Learn to Dance: Jitterbug Swing; The Romance of Dance: Swing; Swinging from Coast to Coast

Of the three dance instruction videos under consideration here, Learn to Dance: Jitterbug Swing is the one for those who have never set foot on a dance floor and are intimidated by the very idea of dancing. Instructor "Tony" Louis Ridgel, with the assistance of Heather Cross, teaches basic Jitterbug Swing steps and turns in an absolutely elementary manner, doing a particularly good job of discussing the importance of hand positions and balance. Although the production values are spartan, viewers will be able to do some basic Jitterbug moves by the end of the session. For people who have some clues about partner dancing, on the other hand, Learn to Dance will be too tedious and by-the-numbers. Recommended only for true beginners. Aud: P.In Swinging from Coast to Coast, Glen Clark and Cindy Geralds take us through the first five figures of the East Coast Swing and the West Coast Swing and, yes, there is a difference (actually, the West Coast Swing looks easier). Clark and Geralds are an elegant pair, with the grace and manner of ballroom dancers, though when they swing, they do swing with conviction. Although their instruction tends to be somewhat mannered, their teaching method is repetitive enough to be effective, and, unlike the Learn to Dance video, the assumption here is that the student is both coordinated and a good listener. Clark makes a point of dwelling on posture and hand positions, and the pair repeatedly demonstrate male and female parts, as well as distinguishing between open and closed partner positions. The student will have more fun dancing the basics Clark and Geralds teach than he/she will have dancing the basics taught in Learn to Dance. Recommended. Aud: P.Finally, the dance video with the highest production values and the most added features turns out to be the least expensive title of the bunch. The Romance of Dance: Swing, hosted by singer Nancy Hays, with dance instruction from Evin Jacobson and Noel Galang, is the most entertaining, with hip twentysomething dance instructors who are definitely informal. Unlike the previously discussed titles, here the man and the woman share the talking/teaching load. Radical concept. This fact alone makes it the most effective teaching video of the three. Also, Evin and Noel are teaching the coolest dances: The Lindy Hop, the Charleston and the Six-Count Swing. In addition, the instructors offer a few tips on improvising, the popular swing band Cherry Poppin' Daddies puts in a guest appearance, and the program includes extra info about swing-related websites, magazines and fashion. Highly recommended. Aud: P. (P. Van Vleck)