3-Day Event to Offer Tips for Improving Fancy Footwork : Deejay-instructor Rick Henderson will present simple line dances to exhibitions by champion couples and teams.

If you’re still doin’ the Two-Step with two left feet or haven’t learned a line dance since the Achy Breaky--it’s time to revamp your skills.

You’ll have a great opportunity to do just that at Ventura Western Days, an annual three-day weekend of country dancing, workshops and competitions, March 17-19, at the American Legion Hall.

Accomplished country dancers love this event. But deejay-instructor Rick Henderson has something for everyone. And I especially urge novice dancers to give it a try. You’ll have a chance to improve your skills and confidence and see everything from simple line dances to exhibitions by champion competition couples and teams. And this hands- and feet-on approach beats learning from instructional videos because the instructors can give you instant feedback and coaching.

Henderson has again recruited some high-powered guest instructors from across the state, in addition to several local favorites to teach various levels of Two-Step, East and West Coast Swing, new mixer and line dances and the trendy new Night Club Two-Step. You don’t have to bring a partner to participate, but it is recommended.

Events will include a welcome dance on Friday night and workshops on Saturday followed by a dinner-dance featuring a Jack-and-Jill contest, spotlight exhibitions and live music by Caught Red Handed. Sunday’s focus will be on team, couples and individual dance competitions for all ages.

Special discount lodging is available at the Ramada Inn on Santa Clara Street in Ventura. Just mention you’re there for Western Days.

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Country legend Johnny Cash has postponed his Feb. 25 concert at Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza. Watch for the new date to be announced. But Kenny Rogers will be there Friday through Sunday with four shows designed to please fans of his country-flavored hits such as “The Gambler” and crossover pop tunes such as “Lady.”

When I caught up with Rogers’ tour in Florida last week by phone, his manager, C.K. Spurlock, said that singer-songwriter Kim Carnes--of “She’s Got Bette Davis Eyes” fame--will open for Rogers and also perform with him. Local audiences can expect a modified version of Rogers’ standard show, but it will be more elaborately produced, with a 40-piece orchestra and some romantic standards of the past including “You Are So Beautiful.”

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That hot national recording group, The Mavericks, is coming to the Ventura Theatre on Feb. 28. But if you’d like a preview, Thunder Country radio has a field trip set for Feb. 23 to The Mavericks’ show at the trendy House of Blues in Hollywood. The bus leaves at 4:30 p.m. from the Oxnard Hilton and makes a stop at Dwight Yoakam’s Thunder Roadhouse restaurant and bar on Sunset Boulevard, near the House of Blues. Only folks age 21 and older need apply. Cost per person is $21.05. Call the station for details at 644-9555.

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CLUB UPDATE: I dropped by Splash nightclub in the Simi Valley Radisson Hotel last week for Rick Henderson’s Rock ‘n’ Rodeo country dance night and found a high-energy crowd, nicely packed dance floor, a separate floor for practice and a darker, more user-friendly nightclub atmosphere.

Down the road at Cousin’s--soon to be called the Silver Dollar Saloon--remodeling continues. The place is going gangbusters with an ever-expanding dance floor. With its dimly lighted, cozy atmosphere and easy dance-floor access, the club will feature live local and imported bands seven nights a week. Cousin’s will be closed Sunday and Monday for more remodeling.

Details

* WHAT: Ventura Western Days, an annual three-day weekend of country dancing, workshops and competition.

* WHEN: March 17-19.

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

* HOW MUCH: Three-day admission pass per person until Feb. 23, $30, $21 for juniors (age 17 and under); $35 and $25 at the door; one-day tickets, $20; Friday or Saturday night open dance only, $7.50 each or Saturday dinner-dance $15 each; competition fee per event: $5 per couple, $20 per team.

* CALL: 646-1679.