Line dancing heats up
Line dancing is drawing crowds in a variety of spaces
BY CELESTE TURNER
Contributing writer
Line dancing is having a genuine revival, particularly in recent years. Classes and events are popping up in community centers, fitness programs and venues across the New Orleans area, with growing participation among younger adults and LGBTQ+ communities.
Social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram have introduced line dancing to new audiences through viral videos and dance trends.
Instructor Haley Rowe-Kadow has seen the resurgence firsthand at the regular events and practices she hosts at dance studios, parks, bars and other locations. She has found new dancers primarily through her Instagram account, @stompshack, since 2025.
“It’s a combination of the uptick in popularity of country music and the visibility line dancing now has with social media apps,” Rowe-Kadow said “It looks fun when you’re watching videos online
The resurgence also coincides with the growing popularity of country music and Western culture, as seen in fashion trends and artists such as Beyoncé, who brought the Americana sound to new listeners with “Cowboy Carter ” And after the COVID-19 pandemic, more people started seeking out in-person activities, making line dancing an appealing option that combines exercise, community and low-pressure socializing.
Studio Shakti owner Karla Marie “Karlita” Cochran, a dance instructor since 2007, has been offering classes at the Faubourg Marigny studio since it opened in February 2025 and noted that line dancing has gained popularity on TikTok and Instagram.
“Yes, Beyoncé’s ‘Boots on the Ground’ was a genuine cultural flashpoint,” Cochran said “It introduced line
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dancing to a whole new audience.”
Beyoncé toured in support of her country album “Cowboy Carter” between April and July 2025, and included a routine for “Boots on the Ground” by 803Fresh, Douglas Furtick, that sparked interest in line dancing among many Cochran, a member of the Krewe of Dolly and an Egyptian belly dance instructor, said the routine sparked her krewe’s interest in line dancing.
“For me personally, it started there,” Cochran said.
“When we heard that song for the first time in the krewe, everyone immediately wanted to learn it.”
Fueled by a strong sense of community, line dancing has grown in popularity and spread to local festivals.
Darri Thomas, known as “Lady D,” is an attorney by trade who now works full-time as a line dance instructor and organizes the annual four-day NOLA Line Dance Fest at the Astor Crowne Plaza, scheduled for June 25-28.
“I am celebrating my 15th anniversary of teaching line dancing,” said Thomas, who travels internationally to teach and currently leads line dance classes
In South Louisiana, mosquitoes are practically a fact of life. They show up at backyard barbecues, fishing trips, evening walks and just about anywhere else we spend time outdoors Unfortunately, they also bring one of the most serious health threats our pets face: heartworm disease. The frustrating part? Heartworm disease is largely preventable. Every year, veterinarians treat dogs with a disease that could have been avoided with a simple monthly
twice a month at Stonebridge Country Club. “Anyone can come. We have vendors, instructional workshops, fitness classes, health chats, and a health and wellness expo. All ethnicities participate.”
With 650 attendees already registered for the NOLA Line Dance Fest, Thomas expects a large crowd ranging in age from 18 to 80.
“If you can walk, you can dance,” Thomas said. ‘I’m not a good dancer’
With no partner required, line dancing is an approachable option for beginners and solo participants.
Dancers perform synchronized routines based on repeating step patterns.
Rowe-Kadow teaches beginner and intermediate classes at Dance Quarter Studio on Toledano Street and offers a free Sunday session at 2 p.m. in Woldenberg Park, City Park, and other locations.
“A lot of people come alone at first, but quickly make friends through the group,” Rowe-Kadow said. “As a
participate
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a
group made up largely of queer women, it’s nice to have a style of dance that doesn’t rely on partnering.”
Rowe-Kadow also hosts events at bars and other venues, using alcohol as a low-effort way to encourage people to try line dancing in a relaxed setting.
Susan “Susie Q” Bailey has taught line dancing classes for more than 20 years. Between March and August, Bailey’s biweekly classes rotate among St. James, St. John the Baptist and St. Charles parishes, drawing dancers from across the river parishes and fostering community connections.
“Yes,” Bailey said. “Since I teach in three different parishes, participants meet people from various backgrounds and generations, often developing lasting friendships along the way.” Fun is what keeps Brandi Wallenberg, a St. Charles Parish resident, returning to Bailey’s line dancing classes at the Edward A. Dufresne Community Center gymnasium for the past three years. With record attendance at the St. Charles Parish Recreation Department’s summer classes, Wallenberg said she looks forward to revisiting favorite routines and learning new dances.
“I’m not a good dancer,” said Wallenberg, who works from home in Luling. “I’m left-handed, so I mess up a lot. But I love it because it’s close to my house, you meet good people, and you get some exercise.”
Shuffling through genres and generations
Because you can step in and follow along without formal training, line dancing appeals to all ages and fitness levels
“Right now, most of our regular dancers are in their late 20s and 30s, but we’re open to all ages,” Rowe-Kadow said. “It’s definitely great exercise. People are always shocked by how much they sweat after a couple dances.”
