by Michael Kriess

Cowboyhats, boots with silver trimmings in different designs and jeans are dominating the view. Not to forget the huge nicely designed „Gürtelschnallen" - called buckles, wich are not only used to keep the trousers in the right place. They are an important part of the attraction that got their owners together on this special event at the Jägerheim (hunters club) in Innsbruck. The 200 people came to the dance event despite the stuffiest air in the dancehall, because they are real „American Line Dance"-enthusiasts.
STYLE: The dancer in the row usually has both his thumbs behind the buckle.For a simple reason: The upper body should be in an upright position with not too many movements during the dance. Probably because the original cowboys - cowboys it the real „wild" west until the beginning of the 20th century - became nervous when others were waving around their arms to much. The only thing that is certain: this kind of dancing is from that area. „Whether cowboys or european newcomers „invented" it, there are different discussions going on", says Silvia Schaberreiter. She should know it because she is in the committee of the Hobby Line Dance Club Innsbruck with the prairie smelling name „Wild Horses". „We are all inspired by things that are part of the„american way of life"" says the dance enthusiastic book-keeper. To name them: The dream of liberty, motorbikes and country music. It's the feeling of identity. „There are no anger or loutishness going on at our dance nights". One reason is, that there is not too much alcohol being consumed. „The complicated dancesequences need a lot of concentration". To show me what she means, the „Wild Horses"-Chef is going onto the dance floor. Line Dance is nothing you should perform as a single, but best for singles nonetheless. It's been danced in big groups but everyone has to do the same dance steps by himself. First goal is synchronity - only if everyone does the same at the same time, a line dancer is happy. „For a single dance it can take months", Schaberreiter during a short dance break.
EXAMPLES: That everything on this evening looks so easy is an example for the quality of the participating dancers. It's no wonder, because the „Munich Lads" are guests, as it is their 7th anniversary. The gay Line Dance Club from Munich is the shining example for the „Wild Horses". For the dance repertoire, for sure. „We became very good friends during the last few years", enthuses Schaberreiter about them „masters" from bavaria. And again she is hurrying towards the dancefloor. The „Dance stress" is understandable because there are not to many opportunities for line dancers to live their hobby. Once a month the „Wild Horses" meet for a few hours; real line dance bars are just to find west of the atlantic ocean. „In Amerika everyone knows these dances", Schaberreiter starts to fall into raptures again while she's dreaming about it. And off again to the dancefloor. At least the song „These boots are made for walking" starts and it seems to be a must for everyone to dance in the row to it.„Howdy"
(2 pictures, sorry, but not available yet Tirol # 116)

BACKGROUND There are about 100 Line Dancers in Tirol, having a repertoire of dances to fill a whole evening, estimates Silvia Schaberreiter. 25 friends of country and western music are the „Wild Horses". Beside the „Wildpferde (german for wild horses)" there are the „Black Boots" from Aschau, the „Lucky Heap", the „Swinging Hips" from Telfs and the Kufstein „Bald Eagle" clubs in Tirol doing line dance as well. It (linedance) is something completely different, everyone of the line dancers makes a point out of it, than the better known square dance. „In square dance you have a caller, who is announcing the stept, that the dancers have to do", explains Schaberreiter. Compared to that, line dancers have to know the choreographical sequence. There is a combination of about 35 different steps in beginner dances and about doubly the amount of steps in advanced dances. You should at least know about 50 dances, to dance a whole night through. For enthusiasts there are loads of choreographies: „In the internet you can find about 2000 dance discriptions", Silvia knows. Schaberreiter's „Wild Horses" do their trainings once a month to become perfectly synchronized dancers. Line dance can be learnt on evening courses at puplic schools as well. But it makes sense to become a member of a club. One thing is really missing; the perfect bar. „It's not only that there should be played country music, there needs to be a big dance floor too", lists Schaberreiter the problems. Therefore the woman from the Wipptal is so very excited about this autumn. Then they will have their own line dance ship cruise with about 200 line dancing guests. „It will be a week filled with dancing."
(2 pictures, sorry, but not available yet Tirol # 116)