Final Call: Our Statewide Dance Hall Study Closes Friday!

Hall Leaders - Fill out our 2026 Operational Study today! This data is the foundation we need to advocate for a clearer understanding of our unique business model. Our goal is to explain the reality of our historic community centers to licensing and insurance entities, working toward a "fair fit" for our halls.

Are you a Hall Owner, Manager, or Board Member? If you haven't yet participated, we need your voice before the window closes Friday, March 27th. Whether you have your financial records handy or simply want to weigh in on future Roundtable topics, please take 10 minutes to ensure your hall is represented.

Privacy Note: All data is strictly confidential and will not be shared with any other entity. We use only aggregate, anonymous trends to support our statewide advocacy.

Take the Hall Advocacy Survey Here

Texas Dance Halls: Still Swingin’ Premieres Tonight on KLRN

After months of filming and traveling across Texas, KLRN’s new five-part series, Texas Dance Halls: Still Swingin’, is officially hitting the airwaves on KLRN 9.1 — and Texas Dance Hall Preservation was proud to play a small part in helping connect the production team with dance halls and resources in their viewing area.

This new series shines a spotlight on the people, places, and stories that keep Texas dance hall culture alive and well. Each episode features two iconic halls and the communities that make them special.

We’re excited to see these stories shared with a wider audience, and we hope you’ll tune in each week as the series airs on Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., following On The Record with Randy Beamer.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to all the dance hall stewards, community members, and storytellers who opened their doors, shared memories, and welcomed the KLRN team with true Texas hospitality. Projects like this matter because they help document and celebrate the living legacy of Texas dance halls for new audiences across the state and beyond.

Broadcast Schedule

Thursday, March 26 — Twin Sisters Dancehall & Devil’s Backbone Tavern & Dancehall
Thursday, April 2 — Gruene Hall & Martinez Social Club
Thursday, April 9 — Anhalt Halle & Quihi Gun Club & Dance Hall
Thursday, April 16 — Floore’s Country Store & Arkey Blue’s Silver Dollar Saloon
Thursday, April 23 — Luckenbach & Texas Star Inn

This is the debut run for the series, but viewers can expect to see it again over time on KLRN 9.1 and WORLD 9.2.

After the episodes air, they will also be available online through KLRN Originals. Each episode will appear on the website the next day.

Save the Date for our Spring Bus Tour: Saturday, May 2nd

Dust off your boots! We are thrilled to announce our next Texas Dance Hall Bus Tour on Saturday, May 2nd, produced in partnership with the Texas Dance Hall Show. This one-day excursion is the easiest way to experience the true heritage of our state’s historic halls and the music that keeps them alive.

We will gather at Cavender’s Boot City on Lamar in Austin at 3:00 PM and depart promptly at 3:30 PM. Our journey through the beautiful Hill Country includes stops at two storied historic halls before arriving at Twin Sisters Dance Hall for their monthly dance. Once there, you can grab a bite at the food trucks and two-step the night away to the legendary sounds of Jody Nix.

Whether you want to polish your skills or learn the Texas Two-Step for the first time, this tour offers a front-row seat to the culture of the Texas Hill Country. We’ll have everyone back in Austin safely before midnight.

Ticket details will be announced soon exclusively to our newsletter subscribers. Keep an eye on your inbox for the official on-sale date!

Steph McDougal Honored with Statewide Preservation Award

We are thrilled to share that Steph McDougal has been named the 2025 recipient of the George Christian Outstanding Volunteer of the Year Award by the Texas Historical Commission (THC).

Steph McDougal is a professional preservationist and tireless volunteer who has supported cultural and historic preservation, including Texas’ iconic dance halls. As one of the founders, the longest-serving member, and a driving force behind the nonprofit Texas Dance Hall Preservation, Inc. (TDHP), she has helped countless families and communities save their historic halls through marketing, repairs, and recognition.  

Congratulations, Steph, on this well-deserved honor! The award will be formally presented at the Real Places 2026 conference this April in Austin.