American Smooth Foxtrot

U

UKDancer

Well-Known Member
I dance (and teach) International Foxtrot, but have been wondering about adding some Smooth figures/variations for social dancing.

I was looking* at DanceVision's (relatively) new video series with Michael Mead & Toni Redpath and in particular the Silver & Gold level syllabus and wondering whether they would be a good basis for study - or whether a different approach or resource would suit my purpose better.

Other than watching the pro/celeb couples on BBC's Strictly Come Dancing (the real DWTS ;)) my practical experience of any American style is zero, so views from those in the know from across the pond will be very welcome.

*I purchased the 'Demonstration' Clips for $5 to view online, so I can see exactly what the whole syllabus 'looks' like.
 
I've not seen the new versions of the DVIDA syllabus, but I've found the American style DVDs and online vids to be quite helpful. Proviso is that the vast majority of my media is bronz and silver.
 
I wonder how Slawek and Marzena's new 2013 DVIDA videos compare to Michael and Toni's -- link here: dancevision.com/store/DASSS330/
 
I've noticed the shoes on the DV vids. Maybe her feet show up better on camera wearing those? Jenell Maranto wore low, chunky, white heels.
 
As long as both partners don't wear black pants and black shoes, I'm good. Then they turn into one giant black blob and you can't see crap.
 
I own the Toni and Michael Silver syllabus videos and they are very good. The technical discussions are solid and will provide you the information you require I believe. Variations on arm styling are typically included by Toni for the women. The syllabus for Silver and Gold has recently changed. If you consider ordering the book wait as the new book has yet to be released for Silver and Gold. I would email or call them first before ordering the book to make sure you have the updated copy. Toni and Michael's videos are the updated syllabus.
 
The new syllabus includes some great new updated moves, defines Silver to be even more different from Bronze, meaning it includes updated elements with much more complexity instead of just adding one more "twirl" and calling it Silver, and is more in line with the updated competing rules on allowable elements. They are a lot of fun.
 
DreamofDance said:
[...]defines Silver to be even more different from Bronze, meaning it includes updated elements with much more complexity instead of just adding one more "twirl" and calling it Silver, and is more in line with the updated competing rules on allowable elements.
Click to expand...

Ehhhh, Silver in American is nebulous as hell to begin with especially in smooth. You can dance an open standard routine as long as you don't hold picture lines for too long. Basically you have the entire international syllabus at your fingertips, and then some for standard, which makes the allowable elements kind of a joke because the video below is perfectly allowable in Silver Smooth Waltz and Foxtrot. People just don't dance it because if you can you're obviously sandbagging plus some of the character of American is lost.

 
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