Suburban Cowboys

Welcome to Country Roundup, a new weekly column dedicated to highlighting the local country music and entertainment scene.

In weeks to come, folks more inclined to the music of George Strait than George Gershwin can read about country venues, events, local bands and dance lessons. Fans of swing, square dance, clogging, Cajun and bluegrass music won’t be overlooked.

And, yep, I’ll even let you in on a best-kept secret: the annual Farm Bureau general meeting and dinner-dance. It features cowboy poets, local country bands and Nashville recording artists.

But tonight, you’ll find plenty of country music and dancing at the Borderline Club, 99 Rolling Oaks Drive, in Thousand Oaks, 446-4435. Dance lessons start at 6 p.m. Open dancing begins at 9 p.m.

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A best bet for cowfolk who prefer a more family-oriented and alcohol-free environment is the Borchard Community Center dance held on the second Saturday of each month. Dance lessons start at 7 p.m. and a deejay provides music from 8 to 11 p.m. The center is at 190 Reino Road in Newbury Park 381-2791.

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If you’re more in the mood for adult honky-tonk tunes, Mixers in Simi Valley offers dance lessons at 7 p.m. Saturday. The Chad Watson Band takes the stage at 8 p.m. The club is at 2381 Tapo St. 520-7787.