The 2025 Emerald City Hoedown will feature over 40 hours of workshops, featuring guest instructors from all over North America as well as our regular Rain Country Dance Association instructors and favorites from the Northwest. We will have three tracks of workshops on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in ballrooms and meeting rooms on two floors of the hotel — both Country Couples (two rooms, for different sized workshops) and Line Dance.

This year we have moved the majority of East and South room activities into the Courtyard. We are asking for more volunteers, for more info check your newsletter email. ✨ "Many hands make light work"✨

It's never too late to help out with Friends! We have something for everybody.

Click here for info! Volunteering can be fun with someone you know, just spare an hour or so.

✨ Help us remember what you enjoyed most this year. Use this hashag #ECH2025 ✨

Dance Levels & What to Expect

Level	What to Expect	Prerequisites
Beginner	No prior knowledge needed. Learn basic steps, dance frame, floor etiquette, and partner safety.	*None—perfect for first-time dancers!
Beginner-Intermediate	Reinforces basics with deeper technique drilling. Dancers gain confidence with fundamental patterns.	* Comfort with basic steps and rhythm.
Improver	Dancers are comfortable with the basics and begin refining technique, improving frame, and enhancing partner connection.	* Ability to execute basic steps confidently and maintain timing.
Intermediate	Focuses on frame maintenance, hand-to-hand connection, and incorporating turns or step variations. No full advanced patterns.	* Strong understanding of fundamental movements, good frame control, and ability to follow/lead turns.
Advanced	Designed for dancers with fluid movement and mastery of fundamentals. Teaches sophisticated moves, styling, and adaptability.	* Strong execution of dance techniques, comfort with musicality, and ability to dance complex patterns.
All Levels	Open to everyone! These classes provide foundational concepts for newer dancers while offering deeper refinement for experienced dancers. Instructors layer instruction to meet everyone’s needs.	* A willingness to learn, explore, and adapt—dancers of all backgrounds can participate.

SCHEDULE IN TABLES

Start Time	Courtyard Foyer	Courtyard (Couples)	Courtyard (Line)	Lobby Bar	Hospitality Suite
THURSDAY
3:30 pm	(3:30 pm - 9:00 pm) Registration
4:00 pm					Welcome Social 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
5:30 pm				Women's Meet & Greet 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
		🍃💨Trail in Dances🌪️🛤️
7:00 pm		Couples Dancing 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm DJ: mr. kate	Line Dancing 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm DJ: Laurie
9:30 pm		Couples Dancing 9:30 pm - 12:00 am DJ: mr. kate	Line Dancing 9:30 pm - 12:00 am DJ: Jae
11:00 pm					After Hours 11:00 pm - 2:00 am

Start Time	Madison Foyer	Madison Ballroom	Courtyard (Couples)	Courtyard (Line)	Hospitality Suite
FRIDAY
8:00 am	(9:00 am - 12:00 pm) Registration				(8:00 am - 10:00 am) Eye Openers
9:00 am		(9:00 am - 10:00 am) (Beginner+) West Coast Swing Instructor: Barb	(9:00 am - 10:00 am) (ALL Levels) Morning Musicality and Mobility Instructor: Shannon	(9:00 am - 10:00 am) (ALL Levels) Yoga Instructor: Forest
10:15 am		(10:15 am - 11:15 am) (Advanced) Twirl, Duck and Tunnel - Advanced CW 2 Step Instructor: Shannon	(10:15 am - 11:15 am) (Beginner-Intermediate) CW 2 Step Instructor: Rob	(10:15 am - 11:15 am) (Improver) Like Whiskey Instructor: Gabby
11:30 am		(11:30 am - 12:30 pm) (Beginner-Intermediate) Night Club 2 Step Instructor: Jim	(11:30 am - 12:30 pm) (Intermediate) CW 2 Step Instructors: Val & Maggie	(11:30 am - 12:30 pm) (Phrased Advanced) Nothing wrong with you Instructors: Forest & Flynn
12:30 pm	Lunch Break				BIPoC Group 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
1:30 pm	(1:00 pm - 4:00 pm) Registration	(1:30 pm - 2:30 pm) (All Levels) A discussion: Defying Gravity Instructor: Shannon	(1:30 pm - 2:30 pm) (All Levels) Will it Macarena Instructor: Remy	(1:30 pm - 2:30 pm) (Improver) Sports Car Instructor: Lindsey
2:45 pm	(1:00 pm - 4:00 pm) Registration	(2:45 pm - 3:45 pm) (Beginner+) The Cha Cha Beat Instructor: Shannon	(2:45 pm - 3:45 pm) (Intermediate+) Fusion Fun-damentals Instructor: Remy	(2:45 pm - 3:45 pm) (High Improver) Feel it Instructor: Ever
4:00 pm		(4:00 pm - 5:00 pm) (Intermediate-Advanced) CW Waltz Instructor: Jim	(4:00 pm - 5:00 pm) (Beginner-Intermediate) Partner Turns Instructor: Rob	(4:00 pm - 5:00 pm) (Improver-Intermediate) Truck Bed & All I wanna do Instructor: Emily
5:15 pm	Dinner Break & Performance rehearsals in Madison				TNB Social (East Room) 5:15 pm - 6:15 pm Wizard’s VIP 5:15 pm - 6:45 pm
		🌪️🛤️"Welcome to Oz" Dances🎶💚
7:00 pm	(7:00 pm - 11:00 pm) Registration	(7:00 pm - 8:00 pm) West Coast Swing Explosion! DJ: James		(7:00 pm - 8:00 pm) Line Dance Review DJ: Alicia
8:00 pm		(8:00 pm - 8:30 pm) Exhibitions and Announcements DJ: Léo
8:30 pm		(8:30 pm - 10:30 pm) Couples DJ: Laurie	(8:30 pm - 10:30 pm) West Coast Swing / Open Dancing DJ: James	(8:30 pm - 10:30 pm) Line Dancing DJ: Alicia
10:00 pm		(10:30 pm - 1:00 am) Couples DJ Shana	(10:30 pm - 1:00 am) West Coast Swing / Open Dancing DJ: James	Line Dancing (10:30 pm - 1:00 am) DJ: Mickey
12:00 am					After Hours 12:00 am - 3:00 am

