EVENT QUICK LINKS
Event Schedule | List Schedule | Workshops | Line Dances | Instructors, DJs, and Performers | More Info
The 2026 Emerald City Hoedown will feature over 40 hours of dance workshops, featuring guest instructors from all over North America as well as our regular Rain Country Dance Association instructors and favorites from around the Northwest. We will have three tracks of workshops on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in ballrooms and meeting rooms on two floors of the hotel — Country Couples, Swing, Line Dance, Dance Technique, and more!
And this year, we will have a fourth room featuring panels, films, quiet space, and other sessions which don’t require a full-size dance floor! 1/3 more content to make this the best hoedown ever!
It’s never too late to help out with Friends! We have something for everybody!
Click here for info! Volunteering can be fun with someone you know, just spare an hour or so.
✨ Help us remember what you enjoyed most this year. Use this hashtag #ECH2026 ✨
SCHEDULE IN TABLES
(At this time, these are just showing the general outline of the event schedule. Some details will shift as we get closer to the Hoedown weekend.)
Dance Levels & What to Expect
| Level | What to Expect | Prerequisites |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner | No prior knowledge about the dance style needed. Learn basic steps, dance frame, floor etiquette, and partner safety. | • None — perfect for first-time dancers! |
| Improver | Dancers are comfortable with the basics and begin refining technique, improving frame, and enhancing partner connection. | • Ability to execute basic steps confidently and maintain timing |
| Improver/Intermediate | Dancers gain further confidence with the breadth of fundamental patterns and technique. | • Comfort with a variety of basic steps and techniques |
| Intermediate | Focuses on frame maintenance, hand-to-hand connection, and incorporating turns or step variations beyond the breadth of fundamental patterns and technique. | • Strong understanding of fundamental movements, good frame control, and ability to follow/lead turns |
| Intermediate/Advanced | Designed for dancers with fluid movement and mastery of fundamentals. Teaches sophisticated moves, styling, and adaptability. | • Strong execution of dance techniques, comfort with musicality, and ability to dance complex patterns |
| All Levels | Open to everyone! These classes provide foundational concepts for newer dancers while offering deeper refinement for experienced dancers. Instructors layer instruction to meet everyone’s needs. | • A willingness to learn, explore, and adapt — dancers of all backgrounds can participate |
| THURSDAY (first draft schedule, many things may change… stay tuned) |
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| Time | 3rd Floor Foyer | 3rd Floor (South Room) |
3rd Floor (East Room) |
Lower Level (Courtyard) |
Lobby Bar | Hospitality Suite (Room 2721) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3:30 pm | Registration 3:30–9:00 pm |
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| 4:00 pm | Welcome Social 4:00–6:00 pm |
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| 5:30 pm | Women’s Meet & Greet 5:30–7:00 pm |
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| 7:00 pm | Trail-In Dance |
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| Line Dancing 7:00 pm –12:00 am DJ: Flynn |
(room closed) | Couples Dancing 7:00 pm–12:00 am DJ: Jim |
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| 8:00 pm | Swing Dancing 8:00–10:00 pm DJ: Shana |
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| 9:00 pm | Swing Dancing
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| 10:00 pm | ||||||
| 11:00 pm | After Hours 11:00 pm–2:00 am |
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| 12:00 am | (room closed) | (room closed) | (room closed) | |||
| Friday (first draft schedule, many things may change… stay tuned) |
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| Time | 2nd Floor Foyer | 2nd Floor (Madison) Country Workshops |
Lower Level (Courtyard) Line Workshops |
3rd Floor (South) Swing & Latin Workshops |
3rd Floor (East) Panels & Films |
Hospitality Suites (Rooms 2721, 2704) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8:00 am | Registration 9:00 am–12:00 pm |
Eye Openers 8:00–10:00 am |
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| 9:00 am | Beg/Imp Two-Step (SSQQ) Instructor: Ingu |
“Squire” (Beg) –and– “1 2 3” (Beg) Instructor: Sally & Gabe |
Line Dance 101 Instructor: Ever & Barb |
Stretch Your Dance Muscles/Ankle Strengthening Instructor: Forest |
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| 10:15 am | Int/Adv Waltz Instructor: Jim |
“Heard the Beat” (Easy Int) Instructor: Sye |
Intro to Lindy Instructor: Spencer |
Quiet Space Facilitator: N/A |
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| 11:30 am | Beg/Imp Shadow Instructor: Rob |
“Tip Toe” (Int/Adv) Instructor: Forest |
Beg/Imp West Coast Instructor: Patrick & Jane |
Spotlight on the Spotlight! Facilitator: Hallie
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| 12:30 pm | Lunch Break | BIPoC Social 12:30–1:30 pm |
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| 1:30 pm | Registration 1:00–4:00 pm |
Spotlight! Salsa Instructor: Hallie |
Clogging 101 Instructor: Ian |
Beg Two-Step (SSQQ) Instructor: Lindsey |
Quiet Space Facilitator: N/A |
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| 2:45 pm | Beg/Imp Two-Step (QQSS) Instructor: Levi |
Spotlight! “Shim Sham” (Int) Instructor: Hallie |
Int West Coast Instructor: Igor |
Musicality Instructor: Ingu |
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| 4:00 pm | Int/Adv Two-Step (SSQQ) Instructor: Jim |
“Double Take” (High Int) Instructor: Nora & Leo |
Beg/Imp Night Club (pt. 1) Instructor: Léo |
