Line Dance

"Line Dance" is exactly what its name implies: people dancing in lines to music. Line dances are choreographed dances with a repeating series of steps that are performed in unison by a group of people in lines or rows, most often without the dancers making contact with one another.

All the dancers performing a line dance face the same direction and perform the steps at exactly the same time. Although there are usually several lines, small groups may only form one line, but it's still considered a line dance even if only two people are participating.

More Info

Brief History

Although many popular line dances are set to country music, the first line dances did not originate from country-western dancing. Line dancing is believed to have originated from folk dancing, which has many similarities.

Contra dancing, a form of American folk dance in which the dancers form two parallel lines and perform a sequence of dance movements with different partners down the length of the line, probably had a huge influence on the line dancing steps we are familiar with today.

During the 1980s and 1990s, line dances started being created for popular country songs. One example is a dance made for Billy Ray Cyrus' 1992 smash hit "Achy Breaky Heart." Even pop music began to see an upswing in line dances in the 1990s, with "the Macarena" serving as a sort of hybrid folk-pop dance number that swept the world by storm.

Many Styles

The really cool thing about line dancing is it is not just done to country music. We tend to think about country music when we talk about line dance, but it actually can be done to so many different styles of music.

You will find line dancing a great social dance option for individuals in many places from weddings to clubs.

You might be surprised to learn that line dance is also competitive.

Where to Go?

There are a handful of clubs around the triangle and surrounding areas that offer country music. Where there is music, there is line dancing! Additionally, area studios and clubs will offer social dance nights that give you an opportunity to dance.

Another option is weekend conventions. These are typically called "competitions" but they really are so much more! These immersion type weekends tend to have competition, but also tons of workshops and social dancing, so you need not be a competitor to enjoy the weekend.

Benefits of Line Dance

The benefits of dancing are more than you would think! Frankly, there are too many to list here, but here are few specific to Line Dance:

Reduces Stress and Anxiety

Muscle Toning and Conditioning

Increases Strength and Flexibility

Burns Fat and Increases Heart Rate

Social Connectivity with Club Environment

Cognitive Challenge

Slightly less expensive than other styles