Dixie Belles Line Dance Club

Pimm's Party Night, Friday, 29^th August 2025

British Country Music Hall Of Fame Inductee Bob Keeley returned to Barnham to entertain an audience raring to line dance and propelled people onto the floor with an uptempo Train Wreck. Bob's undoubted grasp of all that works on this scene soon introduced very popular Rattlesnake Kiss and Heaven's Jukebox before the singalong Halfway To Paradise for arguably the oldest dance of the night Hafway Hustle. He continued with Lonestar State of Mind for Ribbon Of Highway before easing things considerably with Eyes Like Diamonds and Undivided (for Reunited). A blistering Backroad Nation led finally to Three Tequila Floor.

If the first set had been a resounding success the second upped the ante when Bob invited Jenny Bembridge (Dixie Belles Head Honcho and deejay) and guest Eve Muir onto the stage to sing the ladies parts of You Look Like You Love Me for the massively popular 22 dance. This brought the house down eliciting much applause and cheers from an appreciative audience. Other highlights from this set included Jealous Of The Sun, Wade Hayes' On A Good Night (for either Glass Of Wine or Tush Push), new dance Real Men Cry and a pinpoint Hillbilly Shoes (for Feet Don't Fail Me Now), which attracted the high improver and advanced dancers onto the floor.

Next up was the raffle, which was drawn quickly due to the very high number of prizes that had been donated in aid of the Chestnut Tree House charity. The proceeds raised on the night for this charity was £211.00.

For the final set Bob eased the tempo initially with Into The Dark Night and First Fool In Line before Somebody Like You attracted both Line dancers and Western pairs who danced Best Of Friends. Following that came the most popular dance of the night, the Barn Dance this time done to George Strait's All My Ex's Live In Texas. Only four members of the audience stayed seating for this one! After that Bob established a largely uptempo programme of old favourites such as Just For Grins and, High Class Lady and newish numbers Around The Fire, The Bar Song and Cross My Heart. Til The Neon's Gone also attracted western pairs doing Sway or County Line Cha-Cha. The crescendo was a rollicking Never Drinking Again. Throughout the night Bob established a great atmosphere varying tempos as required and sustaining a brilliant rapport with the audience, which is one of his many strengths as an entertainer of stature. Judging the ensuing applause and calls for more, Jenny brought Bob back for an encore (Lamtarra Rumba) so well received that he returned for a final uptempo Penny Arcade for Vertical Expression.

It was another breathtaking night from Bob Keeley. When I spoke to him afterwards I said that he had covered 16 numbers in that final set. He initially looked surprised, but said that if it had been a rock 'n' roll night he would probably have squeezed in 24 songs!

Dixie Belles next dance at Barnham Community Centre is in Friday, 31 October wuth Martin Jaye. Apart from being the Halloween dance, it will also be the 25^th Anniversary for Dixie Belles, so it will be a scream in more ways than one!

Thanks you Steve Sheldon, excellent as always.

Swanfest Summer Party, Saturday 2^nd August 2025

Well this was a very pleasant way to spend a Saturday afternoon. The White Swan Hotel in Arundel were holding fun day and asked if I would like to teach some line dancing. The venue is situated on the A27 just outside of Arundel, with commanding views of the South Downs, a very popular venue for weddings, and we even saw a red kite circling overhead, think it must have smelt the BBQ, which I have to say was delicious.

It's always a risk with the weather, but the sun shone for most of the time, with no sign of rain, and the hotel very kindly supplied us with two gazebos. Quite a few dancers turned up from the classes, so I did a mixture of teaching and disco, ranging from Country, Irish and Pop genres. Everybody had a fun time and Liz and I even managed a bit of well throwing, probably best if we stick to line dancing though!

There was a mixture of music throughout the day ranging from the lovely Laura Shepard, she even had a country set, and a disco from one of the hotels' resident DJ's. Plus lot of dogs having their walkies on the downs. Liz calculated that we did 15,00 steps dancing, approximately 6 miles, so it was no wonder we all felt a bit tired!

