Southold Historical Museum (54325 Main Road, Southold, 631-765-5500) is kicking off summer in dancing shoes. Terry Lou Barrett — better known to the line dancing community as Lady T — will be heading three sessions of line dancing lessons at the Reichert Family Barn on the Maple Lane Campus (55200 Main Road, Southold).
On the last Friday of June, July and August from 7 to 9 p.m. museum members can pay $15 and non-museum members, $20, to learn the ropes of beginner line dancing.
For an extra $18, grab a pre-dancing dinner at the barn, delivered from Southold General at 6:30 p.m.
Love for county music is on the rise. In 2023, according to Newsweek, country on-demand audio streams were up over 20 percent from the previous year.
On the North Fork, Common Country East (111 Main St., Greenport), a sister venue to Common Country NYC, brings southern spirit to the former home of Crabby Jerry’s at Claudio’s.
Barrett’s decade of teaching experience makes her well equipped to welcome newbies to the line dancing community.
Book tickets to learn the steps to your favorite country hits with Lady T here.
Northforker: How did you get into line dancing?
Barrett: My amazing journey actually started in 2001. My friend had asked me to go to a line dancing class, an adult ed class at Westhampton Beach School District. I had no dance experience at all. But I was interested and I was a little curious and I said, ‘You know what? It might be a fun thing to try.’ So, I signed up.
NF: What made you decide to start teaching?
B: I had one very special mentor that meant so much to me. He has since passed away. Him and his wife, they took me under their wing. Their names were Frank and Helen Kollmann. They really inspired me and really showed me the way. I had taken a class with them.
It just came natural to me. Sharing what I know with others always makes me happy. And knowing that it actually makes a difference in people’s lives is important to me, too.
NF: Why do you think country music having such a moment these days?
B: It has exploded here on Long Island, it really has. And there’s so many new, young, talented artists.
Some people say, ‘I don’t like country music.’ And I say to them, ‘Today’s country music isn’t like country music from the past.’ I mean, yes, I love Johnny Cash, I love Merle Haggard. That’s what I grew up with. But you still throw those songs in, to do the classic dances.
But I feel like in my classes, if I mix it up – which is what I always do – I mix a little classic country, a little country-rock, and a little country-pop and there’s something for everybody.
NF: Do you think anyone is capable of learning how to line dance?
B: If there is something that you’re passionate about or you want to learn, whatever it is, you have to just get out there and do it. You don’t know, if you don’t try and you’ll never know how much fun you can have or how successful you can be, knowing what you can achieve or who you might meet. You just have to get out there and do it. You don’t want to miss out on something that could be a fantastic journey for you.
My mantra is, ‘Always take time to dance.’