Bailey, whose classes draw roughly 80 to 200 participants from ages 18 to 80, said line dancing is for everyone, regardless of rhythm or experience
“Beginners are always welcome,” said Bailey, who plans to retire in October to teach line dance full-time. “At the start of each session, I explain the basics and provide wall signs to help dancers navigate turns and directional changes. It’s a fun
way to stay active and move.” Line dancing has also gained traction in other parts of the city, including Life on Its Side Studio in Harahan. Owner Susan Lee said the studio’s monthly
summer classes are easy to follow and feature a variety of musical genres. She noted that the largest turnout is from active adults ages 50 and older “We have two instructors who
use a mix of everything,” Lee said. “In this city, people are going to dance no matter where you go. And line dancing is so simple, using basic steps and a steady beat.”
While line dancing is traditionally associated with countrywestern music, it has expanded to include routines set to pop, rock, Latin, hip-hop and dance tracks.
“Our primary focus is country line dancing, but we dance to pop, hip-hop and Americana. Anything we like,” Rowe-Kadow said.
Some of the dances the Stomp Shack group enjoys pair with songs by artists such as Kasey Musgraves, Pitbull, Rihanna, TPain, JaneDear Girls and Chappell Roan.
As line dancing gains momentum across the city and into the River Parishes, Bailey has a simple message for anyone considering joining in: “You don’t have to be a great dancer You just have to be willing to take that first step.”
Characterized by grapevines, shuffles, heel digs, toe taps and turns, line dancing has also become part of the summer programming at several library branches. Adult sessions are scheduled for June 10 at Belle Terre Library June 30 at the River Ridge branch, and July 9 at the Lafitte
Dixon Hall at Tulane University, 6823 St. Charles Ave. in New Orleans. Evening curtain is at 7:30 p.m. Matinees start at 2 p.m. Tickets start at $30. https://liberalarts.tulane. edu/summer-lyric-theatre/tickets/ chicago. TIPITINA’S FREE FRIDAYS: Tipitina’s,
+ Sam Price & The True Believers. Doors open at 8 p.m., and the show begins at 9 p.m. for all series concerts https://tipitinas.com/freefridays/. FAIS DO-DO WITH BRUCE DAIGREPONT CAJUN
downtown campus, 725 Howard Ave New Orleans. Proceeds and donations from Deux Fuegos will support the NOCHI Scholarship Fund. Reservations are available on select dates between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. www.nochi.org/deux-fuegos
of manners June 12 at the New Marigny Theatre, Church of Arts and Sciences, 2301 Marais St. in New Orleans. Curtain is at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $5. www.thetalkbacktheatre.com/event-details/the-importance-of-being-earnest.
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Sheila M. Wilkinson, attorney social worker, educator, and empowerment coach, will discuss “Five Legal Documents Every Parent Needs for Their Graduating Senior (before they go off to college)”
at 7 p.m. June 15 at the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon Ave., Metairie. This event is free and open to the public.
The seminar will provide parents with an overview of the five most important legal documents they should know, understand, and have in place before their graduate heads off to college. It will offer practical information on these documents, enabling parents to apply it immediately At this session, parents should leave with the following information:
1. Know and have a basic understanding of each of the top five categories of legal documents available under Louisiana and federal law
2. Be able to explain the main characteristics of each of these legal documents.
3. Have a solid starting point for making informed decisions and
assisting their graduating seniors. Wilkinson earned her bachelor’s degree from UNO, her master’s degree from Tulane and her law degree from Loyola. She teaches at several universities, is heavily involved in community development, and is the founder of SMWPLC, an indigenous womanowned, minority women-run hybrid firm that provides services across the globe.
Food and cocktail demos
The next food and cocktail demo occurs at 6:30 p.m. June 11 at the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon Ave., Metairie.
The speakers are Nora Wetzel and Elizabeth Pearce. Wetzel, a certified chef and food consultant, will discuss what soldiers ate 250 years ago, such as ash cakes with molasses and beans with salt pork
Elizabeth Pearce, a local mixologist and owner of “Drink and Learn,” will talk about the drinks consumed at the time, including rum, and will demonstrate a contemporary rum-based cocktail the Hurricane.
Patrons may sample the dishes prepared during the demonstration. However, these demonstrations are not intended to serve as meals for those in the audience. Food is not sold.
Saturday morning writers’ clinic
Author Stephen Rea recently had his book, “Ozzy and Me,” published by Simon & Schuster It describes his tenure on the road with rocker Ozzy Osbourne.
He will speak at 9:30 a.m. June 20 at the Wagner Library, 6646 Riverside Drive, Metairie. He will discuss what it’s like to work with a major publisher and describe the journey from writing to editing, securing an agent, and signing with Simon & Schuster in New York. Rea is also the author of two other books, Finn McCool’s Football Club and World Cup Fever
Other Jefferson Parish events
Mark your calendar for these upcoming events.
Chatty the Mime
11 a.m. June 10 — Westwego
Library 635 Fourth Street, Westwego.
11 a.m. June 10 Gretna Library, 102 Willow Drive, Gretna.
11 a.m. June 11 — Wagner Library 6646 Riverside Drive, Metairie.
2 p.m. June 11 — River Ridge Library, 8825 Jefferson Highway, River Ridge.
11 a.m. June 13 Belle Terre Library, 5550 Belle Terre Road, Marrero.
