As dances go, the Jan. 21 soirée in Brookswood was a doozy.

Proceeds from the evening of social, line, and square dancing at Brookswood Senior Centre will be used to purchase cleaning equipment and supplies, as well as help offset general operating costs at the centre. Organizers exceeded their goal of raising $1,000.

"The place was hopping right from the get-go," said Lydia Francescutti, secretary with the Brookswood Senior Citizens Activity Centre. "This fundraiser was way more fun than our annual garage sale."

Square-dance caller Steve Edlund, along with line dance instructor Peggy Thomson, helped host the event.

Edlund generously donated his time and the use of his sound system while Thomson, the centre's president, guided line dancers through dozens of routines.

Club member Bonnie Hartup, who just happens to be both a line dancer and a square dancer, organized the dance.

"She is the force behind the renovations at the hall as well," Francescutti said.

Many line dancers, square dancers, and other Brookswood Senior Centre members brought food and donated items for the silent auction to the event, Francescutti reported.

Volunteers, under guidance of Marion Dixon and 95-year-old Astrid Fitzgerald, kept the banquet table well stocked.

As a non-profit organization that keeps membership fees as low as possible, Brookswood Senior Centre just makes ends meet, Francescutti said.

While the hall looks "great" after a recent paint job, the dance highlighted the need to add sound-baffling to the building, Francescutti said: "That will have to wait till our next fundraiser."

Next month Brookswood Senior Centre is hosting an open house.

On Saturday, Feb. 25, members will showcase their line dancers, dancing dogs, and other local entertainers.

These groups plus the chess club, bridge club, quilters, embroiderers, and scrapbookers will have displays.

"The community is welcome to stop by for a visit and join in on the fun," Francescutti said.

tlandreville@langleyadvance.com