TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

For Country Music Lovers, Dancing Is A Matter Of Pride

The Tampa Bay Wranglers. Members are Roger Bell, Lynn Crosby, Egan Hanson, James Bowman, Chris Kilburn, Jesse Riviera, Anita Corriander, John Lo, Kevyn Robinson, Dean McCallum, Lezlie Glass and Adam Sarkawaski (not pictured).

ADVERTISEMENT

By SARAH ROTHWELL The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 6, 2008

TAMPA - It's 7 p.m. Monday at 7@14 Lounge in Ybor City. A group of men and women decked out in cowboy boots and hats makes its way to the dance floor. A country song begins to play. On cue, the cowboys and cowgirls move their feet in choreographed unison.

The Tampa Bay Wranglers, an award-winning gay and lesbian country-western dance team, rehearse Monday nights in Ybor and, when necessary, any place else they can find.

Practice makes perfect, team members say.

"We've rehearsed everywhere from rooftops to parking lots," member Lynn Crosby, 37, says. "The camaraderie on this team is amazing. We're like a family."

The Wranglers were founded a year ago by longtime country music fan Roger Bell, who performed on a line-dancing team in Virginia. When he moved to Tampa, he couldn't find anything similar, so he gathered his buddies and started to groove.

There are now 13 Wranglers ages 23 to 53. They've entertained crowds from Florida to Las Vegas, and in May, they placed second in the line division at The International Association for Gay and Lesbian Country Western Dance Clubs' annual competition in Atlanta. They won the Judy Garland Award at the Jacksonville Gay Pride Parade.

"When we dance, we're taking pride in who we are," choreographer Chris Kilburn says. "Country music is often thought of as very straight oriented. … [But] it is for everybody. The songs tell a story. You don't have to be a certain type to love country."

Kilburn picks up steps from area clubs and dance videos, then puts his own spin on the movements. He isn't shy about making his dancers work hard. Rehearsals are high-energy.

"Let's do it again," he says, again and again.

At one point, he asks everyone to put their hands high on their hips and move from side to side.

"That looks too gay," the dancers joke.

The team's newest addition, 24-year-old Adam Sarkawski, doesn't mind breaking a sweat. He joined last month and, despite some friendly hazing, is happy to be part of the group.

"I really like line dancing, and I saw how excited they were about it," he says. "It's fun."

To qualify for the Wranglers, a dancer must be at least 21 years old and willing to wear country gear. Open auditions will take place again this month; the date hasn't been set.

"We welcome anyone who loves country music, is at least gay-friendly and loves to dance," Bell says.

He considers performing a freeing experience.

"It's about being able to be who you are and not worry about society's opinion," he says. "It's about the music."

For information on the Tampa Bay Wranglers, go to www.tampabaywranglers@gmail.com or stop by 7@14, 1395 E. Seventh Ave., at 7 Monday nights.

Sarah Rothwell can be reached at (813) 865-4845 or srothwell@tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT