Mike's Dance Barn:

For the past five years Mike Robertson has been more than just another club owner. From organizing charity events to playing tenor saxophone onstage with the bands or even working in the kitchen, Robertson is involved in everything that goes on at Mike's Dance Barn. In fact, he not only runs the place, he also helped build it. \n"I've worked 20 years in construction to support my music. The musicians play here because they love it," Robertson says. Beyond the novelty of being a club where the owner is a musician himself, it's also one of the few local venues that features classic country music and dancing.\nMike's Dance Barn provides an alternative to the sometimes stuffy local bar scene. As an experienced musician, Robertson is familiar with this scene and wanted to give people an opportunity to hear music in a different atmosphere. Though he admits some of his policies aren't conducive to the college crowd, Robertson would like to keep the Dance Barn a smoke-free, family-oriented club focused on music instead of drinking for now. "I'm sure that it probably turns away a few of the college students, but it's not a pick-up bar and I like that," Robertson says. \n"It used to be that we would play music to make people want to drink beer. Now people want to have music they can dance to." \nDrummer Kevin Newcomb performs at the Dance Barn regularly with Smooth Country for similar reasons. \n"I've played for years in clubs where every night you hear, 'Can you play Freebird?' I like not having to worry about bar fights and the occasional drunks and just play the music we like and that the dancers like," he says.\nIn fact, Robertson hired dance instructor Chuck Russell to teach line dancing and other country dance styles on Monday nights. Robertson claims that this unique approach draws people from as far as Cincinnati and Louisville. "Dancers don't care if they have to drive two hours," Robertson says. Most of the regulars are between the age of 35 and 40 for the country dancing nights. Robertson says many of the Dance Barn's customers come there because it offers a different kind of music scene -- one that many other clubs forget about. \nRobertson wanted a place that combines music, dancing and food. Instead of liquor, Mike's Dance Barn serves foods like homemade chili, pizza and taco salad. Robertson plans on expanding the selection and adding a dinner show. He sees it as a less expensive alternative to the usual crowded bars and over-priced drinks. "I think it would be great to have a place where you could get some good food and dance to some great live music for just a few bucks," he says. \nFor those who aren't looking to dance, there are several pool tables and an arcade. Robertson is always working to add creative events to the schedule. "I've got nine acres of land out there that we can use for all kinds of events. I even had a few rodeos here before with cowboys and bull riders from all different states," he says. "But then other times we have sororities and fraternities rent it out for parties or dances because we have plenty of the big dance floor and stage. And I guess they like coming out here so they can get away from Bloomington too."\nBut Robertson feels the Dance Barn's location has both advantages and disadvantages. "Some people don't like having to drive 10 or 12 miles out of town. On the other hand I can draw clients from both Columbia and Bloomington," he says.\nRobertson has been able to bring in some of countries finest, most experienced players too. "I've been able to get people in here who have played in the Grand Ole Opry," Robertson says. You can hear everything from Johnny Cash to Alan Jackson and everything in between. And unlike many venues, listeners and dancers can request their favorite tunes or just name a style and the musicians have no problem playing it. \nBut the Dance Barn isn't just limited to country music. It's also one of the few places around to feature bluegrass music as well as the occasional blues or rock act. "I'm thinking about having a bluegrass night maybe once every week or two," Robertson says. He believes a lot of people like that genre of music and find that aside from summer bluegrass festivals, there aren't a lot of opportunities to hear it. \nRobertson plans on bringing in more swing bands to build his college crowd and says, "More students seem to show up on the nights the swing bands are there." The stage was even big enough to hold the 18-piece big band the "Stardusters" for some swingin' music two weeks ago. \n"It was packed. There probably aren't too many other places with enough space for all those swing dancers," Robertson says. \nRobertson not only knows the names of almost every person who walks through the door, but he's also their friend. He credits the friendly atmosphere with bringing in the same customers week after week. Robertson says that he tries to talk to all the students who come to the Dance Barn so they feel just as welcomed. Annette Kimberlin, an employee, doesn't really think of her job as work.\n"The customers are all great because I know almost everybody here. It's nice to come in to work and feel like you are with friends," she says. Kimberlin says that Robertson even helped start a fundraiser for Riley Children's Hospital.\nMike's Dance Barn offers a sort of escape from work or school. It's also a place where you can hear some music that's anything but typical. As Robertson says, "It's a more relaxed atmosphere that's really just about having a fun place to dance to good music"