Blackpool Tower Ballroom

Jason Connolly

Blackpool Tower Ballroom

Famous for it’s ballroom dancing, Wurlitzer organ and fine victorian architecture.
Blackpool tower ballroom.
Shot at the seaside resort of Blackpool, Lancashire.
Here’s some info on the ballroom, courtesy of Wikipedia:
The original ballroom, the Tower Pavilion opened in August 1894. It was smaller than the present ballroom and occupied the front of the tower complex. The Tower Ballroom was built between 1897 and 1898 to the designs of Frank Matcham who also designed Blackpool Grand Theatre and it opened in 1899. It was commissioned by the Tower company in response to the opening of the Empress Ballroom in the Winter Gardens. The ballroom floor is 120ft x 120ft and is made up of 30,602 blocks of mahogany, oak and walnut. Above the stage is the inscription, “Bid me discourse, I will enchant thine ear” from the poem Venus and Adonis by William Shakespeare. Each crystal chandelier in the ballroom can be lowered to the floor to be cleaned which takes over a week.
From 1930 until his retirement in 1970 the resident organist was Reginald Dixon, known affectionately as “Mr. Blackpool”. The first Wurlitzer organ was installed in 1929, but it was replaced in 1935 by one designed by Reginald Dixon. The current resident organist is Phil Kelsall who has been playing the organ at the Tower since 1975 when he started in the circus.
The ballroom was damaged by fire in December 1956, and the dance floor was destroyed along with the restaurant underneath the ballroom. Restoration took two years and cost £500,000, with many of the former designers and builders coming out of retirement to assist, the resturant then became the Tower Lounge.
The BBC series Come Dancing was televised from the Tower Ballroom for many years and it has also hosted shows from Strictly Come Dancing including the grand final of the second series on 11 December 2004.
The Blackpool Junior Dance Festival (“Open to the World”) has been held each year in the ballroom since 1964.
Dancing was not originally allowed on Sundays; instead, sacred music was played. The ballroom also originally had very strict rules including:
“Gentlemen may not dance unless with a Lady” and
“Disorderly conduct means immediate expulsion”.
The ballroom has had a number of resident dance bands including Bertini and his band, and Charlie Barlow. Other smaller dance bands have also appeared as residents including the Eric Delaney Band and the Mike James Band.
Under the management of Leisure Parcs,and the direction of bandleader Greg Francis, the Blackpool Tower Big Band was reformed in 2001 after an absence of 25 years. The New Squadronaires, The Memphis Belle Swing Orchestra and The Glenn Miller Tribute Orchestra also performed. Themed nights were also introduced along with the sixteen piece orchestra, with resident singers, including Robert Young, Tony Benedict, Lynn Kennedy, and Mark Porter.[citation needed] In 2005 the Empress Orchestra became resident in the ballroom alongside the specially created and smaller Empress Dance Band.
Shot with a Nikon D70s and 18-70mm lens

Blackpool Tower Ballroom belongs to the following groups:

! 100% !, Anything Theatrical, Creative, Talented, and Unknown, Dimensions, DSLR Users Only - 1/24 - Camera & Lens In Description Please., European Everyday Life (add the place!), Everyday Life, Faded Seaside Glamour, First Things, Former DPF Members, Friends of Bangor and North Down Camera Club, Northern Ireland, Friends of RedBubble, Live, Love, Dream: May you have a Blessed Christmas Season , Safe Haven, Shameless Self-Promotion, Style! Class! Elegance! Excellence!, United Kingdom, Victorian Viewfinders, Your Magic Place (PLACES only!!) and à EUROPA! Available for sale as

Greeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints, Framed Prints and Posters
Blackpool Tower Ballroom by Jason Connolly
  • Tom Gomez

    Tom Gomez

    Wow, this is so rich. Wonderful job Jason …

  • Jason Connolly replied

    Cheers buddy, appreciate all the fine comments you have given me on these shots, appreciated Tom.

  • Jason Connolly

    Jason Connolly

  • Mishka Góra

    Mishka Góra

    This is to die for! My feet are itching for a dance now….

  • Jason Connolly replied

    LOL, go for it Nemirna, glad you like the shot my friend..

  • Thordis

    Thordis

    Super, super Jason! You are a genius!!

  • Jason Connolly replied

    Thanks you Thordis, your comments are very encouraging, bless you.

  • Lois Romer

    Lois Romer

    wonderful Jason, a song sprang to mind as soon as i saw this. Darktown Strutters ball not sure if you know it.

  • Jason Connolly replied

    Don’t know that one Lois but I’m sure they have played it on that famous organ, very pleased that you dropped by my friend.

  • Irene Burdell

    Irene Burdell

    Just amazing work Jason. This one and the bar one haven’t shown in my activity page .

  • Jason Connolly replied

    Thank you for the just amazing comments Irene, always look forward to your visits.

  • SylviaHardy

    SylviaHardy

    That is one beautiful capture Jason!

  • Jason Connolly replied

    Thanks Sylvia, very much appreciate the fine comments.

  • Gilberte

    Gilberte

    oh Jason what a fine photo and a fine ballroom.A shot any competition dancer would like to have in his home.Did you participate at a competition?

  • Jason Connolly replied

    Hello Gilberte,, I never learnt to dance, perhaps I would like to learn, I know Donna wants me to, and as you know, I have 2 left feet LOL.
    Looks great to watch though, so graceful some of them.

  • Marvin Collins

    Marvin Collins

    Beautiful work Jason!!

  • Jason Connolly replied

    Thanks you Marvin, very pleased you like the shot mate.

  • debsphotos

    debsphotos

    What a mouth opener!!! Gorgeous Jas!!!

  • Jason Connolly replied

    LOL, You better close it quick, you might catch a fly LOL..
    Thanks Deb for the seriously nice comments..

  • Susie Mac

    Susie Mac

    This is wonderful!! one of my favourite places such gorgeous colours and lighting susie :)

  • Jason Connolly replied

    And mine too, so glad that you like it Susie, really apprecite you dropping in..

  • Rosalie Dale IPA

    Rosalie Dale IPA

    So ornate and so beautifully produced Jason.

  • Jason Connolly replied

    Thank you Rosalie, very happy you like it my friend, thank you for the nice comments.

  • Carlos Teófilo

    Carlos Teófilo

    I love this work Jason. Fav.

  • Jason Connolly replied

    Thank you carlos, I very much appreciate your visits and comments.

  • keleka656

    keleka656

    My goodness Jason. You GOT it!!! This is an amazing HDR image. The detail is popping out of this from everywhere. WOW!! No, double WOWWOW!! Love this.

  • Jason Connolly replied

    Well what can I say back to those comments Theresa but a big thank you my friend…:))
    So glad that you like it.

  • Warren Williams

    Warren Williams

    Magic stuff

  • Jason Connolly replied

    Hi Warren, thanks for the ‘Magic’ comments pal, appreciate the visit.

  • Antanas

    Antanas

    great work, well done

  • Jason Connolly replied

    Thanks Antanas, so glad you like it..

  • Andy Harris

    Andy Harris

    super shot again… such wonderful details and colour!

  • Jason Connolly replied

    Thanks very much Andy, so glad you like the shot mate, and thanks for the comments and visit.

  • Ellen

    Ellen

    How beautiful…...

  • Jason Connolly replied

    Glad you find this shot beautiful Ellen, thanks for the visit.

  • mariarty

    mariarty

    Excellent, love the ghost on the dance floor bottom right, LOL. Wonderful colour.

  • Jason Connolly replied

    Hiya Marie, thanks for the great comments and top visit.

  • SharonAHenson

    SharonAHenson

    Jason this work of yours is amazing !!!!! Well done !

  • Jason Connolly replied

    Thanks for the amazing comments Sharon, so pleased you like it.

  • amarica

    amarica

    Wow, fabulous place, gorgeous work Jason

  • Jason Connolly replied

    Cheers amarica for the wonderful comments, so pleased that you visited.

  • Di Jenkins

    Di Jenkins

    incredible place and beautifully captured! WOW!

  • Jason Connolly replied

    Hi Di, one of the best places in Blackpool in my opinion.
    Pleased you like the shot..

  • EnVee

    EnVee

    have captured sooooooo much in this shot. wow what details!! well done :)

  • Jason Connolly replied

    Thank you so much Nancy, really glad you like this one, cheers…

  • Phil Deaves

    Phil Deaves

    Impressive…very impressive….good work

  • Jason Connolly replied

    Thanks for the impressive comments phil.