--- Jenny

Red, White and Blue Party Night with Chris Harris, Friday 11^th July 2025

Chris Harris returned to Dixie Belles on Friday, 11 July to entertain a good sized audience, the numbers reflecting the sub-tropical temperatures that have pervaded for a month or so. From the outset it was Chris's brief to get the audience out of their sun drenched stupors and onto the dance floor and he obliged employing staple favourites Guitars Cadillacs and Just To See You Smile (for Jai Du Boogie and Ribbon Of Highway respectively). From there he mixed the tempos, and with assistance from the house air-conditioning got the dancefloor busy with Sin City Lights and Memory Lane among other newer numbers. His take on Brooks & Dunn's My Next Broken Heart saw the floor split between Whiskey Bridges and Next Broken Heart. After a pounding Backroad Nation, Chris eased things down with First Fool In Line.

Chris told me during the first break that he had driven across from South Wales in a 4 hour plus journey with the temperatures easing gradually as he went further eastward. He obviously sticks thoroughly to country music and this was evident when he commenced the second set with Lovin All Night and Heaven In My Woman's Eyes (for Wishful Thinking and Inspiration). The Barn Dance was up next courtesy of Alan Jackson's Livin On Love and used the same artist's Don't Rock The Jukebox for Lucky Lips. After that the temperature eased briefly for Neon Moon (County Line Cha-Cha) before uptempo numbers such as Dark Side Of The Moon and particularly Messed Up In Memphis illustrated how more supercharged these numbers are when there is a lead guitarist with Chris's undoubted ability to get the best out of them. Lying Eyes was a great fit for Smokey Places and the set ended with a plaintive take on The Dance. Jenny Bembridge, who provided great disco support with a raft of the latest dances including Trailblazer, then ran the raffle. Jenny requested good raffle prizes for the next dance at Barnham Community Centre on 29 August featuring Bob Keeley as the proceeds will be donated to the Chestnut Tree House charity.

The final set was ushered in with a trio of dyed in the wool favourites High Class Lady, If You're Going Through Hell and Mercury Blues, the latter for Train Wreck. Rattlesnake Kiss got all but one person in the venue dancing and Should've Asked Her Faster (for Cowboy Charleston) was also very popular. The final set ended with a riff laden Whose Been Sleeping In My Bed and a barnstorming Here Comes My Baby (Lamtarra Rumba). Despite the fact that this finish left many dancers drained, Chris was brought back for a Things I Carry Around encore. Throughout the night Chris established a rapport with his audience thanks to his quiet humour and great lead guitar. It was a consummate night's entertainment that sent everybody home happy but somewhat breathless!

--- Thanks to Steve Sheldon for an excellent write up.

Nadine Somers, Friday 9^th May 2025

A restless audience at Dixie Belles dance at Barnham Community Centre on Friday, 9 May eagerly awaited the return of Nadine Somers. Nadine was brought on by Jenny Bembridge to enthusiastic applause. Starting with Mr Man In The Moon, Nadine quickly upped the tempo with High Class Lady, Train Wreck and the popular Bar Song which just about attracted a full dance floor. After easing the pace with Into The Dark Night, Nadine advised the assembly that she had been asked to sing an old number. Nadine obliged surprisingly with something from the 1920s - Bye Bye Blackbird. She performed it in a smoky jazz inflected style attracting some dancers to attempt a snail pace Charleston while those of us who would admit to knowing the lyrics engaged in a singalong. It was a grandstand performance from Nadine whose vocals were absolutely sublime. After that the set continued with uptempo favourites Heel Toe Rodeo, Drinkabye, Graffiti, Shivers among others and ended with a pulsating Somebody Like You (which also attracted pairs dancers doing Best Of Friends).

The second set commenced with Nadine singing I Like It I Love It (for Cold Heart) and continued with songs for more popular dances like Cross My Heart (Don't Be Cruel), Jealous Of The Sun, Rattlesnake Kiss, Around The Fire and a superlative version of Eyes Like Diamonds. In between these Nadine sang Heads Carolina Tails California to get the pairs doing Barn Dance and almost filling the floor in the process. As the night wore on I was struck, not the first time, at the stagecraft that Nadine employs to engage with the audience. How she remembers so many names when talking on stage is a mystery but she does this with aplomb and has impeccable timing with her one liners.

After a long raffle of many prizes, Nadine returned for the last set. Three Tequila Floor led onto Here Comes My Baby (for Lamtarra Rumba) and Diamonds In A Whiskey Glass. Next was one of her showpieces in the shape of I Want To Be A Cowboy's Sweetheart (for Picnic Polka). This number highlights Nadine's yodelling skills on a 1936 hit for Patsy Montana, which is reputed to be the first million seller by a country songstress. Subsequently, we enjoyed an excellent mix of tempos with Made In Mexico, When You Say Nothing At All (for pairs dance Sway), Twenty Two (featuring a duet appearance from Westcoaster Steve Riley), Memory Lane and Dark Side Of The Moon. It's Now Or Never (for Smokey Places) was very popular as was In Walked You which climaxed a stunning final set. The cacophonic applause led to the encores, not the usual 30 minutes worth, and were the massively popular Glass of Wine and finally Closer.

