Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Warning, do not learn salsa from this guy

When I first saw this video I was thinking, ok this must be one of those salsa satire videos like Learn to Dance with Hernando!, but after a few minutes of watching his DVD 'trailer' I realize that this guy was serious!

Dance instructor Marlon Silva attempts to teach a bastardized version of On1 salsa and cumbia. My best guess would be that this guy made up most of the moves taught in his DVD. While I am a big fan of original content, their are expectations.

Before you run out and buy his DVD, here is my review based on the video trailer.

#1 Pattern - Turning your partner by the ankles.
This pattern looks like crap and could cause the follower to fall or the leader to get kicked in the head. Dance patterns should look and feel good, not awkward and dangerous.

#2 Pattern - Around the world leading from the follower's waist?
I would guess that this could be a leadable pattern, but you will look like a complete idiot and I will laugh at you repeatedly.

#3 Leading techniques - Recklessly jerking your partner around like a rag doll.
This is not shown too much in the video, but you if search for others videos by this guy you will see. Quick tip, dancing should be enjoyable not a fight for your life.

#4 Teaching salsa threesome - see above comments.
While I am big fan of salsa threesome, this guy fails miserably, surprised???

#5 Rebranding On1 style as European style.
On1/On2/whatever was started in the United States (New York and LA). Marlon do your homework, you already look like an idiot and now you sound like one.

#6 More Patterns! - The Conga
If I see you doing this move in public I will bitch slap you.

#7 'Useful' advise - "Go around your partner all the time it makes your dancing easier"
More crappy advice from this guy, how about taking lessons from a reputable Latin studio and stop insulting the salsa community with this garbage.

This guy is so bad that other reputable salsa sites have posted warnings not to buy this DVD, but after watching the trailer I would assume that would be a sufficient warning.

I fell really sad for his dance partner, she will never become a good social dancer if she follows his teaching methods.

Update for clarification:
In the first paragraph I listed two video links, this post is talking about the first link which is titled "video". If you are still confused on which link I am referring to then click here.