Radio Active - Dancing with the Ranch

Last Friday 

We were kickin' up our heels till closing,  Dancing with the Ranch! Yes RADIO RANCH was back and the place was packed. We had yet another good group for the lessons and we started off with a review of  "Turbo Twang" and then taught a couple of El Paso variations by request. It was great to see Vance out having fun dancing for a change instead of having to work. It was also great to see Davy out dancing again. 

Regarding the band, Though we missed Big Jim on stage his com-padres held down the fort and did him proud starting out strong, keeping the tempo up and the folks out on the floor and dancing ALL NIGHT LONG. (Not to mention their great rendition of Wagon Wheel.) You know , we're fortunate to have some of the best country talent in Western Mass entertaining us each week. As always, can't say enough about these guys, as singers, musicians and friends.They'll be back on April 5th. Can't Wait!

Escrime Poulet 

This week, our fine feathered friends will be flying south to Chick-Opee to give us  an upbeat Tempo and a steady beat to keep folks up and on the floor till closing. Yes CHICKENWIRE will be back at the AMVETS with the Classic Country and Southern Rock you love. This Friday we'll be teaching a fun new Line Dance to a song that just broke into the Top Fifty Country Charts. 

2013

This year has started off terrific for the One Eyed Parrot Dance Club, averaging 45 people for each lesson in Chicopee. We're also adding an additional lesson and dance night (Thursdays in Palmer) and have a series of beginner lessons in the works, a Country Weekend workshop lined up and 3 OEP Road Trips already planned and More to come!!!!

Upcoming Events: 

BEGINNER LINE DANCE LESSONS

Starting Tuesday, Tuesday, March 5th, 7PM the One Eyed Parrot Dance Club will be bringing it to the hill country with an 8 week session of Beginner Line Dance Lessons & Country Dancing at the former Berkshire Hillbillies Diner 129 West Shore Road Otis, MA. 

http://www.oneeyedparrot.org/Otis.html .

Thursday Night Line Dancing Starts on March 21^st at the Palmer Legion!! 

Nice Big Wood Dance Floor! The initial response to this has been overwhelming. 7-10PM Lessons and all request line and couples dancing! We can’t wait! 

Easthill Farm Country Dance Weekend

Only 2 weeks left till our Country Dance Weekend at The Inn @ East Hill Farms. It’ll be a great time dancing w/Paula & Michael, Tammy & Dennis, Randy & Doreen. So far it looks like we have 18 Parrots not counting Doreen & I) The Weekend Package ( Fri, March 15- March 17, 2013) includes: 2 night lodging, 6 home cooked meals, 5 dance sessions w/lessons- line & partner, late night snacks, indoor pool, whirlpool & sauna, time to relax and old fashion fun! All request dancin' on Fri & Sat night, karaoke late night! THEME: Sports Wear your favorite team! For more info www.east-hill-farm.com For reservations (800)242-6495

Long Term Planning!!! 

Join us in May and August for our Annual Road trips.

MARTHA's VINEYARD 

Great Initial Response to our Road Trip to Martha’s Vineyard in October.  Yup we’re talking a 3 day getaway just off peak season for a nice Chill- Laxing (Non-Dancing) visit to the land of the Wampanoag. Informal tour by a former Islander. Beautiful Fall sunrises over Katama, Nice beach walks on Chappaquiddick, The Japanese Garden, The Cliffs at Gay Head, Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, Vineyard Haven, Social hour at the Newes and nice dinner at the Square Rigger. etc etc etc. Stay Tuned, we'll keep ya posted!!!

Kool Kase & Jolly Ranchers

Last Friday

WAS the last Friday in February and a great time at the Chicopee AMVETS! Just N Kase was back laying down some great tunes for us to dance to with a mix of Country, Oldies and Rock and Roll!

Here's a Note from JUST N KASE about last Friday : "Thank you AMVET patrons - The One Eyed Parrots were there and with their splendid dancing made it enjoyable to play - all the new people who came and all the regulars - thank you so much - we felt welcome and loved watching you guys dance. It makes it seem so worthwhile all the hours we practice as we look for new songs, download them, get the words, learn them and then you guys dance to them. Nice!!!"

As I say every time they play, Terrific musicians and great people. We had a full floor for the lesson and started out by reviewing the new Dance “Is it Friday Yet” and then teaching an old favorite  "Turbo Twang" by request.