The evidence of a fantastic night's entertainment was there for all to see. Nadine remains a consummate performer and arguably this country's greatest singer and song stylist regardless of the musical genre. And she makes it look so easy!

--- Thanks to Steve Sheldon for an excellent write up.

Valentines Dance with The Westcoasters, Friday 14^th February 2025

Dixie Belles Valentines Day dance 2025 saw the long awaited return to this club of The Westcoasters, and what a superb night's entertainment the lads provided. The scene was initially set by Jenny Bembridge's disco playing Tracy Byrd's I'm From The Country to entice a contingent of tbe club's beginner dancers to the foor to dance Electric Slide. The resounding success of this move was a foretaste of what was shortly to follow.

The Westcoasters (Mike on keyboards and vocals, Pete on guitar, Steve on vocals and dancing) hit the ground running (dancing in Steve's case!) with Smokey Places and from that point until the closing number in the first set the dancefloor was literally chock-a-block.

Having on balance opted for the tried and tested dance numbers in the first set, The Westcoasters flexed their collective musical muscle and upped the ante with floor filling dance Twenty Two (to stone country number You Look Like You Love Me) and followed this with Three Tequila Floor, Sin City Lights, Dark Side Of The Moon and later on In Walked You. Between these very popular dance numbers the pairs dancers got their first stab at Barn Dance courtesy of Mike leading a brilliant take on little heard these days Hank Williams Junior's Family Tradition. They followed this with a pulsating Folsom Prison Blues for Cowboy Charleston and the set concluded with Brooks & Dunn's Neon Moon for pairs dance County Line Cha-Cha or alternatively Sway.

After the raffle, the final set from The Westcoasters gave us a very good mix of dances reaching back initially to Heartbreak Express with the number Tonight The Heartbreak's On Me and the newer Drinkaby. But the accent in this final set was uptempo material including High Class Lady, Seven Nights To Rock, Somebody Like You and Dance The Night Away. Their final number was a superb take on Straight To Hell where Steve's soaring vocals somehow overcame the pulsating musicianship of Mike and Pete.

This marvellous finish got a well deserved standing ovation for The Westcoasters. Brought back by Jenny for an encore they did two numbers - Red Hot Salsa and Bring Me Sunshine (for Jai Du Boogie - I kid you not!).

With Sylvia and John Whittle in and three generations of their family in attendance it was a very special night. Perhaps it was fitting that The Westcoasters picked this moment to stake their claim for further consideration as the consummate entertainers this outfit have every chance of being. Having been on this scene for approaching 30 years I do recall first seeing Mike and Steve when they were line dancers, although even then they made something of a stir with their maverick dance moves. Looking back,The Westcoasters were something of a force to be reckoned with as a dance act, and very popular. Having said that, I thought tonight's performance was up there among their very best. So I look forward with expectation to when I see them again.

Finally, Jenny has asked me to add a thank you to Sue, Fallons, Alan & Magnus who comprise the team of people who help to set up the room for all dances at Barnham Community Centre. The next Dixie Belles dance here on Friday, 9^th May features Nadine Somers.

--- Thanks to Steve Sheldon for an excellent write up.

Christmas Dance with Tony Crooks, Friday 13^th December 2024

Friday, 13 December at Barnham Community Centre and the Dixie Belles Christmas line dance featured the redoubtable talents of Tony Crooks. From the very outset Tony was in total command as his stagecraft ensured an early connection with an appreciative audience, listening intently to his stories and gentle humour yet still yearning to dance as the festive season approached.

Throughout the night Tony gave us a mixture of tried and tested crowd pleasers like Billy B Bad, The Bug (for Wishful Thinking), Train Wreck and I Just Want To Dance With You. But his passion for these songs always lifts them above being by-the-number performances, and he delivered them propelled by scintillating guitar work.

