THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, August 12, 1994 TAG: 9408120062
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E11 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MONIQUE WILLIAMS, SPECIAL TO THE DAILY BREAK
LENGTH: Medium: 82 lines
THE COUNTRY dance craze is attracting a crowd not known for being square.
At Country Legends in Virginia Beach, manager Kelly O'Hara says that more teens frequent her club since schools started teaching line dancing as part of the physical education program.
``We see some 10, 20 teens on weekdays,'' she said.
Snoop Doggy Dogg may not be out of a job any time soon, but for line dancers, moving to the sound of Alabama or Travis Tritt is what's cool.
Like hip-hop, line dancing is no sedate number. They are packed with fast-moving, high-kicking, hip-thrusting movements. At Country Legends, all ages shuffle, strut, clap, slap and hoot in dances with names like Tush Push, Travelin' Wonder and Ski Bumpers.
But if you think that line dancing is for rednecks, think again.
``I used to listen to something completely different before I got into country,'' said Kelly Callan, 19, a Virginia Beach resident and freshman at Longwood College, ``I listened to rap.''
``A lot of friends are getting into country music since they went to college,'' she adds.
The migration of young people from rock clubs to country clubs followed naturally.
Those who frequent country clubs just don't go for the music. Andi Harrison, 18, a freshman at Old Dominion University, characterizes her friends as ``country freaks'' but she ``just loves dancing.''
Line dancing isn't for the free-spirited. Dances are tightly choreographed with 64 steps and sequences repeated over and over. It might, however, be the perfect dance for those who like conformity.
That's the appeal for Alisa Jones, 19, a Virginia Wesleyan College sophomore.
``You don't feel stupid,'' she said, ``because everybody is doing the same thing.''
You don't have to be Fred Astaire do these dances. If you can move to one step to the right, one to the left, shuffle one, shuffle two, five, six, seven, eight, you're in business. And if you step on your companion's toes, don't worry, sooner or later they'll step on yours.
There are endless variations on the theme and new numbers are created each time a song becomes a country hit. Some artists like Dolly Parton will create a song, a video and a dance simultaneously.
Many clubs in Hampton Roads teach line dancing several nights a week and welcome teens. Underage dancers are allowed in all clubs as long as they are accompanied by a legal guardian. Some clubs will allow unaccompanied 18-year olds while others won't anyone under 21 without an adult.
At Country Legends, 18-year-olds can enter the club after they have their hands stamped at the door. Most clubs do not allow teens on busy nights like Fridays and Saturdays.
It's not just dancing, dressing for line dancing is part of fun. Tight jeans, cowboy hats, fringed shirts and zebra boots are the attire of choice.
One advantage of line dancing is that you can come alone or in groups of guys or girls. One doesn't need a partner to get up on the dance floor.
And if you're a couch potato, you won't remain one for too long, this stuff will make you work up a real sweat, y'all. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by PAUL AIKEN
From left, Andi Harrison, Kelly Callan and Alisa Jones dance at The
Country Club in Virginia Beach.
WHERE TO LEARN LINE DANCING
Here are area clubs where line dancing is taught:
County Legends, 1479 General Booth Blvd., Virginia Beach.
428-0139
Desperado's, 315 17th St., Virginia Beach. 425-5566
The Country Club, 402 S. Military Highway, Virginia Beach.
424-6698
The County Line, 717 S. Military Highway, Virginia Beach.
420-2120
The Banque, 1849 E. Little Creek Road, Norfolk. 480-3600
Blakely's, 414 S. Battlefield Blvd., Chesapeake. 482-2121
The Rhinestone Cowboy, 100 New Market Square W., Newport News.
245-3313
by CNB