Ranch Western dancer Kate Thomsen won a box of Valentine’s candy at the Western dance in the Sol Ballroom. Pictured with Kate is spouse and dance partner Paul Thomsen. (Photo by Bob Authur)
Janelle Authur
The dance floor in the Sol Ballroom overflowed with Western dancers at the SBR Social Dance Club’s monthly Western dance on Friday, Feb. 3. Eighty-plus dancers enjoyed the music of Whiskey Riverdogs in the band’s second appearance at the Ranch.
The club sponsors Western dances with live bands monthly. The bands play a wide variety of Country Western music so all dancers can step out to their favorite dances, including two-step, cha chas, waltzes, swing, 3-step, partner pattern, and a few Western line dances. At this month’s dance, five couples demonstrated the Country 3-step, a new dance that will be taught at March dance lessons. The evening wrapped up with the monthly Western dances’ traditional end-of-evening waltz partner pattern dance, “I Love You Arizona,” a tribute to our adopted state.
All the Western dances also feature a raffle, with entry requirements that change each month—such as cowboy boots or hats, or, for the February dance, wearing something red. The February winner, Ranch resident Kate Thomsen, won a large heart-shaped box of chocolates.
On Friday, March 10, a Ranch favorite, Wild Ride, will play. On Saturday, April 1, the C.W. Tubbs Band will play at the Ranch for the first time, followed by another new band, the Highway Outlaw Band, on Friday, May 12. Whiskey Riverdogs will return to the ballroom stage on Friday, June 9.
All levels of dancers are welcome at the monthly dances and newer dancers are encouraged to “come on down” and practice their newly acquired skills. Given the popularity of the Western dances and size of the dance floor, registration is limited to 80 dancers.
The club also sponsors monthly rock ‘n’ roll and social dances, featuring a DJ, as well as a variety of ballroom and Western dance lessons. In March, Western dance lessons will feature Intermediate Arizona Two-Step and the Country 3-step.
For details on upcoming lessons in 2023 and/or 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 through a link in the weekly Ranch Reminder. Registration opens four weeks before the event.