Growing up my family's idea of vacation was spending three weeks camping up in Northern California at a preserve called Lake of the Springs. Camping...well, let's just say it's not exactly my scene. Don't get me wrong, there were some awesome moments like star gazing out on the lake in the warm summer nights and spending hours and hours reading in the shade of the 100+ year old trees. But when my Dad busted out the fishing pole, that's when I needed a getaway.
I think I was probably 10 when I first discovered that each morning in the club house an older woman with a thick Southern accent and a heavily sequined blouse would round up "the ladies" whose husbands were out fishing and teach line dancing lessons! Now THIS was right up my alley. The pace was a little slow--we were lucky to get through one dance in an hour--but hey it was way better than being out on the dock! And so, despite the apparent age gap between me and my classmates, I would show up each morning and rock out to country jams with Marilyn and Eleanor. Then on Saturday night a live band would play out by the lake and we would show off our moves! So cool right?
All those summers raised me to love country music and especially line dancing. We stopped going camping a few years ago, but I've recently gotten back in touch with my line dancing roots thanks to all the country bars that have popped up around Orange County. Compared to the trashy night clubs where you will undoubtedly be violated by multiple drunk guys who will never remember your name, I much prefer the country bar scene where you LINE dance in your own little space and the dancing actually requires skill and practice. There's also something so cavalier about a man rocking cowboy boots and a hat who actually comes up to you, face-to-face, and asks you to two-step :)
In honor of this country love, thought I'd do a quick round-up (no pun intended) of local line dancing bars and YouTube tutorials for a few of the most popular dances. Just in case any of you want to trade in your heels and skirts for some plaid and cowboy boots ;)
WHERE TO GO:
In Cahoots - Fulleton, CA
Cover: $5 for 21+, $10 for 18+ on Wednesdays
Open: Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday
Ambience: Down home country. A little rough around the edges, but just right for line dancing.
Crowd: Mix of young and old with one thing in common--line dancing skills!
The Ranch - Anaheim, CA
Cover: $5 before 10pm, $10 after 10pm
Open: Monday-Sunday
Ambience: Swanky country (including a disco ball made of rhinestone guitars!). The facility is new with lots of nice ranch-inspired details.
Crowd: Older in the early evening and younger after 9pm. A mix of line dance pros and newbies, both rocking cowboy hats and boots.
HOW TO DANCE:
Y'all come back now!
<3 Lyssa
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