101 FUN THINGS: Break in your boots on a Highland Lakes dance floor
DANIEL CLIFTON • PICAYUNE STAFF
While the Highland Lakes might not be the Fort Worth Stockyards, we do enjoy a little dancing. And with places such as Pardners in Buchanan Dam and the Cadillac Dance Hall between Burnet and Marble Falls, you’ll enjoy a fun time scootin’ your boots across the dance floor.
But just don’t limit yourself to the typical dance halls. With numerous festivals and rodeos throughout the summer, you can’t go wrong with some street dancing.
“I definitely think it’s growing here in the Highland Lakes, the dancing,” said Damon Beierle, owner of Double Eagle Entertainment and host of KBEY 103.9 FM Radio Picayune’s “Saturday Night Tailgate.” “People are definitely hungry for it.”
Beierle, who regularly helps coordinate street dances and other music-based events, has watched as enthusiasm has grown for dancing. One of the biggest annual events in the Highland Lakes is the Burnet Bluebonnet Festival. The event includes a line-up of live music but also street dances on Friday and Saturday nights.
“We’ve had probably 2,000 people out for one of the nights,” Beierle said. “Now, with Cadillac (Dance Hall), it’s definitely filling a need.”
Pardners, 15615 Texas 29 in Buchanan Dam, (512-793-2432), offers a dance-hall venue for anyone who enjoys dancing and having fun. Beierle said it’s typically the younger crowd, but everybody will have a good time with the music and the atmosphere.
One of the latest places joining the scene is the Cadillac Dance Hall, 1375 FM 1855 in Marble Falls.
The owner, Eddie Shell, followed his dream to create a place folks can come out enjoy a true Texas setting with live music, memorabilia and good food.
Oh, yeah, and lots of dancing.
The hall was built inside an actual livestock barn, but Shell and his family transformed it into a true Texas dance hall. Check out the website at www.cadillacdancehall.com or call (830) 385-4745 for more information.
But, as Beierle pointed out, you also can check out many of the festivals that run through the summer for music and dancing. The festivals, including the Bluebonnet Festival, the Llano Crawfish Open and the Lampasas Spring Ho, all feature live music and street dances. It’s just a matter of getting out those boots and hitting the streets.
BLANCO
Redbud Cafe — Located at 410 Fourth St. in Blanco. Redbud Cafe not only serves up burgers and sandwiches with local ingredients but live homegrown music as well on Friday and Saturday evenings. Hours are 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday-Saturday. It’s closed Sunday. Go to redbud-cafe.com to see its music calendar or call (830) 833-0202.
BURNET
Texas Tea-licious — Located at 216 S. Main St. in Burnet. Come in for the sweet pickles and stay for the music, including local favorite john Arthur martinez at 6 p.m. Tuesdays. The cafe and specialty food store also has a Saturday night concert series. Go to www.txtealicious.com or call (512) 756-7636 for a schedule.
BUCHANAN DAM
Pardner’s — Located at 15615 Texas 29 East in Buchanan Dam. Go two-steppin’ on Pardner’s wood floors — no spurs. The club offers happy hour and live bands on some nights. Hours are 4 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Call (512) 793-2432.
Reverend Jim’s Dam Pub — Located at 19605 Texas 29 East in Buchanan Dam. Reverend Jim’s offers live music and dancing on the outdoor patio with views of the dam. The pub also serves up cold beer and the best burgers outside of your mother’s, according to one review on its website. Hours are 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon-9 p.m. Sunday. Go to www.reverendjimsdampub.com or call (512) 793-3333.
GRANITE SHOALS
Ryder’s Bar & Dance Hall — Located at 7911 RR 1431 West in Granite Shoals. Ryder’s offers live shows on the weekends in a smoke-free environment with 21 and older only admitted after 7 p.m. Two-step on its massive dance floor or play pool, foosball, darts, air hockey and more in its game room. It also features multiple flat-screen TVs to view the games, a bar, a grill and six conveniently located bathrooms. Go to Facebook.com/RydersDanceHall or call (830) 598-8232.
LLANO
Crawfish Open — April 25-26 at Robinson City Park, located two miles west of Downtown Llano on FM 152.You don’t have to stay indoors to hear great music. The Llano Crawfish Open is known for bringing in top acts — and a heapin’ helpin’ of crawfish. Asleep at the Wheel headlines Friday, April 25, while Mark Chesnutt is the main act Saturday, April 26. Eat some mudbugs, drink some cold ones and dance the night away. Go to llanocrawfishopen.com for a complete event schedule.
Fuel Coffee House — Located at 106 E. Main St. in Llano. This nonprofit coffee shop offers live local music weekly including the Lake Bottom Jazz Combo and singer-songwriter-author W.C. Jameson. Hours are 7 a.m.-7 p.m. (open later for performances) Monday-Saturday. Go to fuelcoffeehouse.wordpress.com or call (325) 247-5272 for a schedule or more information.
Llano Country Opry — Shows are monthly at the LanTex Theater, 113 Main St. in Llano. Go to www.heartoftexascountry.com or call (325) 597-1895 for schedule and ticket information.
MARBLE FALLS
AJ’s — Located at 909 Third St. in Marble Falls. Owner A.J. Vallejo of the rock band Vallejo brings some of the top Texas acts to his club. It also serves up good food, drinks and sports on TV. Bad vibes and attitudes are not welcome at AJ’s, according to Vallejo. Go to www.ajslivetx.com or call (830) 798-1600 for a live music lineup.
Cadillac Dance Hall — Located at 1375 FM 1855 in Marble Falls. “The Best Little Dance Hall in Texas,” proclaims its website. It offers country music, dancing, food and fun the last Saturday of the month. The house band, Eddie Shell & the Not Guilties, plays new and old country, blues and rock. It’s BYOB (cans only, beer lovers.) Go to www.cadillacdancehall.com or call (830) 385-4745.
Doc’s Fish Camp — Located at 900 RR 1431 West at U.S. 281 in Marble Falls. Doc’s not only offers a full menu of tasty seafood but also live music Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Go to www.docsfishcamp.com and click on “Doc’s Ice Chest” or call (830) 693-2245 for a music schedule.
River City Grille — Located at 700 First St. in Marble Falls. Another great Marble Falls restaurant, this one overlooking Lake Marble Falls, River City Grille also features live music, including TexAmericana Tuesdays with Mike Blakely, Larry Nye and guests at 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Northstar Bank Acoustic Night with john Arthur martinez and guests at 7 p.m. Wednesdays. No cover charge. Go to www.rivercitygrilletx.com/events or call (830) 798-9909.
SPICEWOOD
Angel’s Icehouse — Located at 21815 Texas 71 West in Spicewood. Angel’s Icehouse is a place the whole family can enjoy — even your furry friends. Kids and leashed pooches can enjoy its outdoor play area, while you enjoy good food and listen to live music (Friday and Saturday nights except during the winter) on its outdoor stage. Hours are 11 a.m.-close Monday-Sunday. Go to www.angelsicehouse.com or call (512) 264-3777.
Poodie’s Hilltop Roadhouse — Located at 22308 Texas 71 West in Spicewood. Poodie’s Hilltop Roadhouse has hosted music legends Willie Nelson, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Asleep at the Wheel, Jerry Jeff Walker, Billy Joe Shaver and more. Randall “Poodie” Locke was Nelson’s stage manager for 34 years until his death in 2009 and ran the famous Spicewood roadhouse. Enjoy live music, good food, beer and beautiful sunsets on its two-tiered deck. Hours are 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Monday-Saturday and noon-2 a.m. Sunday. Go to poodies.net or call (512) 264-0318.
