Coventry Dance Halls, Studios and Schools

I have no personal memory of 'The Balalaika Dance Studio' but I did find a mention of it and was supposed to have been run by a lady called Janet Ball and was located somewhere in the Upper Precinct. Maybe that small amount of information will trigger a memory from someone else on here. Good luck with your search!

Hi Foxcote, The name Janet Ball rings all my bells, but for the life of me I can't remember why. I am sure if some members send in their hints it will come to me. Oh it is so annoying when someone will no doubt pip me to it.

Dimly, I recall the Balalaika being on the upper level of the Upper Precinct but I'm also getting a mental image of it being in the Lower Precinct somewhere around where the Swiss Alps used to be. I'm sure this isn't helpful at all!

I found this elsewhere on the Historic Coventry site - Post war decades remembered by Mike Tyzack! "In 1960 the Locarno ballroom opened so I thought I needed dancing lessons. I went to the Balalaika dance studio run by Janet Ball. This was over shops in the Lower Precinct near the Coop. There I learned the waltz, quickstep and Madison." Also by googling, I found this snippet on Friends Reunited: "In the early 1970's i used to have dancing lessons at the Balalaika dancing school in the Upper Precinct on Saturday mornings" So maybe it moved locations and I am not as confused as I thought!

BINGO! I remember Doris so well, she used to serve us our morning drink, either cocoa, hot chocolate or just plain milk outside. Doris had an associate but I can't recall her name. She was at St. Joseph's all the time I was there. I do remember too she wore those very thick lensed glasses. That was a little brain shaker from the past. I am glad to say I do have little memory pockets left. Thank you for that. X Sorry this has nothing to do with a balalaika but look where it leads you.

Thank you all very much. Funny thing is that the name 'Janet Ball rings' a distant bell with me too now, dohhhh. I wonder if she is still around???? That was a super story about her.

Does anyone remember the Bamba dance hall, I think that's how you spell it. It was on the Lockhurst Lane.

Hello Tilly I think you will find that the Bamba Club was on the Foleshill Road o/p where Magnet Kitchens is now it then became the Treetops club and is now a temple, I remember going there in the 60s.

I remember going to St Finbarrs once. It was an Irish club on the Stoney Stanton Road. Does anyone remember it? When my dad found out I'd been there I was 'grounded' for ages.

Hi Tricia, I used to go to St. Finbarrs club also. They used to have dances on Thursday and Sunday nights if I remember correctly. They were great, pity it had to close, but it's like everything else isn't it. There is a new Finbarrs starting up in Holbrooks, behind Morrisons I think, wouldn't be the same though would it.

This has set me thinking about the dance halls I used to go to in the 60's. The Locarno of course, Friday nights after a drink in the Market Tavern but we also used to go the dances in the Lanchester Poly, I think it was the students union and they also used to have good groups on at the Matrix on the Fletchamstead Highway. Lots of the pubs used to have discos as well, The Baginton Oak was the first one I can remember that had the fluorescent lights that showed up your dandruff and underwear if you were unlucky! We also used to go to the Walsgrave, there used to be a local band on there called Jigsaw. When one of my friends got a car we would then venture out a bit further, The Steering Wheel at Hinckley and The Swan at Yardley are ones I remember most. And after all this dancing where did I meet my husband, at work ! The EMEB in Sandy Lane a lovely old building which used to be the Daimler offices and glad to say still standing although much modernised.

In reply to Herbert's lab - we have Pete Clemon's article on the Chuck Berry concert and also the Pink Floyd session at the Locarno 1972 here We also have lots more about the Coventry Music scene on that site and other sites linked to it.

Nor me - only when it became the library (that was the same place, wasn't it?)

I used to go on Friday nights, which was more pop music than the Saturday night proper dancing. We used to go in the Market Tavern until 10.00 as the Locarno did not get going until then. The ladies room had mirrors with lights round, then put your coat and handbag in and get a bracelet with a number like you do in the swimming bath so you did not have to dance round your handbag all night.