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Club Background
During 2006, Caller Geoff had decided that he wanted to learn how to
teach & call the A1 program, so he asked a few dancers (enough for
one square) if they were willing to assist him. This initial group grew
to 2 squares (maximum basement capacity) during that first year and was
comprised (for the most part) of dancers with no A1 experience - but
who were ready & willing to help Geoff achieve his goal.
 For
the next 2 seasons, the group learned quickly, with the overall
dynamics being primarily one of fun! It was early in that second year
that the group chose the name Lockits for a club name. Although we
danced in the caller's basement & were not an official club at that
time, we were a group of dancers who wanted their own distinctive name!
And so it was, that on Wednesday, September 24th, 2008 at 9:30am The LOCKITS A1 Club was formally launched, opening up the opportunity for more dancers to participate!
We launched our 6th season on
September 21st, 2011 with a "new" look by adding evening dancing in
Stittsville. This was a co-operative venture between Geoff &
Brian calling on alternate evenings. However as there was
insufficient interest in that part of the program, evening
dancing was dropped at the end of December. However for 2012, Lockits will take on a bit of a new look with a bit of change in our dance program and adding A2 to our regular schedule. Starting
on January 11th, dancing will start earlier, with the first half-hour
being A2 Dancing; followed by a half-hour of A2 Teach;
and then after that, 2 hours of A1 dancing! Should be fun! Check here for the dance calendar.
A Teaching Club (2006-2009)
Lockits provided both teaching & dancing the A1 program for it’s
first four years. For the 2010-11 season, the A1 teaching portion
was suspended in order to provide more time to explore & experience
the full scope of the A1 program. This involves dancing the
various A1 moves from all possible combinations of formations and
arrangements. After-all, Advanced dancing, by it’s own name is essentially all position, all the time.
In other words, each dancer needs to master the moves from not just a
single position (eg: the left-hand or boy position), but, as defined
within A1, learn to dance the calls from the Beau or Belle
positions, from a variety of possible formations. In order to
achieve that goal, we will not be teaching the A1 program. It has,
however, been our custom to do reviews for the first few weeks of each
season to scrape away the summer rust.
Single/Solo Dancers
Solo dancers (both male & female) are welcome to attend, but must
pre-arrange to have your own partner as the club does not have Angels
available to dance with solo dancers. If you are a solo dancer
that would like to attend but have been unable to find a partner,
contact Geoff to see if he's aware if there's any other solo dancers
you may be able to partner with. Drop Geoff an email or write on his (Geoff Clarke's) Facebook wall.
Mixer Cards have now become Computer Squares
For
several years we were using mixer cards to make sure that everyone
has an equal opportunity to dance especially if there is an odd number
of couples on hand. Starting 2011, we're now using the Square
Rotation computer program which not only mixes up the squares well, but
also allows dancers to 'sit out' if they so wish. We've found it
much more effective to use and we don't have to worry about losing a
card!
Dancing Fees
$6.00 per dancer per week payable at the door upon arrival.
Other Stuff
At the entrance to our dance hall, there will be a sheet for everyone to sign-in & pay their weekly dance fee. On
your first week of dancing, you will be asked to complete and sign a
registration form that provides the club with your contact information
(email & phone) and confirmation of your EOSARDA dancer
insurance. Providing your contact information ensures that you
will be kept well informed ongoing club activity & area dancing
events.
The
dance hall has a tile floors, so please be sure that you ‘carry in’
your dance shoes & change upon arrival. There is a place to hang
your coats & change your shoes. At Brunton, the hall entrance is
through the double doors that front on the main road at the east end of
the building complex. Parking is plentiful.
Except on
special days, no refreshments will be supplied, so please bring your
own drinking water. At Brunton, there is a tap in the kitchen
should you need it . Please note: that we promote Lug a Mug –
which encourages you to bring your own mug for your water, &
thus cut down on the number of styro-foam cups being used.
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