It’s the new year, and that means the Stagecoach Country Music Festival is right around the corner! This year’s Stagecoach Festival is April 28-30!
This is exciting for SoCal country music fans of course, but even more for country dancers, because it means the Stagecoach dance contests are starting soon! Hanging in the balance once again is the prize of a Stagecoach General Admission 3-day Pass (a 390.00 value) and a chance to be on the Stagecoach Honky Tonk Dance Team! (Priceless!).
This year there will be 11 California bars that will be running contests soon! The contests will begin on January 28, with the last one happening on March 5.
As I did last year, here is a post that is a round-up for you of all the information. Here it is all in one place! Not only the important dates and times, but all the dances you need to practice and be ready to dance! But wait, you’ll also find that most of the dances have a link to the Copperknob step sheet page as well as a video for you to learn or brush up on each dance!
So check it out! Choose a place to sign up and then really focus on both the line dances and the partner dances you’ll be doing. Really bring it and leave it all out on the floor this year. Who knows, you might walk away with that coveted free pass to Stagecoach and a chance to be on the Dance Team! Following are the official rules:
Contestants compete individually & must perform all dances at a given contest. Winners will be selected as individuals, not couples, participants can have a non-contestant as a partner for the “partner dance” portion of the contest, only participants with numbers will be judged.
Judgment criteria for participants will be based on both line dance & partner dance abilities in knowledge, skill/execution, style, & showmanship.
If a winner is selected for the Stagecoach Honky Tonk dance team by Annemarie Dunn/Word In Motion, in order to participate on the team, they must sign an agreement with Annemarie Dunn/Word In Motion to acknowledge duties, commitment & agreed benefits once they have been contacted.
So, briefly, y’all have 11 opportunities to win a Stagecoach General Admission Pass & a chance to be on the Stagecoach Honky Tonk Dance Team! You can ONLY WIN 1 PASS & passes are NON-TRANSFERABLE NON-EXCHANGEABLE. Contestants MUST dance ALL dances listed by the venue; you’re judged as an individual therefore your “partner” for partner dances doesn’t need to register unless they’re competing as well.
The Bars with Stagecoach Dance Contests (11).
See the list right here of the 11 bars in California (Southern California, and Sacramento) and click to pop down to the details for each bar: What line dances, partner dances, and then detailed information including videos for each of the dances! Notice also links down to some quick at-a-glance lists of all the line dances and partner dances.
Quick At-A-Glance of All the Contest Line Dances
Quick At-A-Glance of All the Contest Partner Dances
1. Cowboy Country – January 28, Saturday
This year’s Stagecoach Dance Contest opens with Cowboy Country! Cowboy Country is an original Honky-Tonk in Long Beach and a great place to get things started–especially for country dancers in Los Angeles and the Long Beach area!
For Cowboy Country’s Dance Contest, the top 4 dancers will win Stagecoach passes and also a chance to be on the Honky-Tonk Dance Team!
| Registration: January 28, 6:00 pm – 6:45 pm |
| Age Requirement: 21 |
| Competition Begins: January 28, 7:00 pm |
| Line Dances: Walk the Line Country Touch Gives Me Shivers | Partner Dances: Progressive Two Step Sweetheart Schottische The Horseshoe |
For more details see Cowboy Country Facebook page: Stagecoach Dance Competition at Cowboy Country
Cowboy Country Contest Line Dances
Walk the Line
Country Touch
Gives Me Shivers
Cowboy Country Partner Dances
Progressive Two Step
Sweetheart Schottische
The Horseshoe
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2. The Ranch Saloon – February 2, Thursday
I will always at least get to this yearly contest at the Ranch. I can count on it being an exciting night to come out dancing and watch the best dancers compete for the Stagecoach passes.
For The Ranch’s Contest, the top 4 dancers will win Stagecoach passes and also have a chance to be chosen for the Honky Tonk Dance Team!
| Registration: February 2, 5:30-9:30 pm |
| Age Requirement: 21 |
| Competition Begins: February 2, 9:30 pm |
| Line Dances: Bambalam Levitating Drunk on Stars Storm and Stone | Partner Dances: Progressive Two Step Riding Double* Texas Time |
*Note: For Riding Double follow YouTube Tutorial below (Copperknob’s only step sheet is for a different dance)
The Ranch’s Contest Line Dances
Bambalam
Levitating
Drunk on Stars
Storm and Stone
The Ranch’s Contest Partner Dances
Progressive Two Step
Riding Double
Texas Time
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3. Montana’s – February 10, Friday
The third Stagecoach dance contest is taking place at Montana’s in San Dimas.