If there was any doubt that Tony could handle ballads with aplomb and deliver them with the gravitas they warrant you only had to marvel at his handling of the exquisite Eyes Like Diamonds. Young Man's Town also struck a chord. But the accent was firmly on a party night ushering in Christmas so the dancers took to the floor in droves as Tony set about Made In Mexico, Don't Be Cruel (Cross My Heart), I'll Be Thinking Of You, When You Walk In The Room (Barn Dance) and Tempted, the latter two pleasing the western pairs dancers. There was still time for Tony to engage the audience with his Les Dawson take on Talk Is Cheap, which never ceases to entertain.

All too soon the last set was upon us and Tony ended in grand style upping the tempo with the glorious T-Bone Shuffle, Dark Side Of The Moon and of course Merry Xmas Everybody (for Smokey Places). The Just A Memory encore completed a great night of hard work from Tony as he re-established his standing as one of the greatest lead guitarists on this scene and he achieved a well deserved standing ovation in doing so.

Jenny Bembridge oversaw the raffle and the fantastic array of prizes donated thanking those people who have helped her throughout this year at Dixie Belles.

Dixie Belles returns with a Valentines Dance at Barnham Community Centre on Friday, 14 February 2025 with The Westcoasters.

--- Thanks to Steve Sheldon for an excellent write up.

Halloween Dance with Rick Storm, Friday 25^th October 2024

Last Friday, 25 October Rick Storm was the entertainment at Dixie Belles ushering in the first of this year's Halloween Parties at Barnham Community Centre topically with Day Of The Dead.

Rick set in train 3 sets of predominantly country music with a few surprises stirred in. The first set continued with an excellent mix of recent dances like Dark Side Of The Moon, Space In My Heart and Cross My Heart and older favourites Jai Du Boogie (to Bad Moon Rising), Ribbon Of Highway (to Tracy Lawrence's How A Cowgirl Says Goodbye) and I Just Want To Dance With You. For the partners, Barn Dance was introduced early on to an extended version of Monster Mash, with Rick doing a great impression of Bobby 'Boris' Pickett.

The first surprise of the night lay not in the dance Smokey Places but Rick's decision to play Garth Brooks' jet propelled Not Counting You, which was not for the faint-heated ghouls. The set closed with Eyes Like Diamonds, Dim The Lights and Broken Soul. County Line Cha-Cha, to Josh Turner's Your Man, heralded the second set in but was not typical of the tempo of the following numbers High Class Lady and Steamboat Queen, which got the pulses racing. Again there was a nice mixture of new numbers in the shape of Around The Fire, Made In Mexico, Memory Lane and older ones Playboys and Billy B Bad (Just For Grins).

At the second break Rick was asked to judge the fancy dress, which had attracted a number of entrants, and the prize went to Halloween Witch Sandy Robinson whose outfit including a well presented broom was very well received.

Rick came back after the raffle lanching with Missing before switching to uptempo new numbers Straight Lines and I'll Be Thinking Of You. Tougher Than The Rest was introduced for the partners to do Sway, but the floor also saw line dancers attempting various dances. After a welcome airing of Lacy J Dalton's Black Coffee, Rick maintained the easier mood with In Walked You and Give Me Your Tempo. After that it was largely an uptempo session dured off with The Mavericks' Overnight Success followed by Train Wreck and a storming Tush Push done to Liza Jane. Rick finished the supreme night's dancing with Five Leaf Clover before the standing ovation brought him back for a Never Drinking Again encore.

Those of us who have been entertained by Rick Storm before knew what to expect but I have no doubt that his performance alerted more to his ability to introduce numbers not regularly heard to keep things fresh and the party swinging. Rick has a vast repertoire and we were lucky to have been in his presence for a scintillating Halloween dance party.

A final word here for Dixie Belles leader and deejay Jenny Bembridge who I believe is celebrating 30 years as line dancer, pairs dancer and teacher. We thank you for all that you have done and continue to do week in week out on this line dance scene.

--- Thanks to Steve Sheldon for an excellent write up.

August Dance with Martyn Jaye, Friday 30^th August 2024

It was possibly the perfect way to end a summer of sunny days and hot nights when Martyn Jaye returned to Barnham Community Centre on Friday, 30 August to entertain at Dixie Belles.

Martyn's fame preceded him so an air of expectancy pervaded the already heated atmosphere in the venue stoked up by Jenny Bembridge's disco, which set the scene for what was to follow enticing dancers onto the dance floor. Martyn emerged onto the stage to heavy applause and kicked things off with a Happy Birthday singsong for Jenny's birthday the following Sunday before launching into Ribbon Of Highway. A sequence of current favourite dances followed in the shape of Eyes Like Diamonds, In Walked You, Around The Fire and Memory Lane. From there we were taken through a series of old favourites including Neon Moon (for County Line Cha-Cha), High Class Lady, I Just Want To Dance With You and Things I Carry Around. The set ended with another current favourite Cross My Heart (to song Don't Be Cruel).

