#Country Dancing

[it-happened-one-fic]

Two Step - Aren't Exactly Prince Charming - Strictly NRC Dancing

Author Notes: I watched so many how-to-videos for the two step dance, but this fic doesn't actually have any one video or performance that it was inspired by. That said, I have learned the two step is actually quite the charming little dance and if you've never heard of it I do recommend that you look it up. I listened to "Why Don't We Just Dance" by Josh Turner while writing this fic. Just like the rest of this AU/series the reader is female for this fic. I hope you enjoy!

If you would like to read more this AU/series, the fics can be found here: Strictly NRC Dancing AU Master-List.

Type: Dance AU/ female reader/ fluff/ flirtation/can be platonic or romantic

Word Count: 1370

I stepped out of the dressing room, glancing over towards Crewel, who, after giving me a once over, gave me an approving head bob. 

I didn’t receive any compliments on how I wore the dress he designed, though. Instead, I was met with his own personal prayer regarding Ace’s development as a dancer, “Let’s pray he actually passes this one.”

I smiled slightly at his long, suffering sigh before reassuring him, “Oh, come on. It’s a two-step. Surely he won’t start jirating or dancing like he’s at a club this time.” 

My teacher rolled his eyes before looking down at his clipboard and shooing me off to the dance floor, where my less-than-pleased partner awaited. I didn’t miss the final jab the instructor tossed in Ace’s direction, too quietly for the redhead to hear but loud enough to make me smile, “At this point, I wouldn’t be surprised by anything.”

Rather than clue my friend in to our instructor’s commentary, I merely greeted Ace with that poorly concealed amusement. But, in my own defense, it was hard not to laugh at him with his crossed arms and petulant frown that told me exactly what he thought of his hat and boots before he ever opened his mouth, “Cowboy get-up…. Was this really necessary?”

I grinned at him, snickering slightly at his petulant frown before lifting one shoulder in a half-shrug, “I thought you could make anything look good?”

His eyes met mine, a faint glimmer appearing in them at my teasing, “Sure I can, but the hat and boots are a bit much.”

I laughed aloud at his half-joking, half-serious, sullen words that did nothing to hide the sparkle in his eyes. I reached up, tapping the brim of his hat playfully before responding, “Well, it does fit the vaguely country dance, doesn’t it?”

He let out a very fake laugh with an annoyed smile, “Mhm. Very. I’m beginning to think these dance classes are just so Crewel gets to play dress-up with the students.”

I snorted, casually slipping into our starting pose, my hand in his while the other rested lightly on his shoulder, “You’re just salty because you keep failing.”

He shot me a dirty look, but before he could retort, Riddle’s serious voice rose from the crowd, “Remember what we talked about Ace.”

The red-haired housewarden in the crowd was staring directly at the two of us, a pointed look on his face, and I watched as my partner lost his previous bluster, “That bad, huh?”

 Red eyes met mine, and Ace pulled a wavering, very nervous smile before attempting to shrug off Riddle’s pointed warning with Ace’s usual airiness, “Well, we are talking about the teapot tyrant.”

 I smiled reassuringly at the young man since I figured I knew exactly what the Heartslabyul housewarden had been talking about.

Riddle had probably threatened Ace with having to do some sort of unpleasant job or something should he fail this dance class like he had the past ones.

But, to be fair, I was beginning to think almost everyone’s patience with the boy was waning. He had failed at least three classes already, after all.

My personal feelings about  Ace’s success, or lack thereof, were a little more muddled. In a small way, I almost felt bad for the boy. But, in another way, I was equally desperate for him to finally pass a class since I’d been the victim of his dancing several times myself.

It wasn’t that Ace wasn’t exactly a bad dancer, per se. In fact, his sense of rhythm was wonderful, and he let loose enough to actually get with the general feelings of dancing. But Ace enjoyed himself a bit too much and often lost track of himself.  He would stop following the rules of the dance and instead go to doing whatever he liked in a sort of freestyle performance.

Despite all of that though, I found myself attempting to reassure my friend, “Hey, don’t worry. The two-step’s easy. Quick, quick, slow, slow.” 

