Country Lovers Western Dance Club

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Cecil Todd
5 years ago
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We actually had two dances each month! Those were the days! Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, Randy Travis, Tanya Tucker, the Judds, those were the headliners at the time.

1 JULY/AUGUST /08 NEWSLETTER Country Lovers Western Dance Club Jul / Aug 2008 Volume 3, Issue 3 Hello, Country Lovers! By Carol Rogers, President Some of us have been members of Country Lovers for a long time and can remember when we used to have 150 people attend our monthly dances. We actually had two dances each month! Those were the days! Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, Randy Travis, Tanya Tucker, the Judds, those were the headliners at the time. Country music was hot and country dancing was the thing to do. There were plenty of Honky Tonks all over the county the Ban Dar, Denim & Diamonds, Maxie s & the Crazy Bull to name a few. Who s In the Saddle: President Carol Rogers Vice President Francine Mackey Treasurer Ernie Johnson Secretary Sue Ellen Colp Directors Marshall Throneberry Becky Blanchet Mike Stark Past President Deanna Hatcher Newsletter Editor Tricia C. Ryan IdeasByTricia@yahoo.com Deadline: 20th of even month Instructors:: Francine Mackey (Wow that brings back some great memories)! There were also places like the Black Angus, Alexander s and the American Legion. I know some of you newbies are thinking Wow, how old is Carol anyway? But honestly we had a bunch of places to choose from every night of the week. Well things have changed a little. The Ban Dar was torn down. The Crazy Bull is now just a restaurant. D & D just disappeared. And all those other places wouldn t even think about having a country dance night now. But the good news is that Country Lovers Western Dance Club has survived it all. (Hey, maybe our theme should be I Will Survive instead of, Boot Scootin Boogie ). Anyway, I digress Country Lovers has been around for 18 years!! Can you believe it?!! And we continually, year after year, maintain approximately 90 members! That s gotta say something about our club AND our members. And because we re a non-profit organization, we have kept our cost of admission as low as we can for our members. However, over the last several months we have taken a net loss at our monthly dances. Now we usually take the loses in stride, but we ve been taken some big hits lately and it looks like we consistently average about 55 people at these dances. In order to break even we need 70 people to attend. So, in June the Board members voted to increase the door fees for our monthly dances. For members the fee will increase from $5 to $6, and for non-members the fee will increase from $5 to $7. Hah! I bet you thought it was gonna be higher! Nope, we still want to keep it low so that it won t detour you from coming out to dance! This new door fee will be effective at out August 16th dance. I hope you all can understand why we needed to do this WE WANT TO BE AROUND FOR ANOTHER 18 YEARS! Thank you for your understanding and...hope to see ya out on the dance floor! Sue Ellen Colp Deanna Hatcher Marshall Throneberry Jim Potter Angela Escalante Jesse Wilson It has been said that many of our members may like to take our dancing on the road...for Your Information Road Trips are now being requested! Anyone with information on dances in other areas are encouraged to share dates, times and places. Let s keep it going! Sign ups for carpooling will be made available.

When I asked her what she wanted me to write about, she replied Whatever you want as long as I get it by the 20 th. Well now could I ask for more!

