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Review by Maggie Anderson
Southern Hospitality Still Alive at Cadillac Ranch My aunt has recently converted to country music. I mean, she has the cowboy boots, the spurs, the Garth Brooks collection. And she's been leaving work early to go country line dancing -- every Tuesday night. Tuesday is THE day of the week for line dancing. I thought she must be going through a mid-life crisis -- until I experienced Cadillac Ranch. Cadillac Ranch is a country music club. I thought I'd have to go to Nashville for that, but there's one in our very own Bartlett, Illinois. The ambiance does have a Southern feel to it. There are star-shaped signs on the wood-paneled walls that scream "Don't Mess with Texas!" And the Bud Light sign has the name Tim McGraw written in neon lettering across it. After speaking to a few people, I discovered that McGraw is a hot country star. The floors are sprinkled with wood shavings and the place is swarming with cowboy hats. The dance floor is enormous because everyone dances. (Line dancing lessons are available at 7:30 on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays.) The instructor teaches everything from the simple Electric Slide to the complicated Couples Dancing which involves lots of footwork and twirling. After the lessons, the fun begins. The D.J. plays everything from classic Hank Williams honky tonk to sentimental Shania Twain ballads. For those of you who are not country music fans, let me warn you that the enthusiasm os those around you is contagious. Bridget Murphy, a student from Elmhurst College, commented, "I've been a dancer all my life. This is the first time I've ever line danced and I think it's my favorite!" Last Tuesday night, Cadillac Ranch sponsored a contest called the Miss Southern Comfort contest which involved a panel of about ten girls dressed in tight jeans, knotted shirts and cowboy hats. The girls displayed themselves on the stage, then worked the crowd to get votes from the men. Although beauty contests can sometimes be degrading, this contest seemed like nothing but fun in the friendly environment. The girls actually had to engage in conversation and tell a little about themselves to receive a vote. The seating areas were as crowded as the dance floor, but the club was large enough to accomodate the numbers. They were prepared. And the bartender was prepared with an extensive knowledge of crazy shots such as the Mind Eraser -- a glass of Bailey's, Vodka and spritzer which must be sucked through a straw. Southern hospitality is still alive in Bartlett as I witnessed a man (on more than one occasion) give his seat to a lady. The most memorable part of Cadillac Ranch was the mix of people. People of all nationalities wearing cowboy hats and black jeans. And people of all age groups doing the two-step. The dancing couples ranged in age from twenty-one to sixty-five. And I'll tell you, I have never seen any Chicago nightclub as packed as Cadillac Ranch was on a Tuesday night! Yee-ha! Cadillac Ranch 1175 W. Lake St., Bartlett 630-830-7200 |