Western dancers enjoy a brief rest and their door-prize beverages at the SBR Social Dance Club’s monthly Western dance on March 7. Pictured are door prize winners Barry Sheppard and Bertie Litchfield (back row) and Ranch resident Betty Seberger, dance teacher Jane Gromelski, and dancers John Humphrey and Linda Gray (l to r, front row). Photo by Bob Authur.
Janelle Authur
Ranch Western dancers celebrated an early St. Patrick’s Day doing a little boot scootin’ to the Country music of the Hold My Beer Band on March 7 in the Sol Ballroom. Dancers proved that indeed, “everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day” as they two-stepped the night away decked out in green shirts, dresses, hats, and jewelry.
The SaddleBrooke Ranch Social Dance Club sponsors Country Western dances in the Sol Ballroom monthly. Dances feature many of the best-known and respected Tucson-area country bands, including bands that play regularly at popular Tucson-area venues including Arizona Country Thunder, Maverick, Whiskey Roads, Outlaw Saloon, the Ore House, Gaslight Theatre, and the Tucson Rodeo’s annual Barn Dance, among others.
All the monthly Western dances include a door prize, with entry requirements that change each month—such as cowboy boots, hats, or jeans, or something in a specific color or pattern. For March, dancers wearing “something green” were eligible for the drawing. SaddleBrooke resident Barry Sheppard won the monthly door prize—a four-pack of Ranch beer. As an added bonus, Barry also won tickets for a free beverage for all those seated at his table.
Dancers from the Ranch and SaddleBrooke brought all styles of Western dancing, from two-step to cha cha, waltz, swing, three-step, partner pattern, the Barn Dance, and a few Western line dances. Ranch resident and singer Cheryl Javid sang “Neon Moon” with the band, with dancers circling the dance floor with the Cowboy Cha Cha partner pattern dance. The evening wound down with a tribute to our adopted state of Arizona, with dancers partnering up for “I Love You Arizona,” a tradition at the Ranch Western dances.
Bands are already booked through 2025, so mark your calendars! On Friday, April 4, Highway Outlaws return to the Ranch stage, followed by Clear Country on Friday, May 2. Hold My Beer will return on Friday, June 6, Highway Outlaws on Friday, Aug. 8, Wild Ride on Friday, Sept. 5, Patrick Rayl and the .357 Band on Friday, Oct.10, and Mamma Coal and her band on Friday, Nov. 7. Clear Country will wrap up the year on Friday, Dec. 5. July will be announced at a later date.
Don’t know how to Western dance? Come on down and listen to great music, or, better yet, take a few lessons! The club offers Western dance lessons throughout the year, including the Two-Step, Western waltz, swing, and partner pattern. For details on dances and lessons in 2025 and/or to register, go to the club’s website at sbrsbdc.club. Come on down!