2 J U LY /A U G U S T /08 N EW S LETTER Some thoughts on the origins of Line Dancing or How does that dance start? By Ernie Johnson The other night at the board meeting Tricia some how conned me into writing an article for the newsletter. When I asked her what she wanted me to write about, she replied Whatever you want as long as I get it by the 20 th. Well now could I ask for more! I immediately started getting a ton of ideas from ice fishing to symbolic calculus, from child psychology to animal husbandry, from playing a didgeridoo to writing a symphony. But since I know next to nothing about most of these subjects, I knew I would have to use my favorite toy (the computer) on the internet to research for the most pertinent information. While researching animal husbandry I came across a link to Line Dancing and decided it might be of interest to look at its origins. There are many fine articles on Line Dancing; I chose 2 which seemed to capture the essentials. The first is from Wikipedia the free encyclopedia, and the second What is Line Dancing by David Powell. Since they are in the public domain, I shall quote excerpts from them freely without regard to retribution or public humiliation. As I began to read and think about the subject, I realized that some form of Line Dancing has been practiced by most cultures since time began. As far as the more modern form of Line Dancing is concerned most sources suggest the beginnings in 1980 with the Tush Push and the Four Corners. My belief, however, is that there have been and still are many dances from many cultures that are and should be considered Line Dances. I will prove this point to be true further in the article during the discussion on steps. For now let us start with the definition of Line Dance given by Wikipedia: A line dance is a formation dance in which a group of people dance in one or more lines (British English, rows ), all facing the same direction, executing the same choreographed movements at the same time. Line dancers are not in physical contact with each other. Older line dances have lines in which dancers face each other, (Continued on pg 4) *CL Member ELLEN J. HIRVELA Ellen@hirvelalaw.com 1200 Paseo Camarillo Ste. 170-B Camarillo, CA Attorney at Law / Mediator Collaborative Divorce * Mediation Consulting Attorney * Prenuptial Agreements Tel FAX Advertise here for only $30.00 a year! Real Estate Information Are you thinking of buying or selling any Real Estate? *CL Member Call Country Lover Geri Frank, Owner Broker of G.L. Frank & Associates. I have helped many Country Lovers with their Real Estate sales and purchases. Call Geri Frank Cell Phone *CL Ideas By Tricia 1237 S. Victoria Ave. #234 IdeasByTricia@yahoo.com Mandalay Bay, CA Cell: (805) *CL Member Advertising Specialties Logo Merchandise Brand Name Premiums Employee Incentives Executive Gifts Food Gifts Imprinted Paper Products and more! Competitive Rates Free Quotes. *CL Member 2

3 Schedule of Future Events... (Subject to Change) DATE TIME EVENT Location July 12 4pm Demo Carpinteria July 13 11am-7pm CL Luau Picnic at Laura Dunn s Camarillo* Aug 2 8am Ventura Fair Parade Ventura Aug 10 2pm-3pm Ventura Fair Demo Pepsi Stage Ventura Aug 16 7pm 11pm August Monthly Dance House of Dance Sept 6 7pm 11pm Sept Monthly Dance House of Dance Board Meetings are held on the 2nd Wednesdays of the month. Save the date Feb. 14th 23rd Marshall and Teresa s 25th Anniversary Hawaiian Cruse. *See directions on Bulletin Board Location Finder... refer to (# s) on your calendar. #1 Country Lovers Dance Club: Family Fun Center, Telephone Road, Ventura * Dance Lessons.$2-3 Tuesday 6:30-9pm ********************************************* #2 C.L. Board Meeting: Call Hotline for time/place. Second Wednesday of the Month * #5 Cowboy Palace Saloon: Devonshire Street, Chatsworth, Ca * w ww.cowboypalace.com Dance Lessons & Dance...free Mon Sun 6:30pm Sunday BBQ at 4 pm FREE. #6 Borderline Bar & Grill: 99 Rolling Oaks Drive, T. O * Dance Lessons.$5 Thurs Sun 6pm * Dance Lessos.$6 Mon & Fri 6pm (country & swing) #7 Mavericks Saloon: 3687 Sagunto St., Santa Ynez, Ca * Dance Lessons..free Fri & Sat 6:45pm * Concert on Deck...free Fri & Sat 3-6pm #8 House of Dance: 3007 Bunsen Ave Suite E, Ventura Let s DANCE! #10 Francine s Classes: - Goleta Community Ctr Hollister Ave. Goleta (Francine ) #11 Sue Ellen s Classes - Tech. Dev. Ctr, 5200 Valentine Road, Rm 104 Ventura Tues & Thurs 11am Poinsettia Gardens & Darling Road, Ventura - Thurs nights 7 pm #12 Jim & Pat Potter Classes - Oxnard Moose Lodge 1935 S. Oxnard Blvd. #14 OST Pipeyard 2951 North Ventura Avenue, Ventura * Club Picnic in July #15 Santa Paula Airport: Logsdon s Restaurant & Lounge, 824 East Santa Maria St, Santa Paula * Dancing #16 Franky s Place 456 E. Main Street, Ventura * Dancing $5 Thurs 8 11 pm #17 The Barn 3320 Chestnut Ln, Camarillo * Dance Lessons/ Country Dancing $5-1 st Sat/ 4 th Fri of the Month - 7pm 3

