Places to Dance

NOTE: The following are reviews by staff of 2step2 Dance Studio. These comments and opinions will change from time to time depending on input from our students, friends, associates, and from comments in the discussion area on Places to Dance. If you would like to add to these reviews, e-mail your comments to dance2step2@comcast.net.

Several of 2step2students took a day trip into Louisiana in Jan (Henderson); took a Zydaco workshop from a guy named Greg (from California, yep!!!)...U'd think why not WCS??? Anywho, it was very informative....the dance is evolving into a more modern type that one can incorporate other dance moves (salsa, swing, ect). The workshop was held @ Angele's Whiskey River Levee Landing....a raunchy, dilapidated dance hall* at the foot off the Atchafalaya basin but, U can't help but love the place: it's very charming!!! Is it true that there is no smoking in public places in Louisiana???????? The place held about 150 Texans, but it is said that about 400-500 Crazy Cajuns dance on any given Sunday there>TODAY, IN FACT!!!The workshop cost $20(including been given a free DVD)......there was about 50 persons @ the function........U do the math!.....Greg?????? Greg did a very nice job! *The dance floor was plywood, worn down in places into the plys, but not too bad

(A) Big Texas Dance Hall and Saloon located 803 E. Nasa Rd 1 (Webster) in strip center West of El Camino Real near I-Hop restaurant. Map 281-461-4400 http://www.bigtexassaloon.com/ Medium sized floor (wood), DJ music, lights, pool. Lots of great dancers, good mix of mostly C&W music with some ECS, WCS, and Cha-cha. Free classes by Texas Dance Country on Friday nights. Parking is good. Open Wed. through Sat. No cover on Thursday. $4 cover after 9 on other days. Inexpensive drinks. Prime dancing time on Friday and Saturday is 7-10. It is smoky and crowded after 9 until 2 a.m. College aged crowd on Saturday late. Rated A

(B) Chaparral Club located on Holland Rd in Dickinson. Take Holland Rd. exit and follow Holland Rd. for about 1-1/2 miles (makes a right turn.) (302 Ave. J, Dickinson) Map Monthly dances – check times and dates. Check with Texas Dance Country on web site of www.texasdancecountry.com. 281-332-7123. Also, this is a dance location for Two Left Feet Dance Club - check web site of www.tlf-houston.com or e-mail at tlf.houston@gmail.com for more details or call the Chaparral Club at 281-337-2411. Very large floor (smooth wood and well-maintained). Non-smoking atmosphere. Parking lot is dark. Sodas, beer, water, and set ups are inexpensive. Bring a dish to share on the common table (pot luck). May bring your own snacks. Excellent dancers. Excellent music and excellent variety. Great hosts. Frequent mixers. Plenty of tables. Behaved children and youth ok. $8 cover charge. Parking is free. Rated A

(C) Rocking Rodeo in Pasadena off Spencer & Burk. 3150 Burke Rd. Map (713) 378-4115 Large dance floor, D J music (C&W), darts, pool. Fills up about 9:00-9:30pm.Friday night no cover until 8:00pm, Saturday no cover till 9:00pm, $5 after on both nights. Rated A

(D) Eddie's Country Ballroom is located just South of Houston at 6835 Chocolate Bayou @ FM-1128 near Manvel, Texas. Map (281) 489- 8181 or (713) 305-9952 It is one of the oldest country and western dance halls in Texas. It has a very large tile floor. Dirt and gravel parking lot is well lit. Open Saturday night from 8 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Live band 9-1. Cover charge $5 for 21 and over - $7 for under 21. They sell snacks and setups. Check it out at http://www.eddiescountryballroom.com/

(E) The Hop is located on corner of Hwy 3 and Nasa Rd. 1 in Webster, Texas. (17886 Hwy. 3 ) Map (281) 332-6702 Restaurant inside, small floor, smokey, loud, seating and table area limited. Fifties DJ music. Great for ECS. Go early! Valet parking. Rated B

(F) Bo Jangles is located in Seabrook, Texas near the corner of Nasa Road 1 and Hwy 146 at 1913 Nasa Road 1. (1913 Nasa Rd.1, Kemah) Map 281-474-5500 http://www.bojanglesbluesbar.com/ Open Wed. through Sunday 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Great bands every open night (usually swing). No cover. Very small floor. A bit smokey. Limited parking space. Get there early. Rated B.

(G) Shenanigans located 820 34th Street North, Texas City, TX. Map 409-945-9611 Jute box music, bands on weekends. (Usually C&W with some Swing), medium size floor, darts, pool. No cover! Lots of parking space. Rated C.

