Country line dancing is a form of dance in which groups of people no matter their size, age or gender dance in lines while executing the same movements. The costumes associated with this dance are of a western style. The idea of the “American Cowboy” is often paralleled with line dancing. The sex of the “American Cowboy” is male and has the gender identity relating to masculinity; this figure is often highly romanticized. Although this dance is acceptable for anyone to participate in it mirrors the ideas of American masculinity, mainly with a focus on cowboy characteristics. Country Line dancing was not originally a western dance it actually originated in Europe as folk dancing. (Group) Over time folk dancing was whitewashed into the western American culture. The most well known form of line dance today is country line dancing. The rise of country line dancing came about after the disco era and often associated with country music such as Billy Ray Cyrus’ “Achy Breaky Heart” and Brooks and Dunn’s “Boot Scootin’ Boogie.” (Group) Line dancing is connected to the music because the dancers rely on the beat to execute the steps. Country line dancing is a form of social dance. A social dance is a participatory or recreational dance performed by those who dance for their own enjoyment rather than for onlookers. (Cohen-Stratyner 123) Line dancing can take place anywhere; such as in a home, churches, dance halls, studios, and clubs among other places. (Mason) Nancy Sheppard, owner of a Satin 'n Denim dance studio, explains about those who participate in line dancing in the following, “My students come from all walks of life. And they are warmer and more accepting of every way of life than any other dance group I've experienced. Country-western is a dance style that transcends culture and status. Once you put on your country clothes, nobody knows what you do for a living. And nobody cares. There's probably a lot of stress release just in that factor.” (Spilner) Sheppard references putting on country clothes, many of those who line dance want that country feel so they wear clothing associated with country ideas. The clothing is comfortable; it is mainly jeans that are worn by both sexes. Footwear is usually cowboy boots, but they are not a necessity, smooth-soled shoes are fine. Dancers can be as casual as they want or can dress in full country gear that may consist of, a cowboy hat, fancy shirt, bolo tie and silver belt buckle. The casual comfortable outfit communicates masculinity; this can be shown throughout history in that males have been able to wear comfortable clothes such as pants where as women have had to wear corsets and hoop skirts. The clothing paired with this dance exhibits masculinity and this comfortable clothing allows individuals to move more freely. Line dancing is open to anyone willing to have a good time. …show more content…
Line dancing needs no partner, as it is a friendly form of dance. In Jill Williams Article Keep Fit to a Fiddle, she describes an instance on the dance floor “‘Here, lemme help you’, shouts a younger man to an older gent who is apparently confused about which way he’s supposed to be turning.” (77) She later goes on to discuss how all folks are represented from young and old, to couples, and to guys and girls without partners. (Williams) From the comfortable costumes and the inviting atmosphere of line dancing the “American Cowboy” is present throughout. The individual feels welcomed to be there and becomes more open to the experiences. The dress associated with this style of dance is parallel to a cowboy from the boots to the hat. A cowboy is romanticized, he is considered kind, honorable and friendly to all. The movements of line dancing portray masculinity. Spilner describes the body in the Country Western 101 article as follow, “Men stand with their thumbs in their belt loops or pockets. Women place their hands on their hips or use them expressively. The upper body is held straight. All the work is from the waist down.” A majority of the steps focus on the weight distribution of each foot. The movements are structured, aligned and there is some flow but not too much in order that it will