The Steamboat Pilot & Today

On Tuesday, Susan Merrill was already thinking about what she will wear to the community dance Saturday night at the Depot Art Center.

She has attended the last two dances and understands how much Steamboat Springs’ residents appreciate a good venue for all ages to dance to a variety of music.

“Everybody is there to dance,” Merrill said. “It is not a dating scene. It’s about kicking up our heels and enjoying ourselves.”

More than 40 people showed up for a dance March 24. Attendees need not worry about coming to the dance alone.

“I’m a single woman and walk right in without a partner and feel very comfortable and safe, and people are not afraid to walk up to you and ask you to dance,” Merrill said. “I also just jump up there and dance, and pretty soon two or three ladies start dancing in a group, and it’s just a ball.”

The only complaint some of the past attendees had was that there wasn’t enough country music played.

“They play only one country song per hour,” said Hawkin Ludlum, who has attended the dances and also teaches a country western dance class at Colorado Mountain College. “For myself, I’m out there doing the swing, jitterbug and west coast swing — trying to deal with the music — but it’s a split group.”

There is no debate that the dance is suitable for all ages from teenagers to the baby boomer generation.

“It’s a great combo for the adults and the kids,” Ludlum said. “And a lot of the adults enjoyed watching (the kids) trying to do what we were doing.”

The hours of the dance — from 7 to 11 p.m. — seem to be a nice fit for the participants.

“A lot of places like to start at 9 or 10 p.m. and we’re tired at that point,” Merrill said. “We want to get ready to go home at 11 p.m. and when I leave, I’m thrilled.”