BY JUSTINA ADDICE
WEST MILFORD — The West Milford Elks is home to many activities: Monday wing night, Friday night dinners and music, holiday parties to benefit children, anti-drug educational events - the list goes on. Now, folks are heading to the Elks on Wednesday nights from 7:30 to 10 p.m. to kick up their heels and have some fun with Cowboys and Sweethearts country line dancing.
Run by Bill “The Dude” and Diane “DJ Dee,” Cowboys and Sweethearts is an organization that hosts country line and partner dancing classes at various locations. Bill has been dancing for 19 years; together, they have been running these classes for 10 years.
The Elks dances are on Wednesday nights and the fee is $7, but every Monday they're in Pequannock at the Knights of Columbus and on Sundays they are in Clifton at the Allwood Church.
What to expectThere are many different types of classes to attend. Beginners, individuals, and couples are welcome to all classes. For beginners, there are specific classes to introduce them to country line dancing, certain songs and dances.
Since people have different preferences when it comes to the type of music and speed of dance. NAME will accommodate for different tastes and make sure those who wish to may participate in partner dances during certain songs. It is because of this that the evening includes line dances as well as partner dances that can be enjoyed both with another person as well as individually.
Bill pointed out that generally, the music is “90 percent country.” However, they occasionally add alternative songs as well.
The dances have names as do the songs. Shotgun Jenny is danced to the song "Shake It" by The Lacs featuring Big and Rich; Rustler’s Crossing uses “Old Friend” by Scooter Lee, and Double Shot of Crown is danced to “Bartender” by Lady Antebellum. Some, such as “Boot Scootin' Boogie” is both the name of the song as well as the dance itself, and others, like "Sundance," can be danced to more than one song.
While some draw more of a crowd to the dance floor than others, one favorite among the members is "Ah Si!" an ultra beginner line dance which can use either “Levantando Las Manos” by El Simbolo or “Te Quiero Mas” by Formula Albierta as its music.
Yet another night to danceBeginner and intermediate dancers will have yet another option to dance with Cowboys and Sweethearts here in West Milford. The township is hosting classes at the Hillcrest Community Center, beginning Feb. 21 for beginners and Feb. 23 for intermediates, both from 7:30 to 9 p.m. through the end of March. Go to westmilford.org to sign up.
So many benefitsLearning country line dance is a great way to meet new people and participate in a fun group activity. You'll be moving and having fun. So, when the cold air bites, come inside to warm up by sharing in the energy and passion expressed by the union of music and dance.
For more information on dates and prices, along with a look at their flyers and other dance locations, go to http://www.cowboysandsweethearts.com/. As an added bonus, their website also offers step sheets for each dance so that you can come prepared, or even learn them yourself.