BOOT SCOOTIN’ REVIEW            Country Western Dance

BOOT SCOOTIN’ REVIEW Wyatt’s Grill & Saloon 42900 Big Bear Blvd Big Bear Lake CA 92315 Wednesday Jan 2019 Rating: 4 stars (out of 5) INSIDE: Walking into Wyatt’s (located in the Big Bear Convention Center) on a Wednesday evening is an interesting experience. It actually felt like, at first, a very large cafeteria. But as soon as we got past that impression, we saw and felt a dance venue that had lots of friendly people, free dance lessons that were fun, a DJ that was ALL country, and a very large dance area. Hours: Wed 4-10pm Fri & Sat 4-10:30pm (see website) Age range: 40+ The crowd was very family oriented with what looked like a lot of parents and grandparents Dress Code: Western casual. Lots of boots, cowboy shirts and a smattering of cowboy hats. As always, we were in our country dancing duds and we felt very comfortable there. Dance Floor: The dance floor is a very large, linoleum area within the convention center. It took a few dances to adjust to dancing on linoleum, and then we were just fine. Dance Mix: 2 Step, line and some swing. The band called the dances, which made the evening very fun for us. Usually, if your are dancing at a new place, it’s harder to get going if you don’t know what dance is coming up. Dance Music: 95% Country western dance music Live Music: Wyatt’s has a DJ on Wednesdays and Live music on Fri and Sat (see website) Dancing: Two-Step, Line dancing and WC Swing Dance Lessons: Not sure of the dance lesson schedule, but we walked in at about 6:15 and they were just starting a lesson. The lessons were 20 minutes long, for each of the two dances learned and we had fun doing it too. Food: Serves dinner, Prices are very reasonable. Beverages: Coffee and drinks. Also reasonably priced. Restrooms: The restrooms were clean and odor free Security: No security people that we noticed. We felt very comfortable with the crowd there, and free parking is available right outside the door. ATMOSPHERE: This is definitely a homespun place, that almost feels like a block party being put on by the neighborhood. It was very friendly, with short lines for food and drinks and plenty of places to sit. NEWBIES: This is a good place for new/inexperienced people to learn to dance. They have free lessons, great CW dance music and fun people on the dance floor who will help you out. FINAL THOUGHTS: This place is an all around terrific place to have a fun night of dancing in the mountains. If you are here to ski, hike or just relax, Wyatt’s is your place! It is the only Country Western dancing saloon that we’ve run across in the mountains! The food is great, service is friendly, the Country Western music is awesome, and the people we met are fun and friendly! We loved taking the dance lessons with Evan and then dancing them again on the dance floor. Check out the schedule on their website for Friday and Saturday dancing. We are watching the weather report so we can come back to Big Bear Lake and enjoy the skiing, dining and most of all Country Western Dancing at Wyatt’s Grill and Saloon.

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BOOT SCOOTIN’ REVIEW            Country Western Dance

Still Water Spirits & Sounds

24701 Del Prado Ave.

Dana Point, CA 92629

Rating:  4.0 out of 5

 

INSIDE:  Good food, great staff, awesome band on their terrific Country Western Dance Wednesday.  We saw the “Working Cowboy Band” and they were great.  As you approach this venue you will hear the live band playing from the outside!  Country western music just flies through the air.  There is outdoor and indoor seating.  On the cold night we were there, they had the firepits on and it made sitting outside real comfy.

Cover Charge: None

Age range:  30-40 plus

Dress Code:  Lots of cowboy hats, boots and shirts!

Dance Floor: Small and cozy dancing with a tile dance floor. And there are lots of people dancing.

Dance Mix:  70% Two-step, 20% Swing, 10% other

Dance Music:  90% country western

Live Music:  All dance-able country western  music

Dancing:   We danced the Cowboy Cha Cha, Two-step, swing and waltz

Dance Lessons:none

Food: Happy hour food and drinks are available as well as a full-service menu. Dinner reservations is recommended it is a very popular local place.

Beverages:  ice tea, sodas, beer, wine & liquor

Restrooms:  clean and kept, women’s is inside and the men’s restroom is outside.

Security:  We did not see any when we went but could have been very low-key.  There was no one checking                                                                 .               people as we came in.

