If you’ve been in lockdown, you’ll probably have a list of activities you can’t wait to do once restrictions ease.
For Hireup client and support worker Noelene and Victoria, this activity is line dancing.
Noelene and Victoria’s story began six years ago when Noelene posted a job on the Hireup job board looking for a cleaner.
Both describe their first meeting as an instant connection. Noelene said that “there was a strong rapport from the start and we’re now friends more than anything else.” As fans of NRL and supporters of South Sydney Rabbitohs, Noelene and Victoria love going to the games and going out for dinner afterwards.
“You know when you meet someone and you just know you’re going to be friends for life,” says Noelene.
Victoria explains that what makes their support connection and friendship so strong is that “aside from our similar interests, she’s just got such a wicked sense of humour. I’ve learnt so much from her.”
Not long into their first meeting, Noelene said that line dancing was something that she’d like to do. Victoria, sharing this curiosity, jumped online with Noelene and found JBTalbot Line Dancers.
Since then, Noelene and Victoria have been line dancing together and loving every moment.
But why line dancing?
For Noelene, it is the social energy of going along, meeting new people and learning together. “There’s always someone new around,'' says Noelene. “I enjoy line dancing, it’s a happy kind of dancing full of feel good moments.”
Victoria also enjoys the social community aspect of attending line dancing and says that the inclusive and welcoming culture is nurtured by Josh Talbot, who runs JBTalbot Line Dancers. “Josh wears contrasting coloured pants and shoes... and will discreetly stand closer to Noelene so she can more easily see what he does with his feet. He’s very accommodating like that” says Victoria.
Sorry, but we have to ask. Does everyone wear boots, belts and cowboy hats?
“When I first turned up, I’d worn jeans and a flanny to try and be a bit more country though no one was dressed up like that, says Victoria. “Occasionally there will be social events that have a dress theme like Halloween or Christmas.”
According to Noelene and Victoria the line dancing classes don’t have the country western vibe that you might anticipate. There’s also a lot of variety in the music.
What are the best songs to line dance to?
Victoria enjoys dancing to songs by Ed Sheeran such as Perfect, though she also says that you can’t go past Boot Scootin' Boogie by Brooks and Dunn which she confirms is “the anthem of line dancing.” Noelene is a big fan of songs by Keith Urban and Alan Jackson but explains that there is a variety of genres that you can dance to, including swing and cha cha. “You’ll even see people dancing to AC-DC,'' says Noelene.
Another strength of line dancing lessons is that you “can really go at your own pace,'' says Noelene. There are classes ranging from beginner to easy to intermediate. “You can start at beginners and stay there if you want,” says Noelene.
Noelene and Victoria were attending classes around the improver/easy intermediate level before lockdown and strongly encourage anyone to get involved once classes recommence if they’re curious to try it. “It’s given me so much more motivation and joy and I am so missing it,” says Noelene.
