Line dancing brings energy, fun, social time

Country music artist Tim McGraw seemed to be speaking for the entire crowd of 80 or more as a recording of “I like it, I love it, I want some more of it” rang out at the Mill entertainment center the evening of July 24. More than 75 people ranging in age between 9 and 85 years old had registered for a line dance class being taught by Belle Plain residents Mary and Tom Zielund.

 

It was the second time the class was offered in Waseca, and, based on the turnout, probably not the last, observed Tom. “People really seem to be enjoying it,” he commented as he indicated the crowd.

 

As the name states, line dances call for participants to stand in rows several feet apart all facing the same direction. The steps for most–although not all–dances include a set of moves followed by a change in the direction everyone is facing, followed by the same steps again. 

 

Instructor Mary is a sign language teacher for the Belle Plain school system who also has a passion for line dancing. Her first experience sharing her love for the hobby came when she was asked to teach a community education course. After that, interest from the community led her to begin offering classes in other venues, including the Mill, whose large, open floor provides a nearly ideal setting, especially for the many people who came on Friday.

 

A quick spoken survey of the crowd revealed that, while most participants came from the local region, one group had come from Iowa and two individuals were even from Oregon and Nebraska.

 

One group of four had come from the area of Byron, brought over by Haley Eustice, who is originally from the Waseca area. In their 20s, Eustice’s friends were Jessica Grafe, Breanna Ohl and Megan Nowezki. The four said they came for the chance to learn something new that they would all have in common, and proclaimed they would be using their new skill at Nowezki’s wedding coming up in May of 2027, where she speculated “Cupid Shuffle” and “Cotton-Eyed Joe” would certainly be part of the celebration.

 

Not all four expected the dances to come naturally, with Grafe predicting “total chaos” during the lessons.

 

Wasecans Shannon and Will Fritz came for the chance to try something new; knowing of Shannon’s interest, their daughter had seen information about the class and encouraged them to come. Will admitted he was there mostly to support Shannon, saying he expected most of his enjoyment from the event was likely to be vicarious. “Sometimes what brings the most joy is watching others get their joy,” he claimed.

 

Rebecca Fowler of Mankato had brought her “fun-sized” mother, five-foot-tall Betty Feldbrugge, who said she was looking forward to the social time and fun of line dancing, along with the exercise which, she figured, would be healthy for her without being too strenuous.

 

Joleen Deutschmann of LeCenter had brought three nine-year-olds and a 12-year-old, and said the youngsters were excited at the prospect of learning the dances. They had even dressed in western-looking gear that included cowboy hats and boots.

 

Instructor Mary told the group during her introductions that the first hour or so would be beginner-level lessons, with more advanced moves being kept for the later part of the session.