He snorted as I listed the incredibly simple tempo, but, despite himself, I could see him visibly relax at my words.

I grinned slightly, giving his hand a slight squeeze and receiving a pointed glance, our eyes meeting briefly. It wasn’t long, though, before his gaze darted away from mine once more as a grin spread across his face, making me wonder exactly what he was thinking.

 I didn’t ponder what was going on in Ace’s head long though, since I could see Sam walking over to the radio. Giving  me a thumbs up just before he hit play. 

I leaned forward, offering one last shred of advice to my long-time companion, “Just remember to have fun with it. It’s just you and me dancing in Ramshackle. No one watching, and no grades.”

“Sure, if that were the case, I can guarantee we wouldn’t be dancing two-step, and I wouldn’t be in this get-up.” There was a mischievous glimmer to his eyes, but as the guitar set the pace and music flowed into the room, he began to steadily maneuver me backwards.

 Watching us now, I doubted anyone would believe that Ace’s usual mode of dancing was that of a stripper whose rent was due tomorrow. But then, a two-step was about as far from that as one could get. And he was concentrating—that much I could tell from the slight frown on his face.

When his eyes finally met mine, he made a face, no doubt restraining himself from doing anything too childish, lest it ruin his grade. 

Whatever threat Riddle had over him, it must be bad if Ace was holding himself back this much.

We pivoted across the floor, me twirling whenever Ace guided me to do so with a slight push of his hand on my upper back. 

The longer we danced, the more he relaxed until we had a slight sway to our upper bodies that paired well with the music. Looking at the slow grin starting to spread on his face, something told me Ace was steadily forgetting about both the exam and Riddle’s threat.

His gaze now held mine, his eyes sparkling as his grin managed to spread just a little more, “Hey, don’t go getting all dreamy-eyed on me.”

I snorted immediately at his teasing, letting him twist me so that my back was now to his chest and we were both headed the same direction, “As if, you aren’t exactly prince charming, Ace.”

He smoothly twisted me back around, amused as ever, when he responded, “From what I’ve seen, princes aren’t usually charming. I mean, look at Leona.”

I barely stifled a giggle but shook my head slightly at his antics. Somehow managing to keep from glancing towards the no doubt bored prince who was being forced to watch every performance along with the rest of the student body.

All too soon, we pivoted to a stop, and he twirled me out so that we were both facing our judges, namely the staff. 

We were both grinning, partially due to his sarcastic comments and partially due to our dance. Because despite the simplicity of the motions when compared to other dances, there was something enjoyable about the two-step. It made plenty of room for the spiteful remarks Ace so loved to make under his breath so that only I could hear them.

Even Crewel was grinning, likely because he realized he had at long last escaped attempting to teach Ace to dance in any more styles. Ace had finally passed, though admittedly not with full marks.

I turned to go and change into whatever new outfit Crewel had laid out for me to wear for the next dance, only to be stopped by Ace’s hand curling loosely around my wrist.

I looked back to see him grinning at me, eyes sparkling like rubies under the bright lights overhead, as he looked at me with a pride that came from his success, “We’ll have to dance again later. Just the two of us. At Ramshackle.”

Ever the teasing flirt, his grin turned slightly mischievous, and he winked as he let go of my wrist, “Though maybe not the two-step next time…..”

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[vendimeyers]

If you ever get into country music the exact vibe is “man this is really objectifying”

…

…

…

“I love it.”

[tothemoonbabe]

Nashville Nights

[maered613]

wow this is so relevant to me for as of yet undisclosed reasons

[swingjunction]

What Are the Benefits of Learning Country Dancing?

Country dancing is not something to do for pastime; it is a voyage that takes one into a musical planet in harmony with the beats of country music. You may think that dancing means swaying to the music and moving your feet, but you are wrong because dancing has many other benefits that are still undiscovered. The only thing you have to do is look for them.

In this blog, we will explore the benefits of country dancing, categorized by the most relevant sections. So, let there be no dust on those boots, and let us show you how this tradition can be useful in ways you could possibly imagine.

