Janelle Authur
Ranch Western dancers are polishing their boots and dusting off their hats as they look forward to cooler weather and a fall season of Country Western dancing at the Ranch.
On Friday, Sept. 6, Anthony Taylor Jr. and the Good Ol’ Boys return to the Sol Ballroom stage as the SaddleBrooke Ranch (SBR) Social Dance Club celebrates three years of monthly Western dances. This up-and-coming classic country band was featured at 2024 Country Thunder Arizona and the 2023 and 2024 Tucson Rodeo Barn Dance and plays regularly at Western-themed clubs in Tucson and Phoenix, including local clubs Whiskey Roads, Outlaw Saloon, and Maverick.
Last year, Anthony Taylor Jr. played for the club’s celebration of two years of Western dances and tickets were sold out, so if you are reading this, go online and buy your tickets today! In celebration of three years of Western dances, ticket prices will be $10 for club members and $12 for nonmembers.
Mamma Coal and her band return to the Ranch on Friday, Oct. 11. Mamma Coal has appeared on the Sol Ballroom stage as part of two Tucson Folk Festival fundraisers and for the October 2022 Western dance. She has recently released a new, well-received album, Dance Hall Crush, featuring her original music. Mamma Coal has opened for well-known country stars, including Lainie Wilson at the Rialto in downtown Tucson, Kaitlin Butts, Josh Turner, Bri Bagwell, and Dwight Yoakum.
Popular local band Wild Ride plays for the November dance on Friday, Nov. 8, with Anthony Taylor Jr. rounding out the year at the Western Holiday dance on Friday, Dec. 6.
The Sol Ballroom doors open at 5:30 p.m. for all dances, with open seating, and the bands play from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Food and beverages may be purchased at the Sol Ballroom bar; water and snacks are provided. Each dance includes a door prize with eligibility changing every month. Registration is $15 per person for club members and $20 for nonmembers for the October, November, and December dances.
The SBR Social Dance Club sponsors monthly Western dances and periodically offers Western dance lessons in the Arizona Two-Step, Western waltz, swing, 3-step, and partner pattern. Beginning Arizona Two-Step and Partner Pattern lessons will be offered starting in mid-September. For more information on club membership, dances, lessons, eligibility for the door prize, and/or to register for the dances and lessons, go to the club’s website at sbrsbdc.club.
Can’t Western dance? Sign up for lessons so you can honky-tonk and boot scoot with the best or just come on down and listen to great music. Haven’t been to a Western dance in a while? Come on back!