Hi, I’m Brian and I love country dancing! I am a single dad to 4 amazing adult kids and live in Fullerton, California. In 2016 I went through a divorce, and like many going through something like that, I was pretty devastated. In my journey toward recovering and moving on, a recurring theme I heard was that there’s hope! People talked about finding silver linings in things like this. Maybe you’ll do things and discover things you never would have before! Well, in 2017 some friends of mine invited me to go to a country bar where there was dancing. But this wasn’t just any country bar, this was the Ranch in Anaheim California! A very nice premier place for live music and country dancing. I joined them and had a really good time. And over time, even without my friends, I kept going just to sit, have a beer, and hang out. (better than being all alone at home). I wasn’t dancing immediately at all–that terrified me! But what I found was that just sitting and watching people dance was nice, even therapeutic. Something about just watching people dance was very cool. But you can’t be at a place like that too long before you try it out yourself. So began my journey into country dance. At first, it was line dancing, but then after a few lessons, I actually tried the two-step as well. There were some rather terrifying moments to that of course! But now, here 6 years later I have enjoyed many many nights of dancing. In that time I learned the basic Two Step, learned several partner dances, and now know close to 50 line dances and tried out hundreds. It has really become a very fun outlet and activity. A place for meeting new friends and enjoying some great nights of live music and dancing. Looking back, I would never have guessed I'd be so caught up with, of all things, dancing! But here I am, and I'm happy to have found it and all the things and people that surround it. And now to write about the discoveries and hopefully put out some interesting and helpful information about it is a bonus!
Some Spring Time Country Dancing News & More!
Hello Country Dancers! And Happy Spring 2023!
What a great time for dancers! I love this time of year as the days get longer and warmer! Spring is in full swing and hopefully, so is everyone's dancing! Here's to a great Spring & Summer of country dancing!
For this month's email, I wanted to let y'all know that there are two new articles on the blog!
First, I have a recap and round-up of last month's EDGE Dance Event in SoCal, and then another post focusing on country music! Read on!
The EDGE, 2023!
First, last month in SoCal, there was a great dancing time had by all in Temecula, California with the unique country dancing convention known as The Edge Dance Event. Click here, or on the picture below to go to the article! For those that went, this will be a fun reminder of all the fun, and if you didn't make it check out what you missed! There are also early bird (low-priced) tickets already available for 2024!
My recap includes 7 videos that will give you a great taste for what the Edge is like! From the beginning welcome, to demos, recaps and even some of the social dancing and competition! Check it out!
The Edge Dance Event, 2023 – Nonstop Dancing, & Fun for Everyone!
Country Songs About Dancing! Do You Know Some?
Next, I have a new post about country music! I thought of this awhile back and have been slowly collecting this list in my head for a while! It is finally on "paper" and published! I hope you enjoy it but also let me know if I've missed a favorite of yours that should have made the list!
25 Country Songs with Lyrics About Dancing and Honky-Tonks!
Stagecoach & The Stagecoach Honky-Tonk Dancehall!
Well, it's back! The Stagecoach Country Music Festival is happening in about a week from now! And, recently in SoCal there were a total of 11 dance contests leading up to this weekend. Winners were crowned and from those that won, a great group of dancers was chosen to be on the dance team at Stagecoach!
So, for any of you going next weekend (April 28-30) be sure to check out the Honky-Tonk Dancehall! Take some lessons and do some Two Step or partner dancing on that gigantic floor!
And if you want to see how some of the winners got there check out my post on the dance contests that now also has video compilations of many of the contests nights. I've got videos from Cowboy Country, The Ranch, Montana's, The Brandin' Iron, InCahoots, The Stampede, Borderline Saloon, Moonshine Beach, Buckle & Boots, Stoney's Inn, and Fantasy Springs. Click below to see all of them!
Also if you want to get a glimpse of what the Stagecoach Honky-Tonk Dancehall is like check out my post from last year that covered it. Click here.
Line Dance Instructor Spotlight!Cindi Massengale is a great Long Beach line dance instructor at Cowboy Country & The Gaslamp! Check out more information on her classes here. |
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Line Dance Instructor Spotlight!Jeannie Davies is a great line dance instructor in Irvine, CA. See below for details, including her class schedule! |
Keep your mind active and your blood flowing with this fun and easy-to-follow line dancing class. Dance at your own pace to a variety of music. All levels welcome. Daily drop-in available: $10 per class. Inst: Jeannie Davies. *No class 5/29, 6/19.
