Dancetime DVD! 500 Years of Social Dance: 2 DVD Set

Buy both DVDs for a discount package price!

Includes the following:
Volume I: The 15th-19th Centuries
Volume II: The 20th Century

For more information and video previews of each title, follow the links above.

Reviews

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."

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."

Library Journal "DANCETIME! 500 Years of Social Dance". Dance historian and choreographer Carol Teten takes us on an educational and entertaining tour of dance through the ages. Dancers introduce centuries and styles with arch versification that reveals the soul of each dance (the minuet is formal and quaint, the sarabande is provocative)... The dances themselves follow, performed with authentic choreography by couples or groups on a lighted stage. The dancers… are splendidly costumed as befits each period, from perukes and beauty spots to poodle skirts to mohawks...Highly recommended for libraries with collections in history, dance, music, or costume."

The New York Times "DANCETIME! 500 Years of Social Dance. Performances of 38 dances by the Dance Through Time troupe (in costume) trace history, fashion and romance from European royal courts in the early 15th century to disco and hip-hop."

The Washington Post “…interesting costumes and delightful musical selections as well as facts to please those who enjoy information concerning history, social studies, cultures, and costumes, as well as dance and music."

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."

Video Librarian ”… bonus features-such as added options of simultaneous instructive text diagrams and descriptions-that truly take advantage of DVD's expanded capabilities.”

Dancing U.S.A. "The essence of social dance is courtship. The history of social dance, as presented in the DANCETIME two video set, reveals much about the changing dynamics between men and women.  Dancetime is a triple treat, appealing to scholars, ballroom aficionados and choreographers.”

Dove Foundation “In the Special Features selection you can learn the Dance Descriptions, Timelines, Bibliography, Credits, Instructional Text and a Preview of Volume II. On a computer, you can access a Timeline or Bibliography that gives you more in depth information. You can dive into the text portion of the DVD either with the video or with just the text being displayed. The text is very informative…Dancetime Publications did a marvelous job of putting this DVD together.”

Library Bookwatch Official Newsletter of The Midwest Book Review “…Performed beautifully by the Dance Through Time dancers, each of these 45 minute DVDs spans the entire recorded span and spectrum of Western dance… Taken together, these two superbly produced, performed, presented, and recorded DVDs comprise a complete course in Western dance and would be a welcome addition to personal, professional, academic, and community library collections.”

Connecticut Post "Entertainment and Education are blended with great style in a new two-volume video. 'DANCETIME 500 Years of Social Dance' which takes us from Renaissance Court Dances to 1990s rap and MTV styles...each of the social dances has been scrupulously researched but there is nothing stuffy about the presentation. The wonderful performers race us through 500 years of changes in the ways that people have related to each other on the dance floor. Helpful subtitles give us background on what we are seeing, but most viewers will probably be too busy watching the highly skilled dancers to read the titles during a first viewing."

The Ragtime Era 1910-1920

Library Journal "Elegantly produced, with authentic music and fashions of the era, this title will be a popular addition to instructional dance collections."

Video Librarian "Each style of dance is prefaced by a truly illuminating educational section wherein the sociological and historical significance of each is explained, buttressed by period photographs and drawings. …each of the combinations is shown in real time, first in full-body view, then in a close-up on the feet."

Let’s Dance “I felt anyone could learn the steps of the dances without a problem. I would recommend this video to anyone who is interested in learning to do vintage dances and who wants to find out more about the history of this particular type of dance."

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."

Folk Dance Scene ”...Even after more than a decade of practicing Ragtime Dance, we found new material here and intend to share it with our students."

Library Journal "Each of the tapes provides very explicit and detailed instructions for each step and dance. Each step is shown front and back, fast and slow, without and with music. The steps are then built into entire dances. Finally the completed dances are shown in full with authentic period costuming and music. These tapes will be of primary interest to instructional dance collections and those concerned with dance and social history."

Booklist "The subtlety and elegance of the Renaissance and Baroque periods are aptly portrayed in these newest volumes in the HOW TO DANCE THROUGH TIME titles..."

Video Librarian "Once again guided by Carol Teten, who provides enlightened historical and sociological background, we learn that dancing was a basic, important social skill of all nobility and upper classes...recommended for intermediate to advanced dancers and historical collections."

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."

The Midwest Book Review "Each of these 45 minute splendidly presented videos easily permit the viewers to achieve competency and fluency in these period dances and are highly recommended additions to personal, professional, dance school, public Library, academic, and community theatre video reference collections."

Catholic Library World "Renaissance Dance focuses on the skills needed by members of the Italian aristocracy in 'a world of social movement, expression and behavior’.

"Baroque Dance is an insightful glimpse into the world of the 18th century court."

Music Teachers' Conference-Tasmania "This is just to let you know that we have presented basic steps of the menuet and contredance a well-received workshop in the Music Teachers' Conference in Launceston, Tasmania last 11 July in which we showed your DVD 'The elegance of Baroque Social Dance' Thanks again for this wonderful resource." C and B Thorn, Australia

Library Journal "Each of the tapes provides very explicit and detailed instructions for each step and dance. Each step is shown front and back, fast and slow, without and with music. The steps are then built into entire dances. Finally the completed dances are shown in full with authentic period costuming and music. These tapes will be of primary interest to instructional dance collections and those concerned with dance and social history."

Booklist "The subtlety and elegance of the Renaissance and Baroque periods are aptly portrayed in these newest volumes in the HOW TO DANCE THROUGH TIME titles...dance enthusiasts will enjoy these programs."

Video Librarian "Once again guided by Carol Teten, who provides enlightened historical and sociological background, we learn that dancing was a basic, important social skill of all nobility and upper classes...recommended for intermediate to advanced dancers and historical collections."

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."

The Midwest Book Review "Each of these 45 minute splendidly presented videos easily permit the viewers to achieve competency and fluency in these period dances and are highly recommended additions to personal, professional, dance school, public Library, academic, and community theatre video reference collections."

Catholic Library World "Renaissance Dance focuses on the skills needed by members of the Italian aristocracy in 'a world of social movement, expression and behavior’.

"Baroque Dance is an insightful glimpse into the world of the 18th century court."

Library Journal “Anyone with an interest in social history and culture will greatly enjoy these glimpses into the past.”

Dancing U.S.A. “Social dance, history, technique, and researched choreography all come together in Dancetime Publications’ latest videos….this ideal addition to any traditional ballroom dancer’s video collection.”

Dance Teacher Now “In fact, through well organized instruction, professional cinematography, sumptuous period costumes, and the cheerfully stentorian narration of Dance through Time founder Carol Teten, they provide an unexpectedly engaging look at dance forms of times past.”

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."

Library Journal “Anyone with an interest in social history and culture will greatly enjoy these glimpses into the past.”

Dancing U.S.A. “Social dance, history, technique, and researched choreography all come together in Dancetime Publications’ latest videos….this ideal addition to any traditional ballroom dancer’s video collection.”

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... [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.”