Raffle winners Cheryl Dalton and Ed Dalton take a break at the SBRSDC November western dance featuring Wild Ride.
Janelle Arthur
Western music and dancing filled the Sol Ballroom on Wednesday, Nov. 3 as 70 Ranchers stepped out to the live music of Wild Ride, a popular Tucson-based country band.
As the number of western dancers at the Ranch continues to grow, the SaddleBrooke Ranch Social Dance Club (SBRSDC) has now sponsored three dances devoted to country western dancing—two No-Frills “Boom Box” dances in September and October, and this first foray into live music in November.
SBRSDC has also announced that the December holiday dance will feature Patrick Rayl and the .357 Band, another popular Southern Arizona country band, on Friday, Dec. 3 in the Sol Ballroom. Wild Ride will play again on Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022.
All the western dances feature a wide variety of country songs, including the two-step, swing, cha cha, waltz, western partner pattern, and a few of the most popular, familiar line dances. Dancers are also learning that their ballroom and rock ‘n’ roll dance skills can be easily adapted to country music and vice versa. Of course, the cowboy boots and hats help.
Each dance also features a raffle, with prizes ranging from a four-pack of Ranch beer to free dance tickets to Green Valley Pecan trail mix. Entry requirements change from month to month—a cowboy hat, boots, or jeans, and, for the December dance, a touch of red.
Doors to the Sol Ballroom open at 5:30 p.m. with dancing from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Dancers are seated at small, socially distanced tables. Admission for each dance is $15 for SBRSDC members and $20 for nonmembers. Given the popularity of the dances, registration for the December dance will be limited to 70 dancers.
All levels of dancers are welcome, and newer dancers are encouraged to “come on down” and practice their newly acquired skills. If you are still not ready to hit the dance floor, SBRSDC offers a variety of western dance lessons in the Fitness Center at the La Hacienda Club. Lessons rotate monthly, with new and/or repeat offerings each month. For details and to register for the dances and lessons, go to the Club’s website at www.sbrsbdc.club.
Information on the dances and lessons is emailed directly to club members and those on the club’s mailing list approximately four weeks before the dance and/or lessons start date. Details are also included in the weekly Ranch Reminder. Registration opens four weeks before the event.
Grab your hat, jeans and boots (if you have them!) and join us for a boot scootin’ good time!