How Does This Start? Lisa Is Line Dancing Through Midlife in The Pines

Ladies, we need to talk about exercise.

Meet Lisa, one of the owners of Red, White and Boots. She’s originally from Colorado, has lived in North Carolina for 20 years and is the single mom of an amazing 20-year-old daughter. She also works for the Department of Adult Corrections—so I suspect she can handle a rowdy group of women who have forgotten which direction they’re supposed to turn.

Lisa grew up surrounded by country music, barn dances and clubs where teenagers could go dancing. Music and movement have always been part of her life.

“If you know me, I’ll dance anywhere, to any kind of music—even in Target,” Lisa says. “Music makes my heart happy, and you can’t help but move to it.”

Honestly, dancing through the aisles sounds much more enjoyable than trying to remember why I went to Target in the first place—and leaving $150 poorer with three candles, a throw pillow and absolutely nothing I originally came for.

Bringing More Dancing to The Pines

After moving to Moore County, Lisa realized there weren’t many places to go dancing. While working at Hatchet Brewing Company as a music bingo hostess and bartender, she saw the potential for the space to become a dance floor.

She reached out to a friend, and the dancing began.

Eventually, Lisa and her best friend and business partner, Veronica, became the women behind Red, White and Boots. Their goal was to create a fun, safe and welcoming place where people could learn without worrying about getting every step exactly right.

Lisa would love to see a dedicated dancing venue open in Moore County someday. And frankly, The Pines could use a place where grown women can dance, laugh and still be home at a respectable hour.

The Official Question of Midlife

Line dancing has introduced Lisa to wonderful people, including Veronica. It has become a community filled with music, encouragement and friendship.

But even Lisa doesn’t remember every dance.

She may have performed a dance several times and still completely forget the beginning. Her favorite question—and an ongoing joke with her friends—is:

“How does this start?”

Lisa, that may be the official question of midlife.

How does this dance start? Why did I walk into this room? Where are my glasses? What is my password? And why is my phone in the refrigerator?

Give us a moment. It will come back to us eventually.

Yes, You Can Dance With Two Left Feet

Many people are nervous about attending their first class because they think they can’t dance. Lisa’s advice is simple: come anyway.

“There are tons of people who don’t know what they’re doing, but you have to start somewhere,” she says. “We were all beginners at one time.”

Red, White and Boots is designed to be a patient, positive place where beginners can learn without pressure. You don’t have to know the dances, and you definitely don’t have to perform them perfectly.

Turned left while everybody else turned right? Call it a solo.

Forgot the steps? Add a little hip shake and look confident.

That’s not a mistake, honey. That’s personal choreography.

No Partner Required

One of the best things about line dancing is that you don’t need a partner. It’s just you, the music and a room full of people trying to remember the same steps.

Of course, Lisa points out that you could meet a partner while dancing.

Auntie Pine makes no guarantees, but it sounds more promising than sitting at home while an online dating app asks whether you enjoy hiking.

No, sir. I enjoy air conditioning, appetizers and knowing where the nearest restroom is.

Exercise Disguised as Fun

Make no mistake: line dancing is exercise.

Lisa says some nights she goes home sweaty and sore because she simply couldn’t stop dancing. But it’s the fun kind of exercise—the kind you don’t realize you’re doing until your legs start filing complaints the next morning.

For Lisa, the greatest health benefit is joy. Dancing gets the body moving, helps relieve stress and brings people together.

Veronica is a perfect example. She originally started dancing because she worked at a desk all day and wanted to get out of the house and become less sedentary. Line dancing helped her meet people, build confidence and feel a sense of accomplishment whenever she mastered a new dance.

Now, she teaches and encourages others.

That is the kind of midlife transformation Auntie Pine loves: you show up hoping to get off the couch, and before you know it, you’re leading the dance floor.

What Do You Wear?

You do not need boots to attend—despite the name.

During the summer, Lisa recommends wearing something cool and comfortable, such as shorts, a skirt, a sundress or a T-shirt. When the weather cools down, jeans work well.

The most important thing is choosing comfortable shoes that slide across the floor. Shoes that grip too tightly can cause your feet to stick when the rest of your body is trying to turn.

At our age, we want the shoes sliding—not the bladder leaking.

Comfort comes first. This is The Pines, not a country music video audition.

Are You Too Old to Start?

Lisa’s answer is an enthusiastic never.

“Age is just a number, and you’re only limited by yourself,” she says.

The dances can be modified for different skill levels and physical abilities. Lisa has bad knees, so she skips some of the turns. You can adjust the movements to work for your body.

Nobody is handing out medals for the deepest dip or the fastest spin. If your knees tell you not to turn, listen to them. They’ve been carrying you around for decades and have earned voting privileges.

Stop Waiting for “Someday”

If you’re reading this and thinking, “Maybe someday,” Lisa wants you to stop waiting.

“Tomorrow isn’t promised,” she says. “Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today. Just do it! You will never know until you try, and we should live life without regret.”

So, find a class. Bring a friend. Wear comfortable shoes. Check The Pines Times calendar, then follow Red, White and Boots to see where they’ll be dancing next.

You may miss a step. You may turn the wrong way. You may spend half the evening asking, “How does this start?”

But you’ll move, laugh and meet people—and that sounds like a pretty wonderful way to enjoy midlife in The Pines.

Follow Red, White and Boots for upcoming classes and dancing opportunities:

Facebook | Instagram | The Pines Times Webpage for all events

Auntie Pine Tip: For your first class, stand in the middle. The front feels like a performance, but the back leaves you following someone who may be every bit as confused as you are.

Life’s too short for uncomfortable shoes and bad coffee. See you around The Pines!
💗 Auntie Pine

Interested in Moore about Auntie Pine and Midlife in The Pines? Come on along, shall we? Click HERE

Interested in Line Dancing all over The Pines? Click HERE

Quick Steps with Lisa

Favorite song to dance to: Shivers by Ed Sheeran

Best shoes for beginners:  Anything that slides

One word that describes line dancing:  FUN

Biggest benefit:  The joy it brings in so many different ways

Advice for first-timers:  Find a group that is patient and goes slow

Where to dance in The Pines:  Obviously you can dance with us.  There is also dancing at Carolina Dance works.  We adore Bruce and Debbie. We are also happy to teach at any other bars or venues upon request.

Upcoming Line Dancing Opportunites throughout The Pines this week!