The bonus of the night was having Marybeth with us!! It was great to have her back out on aFriday. Jennifer, Val  and many others (Forgive me as I don't know who did what) orchestrated a wonderful welcome back party and goodies were plentiful!! Check out the Pics

It was nice to see all our new friends out with us again as well, Shirley, Lana (pronounced Lawn-uh) Denise etc etc and dance with all longtime friends and usual suspects. ;)

This Week

They're back.....  RADIO RANCH is back on stage with the energy and talent that only they bring. Yes the Celebrated Triple Jays, A&M (JJJAM) will be banging out those hot country rhythm's that you love, keeping us up and dancing till the cows come home. It's always a good time with these guys so come out and Dance, with the Ranch! For the lesson's this week we will be reviewing Turbo Twang and then teach some El Paso Variations (Again by request) that our couples can work into their basic patterns.

Upcoming Events: 

Thursday Night Line Dancing Starts on March 21^st at the Palmer Legion!! 

Nice Big Wood Dance Floor! The initial response to this has been overwhelming. 7-10 Lessons and all request line and couples dancing! We can’t wait! 

BEGINNER LINE DANCE LESSONS 

Starting Tuesday, March 5th, 7PM the One Eyed Parrot Dance Club will be bringing it to the hill country with an 8 week session of Beginner Line Dance Lessons & Country Dancing at the former Berkshire Hillbillies Diner 129 West Shore Road Otis, MA. Cost is $10 per night walk in or $8 per night if you sign up for the full 8 week series. You can sign up on the first night!

http://www.oneeyedparrot.org/Otis.html .

Call Wendy at 518-256-5463 or Randy at (413) 366-1540 to sign up or email us at OTIS@OneEyedParrot.Org

Easthill Farm Country Dance Weekend

Only a few more weeks till our Country Dance Weekend at The Inn @ East Hill Farms. It’ll be a great time dancing w/Paula & Michael, Tammy & Dennis, Randy & Doreen. The Weekend Package ( Fri, March 15- March 17, 2013) includes: 2 night lodging, 6 home cooked meals, 5 dance sessions w/lessons- line & partner, late night snacks, indoor pool, whirlpool & sauna, time to relax and old fashion fun! All request dancin' on Fri & Sat night, karaoke late night! THEME: Sports Wear your favorite team! For more info www.east-hill-farm.com For reservations (800)242-6495

Long Term Planning!!! 

Join us in May and August for our Annual Road trips.

MARTHA's VINEYARD 

Great Initial Response to a potential Road Trip to Martha’s Vineyard in October.  Yup we’re talking a 3 day getaway just off peak season for a nice relaxing (Non-Dancing) visit to the land of the Wampanoag. Informal tour by a former Islander. Beautiful Fall sunrises over Katama, Nice beach walks on Chappaquiddick, The Japanese Garden, The Cliffs at Gay Head, Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, Vineyard Haven, Social hour at the Newes and nice dinner at the Square Rigger. etc etc etc. Stay Tuned, we'll keep ya posted!!!

Back in Action @ the Chicopee AMVETS!

Last Friday 

We finally got a chance to dance after the snowstorm that wiped out dancing the previous week at the Chicopee AMVETS. (and everywhere else)

We were planning for a smaller crowd because we knew a lot of folks go away for Presidents weekend but were pleasantly surprised to have over 40 folks out. (More than we expected!) I’m sure the lack of dancing the week before and the band Chickenwire, had something to do with that.

We started out the lessons by teaching the new line dance “Is it Friday Yet” by Diana Dawson, a 32 Count / 4 Wall Improver Line Dance to the song by the same name by Gord Bamford. What a great song, and our new theme song for Friday nights. We received a lot of good feedback on this one. For the review we taught the Partner dance "Backwoods Boatin’" to the song Pontoon, another one that we got great feedback on.

Chickenwire was back on stage and did a great job as always laying down an uptempo,  rock solid, consistent beat backed by great vocals.  They worked in a bunch of our favorites, Act Naturally, Toes, etc and made us realize we have to review Copperhead Road. They even worked in Wagon Wheel so we could do our new couples dance! Great Musicians and all around nice guys. They’ll be back March 8^th so make a note!

This Friday 

We’re switching things up a bit and will review “Is it Friday Yet”  and then teach a new line dance instead of a partner dance. Next week we will (By request) teach a series of “El Paso” moves to help folks put some variations into the basic dance.  This week Just N Kace will be back on stage with a playlist of good Heel Slapping, Boots Tapping gotta get up and dance tunes that will keep you on the floor all night! Great musicians  , really nice friendly people. Come out and see em!

Breaking News: 

Thursday Night Line Dancing Starts on March 21^st at the Palmer Legion!! 

Nice Big Wood Dance Floor! The initial response to this has been overwhelming. 7-10 Lessons and all request line and couples dancing! We can’t wait! 

