Grab your boots and get ready to two-step—line dancing is having a moment. Line dancing, that synchronized shuffle of smiles and stomps, has swung back into the spotlight, proving that you don’t need a cowboy hat or a honky-tonk to join in.
For the uninitiated, line dancing is a choreographed group dance where everyone performs the same steps in unison, typically facing the same direction (and yes, often to country music). Think of it as the original social media challenge—coordinated, contagious, and designed to bring people together. Though it gained mainstream traction in the 1970s and 80s with hits like the “Electric Slide” and Garth Brooks’s “Friends in Low Places,” line dancing’s roots stretch back much further, blending European folk traditions with American country flair.
Local towns are stepping right into the movement. At Pivot Dance Club in Ridgefield, what began as a few community requests quickly turned into one of the summer’s biggest surprises. “We actually had several community members request line dancing, and while it’s not at the core of what we do, we were more than happy to bring it to Pivot and join in on the fun!” says owner Tonja Dias. “It was such a hit that we’ve decided to bring it back for more,” says Dias.
The dance floor at Pivot looks less like a Wild West saloon and more like a community mixer. “We’ve had participants of all ages—from pre-teens to seniors,” says Tonja.
So, what’s fueling this modern-day line dance revival? Tonja credits social media: “Line dancing has become a viral sensation. TikTok and Instagram have played a huge role, turning simple dance patterns into sharable trends. It’s social, approachable, and fun, which is exactly what makes it so contagious.”
Elicit Brewing Company, which opened a Danbury location last summer, offers line dancing every Thursday night. There are plenty of regulars who attend, but first-time-in-the-saddle people are welcome as well. The evening usually includes one instructional dance to help newbies learn some of the steps. Jason Corres, who’s become a regular says, “The most appealing part is the various genres of music you can dance to and amount of creativity that comes with adding your own twist.” Another Elicit customer, Lacy Salmon adds, “My whole family participates. Anyone can do it at any age. It keeps you active, lets you be social, and has brought two generations of our family together – all while meeting new people,” says Lacy.
Molly’s Pub and Restaurant, also in Danbury, has kept the tradition alive for fifteen years. Line dancing nights, held Tuesdays and Fridays at 8 p.m., have become as much a fixture as the Guinness on tap. “It creates a fun and energetic atmosphere,” says Tatiana Riney. “Even those who don’t participate in the dancing enjoy watching the guests. It’s more about country boots than just pints in hand.”
And maybe that’s the magic. Whether you’re kicking up dust at Pivot or stepping to the beat around local bars, this local rediscovery of line dancing proves one thing: joy really does move in lines. •