4 (continued from page 2) or the line is in a circle, or all dancers in the line follow a leader around the dance floor, while holding the hand of the dancers beside them. This definition seems contradictory and limiting. I think of dances like the Bunny Hop, the Lindy, the Charleston as line dances, as well as Black Velvet, Red Neck Stomp or Walking Wazzi. The following table from David Powell s article gives us his thoughts on Line Dance History: Date Comment Dances historic Folk Dances Longways folk dances About 1600 Country Dances - England 1800 s Square dancing & Contra dances - USA Billy Ray Cyrus 1992 hit Achy Breaky Heart, helped catapult western line dancing back into the musical mainstream public consciousness. In the mid 1990s country western music was influenced by the popularity of line dancing. This influence was so great that Chet Atkins was quoted as saying The music has gotten pretty bad. I think, it s all that damn line dancing. But even this does not capture the origins and roots of our modern line dancing. Late 1800 s Country & Western dancing - USA 1800 s Chorus line dances Broadway USA 1900 s 1940 s Contra dancing begins to show traces of The Stroll (1940 s) 1960 s modern day line dancing 1960 s Fad contra line dances Hully Gully, Mashed Potatoes 1970 s Disco line dances Bus Stop, Nut Bush Country Lovers February Super Bowl Dance 1980 First recognized linedances Tush Push, Four Corners 1981 Oak Ridge Boys release Fancy Free Elvira,( Early 1980 s Urban Cowboy start of country influence Cotton-Eyed Joe, Two Step Late 1980 s- Rock n Roll & pop linedances predominate Copperhead Road, Crusin, Electric Slide, 1992 Mustang Sally 1992 Achy Breaky Heart line dancing becomes Achy Breaky Heart synonymous with country music Mid 1990 s Deluge of country line dances Waltz Across Texas, Linda Lu, Hot Tamales, Midnight Waltz, Dance ranch Romp, Cowgril s Twist, Smokey Places, etc Drift away from country music begins 13MWZ, Cha Cha Lenqua, Hey Bruce, Coastin/, Quando When Quando, Red Hot Salsa, Funky Town, etc, 2000 s Line dancing a mix of styles o This table shows the first recognized line dance in 1980, but the following paragraph from Wikipedia suggests an earlier date for Walkin Wazzi and Cowboy Boogie. At Least five line dances that are strongly associated with country-western music were written in the 1970s, two of which are dated to 1972: Walkin Wazzi and Cowboy Boogie. This was five years before the disco craze created by the release of Saturday Night Fever in1977. Two noncountry line dances from the 1970s are the Bus Stop and Nutbush. Over a dozen line dances were created during the 1980s for country songs. Boot Scootin Boogie was choreographed by Bill Bader in October of 1990 for the original Asleep at the Wheel recording of the song of the same name 4 Modern line dancing finds its roots in all areas from music and rhythms to dance steps. If you find this hard to understand or accept please follow me into a look at some of the dance steps and their origins. Take the toe heel, toe heel step. Look familiar, it should. It comes from our own American Indian culture. Ever been to a Pow Wow? How about the shuffle step? Did you ever watch National Geographic on TV and see an Aftican mating dance, Continued on next page

(the men trying to get away from their intended try to shuffle off to Buffalo).And then there is the Stomp Kick. In that same mating dance (it s the brides in-laws kicking the men back in line).

5 (the men trying to get away from their intended try to shuffle off to Buffalo).And then there is the Stomp Kick. In that same mating dance (it s the brides in-laws kicking the men back in line). From the Latin influence we get the triple step or Cha Cha (too much hot salsa or Montezuma s revenge). In Spain from Flamenco we have the paddle turn (someone stepped on gum and can t get unstuck). And from Ireland we have a whole host of fast steps (comes from men staying too long at the pub and trying to get away from their broom wielding wives. And not to slight the military, from Popeye and his ancestral naval shipmates we get the Sailor step (they say it s from walking on the pitching deck of a ship but did you ever hear of a ship called the USS Salty Dog Bar and Grill ). What about the Cossacks in Russia with their Kick Ball Change (which is a way of keeping your feet warm when you have been sent to Siberia for dancing in the streets). The heel hitch comes from a famous TV show (Jackie Gleason with his famous And away we go ). And finally the knee hitch (a defensive move known the world over by all women since time begin. Usually followed by a high pitched whimpering by the recipient of the step). Although many people think of line dancing as coming from the cowboys of the wild west it should be obvious there are influences from all times and all places. So by Crusin and Traveling Four Corners of this world amid the Hustle Bustle of our dancing Like A Star we Aspire to Be Strong and Escape the Blue Note s of our lives, remembering The Magic Is There in the steps we do in Celebration of the origins of Boot Scootin Boogie. Just remember to keep Push ing your Tush and having fun with the dancing. Hot Damn that was good. Editors Note: Good Job Ernie! We thank you for your time and research, as well as your humor! Country Lovers Hawaiian Luau - Summer Party July 13th, 2008 Bring your own chair, umbrella and sun screen Hawaiian attire optional Laura Dunn s Mansion 1735 Calle Rocas Camarillo 11am 7pm Your Bulletin Board Driving Directions to Laura Dunn s House: From Ventura: take Highway 101 South towards Camarillo (8 miles). Take the Central Avenue Exit. Left on Central Avenue (.8 mile) Right on Beardsley Road, at stop light, (2.3 miles) Left on Ramona Drive (.1 mile) Left on Calle Rocas - House on Right (look for parking. From Camarillo: take Highway 101 North towards Ventura. (4 miles) Turn right on Central Avenue (.8 mile) Follow directions above from Beardsley Road This area will be dedicated for members to share information. 5

