Communities across the globe continue to honor the life of music legend Dolly Parton after her death on Aug. 25.
In Boston, Parton fans gathered to pay tribute to the Queen of Country with a night of line dancing at Loretta’s Last Call near Fenway Park on Wednesday.
The cover of Dolly Parton’s 1977 album “Here You Come Again” on the wall at Loretta’s Last Call next to a grid of other country albums. Loretta’s Last Call is one of Boston’s only country bars. (Artemisia Luk/WBUR)Patrons learn the line dance choreography for a song at the Dolly Parton tribute event at Loretta’s Last Call on Sept. 2, 2026. (Artemisia Luk/WBUR)
“Jolene” played over the speakers as the dance instructor called out the next moves to a crowded dance floor. Dolly fans wore cowboy hats, boots, leather straps and jeans, many of which were bedazzled or adorned with sparkles.
Beth Sternheimer of Hyde Park came out with her girlfriend specifically to honor Parton. “We’re both huge Dolly Parton fans, and we haven’t had a chance to do anything that’s sort of memorializing her yet, so this is our chance to listen to her music around other people who love her and also learn to line dance,” she said. “I love the kind of Christian she was. I feel like there should be more Christians like that in the world. How much she was a supporter of LGBTQ rights — and literacy. She put so much good into the world, and it’s a real loss.”
Set notes for the Dolly Parton-themed line dance event at Loretta’s Last Call on Sept. 2, 2026. (Artemisia Luk/WBUR)
One of the regular line dancers included Vivian Podrid of Newton, who said that she admired Parton’s philanthropy. “I’m a teacher, and she brought books to children, which is very important to me,” she said. “And her music was amazing. I guess I didn’t realize how many other people she wrote music for.”
Parton’s giving spirit was a recurring theme expressed by those who came out to Loretta’s.
Dolly Parton fan Michelle Tocci learns the line dance choreography for a song during a tribute event for the Queen of Country at Loretta’s Last Call on Sept. 2, 2026. (Artemisia Luk/WBUR)
“She was an amazing humanitarian. She did all kinds of wonderful things for all kinds of people,” said Michelle Tocci.
John Lucien, who says he splits his time between Boston and Dallas, came out for the event to honor the life of both Parton and his own father, who died four years ago. “I grew up on country Western music. My dad was a big Dolly Parton fan,” he said, wearing a Stetson hat made in Texas. “One thing we’ve always learned in life is that community and supporting each other has always been the most important thing in life that you could ever have.”
John Lucien came to the Dolly Parton tribute event at Loretta’s Last Call on Sept. 2, 2026 to honor the life of the singer and his father, who died four years ago. “My dad was a big Dolly Parton fan,” he said. (Artemisia Luk/WBUR)Carolyn Murphy of Norton line dances at Loretta’s Last Call during their Dolly Parton tribute night on Sept. 2, 2026. Murphy, who is now 70, remembers listening to Parton’s music as a child. (Artemisia Luk/WBUR)
Parton’s recordings and a live band provided the music for the evening. “9 to 5,” “I Will Always Love You,” “Light of a Clear Blue Morning” and “Baby I’m Burnin’” were among the fan-favorite songs.
Loretta’s Last Call will host a Dolly Parton Drag Brunch on Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
A small framed portrait of Dolly Parton sits on the bar table at Loretta’s Last Call during their Dolly Parton tribute night on Sept. 2, 2026. (Artemisia Luk/WBUR)
