The clean-up crew shares the evening’s camaraderie as they clean-up after a successful Western dance celebrating three years of Western dancing at the Ranch on Sept. 6. Pictured are (back row, left to right) Judie Townsend, Kate Thomsen, Bob Authur, Bob Townsend (front row, left to right) John and Mary Green, Janelle Authur, Betty and Mark Seberger. (Photo by Paul Thomsen)
Janelle Authur
Western dancers brought their toe-tappin’, boot stompin’, heel pounding skills to the Sol Ballroom dance floor on Sept. 6 as the SaddleBrooke Ranch (SBR) Social Dance Club celebrated three years of monthly Western dances at the Ranch.
Almost 90 dancers enjoyed the Classic Country music of Anthony Taylor Jr. and the Good Ol’ Boys, including dancers from the Western dance clubs at the Ranch, SaddleBrooke, and Sun City Rancho Vistoso. As dancers entered the ballroom, they were greeted by a 3-foot-tall gold “#3” balloon arrangement and a display of Ranch Roundup articles describing Western dance events over the past three years.
Dancers filled the floor with the Arizona Two-Step, Western Waltz, cha chas, swing, 3-step, partner pattern, the Barn Dance, and a few Western line dances and buckle-polishers. A Ranch Western dance tradition, dancers ended the evening with a pattern tribute to their adopted state of Arizona, partnering up and dancing to “Arizona,” one of Arizona’s two state songs.
Terri Gillis, accompanied by spouse Karen Gillis, won the September door prize, two tickets to the October Western dance featuring Mamma Coal. (Photo by Bob Authur)
Monthly Western dances began in September 2021 when the club recognized the popularity of Western dancing and music in Tucson and among Ranchers. Since then, the club has brought in many of the best-known, popular, and up-and-coming Tucson-area Country Western bands, all playing their brand of favorite and danceable music.
All the monthly Western dances feature a door prize, with entry requirements that change each month—such as cowboy boots or hats, or, at this dance, wearing “something leather.” The September door prize winner, SaddleBrooke resident Terri Gillis, won two tickets to the October dance featuring Mamma Coal.
Monthly dances will continue in September as Mamma Coal brings her vocals to the Sol Ballroom stage on Friday, Oct. 11. The Hold My Beer band returns on Friday, Nov. 8, and Anthony Taylor Jr. finishes the dance year on Friday, Dec. 6. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with open seating. Bands play from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Dancers may order food and beverages from the in-ballroom bar.
All levels of Western dancers are welcome and newer dancers are encouraged to “come on down” and hone their dance skills.
The club also periodically offers Western dance lessons, including the Arizona Two-Step, Western waltz, swing, 3-step, and partner pattern dances. For more information and details on dances and lessons and/or to register, please go to the club’s website at sbrsbdc.club.