Dance Hall Bus Tour

Name: Dance Hall Bus Tour
Start: 2026-05-02T15:00:00-05:00
End: 2026-05-02T23:45:00-05:00
Location: Cavender's Boot City

Schedule

Sat May 02 2026 at 03:00 pm to 11:45 pm

UTC-05:00

Location

Cavender's Boot City | Austin, TX

The bus is back!
Texas Dance Hall Preservation is launching a new series of One-Day Bus Tours, and our first trip rolls out on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
If you loved our old multi-day tours — or always wanted to go but couldn’t make a full weekend of it — this is your chance to hop on board for an unforgettable Saturday afternoon and evening of Texas dance hall history, stories, music, and dancing.
The tour is facilitated by Erik and Laurie McCowan of Texas Dance Hall Road Trip, longtime dance hall supporters and storytellers who have helped bring Texas dance hall culture to broader audiences through film, media, and years of on-the-ground advocacy.
We’ll meet up at Cavender’s Boot City (4435 S. Lamar Blvd., Austin) at 3:00 pm and visit three Texas dance halls:
• Kendalia Halle (Kendalia)
• Anhalt Halle (Spring Branch), a 150-year-old National Register dance hall whose name means “stopping place”
• Twin Sisters Dance Hall (Blanco)
A special stop at Kendalia Halle
Built in 1903, Kendalia Halle has long served as a beloved dance hall and community gathering place. Now under contract and with its future use uncertain, this tour offers a rare chance to visit this historic hall at a pivotal moment in its history.
Then we end with the real thing
Our final stop is Twin Sisters Dance Hall, where we’ll enjoy:
• Live music and dancing with Jody Nix and his band
• BBQ and refreshments available for purchase
• A true Texas dance hall experience in one of the state’s iconic halls
Along the way, we’ll share stories about the halls, the communities around them, and what makes each one special. Professional instructor Julie Wilmer of Blue Moon Dance Company will offer guests two step lessons and tips on the dance floor.
Tour Highlights
• 3:00 pm meet, 3:30 pm departure from Austin
• Three dance hall stops
• Rare visit to Kendalia Halle, built in 1903, currently closed.
• Visit Anhalt Halle
• Live music and dancing at Twin Sisters
• Jody Nix and his band
• BBQ and refreshments available for purchase
• Return to Austin the same night — no hotel required
Boot scootin’ attire encouraged! Since we depart from Cavender’s Boot City, feel free to come early and shop before boarding.
Guests may bring snacks and drinks on the bus (no glass, please).
Tickets on sale now: tinyurl.com/dancehallbus