Beginner Tu Apr. 4-June 27 5-7 pm $91
Beginner Th Apr. 6-June 29 3:30-5:30 pm $91
Improver M Apr. 3-June 26* 10:30 am-12:30 pm $77
Improver W Apr. 5-June 28 3:30-5:30 pm $91
Improver Sa Apr. 1-June 24 10:30 am-12:30 pm $91
To register: yourirvine.org or 949-724-6800
Rancho Senior Center (RSC)
3 Ethel Coplen Way • 949-724-6800
Note: I know I have subscribers from all around and I'm reporting often on the Southern California country dance scene. So, please if you want me to mention or announce your event or classes anywhere in the world, I would be glad to do so!
Just reply to the email and let me know!
Also, when it comes to cool dance halls and dance clubs in other places, please know that I’m on the lookout! Where are the best places to go dancing? Or what great country dancing events are coming up?
And, as a subscriber to my blog please let me know where YOU go dancing! I’d love to know! This might help me create the next giant exhaustive blog post for BEST PLACES TO COUNTRY DANCE in a city near YOU!
Brian
Note: If you didn’t subscribe and are getting this its cause you already connected with me and I took the liberty to add you to my list! BUT let me know if you don’t want to be bugged. I get that! There’s always an unsubscribe option.
Country Dancing Tonight
I love country dancing and all things around it - line dancing two step, county music and a great honky tonk bar or dance hall.
Hi, I’m Brian and I love country dancing! I am a single dad to 4 amazing adult kids and live in Fullerton, California. In 2016 I went through a divorce, and like many going through something like that, I was pretty devastated. In my journey toward recovering and moving on, a recurring theme I heard was that there’s hope! People talked about finding silver linings in things like this. Maybe you’ll do things and discover things you never would have before! Well, in 2017 some friends of mine invited me to go to a country bar where there was dancing. But this wasn’t just any country bar, this was the Ranch in Anaheim California! A very nice premier place for live music and country dancing. I joined them and had a really good time. And over time, even without my friends, I kept going just to sit, have a beer, and hang out. (better than being all alone at home). I wasn’t dancing immediately at all–that terrified me! But what I found was that just sitting and watching people dance was nice, even therapeutic. Something about just watching people dance was very cool. But you can’t be at a place like that too long before you try it out yourself. So began my journey into country dance. At first, it was line dancing, but then after a few lessons, I actually tried the two-step as well. There were some rather terrifying moments to that of course! But now, here 6 years later I have enjoyed many many nights of dancing. In that time I learned the basic Two Step, learned several partner dances, and now know close to 50 line dances and tried out hundreds. It has really become a very fun outlet and activity. A place for meeting new friends and enjoying some great nights of live music and dancing. Looking back, I would never have guessed I'd be so caught up with, of all things, dancing! But here I am, and I'm happy to have found it and all the things and people that surround it. And now to write about the discoveries and hopefully put out some interesting and helpful information about it is a bonus!
Hello Country Dancers! Happy 2024! For the first email of 2024, I have a couple of things for you to check out on the blog! Two new articles on the blog! But also scroll down for some extras! February's Topics: 2024 Talent Search Dance Contest, Full California Round-Up! & Best Country Bars for Dancing in the United States. Dance Contests: Living in Southern California and being a country dancer, the beginning of the year always treats us to the awesome Word In Motion Talent Search Dance...
FALL 2023 Country Dancing NEWS! Howdy Y'all! For this month's email, I have four new articles on the blog and five dance instructor highlights! This email is packed full of great information! It's all about Footwear, Fear & Shivers! But also some news about Vegas Line Dancing as well! Also, and very importantly, a big thanks to all my subscribers, especially to all the new subscribers–all 142 of you! Fuego Dance Shoes: A Line Dance Game Changer? I have been super obsessed with the fairly new...
Summer 2023 Country Dancing in California, Arizona & Texas! I hope everyone is having a great summer! And especially a great summer of country dancing! For this month’s email, I am highlighting FOUR new articles on the blog! This is a long overdue email, but hopefully worth the wait, as I was collecting some new material to write & report about. The main thing I did this summer was a road trip through Texas. I had a great time checking out some of the best places to dance! If you live in...