DRIPPING SPRINGS BABBLE: DRIP TRIP: TWIN SISTERS DANCE HALL

DRIP TRIP: TWIN SISTERS DANCE HALL

In this second entry of our new series of posts featuring fun activities no more than 30 minutes from Dripping Springs, using the intersection of RR12 and Highway 290 as our starting point, we Drip Trip to an almost 140 year old dance hall in Twin Sisters, Texas.

More than one of you who sent us your "Dripping Dreams" last year, dreamed of a dance hall in Dripping Springs, one with a “big wood floor” and “peanut shells”. Several of us have chewed the fat on the subject, sharing our respective dance hall dreams. But until that Dripping dance hall sugardaddy rolls into town, we point our boots toward Twin Sisters, just outside Blanco, and its great old dance hall built in 1870. Although Gruene Hall, built in 1878, is often ballyhooed as the oldest dance hall in Texas, the owner of the Twin Sisters dance hall reportedly hired a translator to go over old records, written in German, to find evidence that Twin Sisters was built eight years earlier (see “Country dancehalls preserve Texas history”).

Before our first trip to Twin Sisters we called to make sure we had the times right. Apparently we misdialed the dance hall’s number (off by one digit). We quickly realized our mistake and apologized, but before we could hang up the cheerful woman on the other end said, “Honey, if you’re calling about that dance hall, I know plenty. What’s your question?” Before even setting foot in Twin Sisters, we knew we would love it.

Whether 1870 or 1878, when you step into this dance hall you sense you've stepped back into time. Ladies without a partner, but ready to dance, circle the dance floor (but not for long). Old couples, young couples, and giggling girlfriends waltz, polka, and two-step to the boot scootin’ sounds of a live country-western band. For thirst quenching and dance energy-boosting, the hall sells beer, wine coolers, sodas, chips, and candy bars.

Dancing at Twin Sisters is made even more special because it is usually open only once a month, on the first Saturday, from 9:00PM to 1:00AM. But thanks to the wonderful Marianne of Onion Creek Farm, we’ve learned that, as a special treat, there will be a Trail Ride Dance this Saturday, January 31, at Twin Sisters from 8:00 – Midnight. The dance hosts are the Trail Riders on their way to San Antonio for the Livestock Show & Rodeo. The band will be Bimbo & Borderline from San Antonio.

Would we like a dance hall in Dripping Springs? You betcha. But until that time and, most likely still after, you’ll find us twirling around the old wood dance floor (even without peanut shells) at Twin Sisters.

For more information, call Twin Sisters Dance Hall at 830-833-5773 (or at least get close to that). The historic hall is located approximately 7 miles south of Blanco on Highway 281. Look for the blinking light on top of the sign on the left (east) side of highway. Note: The hall can also be rented for private events, weddings, etc.