Janelle Authur
SaddleBrooke Ranch Country-Western dancers welcomed the new year on Jan. 19 stepping to the live music of Wild Ride, a Tucson-based band. On Feb. 4, Patrick Rayl and the .357 Band, a Southern Arizona group, played country-western music as dancers celebrated an early Valentine’s Day.
The bands play a wide variety of country songs, favorites of both new and seasoned country-western dancers. In addition to the two-step, swing, cha cha, waltz, western partner pattern, and a few of the most familiar line dances, there’s always a new dance or two to try. In January, dancers stomped to “Cotton-Eyed Joe.” Each western dance also features the same end-of-the evening waltz, danced to the Rex Allen, Jr., song, “I Love You Arizona.”
The club has monthly dances scheduled with live bands through the end of the year, with Wild Ride coming up next on Wednesday, March 9, Patrick Rayl and the .357 Band on Friday, April 8, and Wild Ride again on Wednesday, May 11.
The dances also feature a raffle, with entry requirements that change each month—such as a cowboy hat, boots, jeans, or, for the February dance, a touch of red in honor of Valentine’s Day. The January winner, Kathy Meyer, won a flight of Ranch beer and the February winner, SaddleBrooke resident Ron Limoges, won a bottle of wine and a box of chocolate candy.
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 dances, registration is currently limited to 70 dancers.
The club offers a variety of western (and ballroom) 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 sbrsbdc.club.
The club also offers monthly ballroom dances hosted by a DJ and, in January 2022, introduced monthly rock ‘n’ roll dances. With more dancing opportunities, Ranchers are discovering that their dance skills can easily be adapted to ballroom, rock ‘n’ roll, and/or western music.
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. Details are also included in the weekly Ranch Reminder. Registration opens four weeks before the event.
Come on down and have a boot scootin’ good time dancing to the live music of Wild Ride on Wednesday, March 9.