  • Astrid Pardew

    Astrid Pardew

    Stunning..as is your folio!

  • SueAnne

    SueAnne

    WOW! What a great place, love the warm tones

  • EarthGipsy

    EarthGipsy

    Double WoWW!...what a fantastic building. I love it! I had no idea it was so beautiful inside. Thanks for loading, great take :)

  • Robert Berry

    Robert Berry

    Such grandeur! I can’t believe I did not comment on this image. An awe inspiring…

  • StefanNicholson

    StefanNicholson

    Great photo Jason . . . perfect colour and lighting. I see Reginald Dixon’s Wurlitzer, and the words above the stage, but can’t remember them ;)

  • mrscboretti

    mrscboretti

    Incredible! Well done- your portfolio of work is fantastic!

  • Max Brearley

    Max Brearley

    Wow… childhood memories of wet weekdays in the Tower… and my Grandad played the famous Wurlitzer

  • cherylc1

    cherylc1

    WOW~ What magnificant architecture!!! AWESOME capture!!!

  • Richard Veal

    Richard Veal

    Amazing capture Jason.

  • SueAnne

    SueAnne

    Wow, what a georgous ballroom…......

  • Pamela Jayne Smith

    Pamela Jayne S...

    gorgeous!

  • Colleen Milburn

    Colleen Milburn

    Beautifully rich, Jason, well done :-)

  • kilmann

    kilmann

    Astonishing work, Jason.

  • PhotosByG

    PhotosByG

    Jason, this is magnificent. I’m so pleased you said hi to me on one of my photos. I can’t believe places like this still exist. What a brilliant photo you have taken of the ballroom too!

    Cheers,
    Graham

  • Jason Connolly replied

    Thanks Graham for the great comments on my work, thankyou…

  • David Bradbury

    David Bradbury

    Stunning Jason. Amazing colours. You have a wonderful talent Jason.

  • Jason Connolly replied

    Thanks for the great compliments David.

  • ooyayootay

    ooyayootay

    Superb!

  • Jason Connolly replied

    Cheers mate, appreciate the visit..

  • 29Breizh33

    29Breizh33

    Beautiful place. Great shot.

  • Jason Connolly replied

    Thanks so much, glad that you like it.

  • Prasad

    Prasad

    BIG WOW!!!

  • Jason Connolly replied

    Well cheers matey..

  • LudaNayvelt

    LudaNayvelt

    fantastic

  • dmander

    dmander

    wonderful!!! when I was a child I danced in the Tower children’s ballet and in rehearsals I would lie on my back in the middle of the ballroom and try to remember all the details of this wonderful place! I was 11!! you really have done a beautiful ballroom justice! thankyou.

  • Martyn Baker

    Martyn Baker

    Reminds me of my childhood with the Whurlitzer emerging from the floor

  • Sharon Mau

    Sharon Mau

    It is an opulent beauty Jason. Congratulations on your feature today in Dimensions

    27 July 2009

  • Jason Connolly replied

    Thank you so much Sharon, what an honour indeed..

  • Andrea Ida Rausch

    Andrea Ida Rausch

    Wow, what an excellent image of an impressing location! My Congrats!

  • Peter Hill

    Peter Hill

    Stunning work Jason!

  • GiGee

    GiGee

    Absolutely incredibly beautiful!!! Congratulations on the feature.

  • RRoca

    RRoca

    Wow…such breathtaking detail and capture! Beautiful work. Congratulations!

  • tarsia

    tarsia

    beautiful photo

  • Andy Plarinos

    Andy Plarinos

    Great photo Jason. Love the detail and colour. Well done!!!

  • Marie Sharp

    Marie Sharp

  • Alan McMorris

    Alan McMorris

  • JamieGreen

    JamieGreen

    This is stunning Jason, well done on the feature

  • JayneLogan

    JayneLogan

    This is a stellar shot! What a fantastic hall (wonderful narrative; informative and very interesting!)

  • Aaron Tomhave

    Aaron Tomhave

    Stunning and superb. No wonder it was listed as under “some of our best work” in the “Anything Theater” group

  • Alex Hardie

    Alex Hardie 19 days ago

    Nice shot of the Ballroom ,

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