TV's Strictly Come Dancing gives historic Birmingham dance hall a new lease of life
Mar 7 2009 by Vicky Farncombe, Birmingham Mail
Tower Ballroom
FANS of Strictly Come Dancing eager to follow in the quick steps of Alesha Dixon, Darren Gough and Jill Halfpenny have been packing out a new class at the historic Tower Ballroom.
The historic venue, in Reservoir Road, which was saved from demolition by a residents’ campaign, is going from strength to strength after holding weekly Latin and ballroom dance classes giving ordinary Brummies the chance to master the moves made famous on the popular prime-time show.
Teacher Richard Rose said: “Strictly has made ballroom dancing very fashionable and we’ll be teaching all the dances from the programme
“The Tower is the only ballroom of its kind left in the country and it’s the perfect place to learn ballroom dancing. It really has the atmosphere of the TV show.”
As well as learning the Salsa, the Samba and the American Smooth, more experienced dancers can strut their stuff in a freestyle session which follows the class.
Tower manager Vicky Sherwin said: “We’re delighted that ballroom dancing is back at the Tower. The people who came here years ago are all coming back. It’s fantastic.”
The Tower Ballroom has stood on the banks of the Edgbaston Reservoir for more than 80 years.
