Even in Rhode Island, there are some people who yearn for the strains of a country fiddle, the croon of a voice singing of the basic joys and pains of life, and for the feel of the wood floor bouncing when a hundred dancers step to the Cotton-Eyed-Joe. For thirteen years, Dan Albro has opened the doors to the Mishnock Barn and welcomed both seasond and new country dancers for Texas three step, line dance, and choreographed partner dance.

Albro especially welcomes new dancers on Mondays and Wednesdays. On those nights, starting at 7:30, Albro walks new dancers through two new line dances and one partner dance. Even on Saturday nights, when the barn's three dance floors are crowded, Albro takes time to welcome new dancers, introducing at least one new partner dance.

Here are some of the steps to the Mishnock Carousel, choreographed by Dan Albro. Of course it's so complicated that you can't learn this just from the step sheet, but the sheets help you remember it after you've been through a lesson.

• 1-8 STEP , TOUCH , ¼ TURN STEP, BRUSH, VINE, TOUCH
  
  • 1-4 Step LEFT, touch RIGHT toe next to LEFT, turn ¼ right to face Out-From-Line-Of-Dance stepping RIGHT, brush LEFT forward
    
  • 5-8 Step side LEFT, step RIGHT behind, Step side LEFT, touch RIGHT toe next to LEFT
    

• 9-16 WEAVE, SHUFFLE SIDE, ROCK BACK, REPLACE (facing Out-From-Line-Of-Dance- lady in front of man)
  
  • 9-12 Step side RIGHT, step LEFT behind RIGHT, step side RIGHT, step LEFT over RIGHT
    
  • 13 & 14 Shuffle stepping side RIGHT, step LEFT next to RIGHT step side RIGHT,
    
  • 15,16 Rock LEFT behind RIGHT, replace weight on RIGHT
    
• 17-24 STEP SIDE, TOUCH, STEP ¼, ¼ BRUSH, VINE, TOUCH
  
  • 17-19 Step side LEFT, touch RIGHT toe next to LEFT, turn ¼ right stepping on RIGHT to face Backward-Line-Of-Dance – Release right hands, bring left hands over ladies head
    
  • 20-22 Brush LEFT while turning ¼ right to face Into-From-Line-Of-Dance, step side LEFT, step RIGHT behind LEFT – Pick up right hand to face Into-From-Line-Of-Dance
    

There are 56 steps in all, followed by the word "REPEAT". No wonder line dances need instruction.

But don't worry, Albro and his DJ's are patient folks, and there are always a lot of other first-timers whose boots have never set sole upon a dance floor. If you lose track, you can peek over at the others to see if you're doing it right.

Once you get in the swing of things, dancing continues on all three dance floors. The bar, set against the back wall, serves cold drinks and snacks, and you can step outside to enjoy the moon on the pond and the cool evening air.

On August 7, the Mishnock Barn celebrates its 13th anniversary with an afternoon picnic. Dancing, music, horseshoes, and steaks run from noon to 6PM for $26 per person. Oh, and there'll be dance lessons, too.

The Mishnock Barn is closed Sundays and Tuesdays. Mondays and Wednesdays are beginner nights, starting at 7:30. Thursdays have lessons at 7:30, Fridays have lessons at 7:30, and Saturdays have one partner lesson at 8PM. Dancing without lessons happens continually each night, with three different dance floors to accomodate all styles and skill levels.

To find the barn at 200 Mishnock Road in West Greenwich, take exit 6A from I-95, West on Hopkins Hill Road 1/2 mile. Take the first Left onto Mishnock Road. The Barn is One Mile in on the Left. You can call them at (401) 397-9483 or visit their website at www.mishnockbarn.com [an error occurred while processing this directive] [an error occurred while processing this directive]