Line Dancing for Good, Clean Fun

Sporting a cowboy hat and boots to match, two-steppin’ Richard Miller and his wife, Jean, try their luck line-dancing at the Culver Saloon and by the time they step off the floor, they’ve mastered the “Catfish,” “Cruisin’ ” and “God Blessed Texas.”

At least she has.

Richard Miller has some trouble with the backward, side-stepping grapevine, and he’s not sure which foot to start with after the kick-ball-change, a staple in some of the most popular country and western line dances. But Jean Miller is an old pro. She’s tush-pushed and done the “Cowboy Hustle” so many times that she hops right out of her seat when a cool song comes calling.

Though the Studio City old-timers have the two-step down pat, they may try their luck at the saloon on another Saturday when the country and western club offers free line-dancing lessons. Linda Cornforth has been teaching the class here for nearly eight years, and each week the Santa Monica schoolteacher pulls three dances out of her cowboy hat.

“I’ve got 180 dances that I can teach these folks and rotate them each week to keep them coming back,” she says.

Those who come back eventually become regulars. The Culver Saloon is a no-frills joint in the heart of Culver City that prides itself on being the only country and western bar west of the Hollywood Hills. When line dancing was in its heyday in the early ‘90s, cowboy clubs were the rave, but most in the greater L.A. area have since shut down.

Saloon regulars say their honky-tonk hangout has survived 12 years simply because, at the saloon, country is more than just a fad--it’s a way of life.

“This place is just a lot of fun,” Barbara Salas, 43, says. “You can come here and just be yourself, and with line dancing you always have a good time ‘cause you don’t need a partner.”

Salas, of Marina del Rey, was introduced to the simple saloon, sparsely decorated with posters of country and western singers and neon beer signs, five years ago. She initially came here with her mother and has returned each weekend since.

On the dance floor, where live music kicks up country spirit each Saturday, Salas says she found her personality. She started with a simple country cha-cha and waltzing solo to honky-tonk music and has since worked her way up to some of the most complicated dances such as “Caribbean Cowboy” and “Red Neck Girl,” a fast little tush-push.

The clumsy need not worry about fitting in. While there are many skilled dancers on the floor wearing fringe jackets and country and western garb, there are many others casually dressed in jeans who prefer to survey the slick dance moves from a pool table or a dart game before sauntering onto the dance floor.

The saloon doesn’t stray far from its roots, keeping its country and western theme a constant. Thursday nights, however, the entertainment lineup is oldies but goodies and, on Sundays, it features a jam session for rockabilly and blues. The country and western line dancing night remains the most popular evening.

“Line dancing is the most fun you can have in public,” Cornforth said.

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Where: The Culver Saloon, 11513 Washington Blvd., Culver City. (310) 391-1519.

When: Sunday-Saturday, noon to 2 a.m. Country line dancing lessons Saturday, 7:30 p.m.

Cost: Cover varies. Domestic beer, $3.25; chablis, $3.50.