Texas Two-Step
Antone's takes a new turn on Riverside with Two-Step Tuesdays starting in May
In March, Antone's left its well-established Fifth Street home for new life on East Riverside, assuming the space previously inhabited by Beauty Ballroom. Now, Austin's famed home of the blues will become part of the circuit for Texas two-stepping and country tunes.
Its newer, larger space will continue to be home to legendary blues shows, but it will also play host to cover-free country shows each Tuesday, starting in May and running through the summer. "Given that Antone’s has a lovely wood dance floor, we’ve decided to give it a regular workout, offering free dancing for the so-inclined," says Talent Buyer John O'Neill in an announcement about the weekly event.
"We wanted to do a nod to some of the vets of the scene who have been under-recognized but are great dance bands..."
Doors will open each Tuesday at 7 p.m. with the show starting at 8:30 p.m., featuring two sets of live music (the night also boasts no cover and serious drink specials). "Two-Step Tuesdays" will feature a cast of four rotating bands, ranging from local country stalwarts to up-and-comers; staple players will include Mayeux & Broussard, Jeff Hughes and Chaparral, Roger Wallace, and James Hand.
"We wanted to do a nod to some of the vets of the scene who have been under-recognized but are great dance bands (Roger and Jeff), as well as use the night to develop some newer talent," O'Neill tells CultureMap. "M&B [Mayeux & Broussard] [have] been killing it with Antone's crowds, opening for everyone from Billy Joe Shaver to Cory Morrow. Folks really seem to dig them," he continues. "As for James [Hand], he's just my personal fave."
With its Tuesday night no-cover two-stepping gig, Antone's hopes to introduce its new space to the current two-stepping crowd, those who dance the "circuit," which includes Ginny's Little Longhorn, The Broken Spoke, Continental Club and White Horse.
The dance floor heats up again next Tuesday, May 7 and continues through the summer.
