Country & West Coast Swing: Our First Featured Dance Styles and Why They Mean So Much.

At Traveling Dancers, we dream of mapping every corner of the social dance world—from from small-town bars to international festivals. When deciding where to begin, the answer was easy: Country Swing and West Coast Swing.

These two styles of dance mark the beginning of my personal journey—and the heartbeat of what inspired this platform.

Country Roots & Borrowed Boots
My first few partner dances took place at a honky-tonk in Denver called The Grizzly Rose. I was fresh on the social dance scene, wearing borrowed cowboy boots from my best friend. I fell head over heels for the way two strangers could connect and move across a wooden floor like they’d known each other forever. The spinning, dipping, and thrilling nature of Country Swing had me hooked.

Because of my work, I traveled often—and wherever I went, I made a point to check out the social dance scene before I left. From Texas, Arizona, Northern California, and Mexico I found pockets of kind-hearted dancers from all over the world who welcomed me like I was already part of the crew. That kind of connection is hard to explain—but once you feel it, you never forget it.

A West Coast Surprise
When I moved to Southern California shortly thereafter, I was on the hunt for places to continue Country Dancing. After scouring the internet and asking everyone I knew about the dance scene in Cali, I picked a spot that was central to several recommend places to dance: San Diego. I joined the San Diego County Dance Resources Facebook page and saw a a promotion for a Country Two Step lesson with Trish and David Walkup at Dance Headquarters. I went solo, not knowing a soul, decked out in my full country get-up—only to quickly realize no one else was dressed like me (yeehaw). Just as I was processing my fish-out-of-water moment, a man named Craig (also in boots!) noticed the confusion on my face and gave me the warmest welcome.

The class kicked off as expected, but afterward, something unexpected happened. Everyone broke into a style of dance I’d never seen before: West Coast Swing. It was structured yet stretchy, refined yet playful. I was captivated. There’s a certain magic to West Coast Swing—an electricity that demands presence, creativity, and trust. The lead and follow become co-creators, the music possibilities are endless, and the vibe is refreshingly relaxed—even the attire.

Turns out, the Walkups were spotlighting this country dancing lesson at the San Diego Swing Dance Club who pride themselves on a variety of dance styles:

• Predominately 70% West Coast Swing
• 30% mix of Country Two Step
• Nightclub Two Step
• Waltz
• Cha Cha
• Hustle
• …And more!

I quickly fell in love with the community. They took me under their wing, and apparently the feeling was mutual—eventually, they invited me to join the Executive Board of Directors as the Events & Activities Director. It gave me a whole new lens for connection, both on and off the dance floor.

So Why These Styles?
Country and West Coast Swing have introduced me to countless people, places, and memories that have changed my life. Launching Traveling Dancers with these two styles is my way of honoring that path—and the people I’ve met along the way.

And this is just the beginning.

We can’t wait to grow this resource with you—to add more styles, spotlight more venues, and celebrate the incredible community that keeps us dancing.

So whether you’re spinning in cowboy boots or grooving to a bluesy West Coast beat in Fuegos… welcome. You’re in the right place.

We Want to Hear From YOU!

What dance styles or venues should we feature next? Whether it’s your go-to local social, an epic dance event, or a hidden gem of a dance hall—we’d love to know what makes your dance world spin.

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Let’s build this map together—one dance at a time.