Recommendation on instructional DVDs

[htrapu]

I'm pretty much comfortable with the basics, and dance socially about once a week. However there is not much teaching beyond the basic level in my area, so I'm looking at the alternative of instructional DVDs. There is a plethora of offerings; I'd like to get some good intermediate/intermediate + level instruction DVD, not too fancy but easy to apply to social dancing.

I'm told that Skippy Blair's foundation is good to have; I'm also looking at DVDs from Mario Robau and Starlight Dance Studio in San Diego. Please comment.

Thanks for any recommendation!
tran

[catlap]

I would buy a workshop video from a convention to start. You can see a lot of instructors teaching and decide who you like best.

You can purchase some event videos from the links below. You usually don't need to buy the entire event you can purchase just the workshops.

http://www.thumbsupvideo.com/swingdance.htm
http://www.swingdancestuff.com/categories.php?cat=29

You can also search YouTube and see examples of some videos...

Skippy Blair:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzGuTBoUamE

Starlight:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaB0auBQhTY

Tessa & Myles:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDPoXy0pJMI

As you know WCS is constantly changing so purchase videos that are recently produced. Video's from five years ago are most likely outdated.

Good Luck,

Bonnie

[Dancelf]

I'm pretty much comfortable with the basics, and dance socially about once a week. However there is not much teaching beyond the basic level in my area

In Raleigh? Really? huh....

so I'm looking at the alternative of instructional DVDs. There is a plethora of offerings; I'd like to get some good intermediate/intermediate + level instruction DVD, not too fancy but easy to apply to social dancing.

It might be easier to find a good recommendation if you were more specific here. "Easy to apply to social dancing" could mean technique as easily as it could mean moves.

The best instructional videos I know of were done by Mary Ann Nunez (http://www.maryannnunez.com/dance_videos_swing_mary_ann_nunez2.htm). These were the first videos I ever found that took advantage of video as more than a recording device.

Another possibility is online instruction. Mario Robau (http://www.marioswingdaddy.com/online.php) has a bunch of material, there may be others following his lead.

Unlike Bonnie, I wouldn't worry about whether the video were past the expiration date - the dance hasn't changed that much. A good video from 10 years ago is still going to be a good; but I'd buy a new "average" video instead of an older one (edit: if you decide to start with an event video, then certainly get a new one).