Shoreline - Milwaukee

Shoreline Milwaukee was founded in May 1992 as a country western dance group for Milwaukee's LGBTQ community. The group began when 12 regular dancers at 3B's decided to create their own line dance performance group. Under the direction of Jeff Pierotti, the dancers spent the summer preparing for their first performance at MAPfest.

According to co-founder Alan Karbel, writing in the 1998 Round-Up program, the group's membership soon expanded to include its first woman, Wendy Young. Young proposed organizing an annual country dance fundraiser in partnership with the Counseling Center. The first Country Dance Gala was held at the former Lake Park Pavilion and proved successful enough that the event was moved the following year to the War Memorial Ballroom, where it continued for years.

In 1997, Shoreline began organizing its annual event all on its own. The Saturday night gala expanded into a full weekend of country-western dancing and two-stepping, featuring dance workshops, dance swaps, fish fries and brunches. According to Karbel, the expanded weekend exceeded the group's expectations and became an important annual gathering for Milwaukee's LGBTQ country western dance community.

Shoreline also helped establish the International Association of Gay/Lesbian Country Western Dance Clubs (IAGLCWDC), connecting Milwaukee dancers with LGBTQ country western dance organizations in other communities.

Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, Shoreline held regular practices and dance parties at Milwaukee LGBTQ bars, including the former Fannie's (later known as Pulse.) The group continued using Pulse until the bar closed in 2005. In late 2006, Shoreline found a new home at Hot Water, where members resumed regular practices and continued building the group's dance community.

Shoreline also became a regular presence at Milwaukee LGBTQ community events. The group performed at PrideFest Milwaukee and other events, bringing country western line dancing and two-stepping into Milwaukee's broader cultural scene. Through its performances, social dances, fundraisers and annual dance events, Shoreline Milwaukee helped establish country western dancing as an enduring part of local nightlife.

The Shoreline website is no longer online. It is unknown if the dance group is still active.