Dancing at The Grizzly Rose: Review

In my book, a line dance is "The Electric Slide", "The Cupid Shuffle", or throwing it back to "The Wobble". I have had very little exposure and education in the art of Country Line Dance, that is until recently.

Denver's "Last Honkey Tonk", The Grizzly Rose, is the place to go if you are looking to learn how to Country Line Dance or learn how to Country Swing. Every Wednesday, "The Grizzly Rose '' hosts a free entry evening and dance lessons.

On the main floor (which has a bedazzled bull head as a disco ball twirling in the center), there is a free Country Swing dance lesson with the dance company called "Two Left Boots". This lesson is absolutely free and you do not need to bring a partner to participate. During the lesson we learned the basic frame, the two-step, two spins, one dip, and a couple of flairs. The lesson was a full hour and by the end, me and my partner felt like we were "honkey-tonking". 

In the banquet room, which is a smaller dance floor across from the mechanical bull, a Country Line Dance lesson is offered. The class is taught by the wonderful Rosalie, a spry and energetic woman who is into her 70s. She gives direction and encouragement seamlessly and her joyful spirit makes every newbie and veteran feel at ease. I would encourage everyone to try the Country Line Dance lesson because it is accessible to all and you are led by a veteran teacher who is passionate about dance and just having a good time. This class was five dollars, and frankly, I would pay fifteen each time to have Rosalie’s expertise, professionalism, and humor. Plus, she is in her 70s and she has tinsel in her hair…and no, it's not because it's the Christmas season…she dawns it all year long. 

After the lessons, the Grizzly Rose begins to pop with energy as the live band takes the stage and the dancers are able to boot scoot and practice their new moves. One of my favorite things about this night is that it brings in all types of people. There is one man that I have seen there twice and he is well into his nineties, but he is still dressed to the nines and asking every pretty girl to dance. His smile beams and he brings the girls onto the floor and teaches them how to move around the promenade. There are groups of millennials that are dressed like alternative rockers who wear vans and skinny jeans and then there are the freshly twenty-one year olds that look like they just stepped out of a Wrangler catalog. There are seasoned dancers who glide across the hard wood floors, there are fumbling newbies who seek out tips and tricks, and there are the bystanders that sip their beer and watch the honkey tonk happen. It is a beautiful sight to see the diversity of life and there is positive energy that is infectious. 
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I have loved going to The Grizzly Rose for the dance lessons. I love the free entry, the strong dance instructors, the friendly and diverse crowd, and I also love the pool hall and mechanical bull. All of that adds up to a damn good Wednesday night. So, if you are ever itching to get out on a Wednesday, The Grizzly Rose is your place…and remember, life is too short to “stay in because you have work tomorrow”. Because, frankly, there is a 90 year old man out there still boot scooting and flirting with all the pretty girls...its time to get out there. :)