Can anyone recommend venues for line dancing in New York City - October this year. We've done a bit here (England) and would love to experience the "real thing". We're hoping to be staying midtown but, presumably, will be able to travel out to some line dance clubs or similar. Does anyone know of any good, friendly clubs that they can recommend to two late thirties sisters and a 13year old.

I can't comment on line dancing locations but be aware that you may have difficulty gaining admittance for the 13 year old at any club, regardless of what type of dancing prevails. In the US, drinking age is 21 and although some nightclubs have an "18 to enter, 21 to drink" policy, it's unlikley they'll allow someone younger or anyone without proof of age (who looks mid twenties or younger) through the door.

Well, assuming you're talking about country/western line dancing, I'm not aware of any clubs in Manhattan since Denim & Diamonds closed. (OK, I know a gay place, I don't think it would be cool to bring a 13-y.o. there)

There is an organization that runs dances out in Queens (one of the other 4 boroughs of N.Y.C.) I've never attended one of their events, but they've been around for years. I couldn't find a URL for them, but here's a listing (apparently current) from the web site of a local paper. A phone number is included (the local area code is 718) - maybe someone there could help you with more ideas (looks like you're still out of luck w/ the kid, though):

COUNTRY WESTERN

Saturday, June 3 Jacalope Junction. Saturday, June 10 Miss Babs and the
Pickin’ Boogie Band. Saturday, June 17 Southern Grace. Saturday, June 24
Jersey Outlaw. The NY Metropolitan Country Music Association presents dances
at the Glendale Memorial Building, 72-02 Myrtle Avenue, Glendale. 8 p.m. $10.
Over 18. 763-4328.


Good luck!

Thanks Owen and Helen your comments and info have been taken on board. Over here line dancing (yes, country and western stuff) is very family orientated and a lot of clubs don't even have a bar just bring your own drinks and maybe alcohol on "big" occasions. We'll keep looking though - maybe not into gay clubs, we try to be "PC" but I don't know how they'd take us three sometimes!!
Esme

Will you be traveling anywhere else in NY state outside of NYC? If so it's quite possible that you'll be able to find something. In smaller cities and particularly in rural areas of the state one can still find line dancing. Many "regular" nightclubs in NYC and elsewhere featured it one or two nights per week, often beginning early in the evening with free lessons for the uninitiated. As with most fads that sweep an area, it waned rather quickly in the bigger cities (always to be replaced by some other "flavor"). In smaller, less urban oriented areas where country music contiues to be popular one is more likely to have the opportunity to participate. Not being a dancer by nature but having once taken part in a traditional square dance, I can highly recommend them as great fun if you can find a place where once is held. Square dances are, in my experience, always family oriented inthat all ages are generally welcome.

Thanks Owen, no, we're only staying in New York for a week. We'll just have to revive the old flavour for them and line-dance whatever music we come across - be it waltz, disco or country, we've done it before and really amazed the D.J. with the range of music you can adapt it to. Any other suggestions for evenings that two "old dears" can enjoy with the "young thing"?

Line dancing may be a fad right now, but presumably you realize NYC wouldn't be the center for the "real thing" if it's country, as country music and line dancing didn't originate in this area. Also, I agree with the assessment that you won't be able to get a 13 year old into a dance club -- and even if you were able to sneak her in, you'd be breaking the law in doing so.

i WOULD LIKE TO GO WITH YOU, PLEASE E-MAIL ME

Excuse me Noach, we haven't even been introduced. I think not somehow - anyway we aren't going anywhere yet!!