Dance Lessons

"You gotta get off the couch, get out of the house,
long about Friday night.
Shine up your boots, polish up your moves,
if you wanna keep her satisfied.
You know a little bump'n grind'll do it every time,
if you wanna keep your little girl.
But you don't stand a chance
'less you take her out and dance ...
Cause we're livin' in a Honky Tonk World!"

Chris LeDoux, Honky Tonk World, Haywire CD, 1994.

In days gone by Country Dancing was a very important social grace and one of several ways of meeting influential people, climbing the social ladder or getting a few precious moments "alone" with your sweetie. In fact, Americans have enjoyed Country and Western Dancing (in various forms) since the 1930s ... and it still is one of several ways of meeting influential people, climbing the social latter or getting a few moments alone with your sweetie ... especially at The Country Club.

Western swing, a type of music popularized during the '30s by the famous Bob Wills and his band the Texas Playboys, with its jazzy, upbeat, easy-to-dance-to cowboy sound, was played in dance halls across the midwest. It influenced the various forms of Country Dancing, including the two step, line dancing, and cowboy waltz, that continue to be popular social dances today.

Would you like to learn for free how to two step, or line dance from an expert? Then come on down for our free dance lessons every Thursday through Saturday from 7-9 p.m.

Learn all the top dances with Tommy Byrd, Augusta's best dance instructor, and the Country Club Dance Hall and Saloon will pick up the tab for your lessons.

Dance Floor Etiquette

The Do’s and the Don'ts:

• Never come onto the dance the floor with beer bottles, drinks in glasses or lighted cigarettes.
• Never stay on the floor to talk. If the music has started and you don t want to dance, go find a quiet corner, order another drink and chat there.
• When dancing near beginners be mindful and courteous and don’t show off. Too many variations can put people off.
• Don't start a different dance of your own, unless there is plenty of room on and you sense it is acceptable.
• Remember the floor is for everyone. If you are dancing in lines, try to leave the outside lane clear for the couple dancers.
• Those dancing around the outside lane have the right of way, don’t block their progress.
• When dancing around the floor, the line of dance (LOD) is always anti-clockwise. Never dance against the LOD.
• If the floor is crowded, take small steps, enjoy the company, but watch out for collisions.
• If you should bump into someone, it is customary to apologize whether it is your fault or not.
• Should you accidentally knock over someone's drink replace it immediately.
• If possible, start another line rather than join one, which will block the outside lanes.
• Don't be tempted to stop dancing to teach, especially if there is no room. Try to teach off the floor if you can find space.
• Never walk through a line of dancers to cross the floor. Always walk around the floor or wait.
• Remember everyone was once a beginner; if you can dance do try to be helpful to newcomers.
• If the dance floor is empty and you are starting off the dance, go to the front so that others can fall in line behind you.
• Couples are always on the outside line dancers on the inside.
• And finally, keep your head up, keep smiling, enjoy yourself and keep coming back to The Country Club!