Arthur’s Barn Offers NDSU Students a Place to Dance Beyond Campus

Located two miles north of Arthur, North Dakota, and approximately 35 miles from Fargo, Arthur’s Barn hosts public dances, live music performances, weddings, corporate events and more.

For North Dakota State University students looking for activities beyond campus, the venue offers an opportunity to experience country music and social dancing. One NDSU organization familiar with Arthur’s Barn is the Western Swing Dance Club, whose members regularly attend the dances.

The Western Swing Dance Club teaches students western, or country, swing dancing and line dancing. According to the club president Paige Belleville, the organization has just under 600 members listed on MyNDSU, with approximately 80 to 100 students attending its weekly meetings.

The club meets Thursdays at 8 p.m., giving students an opportunity to learn new dance moves, practice their skills and meet others with similar interests.

Belleville said organizing meetings and special events has been one of her favorite parts of serving as president.

“I really enjoy going around the room at club meetings to teach new moves. It’s been such a great opportunity to improve my public speaking skills and meet new people,” Belleville said.

For students looking for a way to spend a Friday night off campus, Arthur’s Barn offers a chance to listen to live music, practice dancing and socialize with others. The venue hosts live-band dances typically every other week, with events running from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Admission costs $15 at the door.

Belleville said she first heard about Arthur’s Barn at the beginning of her freshman year through other members in the Western Swing Dance Club and other friends. She has continued attending regularly, viewing the dances as an opportunity to practice, learn and visit with other members.

Although the club does not organize official events with Arthur’s Barn, Belleville encourages members to attend the dances. She said it is enjoyable to see other club members at the venue and dance with them outside of regular meetings.

Arthur’s Barn’s 2026 schedule features a variety of musical acts, including 8th Hour, 32 Below, Rhyme or Reason, Slamabama, Kissing CO., Dan Brekke Band, October Road and Javi & The Brambled Hearts. The schedule includes fall and spring lineups, with performance dates and event details available on the venue's official website.

In addition to public dances, Arthur’s Barn offers amenities such as Wi-Fi, vending machines, a pool table and cold water for attendees. The venue also rents its space for weddings, corporate gatherings and private events.

For some visitors, Arthur’s Barn has become more than a place to spend a Friday night. In a Google review posted nine months ago, Jessica Miller shared that she had attended the barn dances since 2021 and made some of her closest friends there. Miller also wrote that she met her husband in 2023, began bringing him to the dances and later chose Arthur’s Barn as their wedding venue.

For NDSU students interested in learning western swing or line dancing or improving their existing skills, the Western Swing Dance Club offers a way to get involved on campus. Students can find the organization on the MyNDSU portal to learn more about joining. Additional information about upcoming dances hosted at Arthur’s Barn can be found at arthursbarn.com