Martyn's second set commenced with a storming Can't Let Go (for Train Wreck) before continuing with a mix of newer dances I'll Be Thinking Of You, Straight Lines, Show Me The Door and Sin City Lights. Introducing the Barn Dance with Rodney Crowell's I Couldn't Leave You If I Tried, Martyn took the opportunity to dust down Tush Push (to All You Ever Do Is Bring Me Down) and particularly One Step Forward, which he said was one of the earliest numbers he remembers performing. The latter attracted a good floor of dancers with long memories, which quickly became crowded by dancers attracted by Shivers, Dark Side Of The Moon and Sin City Lights.

Martyn's love for performing and pleasure in digging deep into his repertoire to satisfy all dance requests was there for all to see as he mixed tempos on tracks such as Seven Nigbts To Rock, Running Wild (Into The Dark Night), Billy B Bad and a pulsating Backroad Nation. Toby Keith's You Can't Read My Mind (for Telepathy) was a welcome surprise and got a good floor of dancers as did newer numbers Drinkabye, Straight Lines and Here We Go and Texas Time (which also works well for Western pairs dance Best Of Friends) went down a storm with a crowded floor.

All too soon Martyn came to his last numbers Til You Can't and Bonaparte's Retreat. By then he had overrun the third set by 15 minutes, yet Jenny's request for a final number was well received by the audience and Martyn elected to do Dim The Lights. Not surprisingly he got a long standing ovation for a brilliant night's entertainment.

Jenny played a good mix of numbers between sets so all standards of dancers got the opportunity to take to the floor. Dixie Belles stalwart Sue baked some cakes in honour of Jenny's birthday and I can personally vouch for the excellent lemon drizzle sponge!

One comment from a member of the audience summed the night up perfectly - there was something for everybody! We are lucky to have a number of fantastic acts on this scene currently. Martyn is part of that number due to his overwhelming enthusiasm for entertaining his audiences, combined with an instinct for what numbers are going to work. We eagerly await his return at this club.

--- Thanks to Steve Sheldon for an excellent write up.

Arundel Festival, Sunday 25^th August 2024

After our first performance at the Arundel Americana event in July, we were asked if we would like to take part in the main Festival, held every year in and around Arundel, which attracts thousands of visitors.

Originally we were positioned at the bottom of the High Street outside the Swan Hotel, which is a very windy spot, but luckily we had two gazebos for cover. We soon made ourselves at home with our chairs, tables and picnic food, and Christine kindly leant us her new battery operated speaker, which I have to say was brilliant. Our first set took place here, but as most of the audience were in the middle of the High Street, we moved up there for the next two sets.

There was more emphasis on teaching this time, but even after we moved it was still difficult to engage people to take part. We also had one or two technical issues, but we soon got things moving. We did similar dances this time, but more emphasis on beginners ones, hoping to engage more people, and also dancing on tarmac can be a bit hard on the bodies, which wasn't helped by the fact that we were on a hill in the middle of the High Street. Nevertheless we all did out best, and were met each time with audience appreciation,

Special thanks to Liz, Sheila, Le, Chris, Magnus, Steve, Jane, Carole and Sonia for taking part.

Arundel Americana Festival, Saturday 20^th July 2024

We were asked if we would like to take part in the Arundel Americana Festival, which took place on Sat 20^th July. I must admit I was a little apprehensive at first, but we needn't have had any doubt, as we were very well received. The event ran from 3pm till late and featured Americana, Country, Folk and Bluegrass, and we were allocated 3 sets to fit in between the bands.

We showcased some of our favourite dances, with some beginner teaches for the audience, and I was pleasantly surprised how many took part, including the children. We started with American Kids, followed by Champagne Promise, then taught The Electric Slide to A little Less Talk by Toby Keith.

Our next set kicked off with the classic Islands in The Stream, followed by Diamonds in A Whiskey Glass, then a run through of Honky Tonk Highway, finishing with Cross My Heart.

