Country dance formats are different at each country dance and each dance club. But they all have one common goal…keep the people happy and dancing while fulfilling any goals of your club. If your dance group is line dance oriented, you might try this format. Start off the dance with some slower, easier line dances to get the people onto the floor and to become limber. It also gives the dancers time to start making requests.
A mix might be:
- 3 easy, slow, popular line dances
- 2 to 3 partner dances, line dance in middle to same songs if there is room
- 3 line dances, increased tempo
- 2 partner dances, line dances if room in middle
- 1 mixer dance
Hillbilly Rick sez… I normally try to do at least 2 partner dances in a row, never just 1 partner dance. Why waste time getting dancers on the floor into a circular pattern or with a partner and then change right back to a line formation? I find that the more the dancers dance, the thirstier they get. If the dancers sit and watch a few people dance the harder dances all night all they do is sip a drink slowly.
Slow dances are nice, especially right before you end the dance. As in any dance, it also acts as a cool down before going home.
For the last song of the night, pick a song that signifies your character. Some of Hillbilly Rick’s favorites are, Drinking Champagne by George Strait and Happy Trails by Roy Rogers. We do a dance called the Tennessee Walk as if we are walking home.
Multiple country dances to the same song at the same time
Multiple country dances at the same time to the same song, are a salvation to country dance. This is a good way to keep country dance healthy and growing. It allows the beginners to stay on the dance floor without getting discouraged. Multiple dances at the same time allows both beginners and higher level dancers to dance at the same time. Since the beginners don’t have to sit out any of the harder dances, they do not get discouraged. Experienced dancers get to do their higher level dances at the same time, practice what they have learned and to show off a little what they have learned and what beginners can look forward to.
Multiple dances allow the dancers to choose which dance they want to do. They do not have to participate in a dance that another group of dancers has begun. The other group can start up their own and both groups can dance at the same time. The only limitation is the size of the dance floor.
Multiple dances become much more important if you are having a large dance and drawing from a large geographical area. Ask the different dance clubs for a list of their current dances and music before the dance. Tempo the songs to the dances you don’t know and come up with dance matches to songs you are going to play so all can dance. Normally at a dance of this size, each group of dancers from a different locality will band together and dance in the same area.
Let me restate that the main problem in doing multiple dances at the same time is the size of your floor! You must customize your sets to that size requirement! If the line dancers have to sit down for a while to give the two steppers, east or west coast swingers and both partner dancers a chance to dance then so be it! But by the same token then the partner dancers must give up the floor when it is full of line dancers.
IT IS UP TO THE DJ TO CONTROL THE FLOOR! IT IS UP TO THE DJ TO CONTROL THE FLOOR!
When there is a problem talk to the DJ First, the management second! If the DJ is doing what the management wants him to do from a business decision and you are unhappy go dance elsewhere!
Most Danced Dances in our area:
- Progressive Cowboy (Kool Dance) – I’m A Cowboy by Smokin Armadillo’s or Tribal Dance by Two Unlimited
- Tush Push – Super Duper Love – Exile
- Rockin’ the Rodeo – Rodeo Rock by Jimmy Collins
- J- Walk – Walking to Jerusalem by Tracy Byrd
- Diamond Reggae – Reggae Cowboy by Bellamy Bros. or It’s Your Life by Dr Alban
- Beat Mix
- Electric Slide – Indian Outlaw by Tim Mc Graw
- Rock It – Baby Likes to Rock It! by the Tractors
- Fever – Jeff Moore
