The unexpected virtues of line dancing

“I've been opening bars for 15 years and I've never seen a craze like this,” Anthony Goodwin, founder of Spaghetti Western, warned me.

I admit I was surprised by the size and variety of animals. There are a few cowboy hats, but there are also a Canadian T-shirt and many shirts that make you want to listen to Nirvana. Despite their diversity, all these beautiful people are united by the same love of country in Place Saint-Hubert in Montreal.

Quebecers clearly love their country. However, it does not seem to me that this culture is greatly represented in the capital. I felt things were changing when I noticed more and more teenagers wearing cowboy boots on their feet…

Anthony Goodwin confirms this to me: “There has been a zeitgeist among young people for a year or two!” » We can think of Beyoncé's country shift, but also rapper Lil Nas The businessman believes that the Lasso Montreal country music festival, which has been held since 2022, has a lot to do with this.

Catherine and Jessica, 28, like me, are in their first dance class. They started because country was their favorite genre ever since they attended the Lasso Festival. Are they nervous?

“Impossible. You?”

Oh, sure. I asked a friend to come as a backup. Amelie, like me, was concerned about her lack of coordination, and thought about letting me down. We are volunteers, but we are afraid of not being there…

“It's very inclusive, everyone is accepted!”, Catherine LeFrançois told me.

I contacted the music world and musician a few days ago. She is the author of a master's degree and a thesis on the history of country music in Quebec, but she explained that as a private citizen she presented me with a theory regarding the popularity of line dancing. “My impression is that since the outbreak of the epidemic, people have become eager to participate in cultural events where they are not passive. »

In Quebec, the organization ès TRAD organizes traditional dance evenings and they are always full, while there are empty rooms in the theater and the presenters work hard to develop the crowds.

Catherine LeFrançois, musicologist and musician

What community do we join when we adopt a country?

“The conventional wisdom about country music is that it's original,” Catherine LeFrançois answered me. I don't think that means much. Ozzy Osbourne is as authentic as Willy Lamothe! We often talk about simple music as well. But for me, it's more emotional music. Artists express a lot of vulnerability and emotion. There is something profound that touches the person listening. Then there is a whole network of Western festivals where people come together to enjoy the festive atmosphere. »

Strong feelings and celebration are noted.

“You don't need to know how to dance, you just need to Hazar ! “,” Eve-Marie tells me, between two sips of beer. The 22-year-old has been coming to the dance every week since she opened the Spaghetti Western restaurant last October. “It's because I love Kathy!” »

Cathy Maguire is the teacher wearing a beautiful 100% denim outfit. The person who grew up on a farm in Bose had been studying dance for four years, while pursuing a career as a circus artist. She is also working on a solo show: baby doll, Western feminist. For her, practicing line dancing and respecting women go hand in hand: “You can dance and share a common vocabulary without contact. Girls know they are safe in my classes.”

No wonder, at 7pm, the dance floor is 90% full of women.

Kathy begins the chapter by remembering trail etiquette: “We have fun and if we catch someone, we give them a chance.” Stop it. »

Then we learned our first choreography by dissecting 32 beats. Or at least trying to. Amelie and I are often against the crowd. I understand little about him Hello hatthe Step rocks He's my weak link and don't tell me that mix… My neighbors and I celebrate each other because we bump into each other or because we hit a routine. We are in the same boat.

Thirty minutes later, Kathy Maguire processes the second choreography. Bingo! This time I follow the steps very easily (and I will repeat them the next day alone in the living room).

An unexpected feeling reveals itself: I feel frustrated because I don't have enough space to give the required range to my movements! The pub has been a victim of its own success, which is a great mistake.

“I really understand why people like it,” my friend said with a forelock wrinkled by the humidity. (It's too hot.) It's clear to me, too.

Musicologist Catherine LeFrançois's reflection comes to mind: “The country is famous!” However, since the beginning of the marketing of this music in Quebec, when we talk about it, there is always a tone of astonishment… as if we are denying the cultural importance of this musical genre. »

sinner.

But I swear to you that I have changed.

Online dance classes are held at Spaghetti Western Bar every Thursday and Sunday at 7pm and 8pm, and cost $5.