The Quick & Dirty Guide to Salsa - Complete Collection [DVD]

This 3 DVD set of basic, intermediate, and advanced salsa dance lessons is by far light years ahead of any other similar lessons out there! The multi-angle progammable feature personalizes the lessons to meet individual needs. It feels like having a dance instructor right next to you. Like no other DVD out there: this feature shows you the steps from different positions. Having learned traditional dances from the Balkans, Central and Western Europe many years ago, I know there is nothing better than getting behind (or next to) someone who is an expert dancer. *This* is exactly what multi-angle programming feels like! In my case, the second angle was the most effective means to best learn the dance patterns. With a delightful delicate Latino accent, Gigi, the primary instructor, explains and demonstrates each set of moves using catchy phrases and an easy to follow count. Her enthusiasm is contagious as she shows you the dance routine and provides several practice sessions allowing you to master each new set of moves. It is obvious Gigi and her partner and coinstructor Pedro love to dance, their energy and enthusiasm for salsa makes the lessons come alive. Each session builds your confidence as you master new sensuous patterns of movements that match the heated rhythms and music of the Caribbean (Cuba and Puerto Rico).DVD ONE is the BASICS. Without difficulty I mastered all the *essential* dance patterns in one session. This means I could do the patterns called: "Forward and Back", "Side to Side", "Back Rock Steps". "Back Rock Turn", "Abajo", "Exhibela", "Dile Que No", "Guapenado", and "Enchufla" on my own following Gigi and most of them without much effort to salsa music. The other patterns called, "Adios Con Le Hermana", "Candado [Enchufla Doble]", "Parriba", and "Kentucky {Ronde}" are more elaborate and require a partner in most cases. They include learning hand holds and turns with unique arm movements which can not be done properly without a second person. Anyone with a good sense of rhythm and desire to learn salsa would love DVD 1. DVD TWO, INTERMEDIATE builds on the basics, adding more complicated combinations of steps and arm movements with patterns designed for couples who are ready to razzle and dazzle out on the dance floor. While I could follow Gigi and Pedro's fine instructions, these patterns require a strong committment and more time to master the impressive combinations of exotic patterns. DVD THREE is for ADVANCED learners, who can not get enough salsa dancing (which will be most people who learn the basics [!!!] that is why this 3 DVD set is so great - all levels are taught at a very reasonable cost compared to taking "live" dance lessons). It contains outstanding instructions which display the most energetic and exciting sessions, along with some eye-catching moves ... showcasing why salsa has become so widely popular in the past couple of years.This 3 DVD set of salsa dance lessons receives my most heartfelt and sincere endorsement for those who love to dance. My recommendation is, buy this 3 DVD set of lessons, learn the basics and with the money you save, go on the Enchantment of the Seas (Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines) ship to the Bolero Lounge and dance to the salsa music of "Sol Y Arena" [Jan. 2006] or "Conjuncto Bravo" [Sept. 2006}. Disclaimer: reviewer receives no fees or benefits from Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines... Go dazzle and captivate! Erika Borsos (erikab93)