Easthill Farm Country Dance Weekend

Only a few more weeks till our Country Dance Weekend at The Inn @ East Hill Farms. It’ll be a great time dancing w/Paula & Michael, Tammy & Dennis, Randy & Doreen. The Weekend Package ( Fri, March 15- March 17, 2013) includes: 2 night lodging, 6 home cooked meals, 5 dance sessions w/lessons- line & partner, late night snacks, indoor pool, whirlpool & sauna, time to relax and old fashion fun! All request dancin' on Fri & Sat night, karaoke late night! THEME: Sports Wear your favorite team! For more info www.east-hill-farm.com For reservations (800)242-6495

Long Term Planning!!! 

Join us in May and August for our Annual Road trips.

BTW 

Who’s interested in a potential Road Trip to Martha’s Vineyard in October.  

Yup we’re talking a 3 day getaway just off peak season for a nice relaxing (Non-Dancing) visit to the land of the Wampanoag. Informal tour by a former Islander. Beautiful Fall sunrises over Katama, Nice beach walks on Chappaquiddick, The Japanese Garden, The Cliffs at Gay Head, Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, Vineyard Haven, Social hour at the Newes and nice dinner at the Square Rigger. etc etc etc. Any takers?

Snow Cancellation

Winter Warmer

A Hot Time on the Town- Last Friday, ushered in a brand new month of dancing at the Chicopee AMVETS with a floor jam packed full of line dancers and  the One, The Only,  RADIO RANCH up on stage. ! Yup The Triple Jay's, Art & Matt were back in town laying down those classic and contemporary standards that keep us dancing all night long. It was also great to hear them comment on  the (50+) crowd we had for the lessons. Later in the evening Radio Ranch did an awesome version of the Wind and then surprised us with Wagon Wheel which allowed us to do our new Dance Nathan's Wagon. It's always a good time when you Dance, with the Ranch. 1st Friday, Every month.

We kicked things off with the lessons at 6:30 reviewing the two beginners dances from last week and then teaching the intermediate partner dance Backwood's Boatin'   to the Song Pontoon by Little Big Town. Got good feed back on this one. The new folks we have been getting  are picking up quickly and it was great to see then out on the floor during band breaks being able to do the ones they just learned. Remember the old joke, "How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice, Practice, Practice... ;)

This Friday - Brian and the Truck Stop Troubadours will be back on stage playing that 4/4 foot stompin' two steppin', house rockin', diesel truckin' uptempo rhythms that will get the place hoppin' in true Honkytonk style. Last time they were here they did a fantastic uptempo version of Wagon Wheel that everyone loved. Can't wait to hear it again. For the lessons this Friday, we'll review Backwood's Boatin' and then teach a high beginners line dance to a song I know you'll love.
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Easthill Farm Country Weekend!!

 Book now rooms are going fast!   East Hill Farm Country Dance Weekend March 15th-17th  ** Click for Info** . 

Tell them you're with Randy, Doreen and the One Eyed Parrot Dance club when you book!  

MISHNOCK BARN RHODE TRIP

It's Time to Book your Room for our 5th Annual Rhode Trip to the Mishnock Barn!! May 25th 2012. We will be heading back down almost a year to the day from our last trip that absolutely ROCKED!!  An Annual Spring OEP Tradition to see Dan and Kelly!!!   YEAH!!

 CLICK FOR MISHNOCK FLYER

BEGINNER LINE DANCE LESSONS

Starting Tuesday, March 5th, 7PM the One Eyed Parrot Dance Club will be bringing it to the hill country with an 8 week session of Beginner Line Dance Lessons & Country Dancing at the former Berkshire Hillbillies Diner 129 West Shore Road Otis, MA. Cost is $10 per night walk in or $8 per night if you sign up for the full 8 week series. You can sign up on the first night!

http://www.oneeyedparrot.org/Otis.html .

Call Wendy at 518-256-5463 or Randy at (413) 366-1540 to sign up or email us at OTIS@OneEyedParrot.Org

Chickenwired!

What an AWESOME Night!! Last Friday at the Chicopee AMVETS was absolutely LEDGEN... wait for it......DARY... with an Jam-Packed club, and the floor so full during the lessons I was teaching from the Carpet! 

With 54 Dancers on the floor, the lessons were fun and the atmosphere electric.  We started out by reviewing last weeks dance "Walking Away" and because we had SO MANY new people we taught two beginner dances "Up to No Good" and the Classic Jo Thompson Szymanski dance "Cowboy Rhythm". (We will be teaching a Partner Dance this Friday.) 

Everyone picked up the dances great and got to practice them throughout the evening to some great songs by the band. Speaking of the band, Chickenwire did an absolutely fabulous job of personally interacting with the audience while laying down some beat-perfect rhythms for us to dance to. Great band, Great musicians and singers and some of the nicest guys you'd ever want to meet. They will be back on February 15th. Don't Miss Em!

So Many New friends, we can't keep track. It was great to see Shirley, Lana, Nancy and their friend Denise back, as well as meeting all of Kris's Friends, Doreen's friend Jean, etc etc etc. If you haven't yet, get me your emails so we can keep you updated with what's happening with the club!

