The Empress Ballroom
This popular venue was situated about 100 yards from North End Junction along Stubbington Avenue, on the north side.
The bulk of the building is still visible, but since it close it has been a garage and supermarket.
Presently, the building stand boarded up, a sad memorial to what it used to be.
17-2-1930 ----------------------- 6 april 1934
17-2-1930 ----------------------- 6 april 1934
20-12-1935
23-12--1935
28-1-2935
2-9-1936 ----------------------- 10-9-1936
12 February 1931 --- Billy Cotton and his Wizards of Music, 1st September 1934
Stubbingtion Avenue in the Kelly's Directories
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1944
January 1st At the Empress Ballroom at North End Junction you could dance to Jimmy Harris and his band with vocalist Gerry Leach.
February 2nd Dancing at the Empress Ballroom at North End.
May 23rd At the Empress Ballroom North End dancing to the new 9 piece augmented Band.
October 3rd Empress Ballroom Dancing Monday to Saturday to the new augmented 9 piece band.
December 7th At the Empress ballroom North End, Prince-Cox and his Co-operative Dance band Monday to Friday 1/6d. Saturday matinee at 1/- and Saturday evening at 2/-d.
1945
February 7th Ads in the Evening News, Fred Pervin, drummer, late of Empress Rooms, open for engagements, 303 Twyford Avenue.
May 8th Last day of the war celebrated at the Empress Ballroom by over 1000 people.
September 18th After a six months tour in Italy, Arthur Rowberry and his band return home and will fulfil an engagement at the Empress Rooms.
September 24th For one week only Arthur Rowberry and his Radio Dance Band at the Empress Ballroom Stubbington Avenue North End.
November 30th Ad in the Evening News;- Dance pianist, Dick Whichello late Empress Ballroom available for gigs 90, Ebery Grove, Copnor.
1946
March 19th Empress Ballroom hold a 'Special Betty Grable Ball' with a ladies beautiful legs contest.
April 22nd Ad in the Evening News;- It is proposed to run a South Hampshire Dance Band Contest in conjunction with the Melody Maker.
Anyone interested should contact Mr G Paice at the Theatre Royal or Mr G Turner at the Empress ballroom.
May 3rd Visit of Britian's popular Radio Artiste and star if ITMA, Paula Green, to the Empress Ballroom, with a crooning contest for ladies.
June 4th Ad in the Evening News;- Fred Purvin, drummer, late of the Empress Ballroom, open for engagements 131 Twyford Avenue.
June 8th, Saturday, At the Empress Ballroom, the Empress Ballroom Orchestra featuring Joyce May(winner of the Paula Green crooning contest) and Bill Cole and his Clubmen(winners of the East Hampshire Dance Band contest).
June 12th Joyce May continues to feature with the Empress Ballroom Orchestra at Stubbington Avenue.
July 2nd At the Empress Ballroom, Arthur Rowberry and his Radio Orchestra, direct from Italy, Greece and Austria.
August 15th At the Conservative Club Fratton Road, Robbies Dance Band on Monday Wednesdays and Fridays, with Fred Pervin and his Popular Players(late of Empress Ballroom) on the ground floor.
1947
January 1st Hal Swain and his Swing Sisters at the Empress Ballroom North End.
April 21st At the Empress, the Royal Minuet is played, especially written for Princess Elizabeth's 21st birthday, and demonstrated.
September 27th Saturday, The Empress Ballroom re-opens with two bands, Eddie Nash and his Commanders plus the newly Augmented Empress Ballroom Orchestra with Portsmouth's own vocalist Jean Goulden.
October 1st Portsmouth born Pat O'Regan Britain’s No1 Vocalist from the Dorchester and the BBC, will appear at the Empress on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.
October 1st Portsmouth born Pat O'Regan Britain’s No1 Vocalist from the Dorchester and the BBC, will appear at the Empress on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.
November 21st Harry Roy's Band
December 11th Dance band Cavalcade at the Empress Ballroom for the Musicians Union Benevolent fund.
December 31st At the Empress Ballroom, Billy Norman and his electric guitar.
1948
January 1st At the Embassy Ballroom, Billy Forrest's broadcasting orchestra play for dancing.
February 7th Saturday, Billy Norman and his electric guitar play at the Empress Ballroom.
March 24th The Empress Ballroom advertise The New Orleans Dance Band playing Monday to Saturday
April 28th Roy Cresdee and his 'New Orleans' featuring Jimmy Leach, appear at the Empress Ballroom.
