If you’ve read any of my other blogs you know that I did not grow up in Texas, but I’ve always had a special appreciation for the rodeo - roping, riding, and…line dancing. Growing up, I loved the aesthetic of cowboy boots and a Stetson, but it wasn’t until moving to Texas that I started to appreciate the culture that surrounds the aesthetic. So when I found out there were real (real!) line dancing venues in Houston I was pumped. So here’s my survival guide to learning how to line dance.
What is “Line-Dancing”?
Now this may not come as a shock to you, but line dancing is when a group of people…stand in lines…and dance. But moving past the obvious, line dancing is a type of choreographed dance where everyone faces in the same direction and (tries) to do the same steps in sync. So maybe you’ve already done some version of line dancing in songs like the Cupid Shuffle or Payaso de Rodeo – so what makes Texan line dancing different? Well honestly, not much! The biggest shift you’ll see from these songs is just the type of music – most often, American country music. And also, the steps aren’t always as obvious as in a song like the Cupid Shuffle.
Why Should You Try Line Dancing?
- It’s a great Texas tradition and lets you escape the city feel of Houston for a little while. It also keeps the rodeo spirit alive outside of February and March!
- There’s a great community surrounding line dancing and makes for a wonderful group outing. Making new friends in grad school? Perfect! Make an outing to one of Houston’s great dance halls. Not to mention you can do this without a partner, or if you are in a relationship, you can learn how to two-step (I’m still working on that one…)
- Lessons are often cheap or free and usually located near a watering hole for graduate students who like to imbibe (or not!).
- Grad school can get stressful and line dancing is a great way to relax and relieve stress. It’s a chance to not take yourself too seriously. Not to mention, it’s cardio exercise disguised as fun!
So How Do I Get Started?
First step, find a dance hall. Now I know what you’re thinking, “No way, that’s so embarrassing, everyone is going to laugh at me.” With that attitude, you might be right so it’s time to let go of your ego. Go talk to a therapist or ChatGPT and come back to this blog once you’ve reached self-actualization. Got it? Okay great.
Many dance halls have beginner lessons (check the end of this blog for more specifics)! Feel less anxious now? Good, these are great places to start if you’re serious about learning the footwork for each of the dances. However, this is not how I started. Let me tell you a story…
My First Line Dance
Last February I was fortunate enough to attend a Gordon Research Conference on Atomically Precise Nanochemistry that was being held in Galveston! I should probably write a blog on that at some point, but perhaps my favorite memory of the whole conference came on the very last night. A big group of graduate students, postdocs, and even some professors from all around the world decided to go out to local establishments in Galveston and we ended up at Buckshot Saloon, a line-dancing bar right on the island!
While we were there I introduced everyone to “Ranch Water” - a Texan drink that is made of tequila and sparkling water (although a couple of the Europeans thought the salad dressing was involved!). Then, the line dancing began. At first, everyone observed the dance floor, and then after a while (and some liquid courage) we decided to jump in! To be honest, as long as you have some rhythm and don’t take yourself too seriously, I feel like this is a great way to get started. Find the best dancer on the floor and copy what they do! We really tore the house down when “Copperhead Road” by Steve Earle came on – a true line-dancing favorite.
Okay, I’ve been convinced to try it - Where Do I Go?
I’m glad you asked! Here are a few local favorites:
- Neon Boots Dancehall & Saloon: Free line dance lessons on Thursdays at 7:30. Come early for lessons, stay late for chaos. Bonus points for their enormous Texas-shaped dance floor and adjacent karaoke room.
- Stampede Houston: Friday night line dancing lessons — the kind of place where you will absolutely see both cowboy hats and crop tops.
- Buckshot Saloon (Galveston): My first line dancing bar and forever in my heart. No lessons here, just vibes and people stomping like their lives depend on it.
Line dancing taught me that Texas isn’t just a place — it’s a vibe. It’s a state of mind. It’s about showing up, looking a little ridiculous, and having a great time anyway. And honestly? That’s kind of what grad school is too. So put on your boots (or your sneakers — we don’t judge here) and get out on the floor. I’ll see you there.
About the author:
Carly Graverson is from Milwaukee, WI, and is a current Ph.D. student in Chemistry. She got her B.S. in Chemistry from Lewis University in 2020. Read more.
Further Reading: