Coventry Dance Halls, Studios and Schools

A sketch of the Locarno (initialled A.J.W.?) from the Coventry Standard Newspaper - 9/ DEC/ 1965.

Hi there! I heard that live version of My Ding a Ling was recorded at the Locarno not the Lanch. I wonder which is correct? Any evidence either way folks? Be good to hear!

I believe it was recorded at the Locarno for the Lanchester Arts Festival This probably explains the confusion

Yes, it was at the Locarno as I originally thought but part of the Lanchester Arts Festival as Midland Red writes. It does indeed explain the confusion Midland Red! Loads of good bands played for that Festival. And of course at the Locarno. Not much like that going on now eh!

As yet, nobody has mentioned the Mercia School of Dancing that was located on the top floor of New Buildings. The school was run by Hetty Armstrong, who taught both ballroom and Latin American dance routines. It was popular with young men and women, and I made many friends there. I'm still in touch with my old dance partner, Gail Radford, n

Another dance school that I do not believe has been mentioned. I cannot remember it's name, it was located at the Greyfriars Green end of Queen Victoria Rd in one of the large houses that were located there. My grey matter seems to bring back memories of the army recruiting office nearby, may have been in the same building. I was around 13, 1959/60. My parents were keen that I learnt the basics of ballroom. My memory of the teacher, was a short lady, dressed very smart, to a 13 yr old, she was of advanced years, but above all her perfume was overpowering and very strict. I didn't do it for very long, at the time I could not see the point, but a few years later I did. This experience was followed by another at the Balalaika studios in the lower precinct with Janet Ball, but more about that later when I have more time

If memory serves me correct it was 'Joan Daniels School of Dancing'. I believe that was the upper floor of the building and downstairs was a drinking den called the 'Queens Club' which was open when the pubs were shut!

Wearethemod - this is what makes this forum unique. Always somebody has an answer. Joan Daniels has stirred my old grey matter, I think you are right. Was not aware of the club below, but I suppose at 13 drinking was not on my agenda. Thanks for filling in the blanks.

Yes I remember St. Finbarrs, my sister and I were sent for weekly Irish dancing lessons - so remember the smell of beer. We walked from Wyken and had a 'six'a'chips' to eat as we walked home. We also, very briefly went for Irish Dancing lessons in The Shamrock - it was too small with too many people so not much room for dancing, anyone remember it?

But Coventry had some great shows in the major factories. Dancing girls, comedians, top stars of the day, all sorts of acts, singalongs, loads of fun and laughter, all free in the works canteens or wherever, mostly during lunchtime, but nevertheless great fun and morale raising, mainly put on by Ensa. Coventry people loved it. (Has this been on any topic before?)

Mary Wilson was another dance school. We danced at the GEC pantomimes in the 50's

How about Keith Jones next to the Alexandra Cinema.

There's quite a bit about Keith Jones earlier in this thread

Joan Daniels School of Dancing was a well established school in Queens Road near the horse drinking trough. Joan was well known nationally and was one of the judges at the BBC dancing programmes.

10th Mar 1919 Coventry City Council met to discuss the building of a Town Hall, claiming "That the building by the Corporation of a town hall, to seat not less than 2,500 persons, and designed to afford adequate facilities for all kinds of public assemblies, and especially for orchestral and other concerts, is an urgent public necessity". (Obviously not urgent enough - here we are 99 years later, and we're still waiting for a decent concert hall of some kind! What on earth are our thousands of resident students going to do in the evenings? Discuss....) Post copied from topic What happened on THIS day in Coventry's history? on 10th Mar 2018 2:32 pm