Come out and join 50 - 100 of your newest closest friends at
the Norris Community Center Friday nights 7:30-10:30pm with John Overton's
band. At what other type event can you spend $6 for 3 hours of entertainment? Coupled with $1 sodas, $2 dawgs, numerous snacks, and all the dancing you can stand? Noms are not nearly so cheap at the movies and dancing is exercise!
No matter your age, this is a good option for 3 hours of
reasonably priced family friendly entertainment and socializing. If you fancy
yourself an even remotely reasonably talented singer, step up to the mic even!
The first time I came here folks at the numerous tables
offered up places to sit, take a load off, and listen to the music. Now, my experience may have been skewed in
that I was the guest of someone in the "music family" and, at the
time unknown to me, apparently fairly well known in music circles - especially
in our region. Once done guest singing,
quite a few folks came up thanking my 'sponsor' and reminiscing about
recollections of their music days with Bill Monroe and Del McCoury (if you aren't familiar with those names, google away!). That is how
I remember my first outing here anyway. Scared the hell
out of me because I'm not used to, nor comfortable with, even "attention by
association" - without my Superman cape (otherwise known as a wig). I would
have BoLTed out the door if it were not for trying to maintain some semblance
of decorum. As it were, I edged towards
the exit – only to find folks outside stepping up to converse. Hell, we were hit up at Shoney’s afterward, coming
and going as well…
The band is made up of new soon-to-be, I hope, friends. We have here John, the 'band leader' playing
acoustic guitar and singing right purdy, a wonderful fiddler gone steel player
& soulful-voiced singer, smooth bass player, lead guitar/deliciously-voiced
singer, keep-the-beat drummer (also new to me), and a lively female vocalist.
This local band’s country and old rock brings out the mature dancers to a venue
without the aid of adult libations! I did not know this was possible!
Right now I'm sitting here at the “band members' friends
& family table" (from what I have learned, this is normal where live bands are offered up) writing while I watch people dancing to the vibrant
voices, woeful steel tones, sweet beats, and artful guitar licks in the lower lights.
I've just had chili-dawg #2 & an ice cold Co~Cola
tonight. This means I'm feeling good!
On any given Friday night you'll hear songs such as Borrowed
Angel, The Twist, That Girl that Waits on Tables, You Ain't Woman Enough, Wash
my Hands in Muddy Waters, Walking in the Rain, Walk Softly on this Heart of
Mine, and the occasional Elvis trilogy by Elvis Evans (not his real name,
but... Well, you probably get my drift).
Many of the ladies in attendance dress younger and sassier
than one (meaning I) would expect in the countryside of East Tennessee. They’re out to play in a sassy, but
respectful, way (yes, a concept new to me). The men's dress ranges from jeans and cowboy
hats to dress pants and button downs. Right dapper!!!
Seriously, bring your dancing shoes because there is no
shortage of men and women ready to dance it up!
In addition to the usual "Freestyle" & "Prom
Hang", your experience could very well include (at a minimum) the 2-step,
Rumba, Swing (no, I've no clue if it is East Coast, West Coast, or both), Waltzes,
& NUMEROUS line dances... Come alone
or arrive in a pack! You'll be taken into the
fold...
Let me tell ya - GrandPas and GrandMas dancing puts a huge smile on my
face (when I'm not having a full blown anxiety attack) because I grew up in a Baptist
family and community where dancing just didn't happen. I giggle while watching the elders
"getting down" freestyle to The Twist and I'm marveling at an elder couple
dancing, quite well, what looks to be the Viennese Waltz. The white-haired lone lady (with the sassiest
white fringed cowboy boots) what has way more get-up-and-groove than I'll ever
possess. I think it quite possible that she has that flamenco dancer's extra vertebrae.
Then you'll catch the line dances! I had
no idea how many there are!
The money walk commences an hour into the show. Since I don’t
handle them there group games well myself, I've not joined in and thus I'm
still unsure about how that group circle there works. Two hours in are the door
prize and "half-n-half" drawings.
I enjoy the Friday nights I spend here when I'm at this
table. I've hung up my dance card, but I'll be happy to help you find a
partner.
Come by, sit, dance, stay awhile!
