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Bootscootin' a hit with Chinese Australians

Line Dancing is now proving to be a hit with some migrant communities in Australia after it first became popular in the country 20 years ago. Marion Ives reports.

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2 min read

Published

Updated

By Marion Ives

Source: SBS


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Line Dance - also known as Bootscootin' - became a hit in Australia over two decades ago.

Hundreds of mainly older Australians came to socials and classes to toe-tap, ball change and boogie.

Now the hats and boots have been swapped for more comfortable attire and the music isn't just Country.

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Line Dance is also growing in popularity across Asia, especially with women.

"It's a very safe environment. They don't have to dance with somebody else's husband or partner, if their partner doesn't want to dance," explains Julie Talbot of Bootscooters International.

Anna Pi teaches hundreds of members of Asian communities across Sydney every week.

She instructs classes in Cantonese, Mandarin and Vietnamese, so people who can't understand much English can dance.

Her oldest student is over 80.

"Line Dance is good for your health and your brain," she says.

"We've got so many seniors who stay at home while their family is busy with work. When they come to class they're so happy to move around and meet people."

Watch this video story on YouTube:

WEB EXTRA: Bootsooters in Sydney learn Line Dance in Cantonese (via YouTube)


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