SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – One day out of the week you can expect a group of people who have a shared love for country music and dancing gather under one roof.

Each week you can find Andrew Byrd and Kaitlin Paulson teach line and swing dancing at PAVE along Phillips Avenue, as both say its something they never thought would be a part of their lives.

“Not something I saw for myself, but I love helping people,” Byrd said.

“I had never done it before. I actually didn’t like country music before, so it was really odd for me to now be here. But I wouldn’t change it for the world,” Paulson said.

The two met during one of PAVE’s country night and have been dancing together ever since. So much they now teach others every week.

“We usually demo a little bit. Then we get into learning the dances. We break it down step by step and make it easy for you,” Byrd said.

“The most consistent or most common moves I would say are that grapevine, triple step. A lot of people add a little shimmy here and there and into their dances, and that makes it really fun too,” Paulson said.

After a few practice runs, dancers are able to try out their new footwork, something that keeps Tucker Murtha coming back week after week.

“My favorite part is just seeing the happy faces and the amazement when people get things. You know, they’re trying to learn a line dance or move with their partner, and they just finally get it. And the smile on everyone’s face is amazing. And that’s what brings me back every time,” Murtha said.

As others come just to try a new skill.

“It’s really hard to be worse than I am. So if that tells you anything, they’re going to be in a good spot they don’t have to be worried. Everyone’s here to help each other learn and get better,” James Purintun said.

Since becoming a dance instructor, Byrd says he’s seen firsthand how much the line dancing community has grown.

“In the last five years, definitely line dancing has skyrocketed,” Byrd said.

“I’ve seen it really become a social aspect all over the country. So we’re happy to bring it up here with PAVE and just make it part of South Dakota,” Murtha said.

However, the night wouldn’t be complete without your favorite country songs. Danté DePerno has been the one behind the DJ booth for the past few years.

“I love music, and I really feel like being a part of a community that can be like a tastemaker and being someone that can influence people, you know, especially in this space in our downtown community, which is just growing, especially the nightlife scene, I feel very grateful,” DePerno said.

DePerno says he enjoys being part of a community who uplift one another through dance.

“People are here to help you become a better dancer if that’s what you’re passionate about, which I love, and I love being a part of those types of environments,” DePerno said.
As the line dancing community hopes to see new faces take the dance floor.

“Come out and try it no matter what. I don’t care if you think you can’t do it. I promise you can pick it up,” Byrd said. “We’ll have even 60, 70, 80 year olds come out to dance so there’s really no age limit. And it makes me really happy to see people get out and moving.”

Now in its summer hours dance lessons begin at 9 p.m.

The first and third Thursday of the month are line dancing lessons, with the second and fourth Thursday teaching swing dance.