Advantages of Learning Country Dancing

Getting to learn the country dance has many advantages that will help improve the quality of life far beyond mastering the steps. Here is what we have explored below:

Physical Fitness: It is also a good exercise that has an impact on your cardiovascular system, develops muscles, and increases flexibility and coordination. Because of the complex movements it consists of and the fast pace at which it is performed, it is also a fun way to exercise and increase stamina.

Social Connection: It is possible to make new friends and acquaintances by attending country dance classes or going to a dance event. The main aspect of dance that allows people to congregate is the fact that the hobby can provide participants with a strong sense of community.

Stress Relief: People can enjoy the dance, especially because it is an activity that takes them away from the pressure of their day to day activities. This way, through physical movement and music, and through interaction with other people, stress and anxiety decrease, and the dancers are filled with energy and a positive mood.

Mental Agility: Winning new steps and mastering difficult dance patterns exercise the brain and positively affect its functioning. It engages the player’s attention, concentration and critical thinking; it is known to enhance memory and memory related skills as well.

Self-Expression and Creativity: It is an excellent way to express themselves, as talents can be showcased to elicit feelings and tell a story. Whether it is performed in dance studios or on stage during dancing contests, dancers can be themselves and let it out on the dance floor.

Confidence Boost: Consequently, a dancer acquires enhanced self-assertion and an increased level of self-esteem as he/she masters the craft. The fun that is associated with learning new steps and dancing for others can go a long way toward building confidence in other areas of life.

Conclusion

Therefore, it can be said that country dancing has innumerable advantages, many of which are not directly connected to physical exercise. Thus, from physical, social, mental, and even psychological perspectives, one can easily see that this age-old tradition has many benefits to offer. Have you danced recently with your loved one to country music? Then you should try Swing Junction! Let the doors open to a world of fun, exercise, and camaraderie every time you take a leap. Swing Junction is your starting point for learning to dance and for experiencing the thrill of dancing, be it in a class or at a dance event. Visit them for registration!

[not-really-a-writer]

yall why is country line dancing so f’in hard?!? Like, I was a competitive musician for many years, a leader in marching band. I have sense of rhythm and beat in my body and feet. I can dance Latin dances like salsa. And I have done years of Zumba Class and hip hop dance fitness which is basically like line dancing for exercise except the instructor is facing you so you have to learn the moves and do them backwards…. But like I cannot go to a country bar and pick up on the dances to SAVE MY LIFE 🤦🏻‍♀️ 😩 Does anyone have tips?

[title]

“May I rest my weary head on your shoulder?” (insp.)

In the Mood for Love (2000), Rafiki (2018), Cold War (2018), Your Name Engraved Herein (2020), But I’m a Cheerleader (1999), Moonlight (2016), Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019), And Then We Danced (2019), Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004), My Own Private Idaho (1991), Anatomy of a Fall (2023), Lovesong (2016), God’s Own Country (2017), The Handmaiden (2016), Notorious (1946)

[dramiserable]

I saw Miku at the village festival the other week trust me

[sugarbunnyshop]

Stop working those pecks so hard and make kitchen clean up a breeze with these handy 100% cotton flour sack tea towels 🐔💛

Available here! ✨

[squidcave]

SCOTLAND FOREVER 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

and bonus Scottish Miku after a hard day

[diioonysus]

love + art

[it-happened-one-fic]

Strictly NRC Dancing AU Master List

Introduction to Dance

Ballroom Tango - A Unique Intensity

West Coast Swing - Something Else Afoot

West Coast Swing - Double the Pressure

Quickstep - Cause for Celebration

Samba - Going to be a Sensation

Paso Doble - Worth it

Paso Doble - Evenly Matched

Rumba - That Unfamiliar Side

Smooth Waltz - Wouldn't Mind Waltzing Again

Salsa - A Better Partner

Jive - Quite Literally Floating

Charleston - A High-Octane Performance

Viennese Waltz - Youngsters Like You

Viennese Waltz - A Perfect Partner

Shag - There Isn't a Rule

Cha-cha - Not Necessarily a Bad Different

Cha-Cha - An Enigma

Mambo - Prove It To You

Polka - Fireproof

Polka - Light and Shadows

Lindy Hop - And To Think I'd Been Nervous

Bolero - Able to Manage

Two Step - Aren't Exactly Prince Charming

Argentine Tango - Gentle Oblivion

Foxtrot - Positively Reeked of Class

Foxtrot - Strangely Entrancing

Jitterbug - Only Go Up From Here

Square Dance - Just Where You Had Started

EDIT: Now available on AO3! (link deleted due to glitches)

