An iconic Texas dance hall is stepping up to support another after catastrophic floods ravaged the Hill Country on July 4.

Gruene Hall, built in 1878 and widely recognized as Texas’ oldest dance hall, will host “Dance Hall to Dance Hall” on Sunday, July 20. The benefit will feature a full day of live music with 100 percent of the profits set to benefit Crider’s Rodeo and Dancehall in Hunt, located about 95 miles away in Kerr County.

Crider’s, which opened on July 4, 1925, had planned to celebrate its 100th anniversary before being forced to close indefinitely after rapid overnight flooding from the Guadalupe River caused calamitous damage to the venue. Images posted on Crider’s social media pages show the property littered with mud and debris, including overturned pool tables and a bar counter on its side.

“With heavy hearts, we share that due to the devastating flooding that has impacted Hunt, Texas, and the surrounding areas, Crider’s will be closed for the remainder of the 2025 season,” the venue posted on July 7. “Crider’s has always been more than a place for summer nights and good times — it’s a gathering spot for neighbors, friends, and families. In times like these, we must come together to support and uplift one another.”

  Flood waters ravaged Crider's Rodeo & Dance HallCrider's Rodeo & Dance Hall/ Facebook

Gruene Hall aims to do just that with the Sunday fundraiser, which will feature five artists taking the stage from 11 am to 9 pm.

The lineup includes:

• 11 am-1 pm: Oscar Ornelas (Full Band)
• 1:30-3 pm: Ryan Ross & Zach Blue (Acoustic)
• 3:30-5:30 pm: South Austin Moonlighters (Full Band)
• 6-7 pm: Ben McPeak (Acoustic)
• 7:30-9 pm: Austin Gilliam (Full Band)

“What should have been a milestone of joy and tradition turned into a moment of devastation as Crider’s suffered significant flood damage,” says Chase Talley, a senior graphic designer at Molak Corporation, the business group that owns Gruene Hall. “Like so many others, we’ve been feeling that heartache and trying to figure out the best way to help. We’ve got a few things in the works, but we knew we had to start here.”

Typically open from Memorial Day through Labor Day, Crider’s is frequented by a loyal group of locals, tourists, rodeo competitors, off-duty counselors from nearby summer camps, and even many dignitaries over the decades, from movie stars to presidents. The Hill Country institution, touted as the oldest outdoor dance hall in Texas, is cherished for its family-friendly summertime schedule of weekend rodeos followed by live music and two-stepping under the stars.

In an interview with KHOU 11 in Houston, Crider’s owner Tracey Moore indicated the business will rebuild.

“There’s no real explanation,” Moore said in the interview. “You’ve just got to pick yourself up and move forward.”

Talley promises to help in the effort.

“Texas dance halls have always been more than just places to hear music. They’re gathering places. In good times and in bad, they bring people together. They hold our stories, our celebrations, and sometimes even our healing,” he says. “This place has been a cornerstone of Central Texas for a century, and we want to make sure it stays that way for generations to come.”

All profits from alcohol sales and Gruene Hall merchandise during “Dance Hall to Dance Hall” will benefit Crider’s. Admission is free.