LOCAL FEATURE

A little bit country, a little bit … quee

By KEVIN SPENCE
Friday, November 14, 2003

Side step left, lean on right; step together. Repeat. These are instructions for two-stepping — one of the dances performed by those at the Big Apple Ranch hoe-downs every Saturday night. The Prairie Dogs are the official dance group, but these side-steppers are not from Dallas, Denver or Des Moines — they are homegrown. It is New York City’s only weekly country dance — gay or straight. Its slogan is best described as a place where “women can lead, men can follow and everything in between …” In fact, this past April, Big Apple Ranch celebrated its sixth anniversary.

To be sure, it’s not the Roxy and there are no strobe lights and thumping house beats overshadowing conversation. “It’s not really a scene the way circuit parties are. It’s friendly in a country, homey, welcoming atmosphere,” said Susanna Stein, an enthusiastic member. Maybe that’s why, according to one devotee, “it is big within gay culture.”

Eric Diamond, 41, who has been attending the Ranch dances for four years says, “There’s a whole two-step movement all over the country.

Every weekend you can probably find a rodeo.” When Diamond first joined, he was an injured modern dancer. “I met somebody, he mentioned it to me — Big Apple Ranch.” Since it’s all vertical movement, it became a quasi-therapeutic way to reintroduce his body to dance. Then, he said, “I discovered it was wonderful.”

Stein is the queen of Big Apple Ranch. The king is choreographer, Jon Lee. The two reign over a kingdom filled with boot scooters whose dominion is the fifth floor at 39 West 19th St. “In the mid-‘80s I learned how to two-step while in San Francisco,” said Stein. “I moved to New York City in 1991—there was no place to go.” In the early ‘90s, Stein used to attend a gay and lesbian country western dance, “The Cactus Club,” held in St. Bernard’s Church in the West Village. Then, “they found out it was gay and closed it,” she said. Then, she continued, it re-opened at Gotham Rodeo in the mid-‘90s.

Big Apple Ranch, its current manifestation, was born in April 1997 in the studio of Dance Manhattan, where it remains today.

“I would say 100 people come regularly,” said Stein, adding that it’s increasing in popularity. “Some say as the economy goes down, country-Western popularity goes up,” referring to the “down on your luck” lyrics found in many country-Western songs. Moreover, Stein and other members noted that the no-attitude atmosphere in which one can dance with a number of different partners throughout the night, attracts those who are tired of freestyle dancing in New York’s notorious “more glamorous than thou” nightclub scene.

The average age of its kickers is in the mid-‘30s. Although, Stein added, “It’s quite a wide range. We have older folks and younger folks.” According to Diamond, “there’s one guy in his ‘70s who knows every line dance.” Next to the elderly man, though, some 20-year-olds can be found dancing.

Boot, scoot and boogie
Two styles dominate the mostly country western dancing: partner dancing and line dancing. The two-step (the basic cowboy) is its most popular partner dance. “It’s a very simple step. You do it by walking in a pattern described as ‘quick, quick, slow, slow,’” said Diamond. “The two-step moves around the room in a circle.”

The West and East Coast Swings are also recited. Cha-cha’s and salsa are incorporated into the mix of formal, actual steps in which members face each other.

Line dancing is the other dance form at the Ranch. “Chill Factor,” “Texas Tango,” and “Dizzy,” are a few of the styles for those in the line dancing know. Diamond said the line dances are often named after songs. “The Circle Jerk is kind of cute,” he said, adding another name to his list. He met his current boyfriend, 44-year-old Wayne Meledandri, at the Ranch, but was quick to add: “I don’t think people go there necessarily looking for sex or love, but, of course, that’s going to happen.”

The music, as one might imagine, is well, country western. Shania Twain, Faith Hill, k.d. Lang and the Dixie Chicks are among the DJ’s roster. But ranchers also get down in a line formation to pop and dance songs like Cher’s “Believe.”

“We do try to play a mix of stuff like salsa and swing — it’s not 100 percent country,” said Stein.

Every so often, other cities’ country western troupes come and visit the Ranch, which has been a member of the International Association of Gay and Lesbian Country Western Dance Clubs since 1999. More than 30 clubs from the United States, Canada, Germany and the Netherlands get together twice annually at conventions for workshops, exhibitions and, of course, non-stop dancing.

Last February, the Ranch sponsored a New York City Hoe-down which netted more than $25,000 for the New York City Gay & Lesbian Anti-Violence Project.

Each city has its own incomparable style. The D.C. Cowboys, for instance, “do these sexy Broadway type of jazzy dances,” said Diamond. The Manhattan Prairie Dogs, led by Lee, are described by Diamond as “a sort of fanciful Busby Berkely kind of dance.” Boston has its “Minutemen,” and Norfolk, Va., has “The Othersiders.” But, according to Stein, New York City, despite its city slicker reputation, is well respected among national groups.

“We had a hugely successful hoe-down. It’s either the highest or second highest [fund-raising] benefit, close to Ft. Lauderdale’s,” said Stein. She added, “Our quality of dancing is respected within the community.”

Lyvett Velasquez, a 31-year-old fan, has been going to the Ranch for three years. One of its most memorable events, which is growing in popularity, is “Boots, Boxers & Bras, which is a clothing optional two-step party. The next one is on Saturday, Nov. 29.

“It’s actually a tradition we learned from other hoe-downs,” said Stein. The last one, said added, drew 200 dancers. “Everybody seems to love to take off their clothes and dance — even those who didn’t think they would. But it’s always surprising how few there are, with a city of 8 or 9 million people.” Stein said the Ranch is attracting more and more women.

For those not sophisticated with the country-Western style of dancing, free lessons are included with the $10 cover charge. And, dancers can wear what they want.

“Mostly people wear comfortable jeans and a T-shirt — about 80 percent of them,” said Velasquez. But, she said, “You have some that wear Garth Brooks’ kind of hats.

For Diamond, though, it’s not about the fashion. “It’s a relief to go to a place as a gay man where it’s not about how big your muscles are or what kind of clothes you are wearing. There’s no judgement about how you look.”

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