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!
Southern California Dance Contests–They're Back!
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 Contests that occur around this time every year.
As in previous years, I've captured all the details on a page on the site to help contestants and everyone in general see all the bars, the dates, and the dances at a glance. There are YouTube video tutorials embedded as well as links to Copperknob! Check it out here!
Also here are the dates & places at a glance:
(3 down, 7 to go!)
1. Stoney's Rockin' Rodeo in Sacramento (Jan. 31, Wednesday)
2. Borderline @ The Canyon Club in Agoura Hills (Jan. 31, Wednesday)
3. InCahoots in Fullerton (Feb. 7, Wednesday)
4. THE RANCH Saloon in Anaheim (Feb. 8, Thursday)
5. Montana’s in San Dimas (Feb. 9, Friday)
6. Moonshine Flats in San Diego (Feb. 15, Thursday)
7. Cowboy Country in Long Beach (Feb. 23, Friday)
8. The Stampede in Temecula (Feb. 24, Saturday)
9. Buckle & Boots in Lancaster (Feb. 29, Thursday)
10. FANTASY SPRINGS CASINO in Indio (Mar. 9, Saturday)
Best Country Bars for Dancing in the United States:
The other new thing on the site is a directory for finding great places to go dancing! This is an at-a-glance to places I've mentioned already in the blog, and a growing list of other places as I learn of them. It is a very short list, so please email me with where you go, so I can add it!
Lastly, is a link to one of my line dance list posts! My list of 20 Beginner Line Dances. I recently refreshed the list. Check it out and let me know if there are some other good beginner line dances I need to add!
LINE DANCE INSTRUCTOR SPOTLIGHTS!
Also, have you tried Fuego Dancing Shoes? I'm curious to know what the experience line dancers are having with them. To be noted is that Women's Health Magazine just voted them the #1 DANCE SNEAKER! If you need a pair I have a 10% off through my blog click here, or below! Just use code BRIANS10 at purchase.
Thanks for reading!
Brian
Note: If you didn’t subscribe and are getting this it's 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.
Also: Last year Google shook up the internet once again with their latest algorithm update. Unfortunately, many blogs like mine took a hit and fell off the radar on search somewhat. If you enjoy my site and all the tips and information about all things country dancing, I would love it if you shared it with your friends or on social media to get it out more into the world–Thank you so much!
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!
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...
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,...