For Montana’s Dance Contest, the top 4 dancers will win Stagecoach passes and also qualify to be on the Honky Tonk Dance Team!
| Registration: February 10, 6:00 pm |
| Age Requirement: 21 |
| Competition Begins: February 10, 7:00 pm |
| Line Dances: The Wolf After Party Honky Tonk Way | Partner Dances: Progressive Two Step California Cha Cha The Horseshoe |
Montana’s Contest Line Dances
The Wolf
After Party
Honky Tonk Way
Montana’s Contest Partner Dances
Progressive Two Step
California Cha Cha
The Horseshoe
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4. The Brandin’ Iron Saloon – February 17, Friday
The Brandin’ Iron is a new location from last year’s contests. So, I am thinking dancers in San Bernardino should be very excited to come out and represent!
For The Brandin’ Iron Saloon Dance Contest the top 4 dancers will win Stagecoach passes and also have a chance to be chosen for the Honky Tonk Dance Team!
| Registration: February 17, 7:00 pm |
| Age Requirement: 16 |
| Competition Begins: February 17, 8:30 pm |
| Line Dances: Bambalam Stomp Your Boots Cyber Remix | Partner Dances: Country Swing* Cowboy Cha Cha Texas Time |
*Note: For Country Swing: No Aerials.
The Brandin’ Iron Saloon Contest Line Dances
Bambalam
Stomp Your Boots
Cyber Remix
The Brandin’ Iron Saloon Contest Partner Dances
Country Swing
Cowboy Cha Cha
Texas Time
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5. InCahoots – February 22, Wednesday
For the InCahoots Contest, the top 4 dancers will win Stagecoach passes and also have a chance to be chosen for the Honky Tonk Dance Team!
| Registration: February 22, 7-8:30 pm |
| Age Requirement: 18 |
| Competition Begins: February 22, 9:00 pm |
| Line Dances: Askin’ Questions Set on Cruise Control Go Down | Partner Dances: Progressive Two Step Drifter Denver Cha Cha* |
*Denver Cha Cha Copperknob step sheet calls it “Cowboy Cha Cha (Colorado),” but this is the correct step sheet.
InCahoots Contest Line Dances
Askin’ Questions
Set on Cruise Control
Go Down
InCahoots Contest Partner Dances
Progressive Two Step
Drifter
Denver Cha Cha
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6. The Temecula Stampede – February 23, Thursday
For The Stampede’s Contest, the top 4 dancers will win Stagecoach passes and also have a chance to be chosen for the Honky Tonk Dance Team!
| Registration: February 23, 7-8 pm |
| Age Requirement: 18 |
| Competition Begins: February 23, 8:30 pm |
| Line Dances: Shake Your Cake Sunroof Raised Like That Cyber Remix | Partner Dances: Progressive Two Step Cowboy Cha Cha Desperado Wrap |
Temecula Stampede’s Contest Line Dances
Shake Your Cake
Sunroof
Raised Like That
Cyber Remix
Temecula Stampede’s Contest Partner Dances
Progressive Two Step
Cowboy Cha Cha
Desperado Wrap
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7. Borderline Saloon – February 24, Friday
For Borderline Saloon’s Dance Contest, the top 4 dancers will win Stagecoach passes and also have a chance to be chosen for the Honky Tonk Dance Team!
| Registration: February 24, 6:30 pm |
| Age Requirement: 18 |
| Competition Begins: February 24, 7:30 pm |
| Line Dances: Shake Your Cake Lil Bit Storm and Stone | Partner Dances: Progressive Two Step California Cha Cha Texas Time |
Borderline Saloon’s Contest Line Dances
Shake Your Cake
Lil Bit
Storm and Stone
Borderline Saloon’s Contest Partner Dances
Progressive Two Step
California Cha Cha
Texas Time
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8. Moonshine Beach – February 28, Tuesday
For California dancers way down south in the San Diego area, Moonshine Beach is making it easy for you to participate in this year’s Stagecoach Dance Contest!
