What is Line Dancing?
Any form of dance, not just the "yee ha" dances so often associated with American Line Dancing (although we do some of those as well), performed in a line. We Rhumba, Salsa, Waltz, Stomp and Cha Cha Cha - to name but a few. A great way to dance if you don't have a partner to dance with, meet new friends and simply have loads of fun dancing to all genres of fantastic music
We have recently undertaken a UNI study on the link between physical exercise and well being, and work closely with local community groups such as the Chepstow Menopause Group, Newport based Whispers from The Earth and the Chepstow Ukulele band to promote this. The consensus is that its a great way to escape the pressures of everyday life, even if just for an hour, as a "Side Kick".
Who is Sarah?
Sarah has lived all her life in and around Chepstow, attended Wyedean school, and now lives in Caerwent with her hubby (and roadie) Simon. She has enjoyed line dancing since 1995, and is very proud to be able to share her love of it (and ever expanding knowledge) with the people who come to these classes. Passing her dancing medals in 2002, and starting Sarah's Side Kicks in November of 2007, in 2008 Sarah was thrilled to became fully qualified (under the wings of the UKA) as a competent Western Line Dance Teacher. We now dance under the care of more recently formed and brilliant ELD, so we are fully insured, qualified and very well practiced to offer you a great experience.
Will it suit me?
If you love music and keeping fit the easy way, maybe you don't have a willing dance partner? - this is for you!
Wear anything you feel comfortable in - jeans and a t-shirt, a pretty flowy dress or go the whole distance with the full Western look! We really don't mind at all, and love to see all styles on the dance floor. Layers might be a good idea as we tend to get a bit hot at times. And for footwear it's aways better to have a bit of slip on your sole, rather than non slip trainers. Some prefer flats and some people prefer heels - it's your call. On the first session feel free to bring along a few pairs of shoes to try them out - every floor is different! Sarah has striven hard for many years to find the right floors in the right venues and 2026 we will have the best of the best for all our sessions!
All classes are inclusive, open, friendly and very laid back - we are all there to dance and have FUN!
Check out the timetable to find a class (or 2) that suits you...
Where do we meet?
Originating in Caerwent Village Hall and following a short spell in Undy Memorial Hall, a number of years in the Labour Club in Caldicot and until the end of 2017 "The Good Measure" in Caldicot, we are now mainly based in Portskewett and Newport.
The Side Kicks have danced in Portskewett Church Hall on Monday nights and Friday mornings for some years now. It's a great central location allowing dancers to come from as far and wide as Lydney, Cardiff, Caerphilly, Lydney and Abergavenny, as well as the more local areas of Chepstow, Caldicot, Rogiet, Undy, Magor, Penhow and Shirenewton. We have a proper wooden floor and have the use of a large car park within the school grounds, and a fabulous kitchen for coffee mornings and party nights.
Following many happy months at Pill Harriers Sports Club we are moving our Wednesday evening sessions to a brand new venue The iconic Lysaght Institute, renown for it's dance hall days, where we shall add on class 3, finally bringing all the Side Kicks sessions in line. 2026 has been a massive year for us!
We are also excited to be branching out to host Social Nights both in the Lysaght Institute and in The Drill Hall, Chepstow, where we have yet another sprung wooden dance floor and copious free parking. Social nights for EVERYONE to come along to - visit the timetable link for dates. Basically party nights from 7pm until 10pm to celebrate all the dances we have learned so far this term, and to revisit some golden oldies. The Drill Hall Socials will be on Monday nights - BYO drinks and nibbles. And the Lysaght on Wednesday nights - where there is a bar selling nibbles, hot and cold drinks (so please do not bring anything with you). No prebooking or tickets, just turn up and pay £10 on the door!
What else do we do?
We host 2 "Scuff Ya Boots" events each year, inviting guest instructors along ensuring we ALL learn something new that evening, have delicious supper and dance on lovely, large wooden dance floors.
The 2026 dates are
7th February 2026 in the Holiday Inn, on the Coldra roundabout, Newport where we will have an inhouse buffet supper. Tickets will be on sale in October in class (slightly discounted for Side Kicks) and also online.
1st August 2026 in the iconic Lydney Town Hall, Lydney where we will once again enjoy a superb fish n chip supper from Blakeney Chip-In.
We love hosting private themed party nights, Christmas parties, Birthday parties, Weddings, WI groups, school and village fetes displays, nursing homes and also leading Scout and Brownie sessions. We are entering our second Carnival float this year at Pill Carnival in August, and of course we love going along to live music events, meals out and Western events!
Excitingly Sarah has run the dance workshops at the Chepstow Racecourse Nashville races day for the last 3 years.
Also the Side Kicks lead the dance sessions at the South Wales Country Music Festival in the relatively new music venue The Corn Exchange each November. Look out for us for the fourth time in 2026!!
Our Annual Weekend Away - we have enjoyed many hugely successful weekends away in beautiful hotels in Torquay, Paignton, Bournemouth and The Isle Of Wight. The next holiday is in The Victoria Hotel, Torquay in April 2026 and booking forms are available in class. It is a half board weekend with just our dances and our music, in a fabulous hotel with exclusive use of a beautiful ballroom and fabulous food!
And for brand new for 2026 - we are building a float for the Pill Carnival on August Bank Holiday Monday. All very exciting! - if you want to get involved see Sarah, Chelle or Sue in class to find out how.
And for a short spell we had a regular radio slot on the Pure Country Show (11am til 1pm) on Newport City Radio on a Saturday morning. We chatted all things line dancing, invited special guests and shared local line dance events. Another string to Sarah's bow and she loved it!
All in all - a busy bunch!