May 10th American Drummer Tommy Joyce and his Band at the Empress Ballroom.
May 28th New manager at the Empress Ballroom, Jack Dunn.
October 2nd Saturday, Tommy Joyce and his Band at the Empress Ballroom.
October 12th, The Empress Ballroom at North End advertise a new sprung floor, for dancing.
1949
February 2nd Saxophonist Cyril Brown join the Tommy Joyce Band at the Empress.
May 4th Bill Cole and his Clubmen, winners of the Southern Britain dance band Championship 1948/49, play at the Empress Ballroom along with Tommy Joyce and his Orchestra.
May 11th Bill Cole and his Clubmen play at the Empress North End.
May 18th Bill Cole and his Clubmen pay at the Empress Ballroom with Tommy Joyce and his Orchestra.
June 21st At the Empress Ballroom a special appearance of the 17 Piece Dance Orchestra of the USS Missouri. The ship is currently on a visit to Portsmouth.
September 21st At the Empress Ballroom, Eddie 'Tash' Mendoza and his City Spivs play for dancing.
October 10th The new resident band, Eddie "Tiger Ragamuffin" Edward and his Music play at the Empress Ballroom.
December 1st Bop contest at the Empress Ballroom.
December 8th Farewell night at the Empress Ballroom for Eddie Edwards and his Music.
December 13th New resident band at the Empress Ballroom Stubbington Avenue, the Hallman 9 piece Orchestra and Dixieland Group.
1950
April 6th Johnny Lyne and his Music play for the 'Bop' Interlude and Alf Hallman and his and his Orchestra, at the Empress ballroom.
May 2nd Dancing to Londoner Alf Gee and his Music at the Empress Ballroom.
May 16th At the Empress Ballroom, dancing to Alf Gee and his Old Time Ensemble, with MC Jack Minter.
May 18th Eddie 'Tosh' Mendoya and his Crazy Spivs play at the Empress Ballroom.
September 27th Eric Winstone and his full Orchestra with Julie dawn and Roy marsh, play at the Empress Ballroom supported by Alf Gee and his Music.
October 7th Saturday, Guest band at the Empress Ballroom, Johnny Lyne and his Music.
October 19th Freddy Randall and his Band play at the Empress ballroom.
November 2nd The Johnny Dankworth Seven play at the Empress Ballroom.
December 19th Leonard Leslie's Old time Orchestra play at the Empress Club.
1951
January 9th Leonard Leslie's Old Time Orchestra play at the Empress Ballroom North End each week.
January 13th Saturday, Alf Gee and his Music have their Grand Farewell night at the Empress Ballroom.
January 20th Saturday, Johnny Lyne and his Music play at the Empress Ballroom.
February 1st Alf Hallman and his Band play at the Empress Ballroom for the National Association of Nursery Nurses Grand Dance.
February 2nd At the Empress Ballroom, a cabaret floor show is given by local girl Sylvia Gusman.
February 13th At the Empress Ballroom, Leonard Leslie's Old Time Orchestra play for dancing.
February 20th Leonard Leslie's Old Time Orchestra play at the Empress Ballroom.
February 23rd Reg Bannistra and his Music play at the Empress Ballroom.
March 6th Leonard Leslie's Orchestra play at the Empress Ballroom.
March 13th Leonard Leslie's Band play at the Empress Ballroom.
March 13th Leonard Leslie's Band play at the Empress Ballroom.
May 25th Finale night for the Alf Hallman Orchestra at the Empress Ballroom.
May 26th Saturday, Reg Bannistra and his Music start their season at the Empress Ballroom.
May 29th Leonard Leslie and his Music play at the Empress Ballroom.
August 29th Roy Fox and his Orchestra play at the Empress Ballroom.
October 6th Saturday, Farewell dance at the Empress Ballroom to Reg Bannistra and his Music.
October 8th Alf Hallman and his band take up residency at the Empress Ballroom North End.
October 23rd, Leonard Leslie and his Orchestra play at the Empress Ballroom.
November 6th Leonard Leslie's Orchestra play at the Empress Ballroom.
November 13h Leonard Leslie's Orchestra play at the Empress Ballroom.
December 11th Leonard Leslie's Orchestra play at the Empress Ballroom.
December 18th Leonard Leslie's Orchestra play at the Empress Ballroom, with MC Donald Mack.
December 27th Leonard Leslie's Orchestra play at the Empress Ballroom.
1952
January 1st Leonard Leslie's Orchestra play at the Empress Ballroom.
January 28th Leonard Leslie's Orchestra play at the Empress Ballroom.
February 6th Alf Hallman and his Band
February 26th Leonard Leslie and his Orchestra play at the Empress Ballroom.
March 4th Leonard Leslie and his Orchestra play at the Empress ballroom.
March 11th Leonard Leslie and his Orchestra play at the Empress Ballroom.
March 25th Leonard Leslie and his Orchestra play at the Empress Ballroom.
April 1st Leonard Leslie and his Orchestra play at the Empress Ballroom.
April 8th Leonard Leslie and his Orchestra play at the Empress Ballroom.
April 29th Leonard Leslie and his Music play at the Empress Ballroom.
May 13th Leonard Leslie and his Orchestra play at the Empress Ballroom.
May 23rd The farewell dance for Alf Hallman and his Band at the Empress Ballroom.
Leonard Leslie and his Orchestra play at the Embassy Ballroom.
May 24th Saturday, Reg Bannistra and his Music start their residency at the Empress Ballroom.
June 3rd Leonard Leslie's Orchestra play at the Empress Ballroom.
June 10th Leonard Leslie's Orchestra play at the Empress Ballroom.
June 17th Leonard Leslie's Orchestra play at the Empress Ballroom.
June 24th Leonard Leslie's Orchestra play at the Empress Ballroom.
July 15th Leonard Leslie's Orchestra play at the Empress Ballroom.
July 22nd Leonard Leslie's Orchestra play at the Empress Ballroom.
July 29th Leonard Leslie's Orchestra play at the Empress Ballroom.
September 27th Saturday, A new resident band at the Empress Ballroom, Ronnie Caryl, his trumpet and Broadcasting Band.
1953
April 25th A farewell night for Ronnie Caryl and his Band at the Empress Ballroom.
April 27th Saturday, Kenny Baker and the new resident band Tommy Easby and his Band play at the Empress ballroom.
September 14th The Gene Mayo Band moves from the Embassy Ballroom to become the new resident band at the Empress Ballroom at North End
1954
March 10th Alf Hallman and his Band play at the Empress Ballroom.
August 23rd The Empress Ballroom closes for two weeks for the laying of a complete new floor.
September 6th The Empress re-opens with a new floor and Dave Shand and his Broadcasting Orchestra and Gene Mayo and his Orchestra.
1955
April 25th Alan Hurst and his Band are the new attraction at the Empress Ballroom, direct from the Aquarium Ballroom, Brighton.
June 27th New resident Orchestra at the Empress Ballroom., Mick Mitchell and his Music featuring Tiny Nichols.
October 3rd Billy Burkett and his Band play alongside Mick Mitchell and his Music at the Empress Ballroom.
October 10th Billy Burkett and his Band play alongside Mick Mitchell and his Music at the Empress Ballroom.
October 21st At the Empress Ballroom, two band night with Mick Mitchell and his Music plus Billy Burkett and his Band.
October 24th At the Empress Ballroom, two band night with Mick Mitchell and his Music plus Billy Burkett and his Band.
October 31st At the Empress Ballroom, two band night with Mick Mitchell and his Music plus Billy Burkett and his Band.
November 5th Saturday, At the Empress Ballroom, two band night with Mick Mitchell and his Music plus Billy Burkett and his Band.
November 6th At the Empress Ballroom, two band night with Mick Mitchell and his Music plus Billy Burkett and his Band.
November 7th At the Empress Ballroom, two band night with Mick Mitchell and his Music plus Billy Burkett and his Band.
December 24th Saturday, Mick Mitchell and his Music are joined at the Empress Ballroom by Barry McCarthy and his Jazzmen.
1956
April 2nd At the Empress Ballroom, Mick Mitchell and his Music are joined by Billy Burkett and his Band.
whit sat May 19th Billy Burkett and his Band play at the Empress Ballroom with Mick Mitchell and his Music.
May 21st Billy Burkett and his Band play at the Empress Ballroom with Mick Mitchell and his Music.
May 26th Billy Burkett and his Band play at the Empress Ballroom with Mick Mitchell and his Music.
June 1st Billy Burkett and his Band play at the Empress Ballroom with Mick Mitchell and his Music.
June 4th The Empress Ballroom is closed for renovations and will re-open on August 31st.
September 1st The Empress Ballroom re-opens with the new resident band Reg Bannistra Orchestra with Johnny Lyne and guests Bobby Mickleburgh and his band.
September 8th Dancing to the Reg Bannistra and his Provincial Showband at the Empress Ballroom.
December 1st Saturday, Alex Welch and his Dixielands play at the Empress Ballroom.
