Two Step Tuesdays is bringing Flint together, one dance at a time

FLINT, Michigan — On Tuesday evenings, the dance floor at Rob’s G Bar becomes more than a place to show off a few moves. It becomes a gathering space where strangers become familiar faces, friendships grow stronger, and Flint residents find something to look forward to each week. The music is loud, the laughter is contagious, and somewhere between counting steps and finding the rhythm, a small but mighty community is taking shape.

Two Step Tuesdays, a weekly dance class created by Jerimiah Whitehead and led by Sharneese Davis, began with a simple idea: do something they love while giving their city something enjoyable to do.

Neither set out to create anything complicated. They wanted good music, good people, and a welcoming environment where residents could dance, socialize, and leave their worries at the door. What they are building, however, has become something much more meaningful.

For Davis, affectionately known as Coach Neesy, movement has long been a passion. No stranger to dance or fitness, she has made it a practice to intertwine the two, creating opportunities for people to exercise while genuinely enjoying themselves.

In addition to Two Step Tuesdays, Davis hosts step fitness classes, bringing the same enthusiasm and encouragement to participants looking for a different approach to physical activity.

Together, Davis and Whitehead saw an opportunity to bring that energy into Flint’s social scene. Their vision was never about filling a room with professional dancers. It was about creating a space where people could show up exactly as they are, whether they had years of experience or two left feet.

Despite its name, Two Step Tuesdays isn’t limited to traditional two-stepping. Most lessons focus on trail ride dances and line dance hustles, introducing participants to popular routines they can take to parties, reunions, celebrations, and other social gatherings.

The lessons teach step by step, letting participants build confidence through repetition, observation, and practice. Ask participants why they attend, and the answers are as diverse as the people moving across the floor.

For some, Tuesday has become a standing appointment they hate to miss.

“I actually get sad when I can’t make it,” one regular participant shared. “It’s something I look forward to every week. You get used to seeing everybody, laughing together, and learning something new. It becomes part of your routine.”

Others are simply happy to have somewhere to dance.

“I’ve always loved dancing, but the dance academy was on a break,” another attendee explained. “I still wanted somewhere to go where I could move, enjoy music, and be around people who love dancing as much as I do.”

For some, the appeal is physical.

“I came for the cardio, but I stayed because I was actually learning something,” one participant said. “You don’t realize how much you’re moving until you’re sweating. It’s exercise, but it doesn’t feel like a workout.”

And for beginners, the experience can challenge long-held assumptions about their abilities.

“I came because I got tired of watching everybody line dance while I stood there not knowing what to do,” one attendee admitted. “I literally thought I couldn’t dance. Turns out, I just needed to practice, stretch, and give myself a chance.”

That willingness to try is exactly what the class encourages.

While the instructor leads each routine, participants also learn by watching one another. Experienced dancers help beginners catch up, neighbors exchange pointers, and nobody has to feel embarrassed about missing a step. Sometimes the best teacher is simply the person dancing beside you.

The class has also become an unexpected opportunity for connection. Some participants arrive with their significant others, using the evening to spend quality time together outside their usual routines.

“We wanted something different to do together besides going out to eat or sitting at home,” one attendee said. “Now we get to laugh at each other, learn together, and have a good time. It’s become our little date night.”

For others, Tuesday is about friendship and decompressing after a long workday.

“My friends and I come after work,” another participant explained. “This gives us a reason to get together. We dance, laugh, and get to feel like our mamas and aunties.”

Those seemingly ordinary moments are what make the gathering special. In a city where residents are often looking for affordable, accessible entertainment, something as simple as a weekly dance class can create a sense of belonging. The benefits extend beyond the dance floor.

For Robert Roland II, owner of Rob’s G Bar, hosting Two Step Tuesdays has provided an opportunity to welcome new faces into the establishment while supporting a positive community activity.

“I’m proud to have Two Step Tuesdays here,” Roland said with a smile. “It brings in people who probably would’ve never come to the bar otherwise. They get to experience the place, meet people, and enjoy themselves. And new customers are always a nice thing.”

The partnership demonstrates how local businesses and community organizers can work together to create experiences that benefit everyone involved. While the class may be modest in size, its impact isn’t necessarily measured by how many people fill the room. It’s measured in the people who return, the friendships that develop, the confidence gained, and the excitement surrounding the next Tuesday.

For Davis and Whitehead, that is the heart of it all.

They wanted to share something they loved with their city. In doing so, they’re helping create a space where people feel comfortable learning, moving, and connecting. And perhaps that’s what makes Two Step Tuesdays special: nobody has to be the best dancer in the room to belong.

Two Step Tuesdays meets every Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Rob’s G Bar, 2713 Layton Blvd., Flint, Michigan. Admission is $10 per person, payable in advance.

Led by Coach Neesy, the class is beginner-friendly while welcoming dancers of all experience levels. Whether you’re learning your first trail ride dance, brushing up on your favorite line dance hustles, or simply looking for a fun way to move and meet new people, there’s room for you on the floor.

Participants learn by watching Coach Neesy and the dancers around them, practicing each move until the rhythm becomes familiar. Come alone, bring your partner, or grab a group of friends.

Follow Jerimiah Whitehead and Sharneese Davis on Facebook for class updates and booking inquiries.

Bring your energy, wear something comfortable, and come ready to dance. After all, the next familiar face on the dance floor could be yours!