If you would like to read more fics like these, my Twisted Wonderland Master-List can be found here: Twisted Wonderland Master-List.

[overtake]

save a horse ↓ ride a cowboy ↓

[dyke-o-matic]

So you saw fell in love with Lily Gladstone in Killers of the Flower Moon and now you want her on your screen as much as possible? I’m here to help.

Certain Women directed by Kelly Reichardt

This was the first time I saw Lily Gladstone in anything and I screamed about her specifically for days. The film is segmented into three stories about women living in the northwestern plains region of the US. All three segments are good, but Lily Gladstone’s is by far my favorite. She plays a ranch hand who starts sitting in on a night school law class when she develops a crush on the teacher, played by (bonus!) Kristen Stewart.

Certain Women is streaming on The Criterion Channel, AMC+, and Kanopy (Kanopy is free!). It is also available to rent on the major platforms.

The Unknown Country directed by Morrisa Maltz

This movie is stunning. Think Nomadland but even more stripped down. Lily Gladstone plays a character on a roadtrip to reunite with her estranged family after the death of her grandmother. Along the way she tries to learn more about who her grandmother was in life and reconnect with her memory. A lot of the film is unscripted, and breathtaking shots of the western US landscape punctuate the brief encounters she has at each stop on her journey.

The Unknown Country is available to rent on the major platforms such as Apple TV, Amazon, and YouTube.

Quantum Cowboys directed by Geoff Marslett

This one’s for the multiverse fans. A really fun romp that might make your head hurt if you think about it too hard. Lily Gladstone plays a character in the 1870’s southwest who encounters a pair of travelers stuck in a time loop (sort of). She enlists their help (sort of) in a plan to recover land that was taken from her and in return helps them in their attempt to break their cycle. Most of the film is rotoscope animation, so it’s a completely different type of a performance from Lily Gladstone. I had the extraordinary luck of meeting her at a festival screening last year and they said it was such a fun deviation from their usual hyper realistic work.

Quantum Cowboys is available to rent on major platforms such as Apple TV, Amazon, and YouTube.

Fancy Dance directed by Erica Tremblay

The most recent Lily Gladstone film to blow me away, and maybe my favorite film of 2023. Lily Gladstone plays a character who has been trying to find her missing sister while simultaneously providing care for her sister’s daughter. When it appears she may lose custody, the two hit the road to search for the teen’s mother. It’s sad and sweet and beautiful. I have to warn that the subject matter is heavy and all too real but that’s why it’s an important story. It’s about something that is so pervasive, yet people outside of the community affected turn a blind eye to it.

Fancy Dance can be seen in select theaters and is now streaming on Apple TV+. Erica Tremblay previously directed Lily Gladstone in the short film Little Chief, which can be found on Vimeo.

[kurj]

South Indian / Tamil Miku dancing Bharatanatyam

My comments under are the cut. My other Mikus (minoan): click and click.

this time I tried to keep the design more accurate when it comes to her original colors (hence more gray) but also had to recreate the cultural outfit properly. Golden stuff kinda ruins the palette but they are a must so I guess it's a lesson for me to plan better in the future. I also skipped the leek: adding it to the "temple jewellery" wouldn't be very respectful I guess. I also kinda forgot lol.

I'm not Indian so I hope I didn't duck this up too much - I did a lot of research.

[beautiful-basque-country]

This is how the latest Euskal Dantzari Eguna (Basque dancers' Day) looked yesterday (Oct 5) at the Pozalagua auditorium in the Armañón Nature Park (Bizkaia) [x]