(H) Rumba Club located off West side of I 45 South of Alameda Mall (11030 Kingspoint Rd, Houston). Map (Drive South on IH-45 feeder road from Almeda-Genoa for several blocks and turn in where you see the marquee labeled "The BOMB") 713-947-8622 http://www.clubriddims.com/ Large floor, pretty atmosphere & candles on tables, separate cozy seating areas. Sometimes bands & sometimes DJ music, Salsa, meringue, Cha-Cha, Cumbia. Very loud (bring ear plugs). Music is non-stop (pick your own breaks). Music does not start until around 9-10 pm. All dancing stops during broadcast of important Latin soccer games for viewing on the big screens. Cover charge after 10 p.m. Free Salsa classes on Fri night from excellent teachers. Rated A.

(I) Las Haciendas located on Nasa Rd 1 near I 45 at 1020 Nasa Pkwy. 281-557-3500 Map Restaurant, Salsa, Meringue dancing after 10pm. They say the band starts at 9, but they do not even show up until 9. Salsa bands, loud, small tile floor, young crowd. Get a table, eat late or eat chips & salsa!. Rated B

(J) Lone Star Club http://lonestarclub.tripod.com/index.html Pasadena, 2900 South Shaver 713-944-8542. Map. Has large dance area with tile floor. Juke Box music, but they host 2-4 bands per month some times with about $5 cover charge. Large fixed tables with plenty of seating via stools. Monday and Thursday: $1.50 Beer with your Lone Star Koozie, Monday from 3 to 7 PM, Thursday 3 to 10 PM. They have a private bar for special occasions and private parties. Regular dance home of Strictly Whip Dance Club. Rated A-

(K) SPJST Lodge 172 is located 3609 Preston Ave., Pasadena. Map
.http://www.spjst.com/activities.html - (Lodge 172) Great bands (mostly C&W). Reservations - call 281-487-3297 for parties of 20 or more and you want a special table or email Richard at rrsmistr@sbcglobal.net . Dances are held usually once per month on the 1st Saturday plus an occasional Variety Dance that are scheduled regularly & all are BYOB. They sell beer and setups. The facility is non-smoking and has a 7500 square foot wood dance floor (one of the largest is Texas). Family style atmosphere and children 12 years and under are Free. For regular dances (Country & Western) admission is $6 per person, Variety dances are $8 - $10. Hours are from 8pm until midnight. Rated A

(L) Wild West located in West Houston at 6101 Richmond Ave., Houston, Map. 281-487-3297. http://www.wildwesthouston.com/. Nice size wooden floor, great DJ music (country & western, West Coast Swing, Rock & Roll, line dances). There is a balcony above all the way around where you can watch dancers below. Watch out for the poles at either end in the middle of the dance floor. Sundays Free classes 5:30-6:30. Open every day 6 p.m-2 a.m. EXCEPT MONDAY. Ladies (18-20 $7), and men (18-20 $10). Cover charge for 21 and over varies: Tuesday - $3, Wed. $5, Thursday (All ages) Ladies $1 and men $2, Friday $5, Saturday $5, and Sunday $3 with Fajita buffet 7-9 p.m. Rated A

(M) HAAK Winery http://www.haakwine.com located 6310 Avenue T, Santa Fe, Texas. 409-925-1401. Map. Free Sunday evening events/bands dancing in the Spring and Summer. They have a covered pavilion with lots of seating in folding chairs and quiet a few tables. Good parking with parking overflow for large crowd in the back. When it rains, back lot parking is very muddy. You cannot bring your own snacks, food or liquor- they sell these items there! An excellent lineup of bands. Rated A

N) Marguerite's Dance Hall-newly remodeled- Located 3332 Ave A in Santa Fe, Texas adjacent to FM-1764 between IH-45 and Santa Fe. Map. 409-925-1147 Under new management. Lots of parking space. They offer drinks and a cozy atmosphere and are eager to please the dancers. Dance floor (tile) in the back is of reasonable size with plenty of tables for seating. Rated B.

(O) Cowboy Church on Grand St Pearland- Sundays 5-7pm. Free food & dancing to live bands. B

(P) La Brica Mexican restaurant 146 in Kemah Sundays 5-9pm live music & dancing! B

The ballroom dance club was originated by Dorothy and Don Phelan on February 9, 1972. They teach a variety of ballroom lessons - some free and some paid classes. One of the notable instructors is Eileen Bauerlein. Check out the web site for contact information and locations. The club hosts a monthly dance at the Chaparral Club.