Patty Grant: Line Dance

I was reminded by one of the line dancers tonight that Sept 24th feels like too long to wait to dance! If you feel the same, you don’t even know how happy that makes me!

I have good news, we have another opportunity a little earlier in the month♥️

Both of my beginner line dance classes will start Thursday September 24th. I will be sending a welcome email out mid-Sept. The Masonic Lodge class is full but there is still a little room in my Stix N’ Bones class.

Send me a message to find out more. 🙂

Meet Tracey Lum, a Foothills County Line Dancer…

“I moved to High River three years ago and was looking for ways to connect with people.

My friend invited me to line dancing class in the spring of this year, and I was so happy to see such a positive, energetic group!

I have participated in other types of dance previously, from contemporary to liturgical, but line dance is new to me.

Patty is such a great instructor; she takes the time to explain the steps and also provides tips on how to guard yourself from potential injury.”

If you are interested in finding out more about upcoming beginner line dance classes in High River, pleases message me.

Cheers to week 10 of our SUMMER BEGINNER LINE DANCE CHALLENGE!

Our newest challenge dance is Coco Na Na, a fun, upbeat 32-count, 4-wall Absolute Beginner dance by Alison Johnstone & Joshua Talbot. It’s danced to “Everything’s Alright” by Azteck, DJ Koko & Kurt D — such a catchy summer song!

This one is perfect for beginners: no tags and no restarts, with lots of familiar steps including side touches, grapevines, scuffs, walks back and a fun modified V-step with a couple of hip bumps at the end. 💃

Give it a try, have some fun with it, and remember — the goal of our summer challenge isn’t perfection. It’s to keep dancing, keep learning and build confidence one dance at a time!

👢 Coco Na Na Stepsheet & Videos:
⁠ https://www.copperknob.co.uk/stepsheets/S32H3GS/coco-na-na

☀️ See all the dances in our Summer Beginner Line Dance Challenge here:
Summer Beginner Line Dance Challenge⁠

https://www.copperknob.co.uk/lists/KXF34ZW/summer-beginner-line-dance-challenge

Who’s giving Coco Na Na a try this week? 🙋‍♀️👢💃

I want to take a moment to honour the Pioneer’s of Line Dance here in High River and surrounding areas. I asked my mentor , Helen McIntyre, a little about the history of her teaching here in High River and here is what she wrote me….

“We started dancing 20+ years ago with Arlene M at the request of Lorna S. Then some of us started dancing with Sue H. in Calgary after that as well. Sue is probably the lady who got line dancing started in Calgary.

Many of the instructors now instructing—Mary R, Marie M, Carolyn J and others were in those classes. When Arlene went South for the winter, Margaret R. and I started to do the winter classes and so it began—our first class was the day my grandson was born. He will be 21 in November. I started teaching on my own in 2013.”

And I have to say, I am so thankful to have joined Helen’s Friday classes here in High River. She is an incredible dancer and instructor and I don’t think it hurts that she was a math teacher here in town! After all, you need to know how to count to teach dance. 🙂

I have also found some amazing dance friends from going to these classes. They have been so kind and welcoming and very supportive to say the least. I have a lot of gratitude for this community. SO ….. THANK YOU TO THE TALENTED HELEN FOR YOUR YEARS OF SERVING THE LINE DANCE COMMUNITY AND THOSE WHO WENT BEFORE HER.

Here is some info on Helen’s daytime classes….

HIGH RIVER LINE DANCERS
FALL 2026 CLASS REGISTRATION INFORMATION

MONDAYS: 14 weeks: September 13 – December 14, 2026
NO CLASS: OCTOBER 12--THANKSGIVING

FRIDAYS: 13 weeks: September 18 – December 11, 2026
Classes held at Masonic Hall in High River 306 4th Ave SE

Registration Deadline: WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2026

Monday 9:30 - 10:30—Level 1—Ultra Beginner/Beginner
Monday 10:30 - 11:30 - Level 2--High Beginner/Improver
Monday 2:30 - 4:00—Level 3/4--Low Intermediate/Intermediate

FRIDAY 9:30 - 11:30—Level 2/3/3+—Improver/Low Intermediate/Intermediate

PAY AS YOU DANCE: $5/DAY

Message Patty Grant: Line Dance for info on how to get in touch with Helen!

Where have your boots been? Tonight is the night…dig them out of the closet or the basement and bring them out to our first ever Stix N' Bones Line Dance Social!

Enjoy a FREE event geared to ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS from 7:00-8:30pm. We will learn a handful of dances and then have some time to practice them.

The venue is relaxed and air conditioned, yes air-conditioned (yaaaa)!

And if you are interested in learning how to line dance, I still have room in my Thursday night Stix N’ Bones class (about 10 spots left).

Beginner Line Dance
Sept 24- Nov 12th
6:00-7:00pm
$64.00/8 weeks

Message me for more information on “how to” register.

PC:Char G Photography

Meet Bonnie Murray, a Foothills County Line Dancer…..

Dancing has been in my whole life. My parents loved to dance and they had us dancing at a young age in the living room. An early memory is of me standing on my Dad’s shoes dancing with him learning to waltz….an old time waltz was their favorite dance.

In junior high at our school we had dance lessons. I was taking figure skating lessons by then and ice dancing was my favorite. My husband and I loved to dance and so it went for years.

Twenty some years ago a line dance class was started in High River. Fell in love with it….started going to 4 to 5 classes a week….even going to the city for a class. (See post tomorrow on the iconic legend Helen McIntyre! Helen offers daytime classes here in High River. She has been teaching here in High River for well over 20 years and going strong! Such an inspiration! Just like Bonnie :))

A lifelong love of dance now became a new passion. Line dance became more than an exercise….it was therapy. As happens there are stressful times in our life…work stress, health stress, children stress and then 2013 and the flood.…..the community of line dancing was and continues to be the best therapy for me.

We were able to spend a couple winters down south and I found classes there and made new friends that I stay in contact with years later.

We have performed at many local places, the hospital, the Legion, and the senior homes. Everywhere we go you see people react to the music. It is a universal language. To see those smiles, to see them sing a long and some to get up and join us is the best reward!!

The memories connect again with music. My Mom sadly suffered from dementia in her last years. One time I was visiting her and a lady was at the home playing the piano and singing. We were listening when she sang Anne Murray’s “Can I have this dance for the rest of my life” . Mom perked up and sang along and when it ended she said…Oh how I wish I could have one more dance with my John”. The power of music !!.

As I continue to line dance I love to learn new dances and keep challenging myself. When I am dancing I engage in the moment…brain, feet and body.

They say dancing is the best exercise to ward off dementia. Dancing with Patty is so enjoyable, she has the same passion and creates a class full of fun and energy.

I love to see all the new dancers and I do love to help encourage new dancers. We were all there.……Don’t give up …you can do this….repeat….laugh….repeat….you will love it……Dance like it’s just you and the music….the world can wait…and so does your housework!!!

If you are inspired by Bonnie’s story, and want to learn how to line dance message me for more info!

PC: Char G Photography

Who is joining me?🤠🙌🏽

This Saturday at 7pm, free for everyone and family friendly for ages 12 and up. Come have some fun and learn how to Line Dance!