat withoutdefining the term anywhere in the book.

Overall a very poor effort- Iwish I had not spent the money on it. ... Read more

Product Description

Why was the waltz once thought to be a shocking dance? How did the lindy hop get its name? What is the paso doble? Latin and Ballroom provides a detailed look at the development of Latin and ballroom dancing, from the earliest social dances to the competit

... Read more

Product Description
Satan in the Dance Hall explores the overwhelming popularity of social dancing in the 1920s, examining its close relationship to America's rapidly changing society. The book also focuses on the fierce debate led by moral reformers and religious leaders such as Rev. John Roach Straton over the morality of social dancing in the more than 750 public dance halls in New York City. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

REVIEW of SATAN in the DANCE HALL from the STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE
Crackpot preacher went after jazz and the Charleston
Island historian explores the move against music in his new book,
'Satan in the Dance Hall'

Sunday, January 18, 2009
By MICHAEL J. FRESSOLA STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Having already documented social dancing in his two-volume "Social Dancing in America" (Greenwood Press, 2007), Staten Island-based historian Ralph Giordano is back in the ballroom. This time, he's looking at 1920s New York, when jazz clubs were thriving, hems were going up, bathtub gin was going down and the Charleston was all the rage. But on 57th Street, the Rev. John Roach Straton of Calvary Baptist Church was inveighing against the jazzing, the dancing, the cocktails and women riding bicycles, which was thought to cause "heightened sexual awareness." Rev. Straton was cracked, of course, but it was years before anyone noticed. "Satan in the Dance Hall" (Scarecrow Press, 2008), Giordano's expose of the era, has the whole mad, colorful story. Last week, he explained a few things.

Q. Did it surprise you to find that this character, Rev. Straton, actually had a receptive following for a while?
A. Actually prior to writing "Social Dancing in America," I would say that, yes, I was surprised. But during research for that book, I learned about his influence.
In fact, the essence of my book is that so many portrayals gloss over the 1920s, making it a fun, freewheeling time of flaunting Prohibition and dancing the Charleston to jazz music.But what I present is that it was probably the most morally restrictive time as it applied to the accepted influence of the Ku Klux Klan, eugenics as promoted by Madison Grant, Americanization, the Congressional quotas on immigrants from southern Europe (mainly Catholics and Jews), and the outrageous laws strengthening segregation and the audacious creation of "Racial Integrity Laws," outlawing interracial marriage.

Q. I was surprised at all the vitriol over jazz! Is it comparable at all to how people demonize rap and hip-hop?
A. I would defer once again to the "gloss over" or the fictional idealization of Hollywood movies and television that have completely softened the furor over jazz.
Actually, I have written a bit on the outrage over rock 'n' roll as well as rap/hip-hop and I would simply say that what has gone on in the last 50 years against music is not even close to the demonization of jazz. The association, or more appropriately the backlash against jazz, gave support to the rise of the fundamentalist movement that Rev. Straton was such a strong part of. It has devilish association with jazz, or as Jelly Roll Morton recalled: "My grandmother ... told me that devil music would surely bring about my downfall but I just couldn't put it behind me."

Q. Look at Jerry Falwell and Jim Bakker. These Bible thumpers always seem to crash and burn if you just let them run their course, yes?

A. I would say just the opposite. The Rev. Falwell, and now I quote from my book, "was the ... founder of the ultra-conservative Moral Majority of the 1990s."
In fact, harkening back to the doom of the modern Babylon predicted by Rev. Straton, the obstinate Falwell blamed the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11 as God's wrath for New York.
Currently, Joel Osteen is all over television and he heads what might be the largest church in America in Houston.I am ecstatic over the election of Obama, but his pick of the evangelical Rick Warren, the mega-church pastor, to give the invocation at the inauguration, and the Bob Joneses and Franklin Grahams and his dad, Rev. Billy, among so many others, are just further proof that these Bible thumpers are alive and thrivin'.

