How I Got Started with Country Dancing
Hi, I’m Brian and I love country dancing! In 2017 a friend invited me to a local country bar where he and his wife had been going to dance. I was at a place in my life where I was a little lonely and had lots of time on my hands, so I thought I’d check it out!
But this wasn’t just any country bar they had invited me to, 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.
My First Steps Out onto the Dance Floor!
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!
I have now been country dancing for over 6 years and have spent countless nights out both line dancing and partner dancing. I’ve learned the basic Two Step and several other partner dances including the common Western Cha Cha dances. I know how to dance over 50 line dances and have probably taken lessons for well over 100!
I have also taken many lessons for the Country Two Step as well as West Coast Swing, another common dance often seen at your typical country bar or saloon where there’s a dance floor.
I think I can safely say, that though at one time dancing seemed like a foreign and even fearful prospect it has changed my life and 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 or predicted I would ever say “Yes, I’m a country dancer and a line dancer!” But, here I am!
Besides how many different line dances I’ve learned and the pattern partner dances, I’ve also visited many different country bars and dance halls to see how they are different. I’ve visited many places in Southern California, Nevada and also Arizona, and Texas to see what is out there. I enjoy writing about the many places to dance along with providing hints for finding a good place to go dancing – even tonight!
A Little About Country Dancing Tonight–The Blog
In 2019, a couple of years into my newfound country dance life I decided to try out blogging to see if could make a little money on the side. For my topic, I picked my favorite pastime of course to write about. My goal for this blog has been to document my dance journey as well as provide something helpful to people who, like I once was, are stepping out for the first time into the world of country dancing!
Thus was born CountryDancingTonight.com! As a new dancer, I can remember many firsts and all the questions about what I was getting involved with. The purpose of this blog is to offer helpful information and share interesting things to know about all things country dance.
Anyone into line dancing always likes a good list of dances they either know or are trying to learn and check off their list! My site offers this and more! Besides many lists of either beginner or popular line dances and partner dances are many pages about where to find a good dance hall or saloon.
From Southern California, where I live, to Florida, I’ve gathered information on some of the countless great hotspots across the country where you can do some line dancing and Two Stepping.
Thanks for checking out the site, and please email to let me know you’re out there. And never stop grapevining, triple-stepping, shuffling, rock stepping, etc.!