For Moonshine Beach’s Dance Contest, the top 4 dancers will win Stagecoach passes and also have a chance to be chosen for the Honky Tonk Dance Team, and a Moonshine Beach Gift Card!
| Registration: March 4, 7:00 pm |
| Age Requirement: 21 |
| Competition Begins: March 4, 8:00 pm |
| Line Dances: Honky Tonk Way Sugar Honey I.T. Double D | Partner Dances: Freestyle Two Step El Paso Cha Cha Keep It Simple (P) |
Moonshine Beach’s Contest Line Dances
Honky Tonk Way
Sugar Honey I.T.
Double D
Moonshine Beach’s Contest Partner Dances
Freestyle Two Step
El Paso Cha Cha
El Paso Cha Cha.
Keep It Simple (P)
Keep It Simple.
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9. Buckle & Boots – March 2, Thursday
For the Buckle & Boots Dance Contest, the top 4 dancers will win Stagecoach passes and also have a chance to be chosen for the Honky Tonk Dance Team!
| Registration: March 2, 7-8:30 pm |
| Age Requirement: 16 |
| Competition Begins: March 2, 9:00 pm |
| Line Dances: She’s a Natural Bikini On Top The Vibe | Partner Dances: Freestyle Two Step Cowboy Cha Cha Texas Time |
Buckle & Boots’ Contest Line Dances
She’s a Natural
Bikini On Top
The Vibe
Buckle & Boots’ Contest Partner Dances
Freestyle Two Step
Cowboy Cha Cha
Texas Time
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10. Stoney’s Rockin’ Rodeo – March 4, Saturday
For our northern California dancing friends, some good news! The contest extends as far north as Stoney’s in Sacramento!
For the Stoney’s Contest, the top 4 dancers will win Stagecoach passes and also have a chance to be chosen for the Honky Tonk Dance Team!
| Registration: March 4, 7:00 pm |
| Age Requirement: 18 & Over Saturday |
| Competition Begins: March 4, 9:00 pm |
| Line Dances: Country Girl Stomp Dizzy Jumanji | Partner Dances: Progressive Two Step Drifter The Horseshoe |
Stoney’s Contest Line Dances
Country Girl Stomp
Dizzy
Jumanji
Stoney’s Partner Dances
Progressive Two Step
Drifter
The Horseshoe
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10. Fantasy Springs – March 5, Sunday
Like last year, this year’s contests wrap up with the final showdown in Indio at the Fantasy Springs Resort! So one final chance to compete and get in on a Stagecoach free 3-day pass at the venue closest to the Stagecoach fairgrounds.
For the Fantasy Springs Resort Dance Contest, the top 4 dancers will win Stagecoach passes and also have a chance to be chosen for the Honky Tonk Dance Team!
The dance contest will take place in the Fantasy Springs Lit Lounge.
| Registration: March 5, 2:00 pm |
| Age Restriction: 21 |
| Competition Begins: March 5, 4:00 pm |
| Line Dances: Drunk Eye candy Honky Tonk Way | Partner Dances: Progressive Two Step Texas Time Sweetheart Schottische |
Fantasy Springs Resort’s Contest Line Dances
Drunk (and I don’t wanna go home)
Eye Candy
Honky Tonk Way
Fantasy Springs Resort’s Contest Partner Dances
Progressive Two Step
Texas Time
Sweetheart Schottische
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Quick At-A-Glance of All the Contest Line Dances
Here’s a quick list of all the contest line dances above (29) alphabetically with the links to Copperknob, the choreographer(s), and the bar contests where you will see them.
