You’ve seen it on the big screen, scrolled past it on TikTok and may have even heard about it from a friend, but have you tried line dancing for yourself? If not, consider this your sign to try out a class near you this week!
As a dancer at heart (but not in ability), my first time attending line dancing class was nothing like I expected. And no, that isn’t because “it’s not like in the movies.” In fact, it’s a lot more like the movies than one might think! If I had known my hometown Footloose was happening every Monday night just 10 minutes down the road from my house, I would have picked up this newfound hobby much earlier.
My go-to line-dancing joint (and most in the area) typically starts with an hour of free lessons from a professional instructor. We learn one easy and one advanced dance each week, with plenty of time to practice during and after lessons. From there, the dance floor opens to everyone, and for three hours, hundreds of cowboy boots stomp, clack and slide across the scuffed wooden floor as the famous dance scene from Footloose unfolds before your eyes.
Don’t be discouraged if you struggle to pick it up after your first lesson. That’s why it’s a hobby! Those sharp turns, quick pivots and rhythmic stomps take time, but once you master the basics, it’s easy to see why this western dance is taking over the internet and bars and taverns across metro Atlanta.
The first time I tried line dancing, I was shocked at how big of a crowd it drew every week and how hard it was to get through even one dance without running into or knocking boots with a few people. But, as I’ve returned week after week, I’ve learned it really is an art and an adrenaline-pumping one at that! The first time I mastered a dance, I was elated! On a Monday night, I was in a real-life Footloose beside my friends and community.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned as an amateur line dancer, it’s that finding a space that allows you to be a part of something bigger than yourself, even if it’s just at the bar down the street, has the potential to completely transform a regular work week and add some zest to your life!
Know Before You Go:
1. Find a line dancing location near you! Some top recommendations: Mondays & Wednesdays: Brimstone Tavern in Alpharetta Tuesdays: Slow Pour Brewing in Lawrenceville Thursdays: Heretic in Atlanta or The Well in Cumming
2. Grab some friends! Trying new things is always easier with a group of friends (plus, you won’t feel so bad when you inevitably bump into them a few times!)
3. Practice on TikTok: Most, if not all, of the songs you’ll learn the steps to can be found on TikTok. If you want to know your stuff before going in, look there!
4. Boots are a must! Ok, so you can still get in without a pair of boots, but it’s way less fun! I invested in a pair three weeks in and it dramatically enhanced my experience.
5. Have Fun!