Start Time	Madison Foyer	Madison Ballroom	Courtyard (Couples)	Courtyard (Line)	Hospitality Suite
SATURDAY
8:00 am	(9:00 am - 12:00 pm) Registration				(8:00 am - 10:00 am) Eye Openers
9:00 am		(9:00 am - 10:00 am) (All Levels) Morning Mobility and Musicality Instructor: Shannon	(9:00 am - 10:00 am) (Beginner-Intermediate) Spilling the tea from the cups Instructor: Léo	(9:00 am - 10:00 am) (Phrased Beginner) Everything She Ain't Instructor: Nico
10:15 am		(10:15 am - 11:15 am) (Beginner+) CW Shuffle Instructor: Jim	(10:15 am - 11:15 am) (All Levels) Synch and Synergy on the Dancefloor Instructor: Shannon	(10:15 am - 11:15 am) (High Int) Chain Smokin' Instructor: Emily
11:30 am		(11:30 am - 12:30 pm) (Beginner+) Shadow Part 1 Instructor: Rob	(11:30 am - 12:30 pm) (Intermediate-Advanced) Night Club 2 Step Instructor: Jim	(11:30 am - 12:30 pm) (Low Int) Midnight Cowboy Instructor: Sarah
12:30 pm	Lunch Break				Men's Social 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
1:30 pm	(1:00 pm - 4:00 pm) Registration	(1:30 pm - 2:30 pm) (Beginner-Intermediate) Waltz Instructor: Hallie & Allison	(1:30 pm - 2:30 pm) (All Levels) Spinderella Instructor: Shannon	(1:30 pm - 2:30 pm) (High Improver) Feel it Instructor: Ever
2:45 pm	(1:00 pm - 4:00 pm) Registration	(2:45 pm - 3:45 pm) (Advanced) From the Ballroom to the Dance Hall - Advanced Country Waltz Instructor: Shannon	(2:45 pm - 3:45 pm) (Beginner-Intermediate) Lindy Hop Instructors: James & Maya	(2:45 pm - 3:45 pm) (Beginner) Clogging Instructors: Wayne & Jae
4:00 pm		(4:00 pm - 5:00 pm) (Beginner-Intermediate) Shadow Part 2 Instructor: Rob	(4:00 pm - 5:00 pm) (All Levels) Dancing With Community Instructors: James & Maya	(4:00 pm - 5:00 pm) (Improver-Intermediate) New to Country & Yeehaw Instructors: Mara & Janaye
5:15 pm	Dinner Break & Performance rehearsals in Madison				Women's Social 5:15 pm - 6:45 pm
		🎶💚The Emerald City Hoedown Ball!✨👢
7:00 pm	(7:00 pm - 11:00 pm) Registration	(7:00 pm - 8:00 pm) West Coast Swing Explosion! DJ: Shana		(7:00 pm - 8:00 pm) Line Dance Review DJ: Mickey
8:00 pm		Exhibitions and Announcements DJ: Ray / mr. kate
8:30 pm		(8:30 pm - 1:00 am) Couples DJ: mr. kate	(8:30 pm - 1:00 am) West Coast Swing / Open Dancing DJ: James	(8:30 pm - 12:00 am) Line Dancing DJs: Mickey (8:30 pm-10:00 pm), DJ: Jim (10:00 pm - 1:00 am)	Line Dance Karaoke! (East Room, upstairs) (9:00 pm - 11:00 pm)
1:00 am	Volunteer Floor Breakdown & Transfer				After Hours 12:00 am - 3:00 am

Start Time	Madison Foyer	Madison Ballroom	South Room	Hospitality
SUNDAY
8:00 am				(8:00 am - 10:00 am) Eye Openers
10:45 am	(10:45 am - 5:00 pm) Registration
11:00 am		(11:00 am - 12:00 pm) (Intermediate-Advanced) "Start having fun" West Coast Swing Instructor: James	(11:00 am - 12:00 pm) (Beginner) Queen Elizabeth & the Molly Instructor: Nico
12:15 pm		(12:15 pm - 1:15 pm) (All Levels) Where's My Yellow Brick Road Instructor: Shannon	(12:15 pm - 1:15 pm) (High Int) Colors Instructor: Sye
2:30 pm		(1:30 pm - 2:30 pm) (All Levels) Afternoon Musicality & Mobility Instructor: Shannon	(1:30 pm - 2:30 pm) Last Chance Line Dance Reviews Instructor: Ever
		✨👢"Click your heels" Dances 👠💫
		(2:45 pm - 5:00 pm) Couples Dancing DJ: Mickey	(2:45 pm - 5:00 pm) Line Dancing DJ: Jim
5:00 pm	Floor Tear Down & Load Out

Rain Country Dance Association is an LGBTQ+ nonprofit social dance organization driven by our members.

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Dance Levels & What to Expect