People sit or stand along the sides in the old schoolhouse where the dance takes place. Some bring their children, who might play with other children. There is a refrigerator in the kitchen for cold drinks. On the porch, in the area of cut grass immediately in front of the schoolhouse door, and around their cars, groups of people gather and talk. All of these spots are separate environments where different activities take place.
Participants move freely from one area to another, encountering different people at each location.
Of course, the music is intended for dancing. If, on some evening, dancing were not a central feature, the event would probably not be considered successful. However, it is not only the music and dancing, but the fact that people may participate in many activities that makes the Highlandville dance a success. Other casual settings for old-time music performance include community and senior citizen centers and nursing homes. After the band had started playing, audience members continued to enter the room,, sitting in chairs placed around tables that could accommodate about eight.