‘You feel the floor rumble’: Step by step, the Country Dance Club creates community

As Pitbull’s “Fireball” echoed through the Strand Union Building (SUB) ballrooms last Thursday, over 100 people got down with the Country Dance Club’s boot stompin’ groove. 

Every month, the club meets in the SUB and fills it with a lively country atmosphere. According to line dance teacher and pre-vet major Megan Garcia, more and more people are showing up to participate. She said the club’s mission is to bring students and community members together to learn country dance. 

According to Social Media Manager and elementary education major Rhianna Ashcraft the club provides a comfortable, welcoming and drug- and alcohol-free space for students and community members to learn various dances, regardless of experience level.

“It's hard to find spaces that aren't necessarily always alcohol-free or for [people] under 21 to hang out, enjoy and have good people and good music and all that kind of vibe,” Ashcraft said.

Club Treasurer Brandon Knox said the dances are a safe space for people to try something new. “We have a lot of students that come out here and this is their first time ever dancing or their first time really putting themselves out there,” he said. 

Architecture major Lilly Covert, a regular attendee of the Country Dance Club’s events, said the environment is very welcoming compared to many bars in Bozeman. 

“It's a good environment to mess up in, because everyone around you is also making mistakes. I've definitely messed up my fair few and I still keep coming back,” she said. “I bring water, good energy and open-mindedness to learn.” 

According to Ashcraft, one of the club’s goals is to teach people about Montana’s cowboy culture of country and western dancing.

“I'm from the city, I'm born and raised in Bozeman, but I love to put on some boots and some jeans and, you know, dance it out,” she said. 

According to Ashcraft, the dances continue to draw both new and returning participants each month. She said people don’t always stay for the full duration and are welcome to come and go as they please.

“I don't know what [the] max capacity of the SUB ballroom is, but we filled that whole thing — you feel the floor rumble. I think that easily we get over 300 people at our events,” Ashcraft said.

In addition to fostering a judgment-free learning environment, the club is also committed to raising money for different causes, such as Eagle Mount and Montana Mindfulness Project. 

Last April, it raised around $700 forBig Sky Bravery, a local nonprofit that offers proactive support for active duty special operations forces.

“We donate to charities because we want to aid the community — not only in giving people a space to dance, but also in other aspects," Ashcraft said. 

According to Garcia, learning how to dance — especially as a beginner — can be daunting, but making mistakes or missing a step is not something to worry about. 

“What I tell people when I'm teaching is, ‘If you are facing the right wall, you're going the right way.’ If your steps are off, oh well. You just turn around, do a nice little spin and get back on the right wall and keep going — everybody just laughs it off,” she said. “There's no seriousness. It's not like it has to be straight to the step sheet.” 

According to physics major and Vice President Charlette Burke, the best way to learn country dance is to just show up and give it a try. 

“Country dance is a really beginner-friendly activity you can do that's on campus where you can meet people that are maybe a different major [than] you,” she said. “I think it's just a really friendly environment to kind of be free and try something new.”

Burke said people may assume they need to dress a certain way to attend, but the club encourages participants to wear what they want, whether it be cowboy boots or sneakers.

“Wear boots if you want to,” she said. “I like to wear mine, because it's like a leather bottom and it's slippery on the floor, so you can kind of move around a little easier. But honestly, we got people in there dancing in their socks right now.”

For Ashcraft, community is at the heart of the club. She said friendships formed on the dance floor often continue beyond it — from exchanging smiles on campus to becoming roommates. 

“I met my roommates through here within the first month [at] the club,” she said. “We both showed up freshman year. We were like, ‘Wait, we kind of love each other’ — and now we live together, and we've been living together for two years now.”

“It's just cool — all different branches of life can come here,” she said. “And I think that that's a beautiful piece of music, you can bring everybody together.”

Autumn Eastwood, a biochemistry major, said that although she hasn't been going long, she already feels the sense of community. According to her, everyone is always friendly and willing to help.

“It's a low-commitment thing that I can do to go hang out with friends and dance at the same time,” she said. “I used to dance when I was in elementary and through high school. And this is a nice way to get back into things without having to pay for it.”

Along with friendship, the club has also sparked romance. Garcia said she met her boyfriend while swing dancing. 

“There's a good shot if you put yourself out there and you feel comfortable enough to go out and talk to people,” Garcia said. “[Dance] kind of just builds that connection between you and that other person — because dancing is always a two-way street. 

“You got to come to experience what I am talking about,” she said. “Don’t be afraid to show up by yourself. Don’t be afraid to show up in a T-shirt and jeans or your Converse or your Vans — whatever it is. There is no pressure. It’s not an awkward high school dance.” 

Admission is $5, but Students can attend for free with their CatCard. For more information on the club or its events, visit its Instagram @countrydancemsu.