LINE 2 DANCE: Beach music to urban, workshop covers line dancing

Published 8:20 pm Thursday, January 29, 2015

Those in the mood for a bit of moving and shaking can get four-hours worth in at “Line 2 Dance,” a line-dancing workshop for dancers of all ages and ability.

“It’s just fun. And that’s what I tell people all the time, ‘Everyone messes up — you just laugh and keep going,’” said Catherine Good, line-dancer and organizer of the event. “You get some exercise, you’re listening to good music, and you’re going to have fun.”

The workshop will be held Saturday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Washington Civic Center. Three instructors are lined up to take beginners and veterans alike on a whirlwind tour of the latest in line dancing: new dances imported from big-name line dance venues; a bit of urban and hip-hop flair; and a review of the more familiar dances popular with local dance clubs.

“It’s going to be a variety: a little pop, a little urban, a little beach music, a little country. … We’ve come a long way from the ‘Electric Slide’ at weddings,” Good laughed.

Good said she decided to organize the event because, while there are many line-dance lovers in the region, there aren’t so many events where they can dance the night — or afternoon — away.

“Really, I’m copying the marathon in Durham, just on a really small basis,” Good said, referring to the annual Line Dance Marathon in Durham that attracts people from all over the world for 85 hours of workshops in four separate ballrooms over four days.

Good just returned from a line-dancing cruise which she spent with line-dancing fans from across the world.

“It’s fascinating when you get out of the area and see how popular it is,” Good said.

Small-scale though Saturday’s event may be, local line dancers are hoping it leads to more like it, or to parlay it into an ongoing class.

“We’ll see how much interest there is and see if we can’t encourage someone to teach,” Good said.

And by all indications, line dancing seems to be catching on.

“I’ve noticed more and more people — each time a larger group gets up and joins in,” she said.

Saturday’s event is open to all dancers. There’s no pre-registration, but there is a $20 fee (cash or check). Water and soft drinks will be sold, and dancers are welcome to bring their own snacks. For Good, Line 2 Dance represents a good time for all.

“We want to do dances that you can learn and, hopefully, you can teach to your friends and do in a crowd,” Good said.

For more information, email encld@yahoo.com.