Seattle Women’s Dance History: Women Who Clog Too Much, etc. Instructor: Barb & Ever |
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| 5:15 pm | Dinner Break — Performance rehearsals in Madison (staff assistance: Jim) | Wizard’s Reception (VIP Social) 5:15–6:45 pm |
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| 7:00 pm | “Welcome to Oz” Dance(Theme: “Over the Rainbow” — wear bright solid colors, or wear all the bright solid colors!) |
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| Registration 7:00–10:00 pm |
West Coast Swing Explosion! DJ: Shana |
(room closed) | Line Dance Review DJ: Alicia |
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| 8:00 pm | Exhibitions and Announcements DJ: TBD |
(room closed) | (room closed) | |||
| about 8:30 pm | Couples Dancing DJ: mr. kate |
Line Dancing DJ: Alicia |
Swing Dancing DJ: TBD |
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| 10:30 pm | Line Dancing DJ: Jae |
Swing Dancing DJ: Mickey |
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| 12:00 am | After Hours 12:00–3:00 am |
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| 1:00 am | (room closed) | (room closed) | (room closed) | (room closed) | ||
| SATURDAY (first draft schedule, many things may change… stay tuned) |
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| Time | 2nd Floor Foyer | 2nd Floor (Madison) Country Workshops |
Lower Level (Courtyard) Line Workshops |
3rd Floor (South) Swing & Latin Workshops |
3rd Floor (East) Panels & Films |
Hospitality Suites (Rooms 2721, 2704) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8:00 am | Registration 9:00 am–12:00 pm |
Eye Openers 8:00–10:00 am |
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| 9:00 am | Two-Step 101 (SSQQ) Instructor: Ever & Barb |
“Lace ‘Em Up” (Imp) Instructor: Rin |
Beg/Imp West Coast Instructor: Igor |
Quiet Space Facilitator: N/A |
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| 10:15 am | Int/Adv Two-Step (SSQQ) Instructor: Klint |
“Buckaroo” (Beg) –and– |
Dynamics — Body Rolls, Turns, and Connection with the Floor Instructor: Forest |
Panel TBD Instructor: TBD |
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| 11:30 am | Couples Turn Technique Instructor: Rob |
“CVNT” (level TBD) Instructor: Ever & Anya |
Beg Waltz Instructor: Ingu |
Rain Country History Instructor: Jim, Donna, Ever |
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| 12:30 pm | Lunch Break | Women’s Social 12:30–1:30 pm |
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| 1:30 pm | Registration 1:00–4:00 pm |
Imp/Int Two-Step (QQSS) Instructor: Levi |
“Sticks and Stones” (Int Phrased) Instructor: Flynn |
Shuffle Instructor: Jim |
Spotlight! Bachata Instructor: Hallie |
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| 2:45 pm | Imp/Int Night Club (pt. 2) Instructor: Léo |
“Fix a Drink” (level TBD) Instructor: Janaye |
Clogging 102 Instructor: Ian |
Beg/Imp East Coast Instructor: Klint |
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| 4:00 pm | Spotlight! Int Waltz Instructor: Hallile |
“Mountain Time” (Adv Phrased) Instructor: Ever |
Imp West Coast Instructor: Patrick & Jane |
Film: The Last Stompede Facilitator: Forest & Ingu |
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| 5:15 pm | Dinner Break — Performance rehearsals in Madison (staff assistance: Ray) | Men’s Social (Room 2704) Trans/NB Social (Room 2721) 5:30–6:30 pm |
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| 7:00 pm | Emerald City Hoedown Ball(Theme: “Wicked” — wear pink! wear green! show off your fabulosity!) |
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| Registration 7:00–10:00 pm |
West Coast Swing Explosion! DJ: Leo |
(room closed) | Line Dance Review DJ: Ander |
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| 8:00 pm | Exhibitions and Announcements DJ: TBD |
(room closed) | (room closed) | |||
| ~8:30 pm | Line Dancing DJ: Ander |
Couples Dancing DJ: Shana |
Swing Dancing DJ: TBD |
Line Dance Karaoke DJ: TBD 8:30 pm–12:00 am |
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| 10:30 pm | Line Dancing DJ: Leo |
Swing Dancing DJ: Mickey |
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| 12:00 am | After Hours 12:00–3:00 am |
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| 1:00 am | (room closed) | (room closed) | (room closed) | (room closed) | ||
| SUNDAY (first draft schedule, many things may change… stay tuned) |
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| Time | 2nd Floor Foyer | 2nd Floor (Madison) Country Workshops |
Lower Level (Courtyard) Line Workshops |
3rd Floor (South) Swing & Latin Workshops |
3rd Floor (East) Panels & Films |
Hospitality Suite (Room 2721) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8:00 am | Eye Openers 8:00–10:00 am |
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| 10:00 am | Registration
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| 11:00 am | Imp Two-Step Instructor: Jim |
“Padam for Benjy” (Imp) + Line Dance Styling Instructor: Zoe |
Bacahata Instructor: Léo |
Quiet Space Facilitator: N/A |
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| 12:15 pm | Int/Adv Shadow Instructor: Rob |
TBD (Int/Adv dance) Instructor: Sarah |
Imp/Int Lindy Instructor: Spencer |
Ruby Luke Retrospective Facilitator: Jim |
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| 1:30 pm | Workshop TBD Instructor: TBD |
Line Dance Reviews Instructor: (various) |
Workshop TBD Instructor: TBD |
Panel TBD Instructor: TBD |
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| 2:45 pm | “Click Your Heels” Dance |
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| Registration 10:45 am–5:00 pm |
Couples Dancing DJ: Laurie |
Line Dancing DJ: Ander |
(room closed) | (room closed) | ||
| 5:00 pm | Floor Teardown & Load Out |
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