 

ATMOSPHERE:  Décor was prohibition themed

NEWBIES:  Observe dance floor etiquette, since space is limited use small steps and be mindful of the fast dancing lane, traditionally on the perimeter of the counterclockwise circle.  We found the dancers to be enthusiastic, but also considerate of fellow dancers.

Specifics:

Courteous and mindful of your dance space always makes for a great time for all. Happy Dancing!

 

FINAL THOUGHTS

It is disappointing that they only have Country Western Dance Night on Wednesday from 7pm to 10pm.  It would be fun and convenient if they had at least on more night, either Friday or Saturday night.  They certainly have a high energy and enthusiastic dance crowd that keeps the floor crowded and fun. The band we heard was great and they generated a real Country Western atmosphere.  The dancers we talked to were very supportive about Still Water, and hoped more nights might be added. They have lots of great supporters here.   All in all, we had a great time and will return again soon.

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These are pictures of our favorite place to dance, The Ranch.

See below for the Review of “The Ranch”.

BOOT SCOOTIN’ REVIEW

The Ranch

1025 E. Ball Rd #101A

Anaheim, CA 92805

RATING: ***** Five stars (out of 5)

 

INSIDE:

This is one classy place! When you enter and exit, you will be greeted by their very courteous and friendly staff.  The dance floor is a very good size and well maintained with the added bonus of an excellent sound system.  Mr. Andrew Edwards, owner, has paid attention to every detail of his patron’s entertainment experience. And, don’t be camera shy, just smile and your picture may be taken and seen on The Ranch website.  It’s a great way to remember your special night.  It is hard not to be impressed.  This venue is definitely a treat, especially if you have never been here. The teaching staff, Dev, Shelley, Kerri and Kimberly are excellent in their instruction and encouragement for all level of dancers to participate and learn new dances which includes couple dancing, two stepping and line dancing with occasional contra-dance lessons. Leo is their DJ who plays the most danceable music around with Mark heading up the great sound production.  If you are looking for some dancing duds, look no further this link,  Country Western Apparel.

Cover Charge: $15.00 ages 18-20, $5.00 ages 21 & up

Age range:  Usually, 40 and up at opening, 5:30- 7:00pm, and then the 21 and up start arriving

Dress Code: Yes, see “Etiquette and Dress Code” listed on the website.

Dance Floor:  Beautifully maintained, large dance area with rules enforced for the safety and enjoyment of the dancers

Dance Mix:   Mostly Country Western music that’s very danceable music with occasional pop/rock for free dance

Dance Music:  DJ music is all danceable and Leo will take requests, LIVE BANDS begin at 8pm

Live Music:  We like Rob Staley, Kelly Huff, Chris Lozano, Brad Johnson, and Arnie Neuman

Dancing:  Friday or Saturday night 40% Two-Stepping, 40% line-dancing, 20% couple, swing and other types of couple dancing like the waltz or contra dancing (dancing in opposing lines facing a partner) & free dance

Dance Lessons:  There is always a couple lesson (usually 2-step) followed by a line-dance lesson. We are particularly enthusiastic when we learn a new one, especially when we really like the song or the dance steps or both!  For us it is all about fun, getting those synapses and neurons moving, keeping those brain cells sharp. In addition to the healthy exercise that we get from our dancing😊

Food:  EXCELLENT!  The Ranch has a separate full-service five-star restaurant right next door to the Saloon and that food can be ordered as well.  In the saloon, there are booths and tables overlooking the dance floor, that can be reserved for meals and drinks as well.  The food is amazing high-end gourmet on the high end and a treat to eat while dancing there.  There are appetizers, entrees and desserts available also in the Saloon.  We’ve attended many celebrations and what a perfect place to celebrate a special occasion!

Beverages:  Iced Tea (our favorite), beer, wine and liquor

Restrooms:  Unbelievably impeccable!

Security:  At the door and in the venue

 

ATMOSPHERE:  Definitely new/modern Country Western look with lots of beginners to experienced dancers who dance with lots of energy and enthusiasm.  Everyone we have met here is nice and willing to help out newbies on the dance floor.  That’s how Carol and I learned to dance!  There is a variety of terraced seating areas, 2 bars, all with great views of the dance floor. This is in addition to lots of experienced dancers you can watch and/or get next to on the dance floor.

