What can I expect at country dances?

[Sagitta]

I was considering checking out country dancing. However, when I search for dancing events I get square and round dancing and line dancing. What are country dance events like? What's the difference between round and square dancing? Where does two-step, waltz, cha-cha fit in all this?

[AnnieMarie]

Sagitta,
Are you wanting to know about social dancing like the club scene, or more like competitive events.

[jon]

I was considering checking out country dancing. However, when I search for dancing events I get square and round dancing and line dancing. What are country dance events like? What's the difference between round and square dancing? Where does two-step, waltz, cha-cha fit in all this?

Actually in none of those places. Square dancing is a form of folk dancing, done in sets of 8 people with a caller. These days it is mostly done in a codified, highly structured form known as Western Square Dancing (http://www.dosado.com/). Round dancing is a "cued" form of ballroom dancing where everyone does the same thing at the same time as directed by the cuer. It is loosely associated with WSD and draws some material from International Style Ballroom at its higher "phases" (levels), but has little relationships with the couples ballroom dance world. Both of these activities operate in clubs that usually rent space in community halls, churches, or the like.

The sort of country dancing you're asking about are all lead-follow couples dancing, which you're most likely to find at country nightclubs, and has no current relationship with square or round dancing. Line dancing is also done at country nightclubs although there is not all that much overlap between the line and couples dancers in many cases.

[AnnieMarie]

Thank you Jon. You explained that much better than I would have.

Ann

[Sagitta]

Thanks jon, Ann Marie. This is what I thought when a friend directed me to certain sites. Seems like there is a paucity of country night club dancing around here. :(

[DancingMommy]

C'mon on down to the South, my friend! We gots plenty fer ya. :lol:

[jon]

Once I was at a country dance weekend in Durham when some Western Square Dancers were having an event in the same hotel. It was pretty funny when both sides kept popping their heads into the other event to look at all the weird costumes :-)

[pygmalion]

C'mon on down to the South, my friend! We gots plenty fer ya. :lol:

Yup. The thing is, most of these places don't advertise. They don't have to. You just hear about them from friends. I bet there's a place to do country dancing in Ithaca. I just found a huge write-up in the Ithaca Times online of a bunch of Southern Rock bands coming to the state fair (Ithaca or nearby, I guess?) later this summer. The promoters must know there's a market for it.

And if that weren't enough music to eat up another gorgeous Ithaca summer, five nights of the New York State Fair's Grandstand Concert Series have been announced as of press time. Held nightly during the NYS Fair (August 26-September 6), the 16,000-capicity Grandstand will host a variety of well-known and classic national acts, always with a mix of country and rock. The Allman Brothers Band will play on August 27; Reba McEntire (with special guest Carolyn Dawn Johnson) on August 28; Kenny Chesney's Guitars, Tiki Bars and a whole lot of Love Tour (with guest Uncle Kracker) on August 31; ZZ Top on September 1; and Rascal Flatts (with guest Chris Cagle) on September 4. All shows start at 7:30 p.m., except for the Allman Brothers show, which kicks off at 7 p.m. Tickets for all shows can be purchased at Ticketmaster, and go on sale at 10 a.m., June 26.

I wouldn't mind going, myself. :? :D

[DancingMommy]

Yeah - We actually have The Barn again... It's been open for quite a while now. It had been closed for the longest, but it's got new owners and is hopping EVERY weekend.

We don't go often because hubby is terribly self-conscious - he hates being the only Asian there. :shock: He's afraid some redneck is going to take him out back and rough him up..... Paranoid...... :headwall:

[pygmalion]

I can relate. I used to be super paranoid about being one of the few Black people there. A total non-issue, but you have to go to find that out.

[DancingMommy]

I was once one of 4 white people (my family) at a place called Catfish Station in Atlanta. There was an open mike night for aspiring singers. I was dubbed "Mama I shrunk Mariah Carey", lol! Have to say it was an interesting experience. Rather *urban*.... Not very Cosby-show-esque like our friends....

[pygmalion]

I hope you tried the fried Catfish. If it's the same chain as the Catfish station that used to be in Austin, TX, it's some seriously good fish!

[DancingMommy]

I love love love Catfish! I can eat it so many ways... But I love it with greens and cornbread...

We got there way late in the evening - after the dinner hour - and just in time to perform. I enjoyed my self thoroughly, but I think my ex was a teensy bit uncomfy. Ok a LOT uncomfy... He was from Metairie, LA and hadn't spent much time with folks unlike himself... Mom and dad had a hoot. Dad used to play baseball in Harlem way back in the day.

[Vince A]

I was considering checking out country dancing. However, when I search for dancing events I get square and round dancing and line dancing. What are country dance events like? What's the difference between round and square dancing? Where does two-step, waltz, cha-cha fit in all this?
Virgilio,
I know you are from NY . . . what part??? How far is it for you to get to Braintree, Mass? The reason I ask, is that next month, there in Braintree, is a UCWDC C&W competition. Country and Western Comps AND Swing comps, plus line dance and all that stuff. I think you'd be pleasantly surprised at friendliness of the dancers and the high level of dancing abilities portrayed there. If you are lucky, you can even get the DJs for the Swing floor to play some Salsa for you. Everyone does the Salsa at these events . . . well, everyone that knows how!

If that is close for you, let me know, I'll forward you the particulars.

The women usually out-number the men at these events . . . even SD got to dance at the UCWDC event in San Diego last year :wink:

[pygmalion]

I love love love Catfish! I can eat it so many ways... But I love it with greens and cornbread...

Fried catfish for breakfast!! Now that's what I'm talking about. Yum. I have friends who serve it with cheese grits for breakfast. That's a bit much for me. But either hash browns or plain grits, and I'm good to go. There's nothing like using up your entire 2500 calorie daily allowance before you even leave the house in the morning. :wink: :lol:

I enjoyed my self thoroughly, but I think my ex was a teensy bit uncomfy. Ok a LOT uncomfy... He was from Metairie, LA and hadn't spent much time with folks unlike himself... Mom and dad had a hoot. Dad used to play baseball in Harlem way back in the day. Yeah. I can relate. It's really mostly in the attitude. We're mostly the same -- just looking to have fun. But if you feel self conscious, nobody can convince you to just relax and enjoy. It can be difficult to do.

For me, the biggest drawback of country dancing (around here) is the smoking.

[DancingMommy]

Yeah me too! <Hack Wheeze Cough Choke>

That's why we rarely go out anymore. I can't stand smelling like a cheap floozy afterwards, lol! :shock: :cheers:

[Spitfire]

C'mon on down to the South, my friend! We gots plenty fer ya. :lol:

Or out west; no shortage of that.