Our last set comprised of Eyes Like Diamonds, Sin City Lights and an instruction of Country Walkin' and finally finishing with Around The Fire, to a great track, Old County Barn by James Johnston. All in all a great time was had by us and the audience, and we were asked if we would like to take part in their August event, so watch out Arundel here we come.

I would like to thank Christine, Le, Liz, Lyn, Magnus and Sheila for being brave enough to strut their stuff on that stage.

Hope you like the videos.

June Dance with Steve Lovett, Friday 28^th June 2024

Last Friday, 28 June award winning artist Steve Lovett returned to provide the entertainment at Dixie Belles, Barnham Community Centre. From the very outset with Train Wreck, Steve set about the task of entertaining a very big audience comprised of dancers and listeners. With the unerring instincts we have come to expect from Steve, we had 3 sets of Premier League entertainment as he set about squeezing 5 hours of dance numbers into the allotted time at his disposal. From the high octane start Steve spent the night keeping the dancefloor somewhere between busy and chock-a-block deftly mixing the tempos and the music for the latest dances and popular older ones, easing the throttle occasionally when the latent atmosphere and tropical room temperature demanded it.

The innate ability possessed by Steve to recognise a great number and the demand for the accompanying dance brought dividends immediately and he ploughed through the tried and tested Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off, Lovin All Night and Codigo counterbalanced by Sin City Lights, Diamonds In A Whiskey Glass and Telling On My Heart. The first set culminated in nearly everybody doing the Barn dance to Alan Jackson's Good Time.

The second set continued the hot party atmosphere with Never Drinking Again, Backroad Nation and Truck Driving Man, the latter true country classic working perfectly for Cowboy Charleston. In that set it was also great to hear a reprise from Steve on his version of Tim McGraw's Everywhere, which is perfect for the pairs dance Sway.

Astonishingly, even allowing for the quality of the first two sets, Steve somehow exceeded expectations with the best 3rd set I have witnessed this year. In this one we had Steve's exquisite take on Randy Travis's Eyes Like Diamonds and In Walked You, two of the best true country songs used for dances for some time. This set substantially overran as Steve pumped out 14 numbers enticing pairs up again with Neon Moon and Tempted, performing an exemplary Til You Can't (with heart stopping crescendo) and pounding guitar le through Straight Line, Around The Fire, Shivers, I'll Be Thinking Of You, Steamboat Queen, Whiskey Bridges and Cross My Heart. This finish elicited one of tbe biggest and noisiest standing ovations seen at this venue.

After the hubbub subsided, Jenny Bembridge didn't have to cajole Steve to return and for his encore we got a plaintive Remember When. Steve Lovett provided a masterclass for us and retains his place at the cutting edge of dance acts, getting those new dance numbers out there so we can perform those dances learned at classes in the live environment.

What a fantastic night we had and somehow Steve Lovett continues to up the ante and exceed our lofty expectations. Long may he continue to do so!

May Dance with Nadine Somers, Friday 10^th May 2024

There is always an air of excitement when Nadine Somers comes to perform at Dixie Belles, and this night was no exception. Although Nadine had a bit of nightmare of a journey, which can be a bit of a thing on a Friday night, and being stuck on the Queen Elizabeth Bridge for longer than she had hoped didn't help, but she managed to make it in the nick of time. And with a bit of help from the dancers who helped her in with her equipment she was soon set up and ready to go.

Her choice of songs made sure the beginners as well as the more experienced dancers got the chance to show of their skills on the dance floor. From Cowboy Charleston, Lucky Lips and County Line Cha Cha, to the more advanced dances of, 3 Tequila Floor, and Around the Fire, sung to Old Country Barn, which I thought was her best song of the evening.

I like the way Nadine is not afraid to change song titles for the dances, as with "Why Haven't I Heard From You", a Reba McEntire song, for Champagne Promise and "Redneck Woman", which was made popular by Gretchen Wilson, for Lamtarra Rhumba. I had tried the latter out on my beginners so they could get used to the upbeat tempo, and finally rounding off the evening with two encores, Memories and Seven Nights to Rock.

This was also a special evening as our raffle was being donated to a very special little girl, Phoebe who at the tender age of two has brain damage, and has spent many months in Southampton Hospital undergoing various surgery. Her mum Juliet is one of our dances, but obviously at the moment she and her husband are having to spend most of their time with Phoebe. I was absolutely amazed at the generosity of our dancers, not only donating all the raffle prizes but also buying so many raffle tickets, for which we were able to raise £300 pounds. So a very big thank you to everyone who donated.