NEWBIES:  There’s a slow dancing zone in the center of the dance floor to practice in and you can also take the basic two-step lesson to help you get started or just polish up your 2-step.  If you would like to learn a beginners line dance before you go to The Ranch, you can click this link to MY Maria line dance video lesson

Specifics:  As you may have guessed, this venue is our home base for country western dancing. It has easy access, being just off the 5 freeway in Anaheim.  Y’all will find a Country Western home base too, if you really get into dancing, like we are.  Wherever that may be, we wish you a lot of happy times and memorable dancing!

 

FINAL THOUGHTS:  What we love about the ranch…  We usually arrive at The Ranch about 5:30PM as the door opens. We say hello to Anthony and Frank (security staff) as we walk in and greet the girls at the check-in.  We look down at the dance floor and check to see if our regular seats are open and head down to the rail seats.  On the way, we bump into Heather (the entertainment director) and Vince (the operations manager) and chat with them for a few minutes, they are so nice.  The waitress stops by and soon after Vincente’ arrives with some iced tea. He is always smiling, and usually gives us the scoop on what’s happening (last week it was a party of 60 people due to arrive).

We also chat with our friends for a few minutes, but we’re always itching to dance.  Leo, the DJ, puts on a nice slow two step and that is perfect tempo for us to use as a warm up.  We step out on the dance floor and we’re off.  The place begins to fill and we see Carol and Richard come in and, oh there’s Theresa And Ray.  We give them a wave and they smile and wave back.  We’re already having fun and getting warmed up too.  Leo puts on a slow line dance now, Rock Me, that is perfect line-dance to get us started.

As we line dance, we see Sandy, Dean, Larry, Marsha, Art, Jeff & Mary and Mark smiling and waving as they come in.  The Ranch has become one big family to us.  We dance for another hour and it’s time for the first lesson.  Tonight, it is intermediate two-step.  We know its going to be fun because Dev and Shelly (who both taught us how to dance) are in the house and that means all dancers in the lesson will get lots of help.  We dance for another hour and it’s 8pm and time for live music from an OC local band.  Heather comes out on stage and announces the band (Rob Staley) and gives us a treat as she announces the owner of The Ranch,  Andrew Edwards is going to sing in the first set.  He does a rousing set, finishing with Electric Slide singing Achy Breaky Heart. There is a loud cheer for the beloved owner. We dance our last dance about 9pm and say goodnight to our friends and the staff at The Ranch.  You can see why we love the ranch so much and why we love to dance…

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Montana’s

657 Arrow Hwy.

San Dimas, CA 91773

Take a climb to the second story from the parking lot and you enter Montana’s country western nightclub.  From the outside you wouldn’t guess what’s in it!  First of all, you are welcomed by the friendly security and staff. You’ll see there’s lots of seating. We arrived after 6:30 pm on a Friday.  The crowd grew bigger as the evening wore on.  A few wore hats but there were a whole lot that wore cowboy boots!  Lots of jeans worn, men and women and cute tops, skirts and dresses for the gals.

It was an easy place to find. It’s straight up the North 57 fwy. At Arrow Hwy.

INSIDE:

Cover Charge:    $10.00

Age range:          21+ with a valid government ID

Dress Code:        No cut off sleeves for men and no flip flops.

Dance Floor:       Large size, well maintained and had plenty of room for center and around the edge dancing

Dance Mix:         Mostly 2 stepping and line dancing and we also loved the 3 waltzes that they played

Dance Music:     90% Country western with a dance tempo, 10% Other, DJ Rick will also take requests with a smile😊

Live Music:          Not live music on the night we were there.   It was an all DJ night but he was terrific!

Dancing:               Dances are “called” both for the center and around the edges of the dance floor.

Dance Lessons:FREE lessons every Friday and Saturday

Food:                    No food is sold, we thought we saw people bring in food, so call if you need to

Beverages:          No tea, bottled water, soda, beer, wine and cocktails were available

Restrooms:         Well used with an attendant present in the men’s and women’s restrooms

Security:              At the door

ATMOSPHERE:  Country western motif with flags, pictures and neon signs

NEWBIES:            This is a good place for newbies, with the large dance floor.  You can jump in right behind an experienced dancer and learn the steps.  You can also learn the steps by taking a lesson. You can mix right in on the edges and center, then joined in.

