Reviews of Dance Books and Videos
"Dancing With John and Charlotte"
(www.dancingwithjohnandcharlotte.com) . Reviewed by Heather Diodati
Always wanted to learn how to dance but admit to having two left feet? You'll change your mind when you watch Charlotte Jorgensen and John O'Hurley's new DVD, "Dancing With John and Charlotte". They'll have you up and dancing in no time when you follow the easy moves so well explained and demonstrated by Charlotte and John.
First of all, upon opening the DVD case, I was pleasantly surprised to see not one, but two DVDs in the box.
The first DVD had John and Charlotte teaching you the basics of slow waltz, rumba, cha cha and quickstep along with some variations in each dance that give you enough to impress your family and friends at the next wedding or party.
The dance moves are broken down and patiently shown to you by Charlotte in her easy-going but professional manner, showing each variation in a way that makes it easy for you to absorb. Then John and Charlotte demonstrate each dance with its basic moves and variations, to show you what it should look like with the proper footwork, posture and partnering. After this you will see some of the professional dance couples from "Dancing with the Stars" (namely Ashly DelGrosso, Jonathan Roberts, Anna Trebunskaya and Nick Kosovich) as they perform each dance in full costume, along with offering up an extra hint or two.
You'll love John and Charlotte's smooth and classy quickstep; they make it look so easy as they express their obvious talent and ease of dancing together.
The second DVD has a question and answer period where Charlotte and John answer questions from the audience.
One thing I must mention is that both DVDs are peppered with John's usual well-known humorous banter along with his many "raised eyebrow" expressions to keep you amused!
Also included in DVD two are the outtakes and bloopers from the taping of this video. They obviously have a lot of fun working together!
As an added bonus, the second DVD has a section on how to build a dancer's body. Charlotte gives you pointers on how to lengthen your frame to look taller and leaner. Based on popular Pilates moves, Charlotte demonstrates some of the exercises she uses to keep her long, lean dancer's body in top shape. These exercises along with cardio on a couple or more days will help to trim and reshape your body as well as give you more flexibility and balance to help you not only with your dancing but basically in anything you do during your day.
The only problem I had with these DVDs were that they were not long enough. I was disappointed to see them end; I enjoyed them so much that I wanted more! I'm sure you will enjoy them as much as I did and if you practice the dance steps that Charlotte and John show, you're bound to spice up that dance floor!
For more information on this wonderful DVD set, or to place your order: www.dancingwithjohnandcharlotte.com
BIOGRAPHY - CHARLOTTE JORGENSEN
A championship dancer and native of Denmark, Jorgensen is fluent in five languages. She holds a Professional Danish Dancers' Association teaching degree and is an Honors Graduate with a teaching and adjudicating license from the World Dance and Dance Sport Council.
Moving to London, England--known as the Mecca of ballroom dancing--in the early Nineties, she rapidly progressed through the Amateur ranks, winning the World Amateur Championship in 1994. In 1997, she began competing professionally with Dancer Andrew Sinkinson, where their talents flourished. Their partnership culminated in great success when they ranked 2nd at the World Championship and at all other Grand Slam Events. She now resides in Solvang, and travels to coach, choreograph and judge dance events across the U.S.
A sought-after choreographer, Miramax hired her in 2003 to provide specialist dance coaching to Actor Richard Gere for the movie "Shall We Dance".
American Ballroom Theater hired her as an adjudicator for their finale in what became known worldwide as "Mad Hot Ballroom" – the documentary about New York's inner city kids and their passion for ballroom dancing.
Most recently you would have seen her on ABC televisions summer hit "Dancing with the Stars" where she was partner, choreographer and coach to John O'Hurley. John and Charlotte had a blast together during the extraordinary long rehearsal hours and have this February released an easy dance instructional DVD for all those would be dancers sitting around tapping their toes.
Charlotte is currently involved with Dance 4 Health, a non-profit, bringing physical awareness to children and teens through ballroom dancing and making them realize that they are in charge of their own physical wellbeing through the choices that they make everyday.
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