Fabio Boschetti from Perth, AUSTRALIA:
Jeanne Petrick from Denver, Colorado:
Neal Watson from
Christchurch, NEW ZEALAND:
(the person who mainains the complete list of all salsa
videos)
Videos by Master Salsa Technician Eric Freeman
First Advanced Salsa video
on my list
The original video, "A Demonstrational Video of Cuban-Style Salsa
Dancing" is a series of demonstrations of some
of the best dancers in Cuban style.
Now, as a sequel, Eric has his two favorite couples/teachers (who appear
in the demo video -- Joel & Yaqueline and Ibert & Sunny) teaching
a series Cuban-Style Salsa moves. (A list of these moves appear in "The
Guide To The Videos" which you can find on the web site.)
The new videos are part of the ¡Salsa a la Cubana! video series,
and are called:
Instructional
Video #1: The Fundamentals of Cuban-Style Casino Salsa Dancing
Video#1 covers the level of basic
steps shown in Eric's Demonstrational video. It teaches you a series of
standard Casino moves
along with numerous concepts particular to Cuban-style Salsa.
This video teaches the fundamentals so the techniques can be learned by
anyone. This video is suitable for all Casino dancers.
There are no risky moves in this video.
Instructional
Video #2: Advanced Moves in Cuban-Style
Casino Salsa Dancing
Video#2. This is the first advanced
video on my list. There are some very complex moves here for both male
& female dancers. Both videos teach traditional & modern steps
to the most advanced level. The Demo's provide additional steps not taught
on the videos.
Review: I must start this review with a medical warning. Due to the complex & advanced nature of some of the turns in the advanced video I recommend that you do not try these moves with anyone but a permanent & advanced partner. Some of these moves are too advanced for normal social nightclub use without practice. The risk of breaking the females wrists is very high with some of these turns if you do not know what you are both doing. The reason for this warning is that there will be some beginners or intermediate leaders who will try these moves on someone who is not expecting them. Only some of the turns involve a risk. Of the 30 moves taught only 5 moves involve this risk. Most can be learned or used as you would any Salsa move.
Eric thinks only some of these turns involve a general risk.
I agree to an intermediate or advanced pair of dancers under ideal conditions
but I have to look at a move & think about all the types of people
who will buy these videos & where they will use them. I think these
moves are far riskier than dips or fast turns. I would class the risk
of the moves as about the same level as Salsa flips. I also know
that many people will try these moves to fast latin music not just a slow
Cuban style which will increase the risk. I would rather caution
people & have you say I may be exaggerating the risk. This warning
is geared towards beginner leaders who will try these moves in a nightclub
on an unsuspecting partner. Some of these turns are seriously unique
to update Cuban dancers. As most of you know as you advance in any
dance the steps get harder & more complex & the risk of injury
increases. This video is not a gymnastic video but has complex enfolding
& embracing turns.
At the end of this site review I will add 2 practical tips so you can
lessen the risk & learn these complex moves.
This series of videos is not really for beginners. You really need to be an advanced Salsa dancer. These videos do cover the basic steps but if you follow the dancers full movements you are getting an advanced lesson even in the most basic moves. Ladies you cannot just be lead through some of these moves. You are going to have to be an advanced dancer on your own. These dance steps will separate the great female followers from the great female dancers. Some of the dance steps for the male are amazing. I usually look at a video & pick up the move straight away. With this video I had to think & review what they were doing. This is the first video I have seen that is hard and is going to really teach me. You are both going to have to practice these moves. You cannot lead a beginner or an intermediate dancer through these moves easily.
These videos teach moves not seen in the other Casino Salsa video. I am not going to give a break down of the videos as Eric's site has already done this. In far greater detail than I would. Eric has given an honest review of these videos on his site.
Note: You will want to print out some of the pages on Eric's site for these videos. Eric has provided a massive set of written instructions for these videos on his site. In fact I think his review is better than mine. He covers all the points I would want to explain to you. Eric has provided On-line clips of the videos on his site.
Also, there is a SECURE new credit card ordering system. You will find this one easier to use, and for international customers Eric no longer has to use express mail. This means the shipping & handling costs have been reduced to only $9 for international orders. PAL & NTSC format.
To get more information on these videos, go to:https://www.salsaville.com/salsa_a_la_cubana.htm
https://www.salsaville.com
Practical tips: I am sorry if I scare you or make you think the advanced video by Eric may be too risky or too advanced for you.
Only some of the turns involve a risk. Most can be learned or used as you would any Salsa move.
To lessen the risk to the females wrist. Males do not hold the female when you are first learning some of these moves. I will let you decide if you can or need to follow this tip. In some moves you have to hold the female. In others you can get away with a light grip. Females you hold on to the male & he provides a strong lead but if you feel you or he is going the wrong way you can release his hand instantly without risking your wrist. When you both have learned the move then the male can hold you & speed up the move. I always try to teach a complex upper body move by first trying it as a Merengue. This way you do not have to worry about the footwork. When you have learned the upper body move then you can add the Salsa footwork.
Manuel Gamez from Madrid, SPAIN:
Issa Gorissen from Brussels, BELGIUM:
In the beginning of the 1st instructional video, I found what they are teaching to be simple - simple because I already know them. At the end, I was excited by some cool moves. But the most important is that I will be looking that video more & more to pick up their different styles which make those simple moves so great to watch! I've just started the 2nd instructional video but just stopped because I can't handle it right now - I'm still too much excited! (if you understand what I mean!)
Good job Eric!"
Tommy Selggren from Gavle, SWEDEN (writing a review for the Stockholm Salsa Klubb):
I have to say that I am satisfied with the films. The first film goes through the basics in a very clear way, and they explain a number of details that are important for Cuban salsa. Considering that most [people in Swden] dance Cuban-style, I don't think there's anything new on the first film.
The second film has more advanced moves and is probably the one I recommend the most. Some of the figures are really cool! Buy it!"
Damir Coklin from London, ENGLAND:
I sincerely hope you will one day produce a Rueda video - a true Standard (if such exists) Cuban Rueda as opposed to the one of those Miami variaties.
Alvaro Castaneda from Vinslov, SWEDEN:
Michelle White from Stockholm, SWEDEN:
Eric Johnson from San Diego, CA:
Eli Vermeulen from Gent, BELGIUM:
Waidelich Burkhard from Graz, AUSTRIA:
Paul Baarn from Haarlem, NETHERLANDS:
Noam Tsur from Tel Aviv, ISRAEL:
Stephen Renton from London, ENGLAND:
John Jones from Manchester, ENGLAND:
Andy Moore
from London, ENGLAND:
(runs https://salsa_latina_uk.tripod.com)
Tony Kamenicky from Granville, AUSTRALIA:
"¡Salsa a la Cubana!" Home Page