When you hear the term line dancing, does your brain automatically think country-western? Mine does. Even when you Google line dancing, several well-known dictionaries say it’s a country-western dance.
However, after meeting with accomplished line dancing professional and instructor Carlene Jarboe, I learned line dancing is much more than some popular country songs.
Jarboe has been teaching line dancing at the JOY Center in The Upper Keys since last fall. The JOY Center (Just Older Youth Inc.) is a nonprofit founded in 2017 by a group of local visionaries as a space for creative and innovative programs. The JOY Center does not discriminate; however, it was created for people 50 and older. It provides programs where people can make friendships, learn and grow and have a sense of purpose.
“The JOY Center is primarily based at St. James the Fisherman Episcopal Church. However, space was a challenge for the line dancing. So, when Annie Onsgard, programs manager at Founders Park, reached out to see how we can work together, it was a great opportunity to move the line dancing to Founders in January.” Kali Evans, program facilitator at the JOY Center. And each week, the turnout has increased.
Jarboe kicks off our conversation by saying, “My motto is if the music is good, you dance. I don’t care how people dance, they can freestyle in the corner, and I try to gear the class to the level of the student. I start with the basic dance, then I try to build on that dance, learning a new step with the next dance.”
Jarboe adds, “When a new student is beginning, you must also teach them the terms. And everybody makes mistakes, and I emphasize that to everyone. So mistakes are no big deal.”
There’s a wide variety of line dancing music, and Jarboe teaches all types.
“The line dance scene nowadays is only about 15% country. There are pockets of Florida that don’t do any country at all; Latin, tango, couples, waltz, lyrical and more. I like all types of music but I am pickier about rap.”
It was fascinating to learn that the Bunny Hop, circa the early 1950s, is one of the original line dances, and the Electric Slide (still very popular at weddings) is from 1976.
In addition to weekly classes with the JOY Center, Jarboe is constantly learning new steps. “I started line dancing in 2014 up in Pinecrest. I take three hours of dance class every Tuesday, and the workshops are in Orlando.”
Jarboe and her husband, Capt. Larry, moved back to the Keys in 2013. They originally lived here in 1977 but then moved to Maryland in 1981 to raise their children. Now retired, Jarboe’s husband is a local musician and runs sunset and eco charter trips on his pontoon boat.
Jarboe has always been into dance and even gymnastics. She started dancing in first grade. “Tap, ballet, jazz, acrobats, ballroom — you name it,” she said. “I was also a gymnast in college and taught 27 years of tap dancing as an adult at a studio in Maryland.”
With so many options, how does she conduct the weekly classes? “Sometimes I go with the flow, but today I made a list; however, I didn’t get to all the dances. The class was 45 minutes, and we got to do five dances.”
How does she remember? “You have to practice. The teacher I learn from is in Pinecrest. She learns them ahead of time, and then we have already learned them when we go to Orlando.”
“In Orlando, I am trying to learn two new dances.” How do you pick? “The choreographer or the teacher comes out and does the dance, so you get to see the dance and hear the music. You get a preview. If I don’t like the music, I will not waste my brain cells. There is a list, and you circle the ones you like. The workshops last all day, and there are three rooms to host the lessons.”
“I hang around the people that know the same dances,” she said about her dance family in Miami. “Some people know every dance; I rest when there’s a dance I don’t like that much.”
Jarboe said dancing is not only good exercise but also good for your brain. “The way you know it’s good for the brain is the last 15 minutes and your brain says no more.”
Does she have any favorites? “My favorite dance now is ‘Another One Bites the Dust,’ but it’s an intermediate dance, so I don’t teach it. An example of an advanced dance is from Hamilton, ‘Wait for It’ — it grew on me. Some dances grow on you.”
Some class favorites include “I Was on a Boat” by Old Dominion, “Old Town Road” by Billie Ray Cyrus, “Cupid Shuffle” by Cupid, “The Wobble” by V.I.C., and “Mambo No. 5” by Lou Bega.
“‘Shivers’ by Ed Sheeran is internationally famous, and there are three dances to this song. The DJ will call the dance by the choreographer,” Jarboe said. “There are so many dances being taught; therefore it’s hard for one dance to take hold and be on track to become a classic like ‘Shivers.’ ‘American Kid’ by Kenny Chesney is still popular; it’s from 2014. … Ten years makes it a classic.”
“Cha-Cha Slide” by Mr. C the Slide is from 2000, and is still played at many weddings. Jarboe has also choreographed a few of her own such as “If She Only Knew” by Kevin Sharp and “God’s Country” by Blake Shelton.
“The people running the JOY Center are doing a really good job; quality people running the classes. Their programs help keep you young and active,” Jarboe said.
Dancing and music seem to keep Jarboe young, active and happy, “I am the Hallmark channel – always a happy ending.”
Line dancing is every Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at Founders Park in Islamorada. More information is at justolderyouthinc.org , Instagram @justolderyouth or Facebook @justolderyouthinc.
In addition to line dancing, the JOY Center offers free or donation-based tech classes, yoga, Five Crowns, and Mahjong. Many of these classes are also offered on Zoom. The ukulele class (Ukulele Joy) also travels around the Keys and performs. They also have a book club partnering with the Monroe County Library System.
