From "Shop n' Slyde" to Savvy Soul Sistahs Line Dance Crew

For Savvy Soul Sistahs founder Shar, line dancing has always been about much more than learning steps.

Her journey began in 2012, when line dance instructor John Woodhouse brought line dancing into the shoe store she owned. On Friday evenings after the store closed, shopping turned into “Shop n' Slyde,” and line dancing became part of the experience.

What started as something fun became something much more personal.

During a difficult period in Shar's life, she found herself dealing with depression, an unhealthy marriage, changes in her weight and very little social life. Line dancing became an outlet — a place where she could move, connect with people, have fun and, for a little while, leave life's weight somewhere else.

The dance floor became therapy.

As her love for line dancing grew, so did her community.

Shar began connecting with dancers and groups throughout south suburbs of Chicago and Northwest Indiana , including Let's Rock Crew (LRC) with Al and Val, Annette with Move Sumthin, Cynthia Stewart Morse with C Soul Slyders, and Windy Booker with Royalty Line Dance Group in Indiana, among others who welcomed, taught and danced alongside her during those early years.

Over time, line dancing remained part of her life.

After relocating to Texas and going through divorce, Shar once again found herself turning to something familiar — music and movement. She started back line dancing at home while searching for her new line dance community and eventually connected with dancers throughout the Dallas–Fort Worth area.

Her journey started in Urban Soul expanding into Southern Soul line dancing. In 2025, Shar began teaching and introducing others to something that had given so much to her.

You can join her Soul Line Dancing with Shar line dance class called "Therapy Thursday" currently taught at the Tony Shotwell Life Center in Grand Prairie, TX from 7:00PM to 9:00PM and twice a month at the Grand Prairie Library.

What started on the floor of a shoe store in 2012 has grown into a desire to create a sisterhood where other women can experience the movement, friendship, laughter, confidence, community and joy that line dancing has brought into Shar's own life.

Today, that journey continues through Savvy Soul Sistahs Line Dance Crew.

And we're just getting started.