10th anniversary of the Hopalots
Just by chance most of us got to know that our group has been in existence for 10 years now! There was not much time to plan anything so we celebrated 10 years of dancing with a lot of dancing and a nice Get-Together with some drinks and nice finger food. Heiko came to see us as well as some others whom we do not see so often. It was a very nice evening. Unfortunately, nobody thought of bringing a camera. That is why we cannot show any pics but Heiko presented us with a "Wee History of the Hopalots" and a jubilee dance.
A Wee History Of The Hopalots Berlin
The Hopalots were founded in Februar 2001 by Sonja Schroeder und Beate Seybold to have an
additional opportunity to dance for intermediate and advanced dancers in Berlin. The first class
was held on February 12th (at that time the group had no name yet).
Over the years a number of people taught in that group: Beate Seybold (2001), Sonja Schroeder
(2001), Heiko Schmidt (2001-2003), Petra Dolata-Kreutzkamp (2003), Birgit Frie and Ian
Beuermann (2003-2006 and since 2009), Anke Glaser (2006-2009), and Rainer Binias (since 2006).
Furthermore, other dancers of the group joined in and taught dances or held single classes like
Florentine Gentsch (2001-2003), Kirsten Ehinger (2001-2003) and Sabina Stuhlmiller (2006-2009).
In the early time the group danced in a Hall at the VHS in Berlin-Kreuzberg until that location
was abandoned by the VHS. During that time we sometimes even had a piper to play for us.
Unfortunately, this cooperation had to be discontinued when we moved to the current location
at Bornstrasse 11 in Berlin-Steglitz in Autumn 2002 (we would have scared the other people in
the house). The first class at Bornstrasse took place on September 16, 2002.
Today’s name of the Group ‘Hopalots’ and their mascot ‘Paddy Baa’, were adopted later in 2003.
Quite possibly that happened on October 6, 2003, by Karen, Birgit, Ulle and a few others. The
picture of the mascot as well as the current website have existed since 2004.
(Thanks to Ulle for helping me out with dates, names and information!)
Berlin, February 14, 2011
Heiko A. Schmidt
