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I consider myself a semiprofessional chaser of live entertainment: plays, bands, ballets or really whatever is being offered. The energy transferred from entertainers to the audience and vice versa cannot be replicated by watching a video. So, imagine my excitement when I heard that Betty’s Big Country Dancehall in Caddo Valley near Arkadelphia touted that, with a surface of 80 feet by 180 feet, they had the largest dance floor in Arkansas.
I went to see the place for myself and was not disappointed. When I walked in, I instantly fell in love with the venue. Owners James and Michele Hall and I became fast friends.
Originally built to be a Crystal Palace Skating Rink back in the ‘80s, James Hall’s parents took it over and converted it into a dance hall when roller skating fizzled out. “My parents said… ‘ok what else? Let’s have a dance hall,’ because back when they lived in Texas, my parents had the Yellow Rose in Corpus Christi, Texas, which was the Texas version of Gilly’s.”
Everything was going well, until the dreaded COVID-19 hit and shut the world down. When it was time to reopen, James said his parents retired due to their age.
“Michele and I made a quick decision. We were living in Las Vegas and decided to come out here and try to revive it,” James Hall said. He got the full license for the bar and restaurant in February 2022, and we’ve just been growing, expanding, improving it and just trying to get the greatest local Arkansas, and even Texas, bands to give people all around here a place to come bring their families, have a great time, eat, drink and play pool while listening to your favorite bands.”
Betty’s Big Country Dancehall is open Wednesday through Sunday and has something for every age. “We didn’t want to just have just a bar. We wanted to make it where families could come and spend quality time together,” James said.
Betty’s Big Country Dance Hall Schedule
This 14,400 square-foot dance hall in southwest Arkansas offers entertainment for just about everyone.
Wednesdays: Karaoke from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
DJ James Hall will spin whatever suits your fancy. This is a good night to come hang out, have a bite to eat, play some pool and watch whatever sports you want to watch on their theater-sized television.
Thursdays: Cornhole
Betty’s Big Country Dance Hall is the American Cornhole League home for the A-Town baggers, who play from about 6 p.m. to sometimes midnight.
“They turn out with quite a great group,” James says. “They bring their families. There will be grandkids and grandparents that play on the same team sometimes. It’s a great family turnout, and they are really fun people too. There is never a quarrel about who got what score. It’s great….a lot of camaraderie.”
Fridays: Open mic and karaoke
Soon, Betty’s will have bands that travel through. “This highway is on the road to Nashville,” James says. Due to their location on Interstate 30, bands have been passing by on their way to the famous Music City, as well as Austin.
“You go eight hours in either direction and you’re going to hit one or the other. So, those that are going between the two [cities]: They have been checking in. We are going to be getting bands on Friday nights that are traveling. They are new bands that haven’t played in this state, so it is going to be really neat.”
Saturdays: Live music from 8 p.m. until midnight.
Artists who have graced their stage include Mike Mayberry & The Slow Hands, Sometimes Sideways, and The Silverado Band.
While I was there, I had my first introduction to The Joseph Logue Band. “You are in for a treat,” James said. “You can close your eyes and think that Hank Williams is singing to you. He is that good. Also, his keyboard player Michael Heavner was featured in Broadway World, so that is a pretty big deal.”
Sunday: Karaoke
“We have Sunday Funday Bingo Karaoke from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.,” Michele Hall says. “People love their karaoke! If they fill up a bingo card, they can get a one-of-a-kind shirt that you can’t buy. You can only win by filling out your card by singing all of those categories, and each time you get a bingo you get a Betty buck to use at the concession stand.”
Even with everything they offer, they are still thinking of more activities to enhance the experience that is Betty’s Big Country Dance Hall. “We have six pool tables in here,” says James. “I imagine we will be doing pool tournaments in the future.”
The Halls are open to events as well. “This venue is great for weddings or whatever type of event you have. We have already had company parties, so it’s a great venue for those kinds of things.”
And don’t forget about the food. During my visit, I ate a nice, juicy burger and I was given a generous portion of crinkle-cut fries. “We have burgers, pizza and quesadillas,” Michele says. “They all love the food. We have people who come here just to eat sometimes. Some order from Benton saying, ‘I’m coming by. Can you have it ready for me?’ and just get it to go.”
If you are looking for great country music and a fun place to shoot pool or grab a bite to eat, head on over and tell James and Michele I sent you.
Betty’s Big Country Dance Hall
102 Crystal Palace Dr.
Caddo Valley, AR 71923
(702) 379-6632
Hours of Operation:
Wednesday: 7:00 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Thursday: 6:00 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Friday: 7:00 p.m. – 12 a.m.
Saturday: 7:00 p.m. – 12 a.m.
Sunday: 5:00 p.m. – 10 p.m.
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We went to see the Mike Mayberry band and were not disappointed. Loved the big dance floor and the music. Very friendly atmosphere. About 1 1/4 hrs from me, but we will definitely be back!