Cowboy boots and community: How Black line dancers are kicking up joy
Line dancing has grown in popularity, spurred on by social media, where new steps and songs composed for new dances spread quickly. Posts by people of all ages dancing anywhere from dark clubs to open fields find their way online.
April Berry, a former principal dancer with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and now a master dance instructor and arts administrator in Pittsburgh, says there is joy in dancing.
'That sense of being together and moving together as one is really where the joy comes from,' says Berry. 'When you talk about Black joy, you talk about being motivated, being lifted out of hard times. That's why people get together to dance.'
'That sense of doing the same steps together, whatever dance it is, creates a sense of holistic well-being,' added Berry. 'Dancing together bonds us together.'
Aaisha Peterson, a certified nutritionist, discovered the healing power of line dancing after her mother, a well-known teacher and line dancer in the Cleveland area, died in May 2023.
'I wanted to line dance at least once a week to honor her,' said Peterson, 32. 'It reawakened a joy in me. It became therapy for me.'
She invited Devin J. Butler, a fitness trainer and former professional dancer, to go out with her one night. 'He was on the dance floor with me dancing as loud as I dance and I knew he was my person,' Peterson said.
The couple teaches line dancing through Line Dance Is My Therapy, encouraging participants to 'dance loud, as long as you are enjoying yourself.'
Business has grown because of their videos online, including the 'Boots on the Ground' dance and Peterson's favorite, 'Some Enchanted Evening,' named after a Temptations song, or Butler's favorites, 'Cupid Flex' and 'Chicago Style.'
They call out dance steps and also perform line dances with hand-held fans.
'The fans add fun and energy,' says Peterson.
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