December 3rd New resident band at the Empress Ballroom, Mick Mitchell and his Music.
December 10th Mick Mitchell and his Music are joined by the Southern Counties Old Time Orchestra at the Empress Ballroom for a dance in aid of the Hungarian Relief Fund, with cabaret from the Liddell Sisters and Eddie Forehead's Rock'n'roll Trio.
December 18th The Southern Counties Orchestra play at the Empress Ballroom.
1957
January 1st The Southern Counties Orchestra play at the Empress Ballroom.
January 8th The Southern Counties Orchestra play at the Empress Ballroom.
January 12th At the Empress Ballroom, Mick Mitchell and his band play with guests Eddie Forehead and his Rock'n'rollers.
January 19th At the Empress Ballroom, Mick Mitchell and his band play with guests Eddie Forehead and his Rock'n'rollers.
January 22nd The Southern Counties Orchestra play at the Empress Ballroom.
January 25th The Southern Counties Orchestra play at the Empress Ballroom.
January 26th Saturday, At the Empress Ballroom, Mick Mitchell and his band play with guests Eddie Forehead and his Rock'n'rollers.
January 29th The Southern Counties Orchestra play at the Empress Ballroom.
February 5th The Southern Counties Orchestra play at the Empress Ballroom.
February 9th At the Empress Ballroom, Mick Mitchell and his band play with guests Eddie Forehead and his Rock'n'rollers.
February 11th A Rock'n'roll and Be-bop competition is held at the Empress Ballroom, with an appearance of 'The Skiffs'. The South of England Rock'n'roll Dance Championship won tonight by Albert Coates and Betty Giles. February 12th The Southern Counties Orchestra play at the Empress Ballroom.
February 16th At the Empress Ballroom, Mick Mitchell and his band play with guests Eddie Forehead and his Rock'n'rollers.
February 19th The Southern Counties Orchestra play at the Empress Ballroom.
February 23rd At the Empress Ballroom, Mick Mitchell and his band play with guests Eddie Forehead and his Rock'n'rollers.
February 26th The Southern Counties Orchestra play at the Empress Ballroom.
March 2nd At the Empress Ballroom, Mick Mitchell and his band play with guests Eddie Forehead and his Rock'n'rollers.
March 5th The Southern Counties Orchestra play at the Empress Ballroom.
March 9th At the Empress Ballroom, Mick Mitchell and his band play with guests Eddie Forehead and his Rock'n'rollers.
March 12th The Southern Counties Orchestra play at the Empress Ballroom.
March 16th At the Empress Ballroom, Mick Mitchell and his band play with guests Eddie Formby and his Rock'n'rollers.
March 19th The Southern Counties Orchestra play at the Empress Ballroom.
March 22nd At the Empress Ballroom, Bob Woolgar's gym present a Mr and Mrs South Coast with a personal appearance of Mr. Universe and Mr. Britain.
March 26th The Southern Counties Orchestra play at the Empress Ballroom.
March 30th At the Empress Ballroom, Mick Mitchell and his band play with guests Eddie Formby and his Rock'n'rollers.
April 1st At the Empress Ballroom, an inter-town rock'n'roll and be-bop competition Southampton v Portsmouth, with free ice cream and Coca Cola.
April 2nd The Southern Counties Orchestra play at the Empress Ballroom.
April 9th The Southern Counties Orchestra play at the Empress Ballroom.
April 13th Dean Maddisson and his Jazz Group play at the Empress Ballroom with Mick Mitchell and his Music.
April 16th The Southern Counties Orchestra play at the Empress Ballroom.
April 20th Dean Maddison and his Jazz Group play at the Empress Ballroom with Mick Mitchell and his Music.
April 22nd Terry Flynn's Quintet pay at the Empress ballroom with Mick Mitchell and his Music.
April 23rd The Southern Counties Orchestra play at the Empress Ballroom.
April 27th Dean Maddison and his Jazz Group play at the Empress Ballroom with Mick Mitchell and his Music.
April 30th The Southern Counties Orchestra play at the Empress Ballroom.
May 14th The Southern Counties Orchestra play at the Empress Ballroom.
May 21st The Southern Counties Orchestra play 'the last one' at the Empress Ballroom.
There were no more enties in the Evening News for the Empress Ballroom.
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-------------- 1949 ------------------
-------------- 1951 ------------------
Melanies became the Co-op and burnt down in 1986.
After the fire.
The Empress Ballroom site todayThe entrance was just inside Stubbington Avenue.
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