6 6 Country Lovers February Super Bowl Dance

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Favorite Line dances By Winneke Lyter Country Lovers February Super Bowl Dance Across 1 caused confusion at the demo 5 Marshall and Theres s favorite 6 Good two step dance song 10 Left, left, left

8 Favorite Line dances By Winneke Lyter Country Lovers February Super Bowl Dance Across 1 caused confusion at the demo 5 Marshall and Theres s favorite 6 Good two step dance song 10 Left, left, left right left 12 Everyones favorite 13 One an a two, an a three, recently taught by Angela 15 now available in seeless 23 Favorite oldie 24 Angela s lesson, oldie 28 Chaos on the dance floor 30 Jim s cooldown on Wednesday 32 Born to boogie 35 Pat Potter and Nemo 38 2 lines, back to back 39 Maria s favorite 40 1st line dance for many 42 Topping for apple pie 43 JP s dance 44 Kick with your left 45 8 Pat taught at PT Hue pavilion Down 2 Wendy Vreeland won a dance completion with this 3 Oldtimer s favorite 31 Clap, clap, clap 4 Grandma used to make 6 City in Brazil 33 everything but the kitchen sink 7 country Lovers lesson April PC dolls 8 Official CL opening dance 36 Be alive 9 Bugs 11 Suellen s lesson 37 Christina Aguilera 14 Buster saves during this dance 41 not an orange drink, but a dance 16 Cha Cha 17 Jessica s favorite candybar and dance 18 Bob and Carol Swing Dance 19 George s favorite waltz 20 Turn into a pumpkin after this curfew 21 Jessie s couple lesson,..this is a dance? 22 couples favorite, nothing to do with beans. 25 Walk, not dance on the demo tape? Stumped?? Just ask Winnie And don t forget to thank her 29 Deanna s favorite For the entertainment! 26 Winny;s favorite 27 Oldie, real oldie

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Country Lovers W estern Dance Club PO Box 5307 Ventura CA 93005-5307 Memberships are now due! Please see Teresa Throneberry.

Come out and join us every Tuesday evening from 6:30 to 9:00 and catch up on Couples Dancing, and the new Line Dances.

8:00 Open Dancing: Practicing all you ve learned! Guest s first Night FREE Members - $2.00 Non-Members - $3.00 FOR THE WHOLE NIGHT!

10 Country Lovers W estern Dance Club PO Box 5307 Ventura CA Memberships are now due! Please see Teresa Throneberry. We re on the Web! Country Dance Lessons! Come out and join us every Tuesday evening from 6:30 to 9:00 and catch up on Couples Dancing, and the new Line Dances. 6:30 Last Weeks Review 7:00 New Line Dance to Learn 7:30 Couple s Dance Basics: Two-Step, Waltz, 10-Step, etc. 8:00 Open Dancing: Practicing all you ve learned! Guest s first Night FREE Members - $2.00 Non-Members - $3.00 FOR THE WHOLE NIGHT! Boot-Kicking Fun EVERY Tuesday! Where: Family Fun Center, Telephone Rd between Kimball and Wells in Ventura. Look for the Moose! Finally!! Exercise that s FUN & SOCIAL!! 10 * Country Lovers HOTLINE (805)

Country Lovers Western Dance Club

MAY/JUNE 2008 NEWSLETTER Country Lovers Western Dance Club May / June 2008 Volume 3, Issue 2 Who s In the Saddle: President Carol Rogers Vice President Francine Mackey Treasurer Ernie Johnson Secretary