RANCHO MURIETA, CA (MPG) - Cowboy hats and boots, denim outfits, and plenty of sparkle set the tone as a record 139 women turned out for the Rancho Murieta Women’s Club’s Denim & Diamonds Ladies’ Nite Out on July 22.

The Murieta Room at the Rancho Murieta Country Club echoed with country music, line dancing and enough enthusiasm that many attendees urged organizers to make the event a regular tradition.

The club replaced its traditional daytime luncheon with an evening event to attract women who work during the day and charged the same $35 admission for members and nonmembers to encourage newcomers to experience the organization.

“We had one and a half times more non-members than members,” Women’s Club President Bonnie Kirschman said.

The turnout more than doubled attendance at previous Ladies' Nite Out events, which had never attracted more than about 70 participants.

When registrations reached 139, organizers had to rethink the layout of the Murieta Room, according to Kirschman. They moved the taco buffet into the country club’s boardroom, added as many dining tables as possible in the adjacent Terrace Lounge, and pushed all of the tables in the Murieta Room to the sides to create the largest possible dance area. Even so, the portable dance floor laid over the carpet wasn’t large enough to accommodate everyone, and many participants happily danced on the surrounding carpet.

The evening featured line dancing lessons, a taco bar buffet, a silent auction, a door prize and live entertainment.

Before the festivities got underway, Vice President Toni Anania invited members to volunteer or serve as models for the Women’s Club’s Sept. 23 Fall Fashion Show luncheon. Kirschman also encouraged attendees to mark their calendars for the club’s Dec. 2 Holiday Luncheon, which will feature High Voltage, a youth performance group from El Dorado Musical Theatre.

The silent auction featured decorative cowboy-hat centerpieces created by Vickie Joyner and Barbara Simas. The handcrafted centerpieces proved so popular that all but one sold, raising additional funds for the club. Kirschman then awarded a gift certificate to the spa at the Rancho Murieta Inn as the evening’s grand door prize.

Kirschman next took the stage to teach two dances. She began with a four-wall dance, leading participants through grapevines, heel flicks, hitch steps and rocking-chair moves before putting the choreography to music. The group danced to “Heads Carolina, Tails California,” then learned a second routine featuring several cha-cha steps set to “Choosin’ Texas.”

After the lessons, Kirschman announced the taco buffet, inviting guests to the serving line table by table. As women filled their plates and settled in for dinner, longtime Rancho Murieta entertainer Jerry Lopes took the stage, opening with the country classic “All My Ex’s Live in Texas.” He followed with a mix of country favorites and classic songs, providing live entertainment throughout the meal.

Lopes later switched from singer to DJ, keeping the energy high with line-dancing favorites. The dance floor quickly filled again, and when he played the “Cupid Shuffle,” one of the night’s largest groups of dancers rushed onto the floor. So many women joined in that many spilled off the portable dance floor and continued dancing on the surrounding carpet.

Kirschman said the enthusiastic response exceeded organizers’ expectations. 

“A lot of them were saying, ‘You need to do this every month,’” she said. “They all seemed to have a great time. I think we’ll be doing that one again.”

Participant Candy Hearn agreed. 

“This was an event for all ages. Everyone seemed to be really enjoying themselves. The food, music and lessons added to the fun,” she said. “Thanks to the Women’s Club for sponsoring the event. I would like to see more events like this in the future.”