SWING & TWANG

Do we look forward to rodeo season? You bet, pardner

Year after year, the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo gives us a hankerin' for things western. Of course, gay folk still pretty much ride under the radar at mainstream events like the big roundup here (February 20-March 16). But make no mistake. We are there, entering our art projects as queer kids, belting it out in the talent contest, exhibiting our animals, competing in the ring, shaking our denim-clad bums to Martina McBride.

Not at of the items on these pages tie to the hoedown we local old timers call the fat-stock show. Still, they sure make us want to, well, rodeo.

BEYOND BOOT SCOOTIN'

"We're good enough as a gay team to win over the straight people," says Rick Weston of the Lonestar Lariats dance team with a sly grin.

Actually, the 14-dancer Lariats, the performance and competition group formed in August 2002, has three non-gay members. In fact, the group use the designation GLBTS (the final initial representing "straight"). "Our membership is open to all regardless of sexual orientations or identities," Weston says.

"The Lariats are a country-western dance team who got together just because they love the sport of dancing and the fellowship it provides," he explains. "A lot of our members can be seen dancing the night away at the BRB, the New Barn, or even Wild West and Midnight Cowboy out in Katy."

This month, the Lariats will travel to New York to perform in the semi-annual event presented by the International Association of Gay/Lesbian Country Western Dance Clubs-known in the field as "IggleWiggle." In July, they will also wing up to Montreal for the world championships.

The Lariats also participate in the so-called "straight circuit," the United Country Western Dance Council (UCWDC).

"They don't particularly care about being gay and lesbian," says Weston, who leads the Lariats with Vickie Dunn. "All they care about is whether you are a good dancer."

Several of the team dancers regularly enter multiple competitions. Weston and his dance partner, Sheryl Forester Guidry, recently won a second-place trophy at the UCWDC worlds competition. Dunn and her dancer partner (and fiance), Roy Shafer, captured first place.

This is a group for serious dancers. "It's not a cocktail hour," points out Weston, whose life partner Barry Schiff has also danced competitively. "But it is a great escape for us."

The team rehearses together from four to six hours every week. Each team member practices individually at least one to two hours weekly.

"The majority of our team members constantly work on their dancing," says Weston, who is a professional coach (as is Dunn).

In Houston, dance fans can catch the Lariats when they enter the team competition at the UCWDC Texas Classic May 14-16 at the J. W. Marriott (details: www.ucwdc.com).

Such dance events, which include contests for cash prizes, involve round-the-clock dancing, explains Weston. "It's like a country-western circuit party but no drugs."

The Lariats will soon open its membership to new talent. Dancers who are ready for the challenge can contact WestonDance@houston.rr.com. Even dancers who happen to be straight are welcome.

MORE DANCERS

There is plenty of other c-and-w dancing going on.

The Rainbow Ranglers Dance Club (www.rainbowranglers.org) offers free classes at the Brazos River Bottom every Tuesday and Thursday night, beginning at 8:30. Upcoming events include a March 9 performance at Rich's Houston during LUEY (Let Us Entertain You) weekend and another Rich's show on March 22 for Night in Black Leather, which benefits PWA Holiday Charities. The Ranglers are seeking new dancers for the performance company.

Southern Country Houston offers free instruction at the New Barn on Friday nights at 8 p.m. The dance group will present a hoedown and fundraiser in April (further details were not available by press time). Southern Country instructors Evie DeRanieri and her partner, Carol Martinez, also dance with the Lonestar Lariats. More info: evied@gcvs.com.

TGRA REPORT

No Houstonians plan to participate next month in the Cowtown Rodeo presented by the Texas Gay Rodeo Association, according to Danny Gonzalez, president of the TGRA chapter here. He adds that some local rodeo folk do intend to travel to Austin in September for the Capital City Rodeo, the TGRA's 20th-anniversary event. More info: www.tgra.org.