| Line Dance | Level | Choreographer(s) | Bar Contests |
|---|---|---|---|
| After Party | Intermediate West Coast Swing | Maurice Rowe (USA) | Montana’s |
| Askin’ Questions | Beginner / Intermediate | Larry Bass (USA) | InCahoots |
| Bambalam | Phrased Easy Intermediate Contra | Rick Dominguez (USA) & Jonno Liberman (USA) | The Ranch, and The Brandin’ Iron |
| Bikini on Top | Phrased Intermediate | Anni Wunderlich (USA), Doug Miranda (USA) & Jackie Miranda (USA) | Buckle & Boots |
| Country Girl Stomp | High Improver | Rob Holley (USA) & Eric Mosley (USA) | Stoney’s |
| Country Touch | Improver / Intermediate | Darren Bailey (UK) & Fred Whitehouse (IRE) | Cowboy Country |
| Cyber Remix | Advanced | Fred Whitehouse (IRE) & Shane McKeever (N.IRE) | The Brandin’ Iron, and The Temecula Stampede |
| Dizzy | Intermediate | Jo Thompson Szymanski (USA) | Stoney’s |
| Double D (Duck Dynasty) | Improver | Trevor Thornton (USA) | Moonshine Beach |
| Drunk (and I don’t wanna go home) | Beginner | Nancy Rosera (USA) | Fantasy Springs |
| Drunk on Stars | Intermediate | Jennifer Oliphant (USA) | The Ranch |
| Eye Candy | Beginner | Gerard Murphy (CAN) | Fantasy Springs |
| Gives Me Shivers | Improver | Brandon Zahorsky (USA) | Cowboy Country |
| Go Down | Phrased Advanced | Tim Johnson (UK) | InCahoots |
| Honky Tonk Way | Intermediate | Landon James Purvis (USA) & Mark Paulino (USA) | Montana’s, Moonshine Beach, and Fantasy Springs |
| Jumanji | Phrased High Intermediate | José Miguel Belloque Vane (NL) & Guillaume Richard (FR) | Stoney’s |
| Levitating | Beginner / Intermediate | Fiona Murray (IRE) & Roy Hadisubroto (NL) | The Ranch |
| Lil Bit | Improver | Kelly Cavallaro (USA) | Borderline Saloon |
| Raised Like That | Improver / Intermediate | Darren Bailey (UK) | The Temecula Stampede |
| Set on Cruise Control | Low Intermediate | Jason Takahashi (USA) | InCahoots |
| Shake Your Cake | Improver | Amy Glass (USA) & Cody Flowers (USA) | The Temecula Stampede, and Borderline Saloon |
| She’s a Natural | Beginner | Jonno Liberman (USA) | Buckle & Boots |
| Stomp Your Boots | High Improver | Roy Verdonk (NL) & Annette Rosedahl Dam (DK) | The Brandin’ Iron |
| Storm & Stone | Improver | Maddison Glover | The Ranch, Borderline Saloon |
| Sugar Honey IT | Intermediate | Johanna Barnes (USA) | Moonshine Beach |
| Sunroof | Beginner | Shane McKeever (N.IRE) | The Temecula Stampede |
| The Vibe | Intermediate | Tim Johnson (UK) | Buckle & Boots |
| The Wolf | Improver | Jonno Liberman (USA) | Montana’s |
| Walk the Line | Beginner / Intermediate | Sandi Larkins (USA) | Cowboy Country |
Quick At-A-Glance of All the Contest Partner Dances
Here’s a quick list of all the partner dances above (14) alphabetically with the links to Copperknob if available, the choreographer(s), and the bar contests where you will see them.
| Partner Dance | Choreographer(s) | Bar Contests |
|---|---|---|
| California Cha Cha | – | Montana’s, and Borderline Saloon |
| Country Swing | – | The Brandin’ Iron |
| Cowboy ChaCha | Unknown | The Brandin’ Iron, The Stampede, and Buckle & Boots |
| Denver ChaCha* | Manny Rodela & Alice Rodela | InCahoots |
| Desperado Wrap | Harry Raymos (USA) & Norie Raymos (USA) | The Temecula Stampede |
| Drifter | Sue Inman & Denny Inman | InCahoots, and Stoney’s |
| El Paso Cha Cha | Unknown | Moonshine Beach |
| Freestyle Two Step | – | Moonshine Beach |
| Horseshoe | Unknown | Cowboy Country, Montana’s and Stoney’s |
| Keep it Simple (P) | Paula Frohn (USA) | Moonshine Beach |
| Progressive Two Step | – | Cowboy Country, The Ranch, Montana’s, InCahoots, The Stampede, Borderline, Buckle & Boots, Stoney’s, and Fantasy Springs |
| Riding Double | – | The Ranch |
| Sweetheart Schottische | Unknown | Cowboy Country, and Fantasy Springs |
| Texas Time | Stephen Pistoia (USA) | The Ranch, The Brandin’ Iron, Borderline, Buckle & Boots, and Fantasy Springs |
*Denver Cha Cha Copperknob step sheet calls it “Cowboy Cha Cha (Colorado),” but this is the correct step sheet.
Good Luck!
Well, I hope this round-up has been helpful to you eyeing these contests this month and salivating over those Stagecoach tickets. Good luck! And even if you don’t win I’m sure you will have a blast and be a better dancer afterward!
Note: Participants can have a non-contestant partner during the couples’ dances. Only participants will be judged. I actually did this a few years ago. I helped out my friend by being her partner during the partner dances. I had a great time and got to be involved while not being an actual participant.