For Beth Coffey, dancing isn’t just how she met her husband. It’s a way to keep her family’s Czech culture and traditions alive.
The owner of Dancin’ Austin is an eighth-generation Texan who grew up in San Angelo and spent time in Marfa, where her family owns a ranch. Her mother’s side of the family is Czech, and she says anything and everything requires celebrations, with dancing playing a key role at family gatherings. But 20 years ago, dancing took on greater meaning for her when she survived a near-fatal car accident in West Texas and moved to Austin to heal from the trauma.
“My first experience dancing in Austin, I had a shaved head, a broken neck, and I still had my stitches in,” she says. “I left my neck brace in the car.”
During her recovery, Coffey danced every night after work, picking up Cajun and zydeco dances, Brazilian samba, and, of course, the Texas two-step. Her dancing eventually caught the eye of others, including the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, which hired her to demonstrate her moves in 2008. “After that,” Coffey says, “it was pretty hard to ignore that the universe was telling me dance needed to be a part of my life, and I needed to show it to other people.”
She started teaching the dance lessons at The White Horse. The honky-tonk on Austin’s east side is also where she hit things off with musician Joe Jerkins. They would see each other at music venues around town and Coffey made the first move. “’You know what I like about you? Your mustache,’” Coffey recalls saying to him. They’ve been married for 12 years.
At her dance lessons, Coffey teaches the Texas two-step, which evolved from the collegiate foxtrot. The dance became popular in the early 20th century and acquired its country twang from the polka, waltz, and other folk dances brought to the state by Western European immigrants. “[Texas dances] go back to all of those family traditions and all of those different countries we came from,” Coffey says. “There were six flags over Texas, so all of those influenced the music and the dancing.”
Two-stepping and other country dances gained traction around World War II, back when “people were happy to be alive,” Coffey says. Today, folks can be found two-stepping at honky-tonks all over Texas, and Coffey continues teaching the moves at private lessons, corporate events, weddings, and for free every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at The White Horse.
From the stage, Jerkins, who plays the electric guitar in Austin musician Weldon Henson’s band, witnesses people of all different ages, races, and social statuses come together for a dance. “I don’t know of any other social events where you get such a cross section of society, every demographic represented,” he says. “Everyone is dancing together. It’s wonderful to see.”
Together, the couple embodies the spirit of a city where music isn’t just a sound, but a unifying force that transcends differences and enriches lives.
“For us and especially for Austin,” Coffey says, “live music, live people, dancing with another person while musicians are making music—that’s what humanity is all about.”
Beth Coffey’s Step-by-Step Guide to the Texas Two-Step
1. Get Ready to Dance
“No boots or 10-gallon hat necessary, just bring a good attitude,” Coffey says.
2. Find Your Partner
Grab a partner. Choose who will lead the dance. Leader places right hand on follower’s left hip and raises left hand (think “high-five and to the side,” as Coffey says). Follower places right hand in leader’s open hand and rests left hand on leader’s right shoulder. The leader faces in the direction that you’ll be moving.
3. Start Dancing
Once the music starts, move in tandem with each other, with leader stepping forward while follower steps back, “like a mirror image,” Coffey says. Follow the footwork pattern below of step, together, step, step, together, repeat.
“Grooving to the honky-tonk beat, take small steps and keep it relaxed,” Coffey says. “This is your moment to smile and enjoy yourself.”
Leader
1) Step forward with left foot
2) Together: Bring right foot forward to meet left foot
3) Step forward again with left foot
4) Step: Instead of bringing feet together, right foot steps forward past left foot
5) Repeat: Continue moving forward with left, together, left, then right steps past, together
Follower
1) Step backward with right foot
2) Together: Bring left foot back to meet your right foot
3) Step backward with right foot again
4) Step: Instead of bringing feet together, left foot steps back past right foot.
5) Repeat: Continue moving backward with right, together, right, then left steps past, together
4. Follow the Circle
“The dance floor moves progressively to the left in a counterclockwise circle, so keep scooting those boots,” she says.
5. Try a Turn
For an overhead spin, dancers release the hand that’s touching their partner’s body. Leader raises left arm up while holding follower’s hand. Follower dips head and steps “under the rainbow,” then comes back through to the original position to restart the steps.
Remember: “You’re always better dancers than the folks sitting down,” Coffey says.
