Line dancing has traditionally been done behind closed doors, but now the clubs are filling up and in Australia they do it in the streets.

It was Alexandra's turn to host a Line dancing social on Saturday, which attracted 120 participants from all over the South Island.

Held in the Terrace School Hall and led by local instructor Cherie Nicolson, they were busting out the Charleston and many other waltz and box steps at the weekend.

The Alexandra club has about 35 active members who practice up to three times a week under Cherie, who has been dancing for 25 years.

Cherie was taught by Barbara McCabe who first started the Alexandra club, which incorporates members from Clyde and Cromwell as well.

“It brings everybody together. It’s a real friendship thing,” she said.

Alexandra Line Dancing club instructor Cherie Nicholson (centre) with members Donna Bain (left) and Julie Davie.

Line dancing has different levels depending on how technical the dance is, with participants starting at beginner and working through into improver, intermediate, high intermediate and advanced.

Club member Julie Davie said it was very popular in Australia where there are competitions, but in New Zealand it was more recreational, with socials held around the country most weekends.

A good line dancing space needs plenty of room and a good soft floor - no partners are required, and at the weekend’s social there were at least 10 men involved as well.

Line dancers kick their heels up in Alexandra during a gathering last weekend. VIDEO: The Central App

Coming from Darfield, Nelson, Invercargill, Oamaru, Mosgiel and Bannockburn, there were many groups of women from all ages, along with a few young males in their 30s right up to 70s.

Julie is a retired nurse who lives in Clyde and now has a group of five on her street involved every week. The husbands come too but they make the afternoon tea.

Cherie said line dancing used to have such a stigma and wasn’t often talked about, but some clubs such as Darfield now have waiting lists of people wanting to join and learn the moves.

“In Tamworth they had 6000 people doing it in the streets,” she said.