How To Dance Through Time, Volume I

The Romance of Mid-19th Century Couple Dances

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Companion music CDs for the
HOW TO DANCE THROUGH TIME series

Volume I and V: 19th Century Couple Dances

Reviews of How To Dance Through Time, Volume I

The Romance of Mid-19th Century Couple Dances

Library Journal ”…provides an intriguing glimpse into the social world of [the 19th century] era. Each dance is preceded by a historical overview, with original lithographs from the period and entertaining commentary by Teten. We learn, for example, that "the art of turning reflected elements of the Industrial Revolution, such as the ‘spinning Jenny,' and that the Mazurka was a dance of "majesty," "unreservedness," and "allurement". Adequately primed for the tension and intrigue of the 19th-century ballroom, the student is then carefully guided through the basic steps. This well produced and entertaining video is highly recommended."

Teacher's Market "The Waltz, Polka, Schottische, Galop, and Mazurka--your students may have heard or even played examples of these forms, but can they dance to them? A recent video, How to Dance Through Time:Volume I-The Romance of Mid-19th Century Couple Dances, can show them all the steps. This historically accurate introduction to these varied dances draws on period manuscripts and music composed specifically for dancing by Chopin, Liszt, and their contemporaries."

Video Librarian "Following a brief history each dance is presented by the dancers, who are shown performing from several camera angles at various speeds. This is a solid introduction to the "easy" dances and a much appreciated effort to preserve those ballroom glory days."

Dance On Camera Journal "These instructional videos will be invaluable to choreographers who create dances for period films or for cotillions and charity balls. They preserve the art form and provide the story of the cultural phenomenon, thus making a perfect addition to dance, design, and anthropological libraries."

Billboard "A dance teacher with a shine for cultural history provides step-by-step guidance on the graceful couples' dances that set the tone in ballrooms during the previous century. Couples demonstrate everything from the gentleman's bow to the final twirl, with detailed views of dancers’ feet in slow motion…Just as enlightening as the instruction is the running commentary on the many ways the dances reflected the times in which they were created. This tape is as close to a trip back to the mid-century as most dance enthusiasts are likely to get."

The Midwest Book Review Wisconsin Bookwatch “…Each dance segment is introduced by a brief presentation of fascinating historical information accompanied by the romantic music of the past associated with each particular mode of dance. Also highly recommended are Dancetime Publications' two volume video set, DANCETIME!: 500 Years of Social Dance."

Brattleboro Reformer Keene, N.H. “The organization of the material in each of these sets is first to go over each step of a dance several times in different tempos, from different angles, and with full explanations by the creator and head of the company, Carol Teten. You can watch, then skip back and try the steps yourself as you watch a second time, and over and over until you have it down pat.

“…She [Teten] explains the social structure of the society as it is reflected in each dance and now and then gives us the "sub-text" of the steps -- what the dancers are acting out either consciously or subliminally. It is all fascinating stuff.

“Who must have all six volumes? Public libraries, music and dance departments in all high schools and colleges, local theater groups who do "period" plays, anyone who loves dance, anyone interested in social history, even anyone interested in psychology. That does not leave many who would not want copies of this set.“