One couple I'd like to mention specifically and introduce you to is Wendy & Kevin from Otis. We will be teaching beginner & maybe low intermediate dances at their place starting in March. BTW they just got engaged last Friday. Congratulations!! Really nice folks. Stop by and introduce yourself next time you see them. Check out the new Lessons here and share with your western Mass Friends!

Next Friday, it's a , um Oh Yeah...... Just One of the FINEST Country Bands in New England... RADIO RANCH!!! Yeah the Ranch is Back! The night will be hopping as Joe, Justin, Jim, Art and Matt      get your Butt Rocking and Boots knockin' with a mix of classic Country and contemporary standards. They guys really set the bar for  knowing what it takes to please an audience. The place is ALWAYS packed when the Ranch is playing so get there early to get a seat! So Join the PARTY CROWD and Dance with the Ranch, RADIO RANCH!!

BTW - Thanks to Alan & Sonia / UK for recently doing a Demo video of our New dance Nathan's Wagon and putting it up on their website for others. Alan & Sonia run a UK site full of dance videos. Check it out  Alan & Sonia's Site.

EASTHILL FARM!! Book now rooms are going fast!   East Hill Farm Country Dance Weekend March 15th-17th  ** Click for Info** . 

Tell them you're with Randy, Doreen and the One Eyed Parrot Dance club when you book!  

MISHNOCK BARN RHODE TRIP

It's Time to Book your Room for our 5th Annual Rhode Trip to the Mishnock Barn!! May 25th 2012. We will be heading back down almost a year to the day from our last trip that absolutely ROCKED!!  An Annual OEP Traditions WOO HOO!!

 CLICK FOR MISHNOCK FLYER

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Melting Away those Winter Blues!

Sometimes it's hard to get folks to go out in January (arguably the coldest month of the year), but you wouldn't have believed it Last Friday. Folks came out to the Chicopee AMVETs in force and we had 50+ people packing the floor for the line/ Partner dance lessons with a combination of long time dancers and brand new beginners. That's what I'm talking about! Just-N-Kase kept up the momentum hitting the stage with a uptempo combination of Country, Rock & Roll and oldies that fired the place up! They even got up with us to line dance. (Great Job BTW) Gotta love that. Good Musicians, Great People and another great night our dancing with all our friends. 

For the lessons, we reviewed Nathan's Wagon a fun & lively 32 count Partner dance that goes to the song Wagon Wheel by Nathan Carter. For the new dance we taught Walking away that also goes to the 1st song we play on Fridays "Is it Friday Yet" by Gord Bamford. 

Saturday had the OEP's out en masse for the  HAM & BEAN COUNTRY GATHERING (Dinner and Dancing) at the 2nd Baptist Church in South Hadley! 

What a nice night! The hall was packed, and Jenn, Kathleen, Darlene and company did a great job getting everyone if fed and up dancing! We got to teach 4 beginner lines and a Partner dance in between demo'ing for the crowd. But most of all, made some great new friends! Check out the Photo Montage HERE!!

This coming Friday, CHICKENWIRE will be back in the saddle at the Chicopee AMVETS! Yes indeed, our feathered friends are flying south to close out January at our local Honky Tonk! A great addition to the 2013 band Line Up,  you'll be dancing to these guys every month!. If you've never seen/heard them, you are ABSOLUTELY missing out. Check out the dates these guys are playing on our EVENT SCHEDULE. Get there earlier if you want a good seat, From what  I hear, the place is gonna be packed!! As always lessons at 6:30 Sharp $3.00 and the Band starts at 8PM - $5.00 Band cover. The band is advertising our lessons on their site... How nice is that?

The Parrot has been mobilized for your viewing pleasure. Now when you go to our website from your Smart Phone it will appear as shown in this picture and formatted to fit your phone. You can browse the schedule, view Weekly Updates or click the phone number or email to call or write us. If you view the website from a PC it will look as it always has. Check it out from your phone at OneEyedParrot.Org

*****Reminders***** 

-Book your Rooms for East Hill Farm in March and Mishnock in May

EASTHILL FARM!! Book now rooms are going fast!   East Hill Farm Country Dance Weekend March 15th-17th  ** Click for Info** . Tell them you're with Randy, Doreen and the One Eyed Parrot Dance club when you book!  I think we have AT LEAST 17 booked already from the OEPs... COOL!

MISHNOCK BARN RHODE TRIP

It's Time to Book your Room for our 5th Annual Rhode Trip to the Mishnock Barn!! May 25th 2012. We will be heading back down almost a year to the day from our last trip that absolutely ROCKED!!  An Annual OEP Traditions WOO HOO!!

 CLICK FOR MISHNOCK FLYER