Idaho Country Western Dance Association
Building Community Through Country Dance
The Idaho Country Western Dance Association was formed in 2004 to create a venue for citizens of the Treasure Valley dance community to experience the benefits of country dancing.
Instructor Spotlight
Class taught by master instructors: Jennifer and Thomas Babione you can learn more about them [here]
Our Schedule Of Events
Come Dance With Us!
Click on the link for details...
Event Details
Admission: $10 non-member; $5 member; Under 25, over 65 & active military $7
(Includes lesson, music, and socializing with a great group of dance people!)
Music Genre: Dance to your favorite country music
Dance Styles: West Coast Swing, Country 2-Step, Cha-Cha, Night Club 2-Step, Waltz, Hustle, Polka, East Coast Swing and line dances.
Dance Lesson: Starts at 7 pm (7pm Beginning, approximately 7:20 we will progress to Beyond Beginner/Intermediate material)
Social Dancing: 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Location: Boise Valley Dance Center, 6534 W. Diamond, Boise, Idaho 83709 (unless listed otherwise in description below)
Theme/Lesson For The Month:
- July 8th, 2023 : 6:30 pm, Waltz Across Texas (Pattern dance) taught by Mike Kuhlman and Shelly Franklin. 7:00 pm, Country Two Step taught by Jennifer Babione. Dance will be held at Idaho Ballroom Dance Center, 943 W. Overland Road, Meridian.
- July 29th, 2023: Just Dance 2023. Joint Dance with ICWDA, HDSDC, and USA Dance. Jennifer Babione will teach a Night Club Two Step Lesson. Dance will be held at Idaho Ballroom Dance Center, 943 W. Overland Road, Meridian.
- August 12th, 2023 : East Coast Swing taught by Dave Taylor. Dance will be held at Idaho Ballroom Dance Center, 943 W. Overland Road, Meridian
- September 23rd, 2023 : Night Club Two Step taught by Jennifer Babione
- October 14th, 2023 : Country Two Step taught by Damon D'Amico (D/Amico Dance, Houston, Texas)
- November 25th, 2023 : North Hall: West Coast Swing taught by Jennifer Babione. South Hall: Line Dance taught by Dirt Road Dancing.
- December 9th: North Hall: Triple Two taught by Debbie Cook. South Hall: Country Swing taught by Dirt Road Dancing.
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Our Favorite Dances
Country Dance offers many fun and easy to learn dances...
Cha Cha
Add a little latin to your country swing! Of Cuban origin, Cha Cha is a simple to learn dance. Dance cha cha to your favorite country songs like Salt, Lime, Tequila by Ryan Griffin or Tequila Little Time by Jon Pardi.
East Coast Swing
East Coast Swing is a popular swing dance and used for faster paced songs including country, rock and boogie-woogie! Some of the favorite country ECS songs include Did It For The Girl by or All Over the Road By Alan Jackson.
West Coast Swing
West Coast Swing is a more sophisticated dance evolving out of Lindy Hop. It's a great one to learn because you can dance WCS to many of the popular Pop songs being played today. Songs for WCS include Old Dominion's Written in the Sand and Vince Gills' Cowboy Up.
Night Club
2-Step
The Night Club 2-Step is becoming more and more popular because, like Waltz, is a very intimate and romantic dance. It's also an easy one to learn. Some popular NC2S songs include: Remember When by Alan Jackson or Flies on the Butter by Wynonna Judd.
Country
2-Step
Hard core country music lovers enjoy the 2-step tradition. Common positions include: Sweetheart, Cuddle, Skater, Promenade, Reverse Promenade. Popular Country 2-Step songs include: Baby's Gone Home to Mama by Josh Turner or Corn by Blake Shelton.
Waltz
The Waltz is a popular dance for couples dating back to the 16th century. It is a slow and rhythmic dance. It's one of the favorites for weddings. Some popular Waltz songs include: Stars Over Texas by Tracy Lawrence or Beautiful Day for Goodbye by George Strait.
If you enjoy dancing, the ICWDA monthly event is the best! I enjoy all the conversations and the variety of dances I get to experience. Music and food are great bonuses as well. Such a fun group of people…
Ed Ferrigan, Meridian, ID
Jennifer Babione is an excellent dance instructor. She knows how to teach dance technique and lead/follow skills in a way that’s easy to understand and is attainable for all skill levels. She knows what her students need to do to become better dancers and she helps them reach their goals.