Q. So dancing is still powerful stuff, even though it may not seem that way?
A. Dancing certainly has been so powerful, that is obviously evident by the huge success of "Dancing with the Stars" and the all-too-many offshoots, especially the recent international edition. The success is the magical attraction that dancing has to offer. Although I have previously expressed my displeasure at the negative comments by the judges and the elimination factor. When my wife and I go dancing at least once a week, we go not for competition, not for applause, not for critique, but for fun and relaxation, as do all the others that are regulars each week.

Michael J. Fressola is the Advance arts editor. He may be reached at fressola@siadvance.com.
http://www.silive.com/columnists/index.ssf?/base/opinion/123227641282660.xml&coll=1
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Product Description
Designed for the beginner, with basic hold and step instruction for the most popular ballroom, Latin American and social dances, this new edition has been updated in line with modern trends and changing needs. It includes re-drawn artwork, warming up exercises and a new section on Rock 'n' Roll. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

I want to dance, but this is a sleeping pill
I knew enough about dancing to be dangerous.It was time to do some serious reading up on what I wanted to do. This was my first book on dancing. Sadly, it did not excite me.The steps are laid out in such astyle that you must step through them in order to see them.The dancedescriptions and histories were good however.This would be a good book torefresh yourself from, while you're traveling on a plane or something, butit's not a good book to learn from. ... Read more

Product Description
A famous nineteenth century guide to Civil War dance that includes illustrations and step-by-step instructions. Contents Include: The Toilet The Ball Room Quadrille Le Pantalon-L'Ete La Poule Trenise-La Pastorale Finale Coulon's Double Quadrille Plain Cotillions The Polka Manner of Dancing it Rules and Steps of the Polka As Taught by R. Coulon As Taught by Cellarius Rules to be Observed in Waltzing and Gallopading The Valse Valse a Trois Temps The Schottische Coulon's Explanation of the Schottische Steps The Polka Mazourka The Redowa The Gorletza Valse a Deux Temps Valse a Cinq Temps The Cellarius Valse Gallopade-Le Galop Waltz Quadrille The Waltz Cotillion Circular Circle Highland Reel Spanish Dance Coulon's Quadrille Polka Quadrilles Lancers-1 La Rose 2 La Lodoiska 3 La Dorset 4 Nina 5 Finale Les Lanciers The Original Schottische Quadrilles Junior Schottische Quadrille Mazourka Quadrilles Philadelphia Mazourka Quadrilles Russian Mazourka Quadrilles German or Parlor Cotillions The Pyr ... Read more

Product Description
Learn and Master is an award-winning multi-media series, offering a comprehensive home learning system, progressing from beginner to advanced levels of skill and expertise. With professional instruction in an easy-to-use DVD-based format along with play-along CDs, an instruction book, and online support, this package will guide aspiring dancers every step of the way. ... Read more

Product Description
Learn Ballroom Dancing faster and easier than you might ever have thought possible with this unique and simple accelerated learning system. Yes! You Can Learn To Dance is the perfect guide for complete beginners who want to learn and progress beyond the basics fast, and also for those who have learned the basics, and want to perfect their technique as rapidly as possible. Whatever your skill level, Yes! You Can Learn To Dance is right for you. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Excellent Guide For Beginners
To be honest, I wasn't sure what to expect from this book, as I've never really heard of an accelerated learning system for ballroom dancing before, but I wasn't disappointed!

I've found this to be an invaluable supplement, especially as I can't attend classes as often as I'd like to, but even so, reading this book regularly and putting the learnings into practice, is really helping me to understand the dances better, and progress faster regardless.

It starts out with a really simple approach to learning how to dance, and builds on that, presenting detailed applications of the approach to more than 12 ballroom dances, with plenty of supporting illustrations. Also includes square dances and folk dances. For a book I think this does rather well, especially in this video age.

I'd recommend this to anyone wanting to improve his or her dancing. ... Read more