It’s our final day here in Austin, and the crew has planned
an evening out for our wrap party! Yay!
Yesterday, we discovered some of the city’s truly great
CitySecrets, but today we’re heading to one of Austin’s most recognizable landmarks –
the Broken Spoke!
The Broken Spoke is one of Texas’ oldest and most famous dance
halls and it’s supposed to be about as country as you can get – luckily I’ve
packed my cowboy boots!
We head over in the afternoon to check out the place and
meet the owner, James White. We pull into a dirt parking lot and head into the
red wooden building decorated with carriage wheels, neon signs and American
flags. A sign on the front door reads “Through this Door Pass the Best country
Dancers in the World!” Aside from the neon,
this place looks straight out of an old Western movie. Yes!
Inside, we’re greeted with red checkered table cloths, pool
tables, and James White – A real cowboy dressed in full “honkey-tonk” attire.
The boots, the hat, and a bright blue scarf. Very flashy!
The walls are covered in beer signs, old photos and their famous quotes
like “Home of the Best Honkey Tonk,” and “Cold Beer and Good-looking girls to
dance with.”
James shows us around and leads us into his “Country Museum.”
The museum section is LOADED with pictures of James and just about every
country star you can imagine. James is full of
Southern charm and he’s really proud of his Broken Spoke!
I get a sit-down interview with him amongst the memorabilia,
and this guy is about as sweet as they come! Although plenty of country stars
have performed here, James is clearly the star of the Broken Spoke. As soon
as we start the interview James takes over, telling me stories about the
history, all the stars who’ve passed through and the Broken Spoke’s long list
of accomplishments – including having the Best chicken Fried Steak in town –
and to him, that means in the world. We end the interview with a little
impromptu dance lesson from the legend. Love it.
The Broken Spoke is family owned and operated. James’ wife
came up with the recipe for their famous chick-fried steak and his daughter,
Terry runs the two-step lessons – which I’m about to try out!
The Broken Spoke takes their two-stepping real seriously (no
line dancing allowed) so I need to learn the ropes before the evening starts!
Daughter Terry leads me past the bar and museum through a
single door that opens into the large dance area. There are seats lining the
dance floor and a small stage where the musicians perform. Terry is a little
spit-fire, with short, bright blonde hair and energy enough to power the place.
Let’s get our two-step on!
The two-step is a couple’s dance, and I didn’t have a
partner. No worries, little Terry grabs me and pulls me into a close stance
taking on the cowboy role. The lesson was great! Terry is a great teacher and fun! Now to try it out before the crowd shows up.
The music starts and Terry man-handles me across the dance floor spinning and even "dipping" me. We dance together until the band comes in to set up. Think I’m
ready!
Wheldon Henson is
performing tonight and is allowing me a quick interview before the show.
Wheldon is a tall, handsome drink of Cowboy, who confidently walks over and shakes my hand
while holding a beer in the other. We get in a quick sit-down before the crowds
start pouring in and Wheldon takes the stage.
Just as it gets dark, the parking lot starts filling up with
pick-up trucks and the dancing commences. Wheldon and his band really get the crowd
going and the dance floor fills up. Before you know it, me and the CitySecrets
girls are being whisked onto the dance floor by every cowboy that passes by.
Weee!!
The drinks are flowing and the dance floor is on fire. The
Broken Spoke does not disappoint. We
loved the Broken Spoke so much, that we partied ‘till they closed the place
down. It was the perfect end to an already amazing time in Austin.
The Spoke was about as authentic of a dance hall as you can get. The cowboys
are real, the boots are stomping and the beer is cold. Thank you Austin! We
will be back!
The two-step is a couple’s dance, and I didn’t have a
partner. No worries, little Terry grabs me and pulls me into a close stance
taking on the cowboy role. The lesson was great! Terry is a great teacher and fun! Now to try it out before the crowd shows up.
The music starts and Terry man-handles me across the dance floor spinning and even "dipping" me. We dance together until the band comes in to set up. Think I’m
ready!