Liz Warner
Our Instructors
These generous instructors share their time to create a fun experience for you.
Jennifer & Thomas Babione
Jennifer has been couples dancing since October 2002, after stumbling upon free dance lessons at Shorty's. Jennifer began teaching swing dance in the Treasure Valley in 2005 and opened the Lessons in Dance studio in February 2006; she has been teaching swing and country dance in the valley ever since. As well as teaching locally, she has enjoyed competing, teaching, and judging on the United Country Western Dance Council circuit throughout the country. Jennifer met her husband Thomas on the dance floor at the Nampa Eagles Lodge. They were married in 2006 and enjoy teaching, competing, and spreading the love of dance and friendship together.
Martha Pohl & Dave Taylor
Martha Pohl is the owner of Idaho Ballroom Dance Center. Born and raised in Munich, Germany, she first started dancing at the age of six, studying ballet and modern dance. After moving to Huntsville, Alabama, she discovered ballroom dance and opened her first studio with Fred Astaire Dance Studios at the age of 19. She moved to Idaho in 1994 to follow a lifelong dream to live in the West. She later went independent and opened first Limelight Dance Studio and then IBDC.
Dave Taylor, Martha's husband, first started dancing as a student with the initial desire to "feel adequate on a social dance floor". As he learned more about this wonderful hobby he eventually moved in the the world of competition. As a Pro/Am couple, Dave and Martha won numerous National titles.
Joel Hunter & Stephanie Hinton
Stephanie and Joel have been teaching dance in the treasure valley for over 15 years. Though versed in many different styles, they focus on Swing dance styles from the 1920's until today. Every year they also put on Boise City Swing, Boise's largest vintage Swing dance festival.
Arielle Burnett & Phillip Weyerman
Arielle Burnett and Phillip Weyerman have been dancing for over 8 years. They compete in show dance/ Cabaret along with American Style Ballroom. They currently own a studio called Dare 2 Dream Dance Studio and teach beginning lessons on Tuesdays at 7pm and Intermediate lessons on Thursdays at 7pm.
Joshua Gilchrist
Joshua is a Professional Dancer, Competitor and Dance Coach who has been teaching for 10 years in American Smooth & Rhythm and International Standard & Latin. He also has an extensive background In Cabaret, Interpretive, Ballet, Modern and Jazz.
Debbie Cook
Debbie grew up in a small western Montana town and started dancing when she was old enough to sneak into the local honkytonk bar to dance country swing with the local cowboys. In the late 1990's she became a passionate student of dance, taking lessons in all couples dance styles and often social dancing seven nights a week. She has competed on the United Country Western Dance Council (UCWDC) circuit for 23 years, graduating from amateur to professional and winning 4 UCWDC World Championships. Debbie is accomplished in ballroom, country and west coast swing, and continues to share her passion for dance through teaching group and private lessons, and coaching/dancing with her UCWDC pro-am students. She is also a choreographer and UCWDC apprentice judge.
Rocky & Haley Greer
Rocky and Haley have both been dancing for many years. Five years ago they started dancing and teaching together. In 2022 they started their dance company 208 Swing in an effort to grow the west coast swing community in the Treasure Valley, teaching both group and private lessons. They love to travel for dance and regularly compete on the WCDC and Country Two Step Tour circuits. Their main goals are to make dance fun and accessible to anyone regardless of their dance experience.
How To Join The Association
Here are complete details on how you can become involved and get the benefits all year round.
Benefits You'll Receive
- Entry discount into all events with free dance lesson.
- Dance events created by a team of dedicated people to make sure everyone has a good time.
- Relationships among members that will last a lifetime.
- Supporting our mission to "Build Community Through Country Dance."
Click the button below and complete the information. We will email you an enrollment form.
Complete the form, and bring it to your first dance. Forms are always available at the dances.
Want To Be Notified Of Our Events?
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Contact Us
icwdainfo@gmail.com
www.icwda.dance
A special thanks to the volunteers who make this club possible!
- President: Alan Buerig
- Vice President: Debbie Cook
- Treasurer: Erin Seaton
- Secretary: Tracy Cunningham
- Music & Events Director: Jennifer Babione
- Board Assistants:
- Website Creation: Ed Ferrigan