I also have to say a special thank you to Lol for all his hard work at putting up the lights etc, as he's the only one willing to go up the ladder, with a little help from Sue, and to everyone else who helped thank you very much, I couldn't do it without you all pitching in and helping.

And just to round off this magical evening if you were lucky to catch them, we had a fantastic surprise of the Northern Lights in this very southern region.

So this is me, Jenny, signing off and hope to see you all at the next event on Fri 28^th June, with Steve Lovett, this will be a red, white and blue party dance.

Valentines Dance with Rob Childs, February 2024

If you are a line dancer and could have been anywhere two nights ago, then you couldn't have made a better choice than going to Barnham Community Centre for the Dixie Belles Valentine Dance featuring Rob Childs. Jenny Bembridge went through the complete gamut of emotions prior to the dance, which until late on could have been cancelled as Jenny did everything possible so the attendance made the dance worthwhile. Thankfully it was a sell-out and a fantastic night to boot.

If a week is said to be a long time in politics, then 5 months is a very long time in line dancing terms. When Rob Childs appeared at Dixie Belles last September, I reported an excellent night but I was also critical of the number of dancers who left before the event finished. Happily that was all forgotten last night as a rejuvenated Rob Childs took the collective Dixie Belles dancers under his spell at 7.30 pm with Missing and didn't relax his grip, with just about everybody still there, until the second encore of High Class Lady just before 10.45 pm. Between those times we enjoyed a sensational night with Rob fully in command and at the height of his powers musically, establishing an immediate rapport with the audience, some of whom were new enough dancers not to have seen him before.

On this occasion Rob's programme was topical reflecting new dances such as Three Tequila Floor, Five Leaf Clover, Memory Lane and Save It For A Sunny Day among others. Rob also drew on his vast repertoire of recordings to remind us of the danceability of I Saw The Light and Two Of A Kind Workin On A Full House for County Line Cha-Cha and Barn Dance respectively. Rob paid homage to Country music superstar Toby Keith, sadly lost recently, with You Can't Read My Mind (Telepathy) and A Little Less Talk And A Lot More Action (danced here to Got To Be Funky/Black Coffee). Dedicating Wrapped Around to his fiance Izzy (also in attendance) while also upping the tempo on Honky Tonk Highway and Seven Nights To Rock we had the chance to marvel yet again at his supreme musicianship. The big surprise was the introduction of The Night Has A Thousand Eyes for Ribbon Of Highway, which some readers might recall Bobby Vee taking this into the UK singles 60 years ago almost to the week. Not only did this work Rob received the accolade of a standing at the culmination of the numbered! Add in Last Living Cowboy (for Cowboy Charleston) and One Step Forward (for the elders, including me) we enjoyed the complete dance package.

It seemed too early when Rob ended things at 10.30 pm, but reflecting the heady party atmosphere, Jenny brought him back for two encores with things ending on High Class Lady. Rob Childs is once again at the pinnacle of his dance powers and on this evidence is crying out to be seen again!

Before I close, a mention here for the stunning backdrop on the stage behind Rob that was devised and installed by Lol Slater (step stool held by Sue Weston).

Red, White & Blue Party Night with Tony Rouse, July 2013

New Year's Eve Party with Cheyenne 2012

Xmas Party with Alan Gregory 2012

Red, White & Blue Party night with Tony Rouse July 2012

New Year's Eve Party 2011

Xmas 2011

Red, White & Blue Party Night with Bobby D Sawyer 2011

Xmas 2010

Halloween 2010

Red, White & Blue Party Night with Bobby D Sawyer July 2010

Grand Charity Line Dance June 2009

Halloween Party 2007

Independence Day Party 6th July 2007 with John Permenter

Hi Jenny,
Thank you for hosting such a terrific evening last Friday. John was so good and that fiddle!! Just love that music! There is always such a good "family" atmosphere at your dances and that is to your credit. Look forward to seeing the digi photo of us all that evening - perhaps you could kindly e-mail it through. Thank you again for such a welcoming friendly club atmosphere.
Love Marion

Grand Charity Dance 23rd February 2007

Halloween 2006

4th July 2006, Red, White and Blue Party Night with Bobby D Sawyer

Grand Charity Night in aid of The British Heart Foundation and Leukaemia Research, held at The Assembly Hall, Bognor Regis Campus of the University of Chichester
19th May 2006

Keith Urban
19th April 2005

Heather Myles Night
25/11/03