country dancing – BOOT SCOOTIN' REVIEW™ https://bootscootinreview.com All Things Country! Fri, 01 Nov 2019 23:38:31 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.4 153910469 Tom Ryan’s Lounge https://bootscootinreview.com/2019/11/01/tom-ryans-lounge/ Fri, 01 Nov 2019 19:35:46 +0000 https://bootscootinreview.com/?p=1642 The post Tom Ryan’s Lounge appeared first on BOOT SCOOTIN' REVIEW™.

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BOOT SCOOTIN’ REVIEW

BOOTIN SCOOTIN REVIEW

Tom Ryan’s

Chandler, Arizona

Friday Night October 11, 2018

Here’s what we did

We first dropped in on a Thursday night in October. Place was practically empty, cause no band was playing. They told us there would be a band on Friday night so we decided to come back. As we walked in on Friday night, there were lots of people standing around, and the band was on break. This place is a straight saloon with no food available, but we noticed that quite a few people brought their own food in. We found a table near the dance floor so we sat down and asked for iced tea, but had to settle for water.

The band came back and started off with a two-step. We jumped on that, but found, as we started to two-step, that everyone was dancing something different and mostly in one spot. It was impossible to move around the dance floor in a counter clockwise direction, or in any direction for that matter. So, we danced most every dance in the first set and the result was the same, crowed floor, not much room to move, not much fun. If this fits your dancing style, then this is your kind of place.

The dance experience

Tom Ryan’s, in our opinion, would really be much better if the band would occasionally call out the dance (two-step, linedance, WC Swing etc) for a song before they played it. Bingo…call a two-step and everyone two-steps in the same direction. Bottom line, after an hour, we felt that it would be more fun to go to Denim & Diamonds in Mesa or Norton’s Country Corner in Queen Creek to two-step. So that’s what we did, and it was.

The seating experience.

There were lots of high drink tables with 2 or 4 stools. Makes sense that lots of people would be sitting when not dancing, right? But no, everybody at Tom Ryan’s, stands next to their stool, next to their table and clogs up the whole seating area. Making it hard to get to the dance floor and making it very hard to get on and off the dance floor. People, take a load off and sit on your stool at your table when not dancing.

Here’s what we saw

Age range: 50+

Dress Code: none that we saw. I would describe the dress as country to casual.

Floor: A medium size linoleum dance floor.

Dance Mix: Mostly two-step with an occasional waltz thrown in.

Dance Music: All Country Western, so we really liked that.

Live Music: Band Wagon was the band playing the night we were there. They were a good band.

Dancing: The dance floor was very crowded every dance and everybody was dancing to the beat of their own drum (doing there own thing) lol It was basically chaos.

Dance Lessons: there were no lessons the night we were there.

Food: No food served. Best to bring your own food.

Beverages: Full bar service bar. No iced tea. :((

Restrooms: Clean and nice.

Security: Doorman and some security inside. The parking lot was close and safe.

Parking: Lots of parking for free.

Atmosphere: Everybody seemed to be having fun, lots of laughing and drinking.

WRAP UP: This is the kind of place where you can have HonkyTonk fun, it’s just not a place that wants to maximize the dancing experience…

So Long for now…We’re off to the next venue! :))

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Buffalo Chips Saloon & Steakhouse https://bootscootinreview.com/2018/11/21/buffalo-chips-saloon-steakhouse/ Wed, 21 Nov 2018 16:45:36 +0000 https://bootscootinreview.com/?p=646 BOOT SCOOTIN’ REVIEW          Country Western Dance   Buffalo Chip Saloon and Steakhouse 6823 E. Cave Creek Rd. Cave Creek, Az 85331 RATING:  4.5 out of 5 stars   INSIDE AND OUT: This venue is surprisingly very large.  As you enter, the dance floor is to your left and tables/sitting areas are around it and the […]

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BOOT SCOOTIN’ REVIEW          Country Western Dance

 

Buffalo Chip Saloon and Steakhouse

6823 E. Cave Creek Rd.

Cave Creek, Az 85331

RATING:  4.5 out of 5 stars

 

INSIDE AND OUT:

This venue is surprisingly very large.  As you enter, the dance floor is to your left and tables/sitting areas are around it and the bar is towards the back. The kitchen is to the right beyond another large area.  Next, out back they have a very large outside seating area for their BBQ and LIVE BULL riding arena (across from the BBQ). This is one happening place when all areas are being used!  Nice western décor. Wild West Days are being celebrated this weekend, Nov.9- 11, 2018.  Lots going on!  See Buffalo Chip website for specifics.

 

Cover Charge:

Age range:  All Ages

Dress Code:        For ideas on Country Western Dance Apparel and Accessories see Products tab.

 

Dance Floor:  Medium Size dance floor inside, and outside, very large area that people dance in                    spontaneously

Dance Mix:  80% two-Stepping and couple dancing with 20% line-dancing

Live Music:  LIVE Music every Tuesday-Friday and Sundays at 8pm and Saturdays at 9pm

Dance Music:  95% Danceable Country Western Music played all night.

Dancing:  Dances are not called, and the dance floor gets very crowded after about 8pm, so it’s very                            difficult to dance around the edge of the dance floor two-steppin’.  This means you end                                    up dancing in one spot on a very crowded dance floor.

Dance Lessons:  FREE on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays at 7pm.  The instructor was very    good and we had fun taking the lesson.            We love Country Western dance!

Food:  We had a salad and sweet potatoes fries that were good!

Beverages:  Iced Tea (with free refills since we bought it with dinner.  Also beer, soda, wine, spirits

Restrooms:  Very clean

Security:  Understated if so, not noticeable

 

ATMOSPHERE:   Staff was very friendly and kept very busy with all the customers.  Lots of locals and tourists as well.  Met people from other states as well as people that come on a weekly basis.

NEWBIES:  Go early to dance as it gets very crowded later. There are plenty of experienced dancers to follow.  Definitely take the lessons if you really want to learn how to dance.

 

Specifics:

Lots of jeans, boots and hats worn.  Definitely all western and FUN activities! It is a very positive and upbeat venue.  Just loved the atmosphere and all the activities.

 

FINAL THOUGHTS:  Try to go there during one of their event days. There are activities for all ages. Their Mutton Bustin’ on Friday Nights reminds me of the Fiesta Day Rodeo in San Antonio Texas (where I lived). The kids riding are amazing and they hang on for dear life like champs!

Overall, we thought this was a terrific and historical cowboy dancing saloon.  We loved the feel of the inside and the corrals and the bull riding out back.  The crowd was very enthusiastic and the dance floor packed for most every dance.  People were very nice and there was a loud and animated crowd.  We loved the whole night and all the fun we had dancing and socializing.  We did feel that what was missing though, was an occasional dance being called by the DJ or the band.  Many venues we have visited, that have big crowds, at least call an occasional dance.  For example, calling a two step would limit the floor to only two- step dancing, moving around the dance floor instead of being stuck in one spot.  At crowded venues, this made dancing a little more fun for all levels of dancers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Temecula Stampede https://bootscootinreview.com/2018/10/19/temecula-stampede/ Fri, 19 Oct 2018 01:18:00 +0000 https://bootscootinreview.com/?p=324 BOOT SCOOTIN’ REVIEW 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 […]

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BOOT SCOOTIN’ REVIEW

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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