Final Thoughts: We just loved the way the staff here made us feel so welcome. From the person at the

entrance to the bartenders, the waiter, the DJ and the dancers too. Very friendly. We also liked that we learned some new 2 step moves from taking the dance lesson.

But the best was having DJ Rick play our favorite linedances and couples dances that we requested.  We also loved that 90% of the music was country western and featured a good dance beat. We even got a couple of Shout Outs from our DJ as he played one of our favorite line dances, “Lonely Drum.”

The only thing we saw to be careful about is the 2 flights of cement stairs at the entrance/exit because it is not very well lighted.

Overall, we give Montana’s 5 stars!  See ya there soon!

Jeff and Carol

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Temecula Stampede Review

28721 Old Town Front St

Temecula, California  92590

Woohoo!  This is our very first review and we’re all excited about telling y’all about it.  It was fun to arrive mid-afternoon and check out Old Town and then head over to the Temecula Stampede in California.  The venue is situated at the end of a really cute western Old Town area that is filled with shops and eating places.

What a nice surprise it was to find such a large dance floor at the Stampede with an inside and outside track!  The dancing was divided into line dancing in the center area and two-stepping around the outside track.  When we danced we really liked this aspect of the dance floor.  It was fun and the dance area gave everyone plenty of room to dance and pass as needed.  We even had to choose a couple of times, because we knew both dances!  Once, the Cowboy Cha Cha was called on the outside area and the California Cha Cha was called for the center area.  We chose the California Cha Cha, LOL.

INSIDE:

Cover Charge:    Thurs. no cover, 18 and over. We arrived on a Friday afternoon and the Temecula Stampede hours are from 6pm to 2am.  Go early because the cover is half price before 7pm and it’s a good time to warm-up and peruse the venue.  See Temecula Stampede website for specifics

Age range:          6-9pm 50+, after 9pm, one of the regulars told us the crowd becomes much younger, more like the 18-40 range.

Dress Code:        Yes, they have dress code.   See Stampede website

Dance Floor:       It’s huge, a rough estimate is 65’x 50,’ nice smooth surface and well maintained.

Dance Mix:          Line dancing 70%, Two-Step 20%, Swing 10%

Dance Music:     Country western 90%, Pop/Rock 10%

Live Music:          Look at website for schedule

Dancing:               Dances are “called” which means the DJ will call out which dance to do.  The advantage of this means dancers are moving in the same direction and doing the same steps.  There is less bumping from others. But in all saloons/dancehalls we’ve danced in, everyone is cordial and we all just say, “sorry” with smiles and that ends it.

Dance Lessons:  Dance lessons are offered Mon, Fri and Sat. On Fri/Sat lessons are $4 for two separate                                  dances. On Mon, it’s $6 for two separate dances. See Stampede schedule for specific dances they will teach.

Food:  A very moderately priced menu, we did not eat while we were there.  See their website.

Beverages:  Iced tea, soda water, beer, wine and liquor

ATMOSPHERE:  We generally liked the atmosphere.  People were nice, and several came by our table to say “Hi” and tell us all about the Stampede. We were dressed in our boots, hats and cowboy shirt (for my husband) and a cute blouse for me (of course 😊), and jeans.  We felt very comfortable because this place has such a great old-time country saloon feeling to it! How were others dressed? There was a smattering of others in boots (leather soles are best to slide on dance floor) and cowboy hats.

NEWBIES:  It is our opinion this is a great place for beginners to learn how to dance. They offer lessons and there is a side area on the outside track for you to both see and follow experienced dancers. It doesn’t get better than this! And, if you come early, from 6-9pm, there is plenty of opportunity to learn when it is not crowded.

OUTSIDE:

Parking:  Is free in a big, lighted lot next to the building.

Safety: We felt very safe, both arriving at 6pm and leaving at 9pm. The whole Old Town area is very busy till late with tourist walking around and dining.

FINAL THOUGHTS: Don’t be afraid to start country western dancing and looking like a fool at times. The pure joy and fun you’ll find in this activity will be well worth it. Besides everyone is so busy dancing and doing their thing, nobody cares. Happy Boot Scootin’ wherever it may take you😉

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