Clubs Getting Ready for Swingin’ Sweethearts : Because Valentine’s Day falls on a weeknight, lots of dance events--from Simi to Ventura--are planned this weekend.

In Hollywood movies, dancin’ leads to romancin’ with no thought of punchin’ a time clock. So for us working stiffs, it’s a bummer when Valentine’s Day falls on a weeknight. But you and your sweetheart can still have a great long lost weekend, country-style, starting tonight.

At 8:30 p.m. the Art Green Band returns to Goleta’s Galleon Room for plenty of couples-oriented dancing. Darlene O’Connell & the Dixie Flyers will make their first appearance at Cousin’s in Simi Valley. And the Rhythm Rangers continue their Thursday Country Night at Maxie’s in Oak View.

For a smoke-free alternative, check out the new weekly Friday-night dances at the American Legion Hall in Ventura. C&C; Productions deejay Vince Fiske will provide step sheets and teach a new line dance called Mexican Wind at 7:30 p.m. And the Rhythm Rangers will play from 8 p.m. to midnight for dancing on the legion’s huge ballroom floor. On most Fridays, Fiske will also provide deejay music for dancing. But once a month he plans to use a live band instead.

The American Legion Hall will have a heck of a workout this weekend because the Country Lovers Western Dance Club will hold its Sweetheart Ball on Saturday. Deejay/dance instructor Rick Henderson will teach at 7 p.m. and then spin tunes from 8 to midnight.

For those who couldn’t get a baby-sitter, Saturday night is not lost. Join dance teaching team Ed and Sally plus a live band for an all-ages alcohol-and-smoke-free family hoedown from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Borchard Community Center in Newbury Park.

And if “love-itis” still has a hold on you after the weekend, on Tuesday you and your sweetie can polish your belt buckles dancin’ to Larry Dean’s smooth ballads at Cousin’s.

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Club News: The Borderline in Thousand Oaks recently hosted MCA recording artists Terry McBride & the Ride, successfully kicking off the club’s live concert series in conjunction with Bob Allen and Thunder 105.5 radio. More than 300 fans listened and danced while the group country-rocked the place with high-voltage cuts from its new album, named after the band. Look for “I Can’t Dance” and “High Hopes and Empty Pockets” to hit the charts. McBride also delivered his hit ballads including “On Sacred Ground” and “Just One Night.”

This concert was so well-received that management plans to book country stars such as Hal Ketchum and Billy Dean in the near future.

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Rumors that the Crazy Bull has folded aren’t true. Last week the club introduced its new format. You will find the same dance instructors, times and days. But Raywood will play at 5:30 p.m. on Sundays and Mondays and at 6 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for folks who want to go dancing on a “school night” and still get home early. Catch him Thursdays at 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. on the weekends when there is no live band featured. Wednesday is couples’ dancing only--no line dances.

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The Borderline and the Bull aren’t the only clubs that tried something new last week. Nicholby’s--the Ventura club with the spacious dance floor, cappuccino, and wonderful sound system--introduced its Wednesday “Jumpin’ Swing Night” with Lee and Terri. Come and learn basic “survival” swing at 7:30 p.m. then practice what you learned at 8:30 p.m. with a variety of country, swing and rock-a-billy tunes. According to Lee, “Jumpin’ swing is a quicker version of East Coast Swing without the triple step to slow you down.”

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Details

* WHAT: Country-Western dance.

* WHO: The Rhythm Rangers.

* WHEN: Friday.

* WHERE: American Legion Hall, 83 S. Palm St., Ventura.

* HOW MUCH: $5 per person.

* FYI: Fiske will teach a new line dance, Mexican Wind, at 7:30 p.m., and the Rhythm Rangers will play 8 p.m. to midnight

* CALL: 653-1339 or 643-8833.