Photos by Lake Anna Photography

Country line dancing is experiencing a resurgence across Central Virginia, and nowhere is it more visible than on weekend nights at Unionville Brewing Company. What began as a small instructional group has evolved into a regional draw, bringing together dancers from across the Commonwealth under the banner of Cowgirl Up, LLC.

Founded by Doria Walker, Cowgirl Up has transformed casual line dancing into a structured business offering lessons, open dance nights, private instruction, event DJ services, and live demonstrations.
“When I first started, I didn’t have any clue what I was doing,” Walker explained, remembering her beginnings nine years ago. “There was a 74-year-old lady who pulled me out on the floor and said, ‘If I can do this, you can do this.’”

That initial encouragement led to sustained involvement, and approximately five years ago Walker began teaching. Eventually, she established Cowgirl Up, formalizing what had previously operated more informally known as the “Boot Scooters” club.

While Walker’s Richmond-area venues typically attract around 50 participants, attendance surged after Cowgirl Up began hosting events at Unionville Brewing Company.

“Once we made it to Unionville, that’s when my group exploded,” Walker said. “We started getting 150 to 200 people per night.”

Walker attributes the growth to collaborative promotion and social media visibility. Both Cowgirl Up and the brewery advertise events, expanding reach beyond Walker’s established following.

Videos of packed dance floors shared on TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram further amplify attendance.
Participants now travel from Maryland, Fredericksburg, Richmond, and even Virginia Beach to attend weekend sessions. What began as Friday programming has expanded to both Friday and Saturday nights, with beginner lessons offered before open dance sessions.

owgirl Up also hosts events at Coyote Hole Ciderworks in Mineral on the first and third Saturdays of each month, in addition to classes at community venues in the Richmond area, including libraries and community rooms. “Not everybody wants to learn to dance at the bar,” she explained.

Cowgirl Up is led by Walker alongside instructors Kim Pitts and Pat Merridew. Each instructor brings a distinct teaching style, offering participants varied approaches to learning choreography.

“Once you realize the basic language of line dancing—what the steps are called and how to do them—you’ll realize that the steps repeat themselves,” Walker noted. “Just to a different beat and rhythm.”
Walker emphasizes accessibility for beginners and maintains that perfection is not the goal.

“You’re not going to learn it on your first night,” she said. “Half the battle is getting to the right wall. Nobody’s judging anybody.”

Although line dance competitions have grown in popularity nationwide, Walker intentionally avoids competitive formats. “I don’t do it to compete,” she explained. “I do it to have a good time and get some exercise.”

Country line dancing experienced peak popularity during the late 1980s and 1990s before declining. Recent social media trends have reintroduced choreographed routines to younger audiences, contributing to renewed interest among individuals in their 20s and 30s.

Beyond trend cycles, however, participants describe a broader appeal. Walker characterized the dance floor as a space of temporary escape.

“When you’re on that dance floor, you don’t have a problem in the world,” she said. “It’s just dancing to the music and enjoying yourself.”

Line dancing also offers a unique social structure in which individuals can participate independently without requiring a partner. Walker noted that this autonomy has been especially meaningful for many participants.

The name “Cowgirl Up,” conceived during a conversation with her husband, reflects the group’s welcoming ethos. Its slogan—“Where cowboys are always welcome”—signals inclusivity while maintaining its country identity.

Central to the phenomenon’s growth is the venue itself. The Stage at Unionville Brewing Company has become more than a host location; it has positioned itself as a destination for line dancers across Virginia.

By partnering closely with Cowgirl Up and actively promoting events, the brewery has helped create a consistent, high-energy environment that attracts both seasoned dancers and first-time participants. The combination of professional instruction, social media visibility, and a spacious performance area has contributed to sustained attendance levels rarely seen at comparable venues.

In response to its explosive popularity, The Stage at Unionville Brewery has adopted the slogan, “The Line Dance Capitol of Virginia.” What began as a weekly event has evolved into a regional gathering point—one where cowgirls and cowboys alike fill the floor, step by step, weekend after weekend.

Jen Bailey

Hi! I’m Jennifer Bailey and I partner with entrepreneurs who have massive ideas that could change the world. Most marketing is meaningless. Filled with empty promises, its only job is to bring in new traffic, new leads, and new customers. But I’ve drawn a line in the sand, and I’ve learned that marketing can do so much more than reach business goals and build profit. My methods give businesses the fire and soul they need to reach the right people, set the groundwork for sustainable relationships, and offer true value to the people on both the giving and receiving ends of marketing.

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