Orville Peck on the legacy of queer country line-dancing
thefader.comFor over 50 years, Oil Can Harry’s in Studio City was considered a cornerstone of L.A.’s LGBTQ+ community. More than just a humble western bar, it was also a community hub for LGBTQ+ country-lovers, who began flocking to their popular line-dancing night in the ‘70s, when same-sex dancing was still illegal.
So when the beloved venue closed its doors in 2021, Sean Monaghan and Bailey Salisbury were determined to keep this tradition alive by starting their own weekly queer country line-dancing night called Stud Country.
Known amongst regulars as “Church,” the community-focused night is at the center of Lina Abascal and Alexandra Kern’s award-winning short documentary for The L.A.
Times, Stud Country. A glimpse into the city’s long-standing queer line-dancing scene, it’s currently making the rounds in the festival circuit, with potential for an Oscars nomination for its tender portrayal of a younger generation that’s carrying on the brazen legacy of Oil Can Harry’s line-dancing nights.
