SPRINGFIELD, Vt. – What started as a few friends who loved to dance has grown into a welcoming, energetic community known as Still Kickin’ Line Dancing.
The group formed with a simple idea: create a space where anyone – especially beginners – could feel comfortable learning to line dance. No partner needed. No fancy boots required. Just a willingness to step onto the floor and give it a try.
“We wanted something local, friendly, and unintimidating,” Piletz said. “Somewhere people could move, laugh, and feel like they belong.”
That vision has taken hold. Regular attendance now includes a strong group of local dancers who come not just for the exercise, but for the camaraderie.
Still Kickin’ focuses on clear, encouraging instruction designed especially for beginners, while also offering opportunities for dancers to grow into more challenging routines at their own pace.
Beginning March 4, the group is offering free instruction for absolute beginners from 5:30-6 p.m., for four weeks. You may come to this one time, or any time during the four weeks. This half-hour session is designed to break things down step by step, building confidence from the ground up. At 6 p.m., the evening opens into beginner dances from 6-7:15 p.m., and improver-level dances from 7:15-8:30 p.m.
Still Kickin’ currently meets upstairs at the Springfield Community Center. Rather than charging a formal class fee, the group invites participants to make a donation to the community center, helping support the space that makes these gatherings possible.
Line dancing offers more than just a fun night out. It improves balance, coordination, memory, and cardiovascular health. Just as importantly, it builds connection. Dancers move in sync, share laughs over missed steps, and celebrate small victories together.
The message from Still Kickin’ is simple: You belong here.
For weather updates or any last-minute changes, check the Still Kickin’ Line Dancing Facebook page.
Written by Debra Piletz.