Ballroom Dancing Events

Social Dance Events 2018

The Port Macquarie Ballroom Dancing School operates in association with the Port Macquarie Panthers Ballroom Dancing Group which provides an annual program of dance events in the Port Macquarie Panthers Auditorium.

Doors open at 7.00 pm for a night of dancing from 7.30 pm. All welcome for $8 admission at the door (or $13 on live music nights) which includes raffles, lucky door and Monte Carlo prizes. A pre-purchased ticket is required to attend the Balls on the Saturday night, with an earlier start time to accommodate the dinner.

All dances are on a Friday night except for the Birthday Ball on Saturday 9 June 2018 and the Christmas Ball on Saturday 15 December 2018, and also the Sunday afternoon dance on 4 November 2018 at 2.00pm.

The complete program for 2018:

★ 12 January ~ New Years Dance ~ Live Music by Joe Walmsley.
★   2 February ~ Valentines Dance ~ Live Music by Joe Walmsley.
★ 16 March ~ Live Music by Barry Noble.
★ 27 April ~ Live Music by Barry Noble.
★ 18 May ~ Live Music by Barry Noble.
★   9 June (Saturday) ~ our 29th Birthday Ball ~ Live Music by Barry Noble.
★ 20 July ~ Christmas in July ~ Live music by Barry Noble.
★ 31 August ~ Spring Dance ~ Live Music by Barry Noble.
★ 28 September ~ Pre-recorded music.
★  No dance during October.
★   4 November (Sunday) ~ Pre-recorded music from 2.00pm.
★ 15 December ~ (Saturday) ~ Christmas Ball ~ Live Music by Barry Noble.

Click here for a downloadable PDF version of the annual dance program which is suitable for printing.

A record of the main dances in the previous 12 months may be viewed on our archive page.

New Vogue, Modern Ballroom, Latin American and English Old Time Dancing.

Short image sequence and video above captures the atmosphere of the Panthers 2016 Christmas Ball

The Port Panthers Ballroom Dancing Group are pleased with the success of their 2016 Christmas Ball which attracted 90 Dancers. They all enjoyed a delicious two-course dinner and dancing to the smooth sounds of musician Joe Walmsley.

July 2016 marked 20 years since President John Tiley, Vice President Dorothy Bruton and Kevin and Lyn Cook took over responsibility for running the Panthers (formerly Port Macquarie RSL) Dance Group from the founder, Mrs Nell Wright. Mementos of their achievement were presented to John and Kevin and Lyn during the night. Dorothy was absent from the Ball and will be presented with her award early in the New Year.

The Dance Group have published their itinerary for 2017 and are now looking forward to their 21st year of hosting quality Dances.

Short video segment above of the 27th Birthday Ball 20 August 2016 with Barry Noble

The Port Panthers Ballroom Dancing Group celebrated their 27th Birthday on 20th August 2016 with a Ball attended by 110 Dancers. Visitors came from Sydney, Newcastle, Taree, Forster/Tuncurry, Kempsey and Coffs Harbour for the event. Mrs Nell Wright, a local Ballroom Professional, founded the dance 27 years ago with dances originally held at the Port Macquarie RSL Club in Short Street Port Macquarie.

At the same time she also founded the Kempsey Macleay RSL Club Ballroom Dances. Upon closure of the RSL Club in Short Street the dances were held at a number of different venues before ultimately returning to Port Panthers at Settlement City. Nell moved to Newcastle in July 1996. She did, however, have the pleasure of returning to Port for a Ball at the Panthers prior to her death in June 2006.

The 27th Birthday Ball therefore also marked 20 years since John and Dorothy took over responsibility for running of the Panthers Dance Group dances. For much of that time they have been ably assisted by Kevin and Lyn Cook who were also present at the Ball. Many others have also assisted over the years especially Barbara Boyd in recent times to ensure the Dance Group continued to prosper. It has been a very successful tenure with many enjoyable nights of dancing, particularly at the Balls over a long period of time. Judging by the success of the 27th Birthday Ball and the quality of the new Panthers Auditorium this has excellent prospects of continuing well in to the future.

Video above of New Years Dance 16 January 2016 with Barry Noble.

The video above shows Grahame Kesby on the keyboard for his final gig with the Panthers Ballroom Dancing Group on 12 December 2015 before his retirement.

After a lifetime as a musician including more than 30 years of playing at Ballroom Dances, the evergreen Grahame Kesby finally retired following the Port Panthers Ballroom Dancing Group Christmas Ball on 12th December 2015. Grahame had been playing for the Group's Dances since the nineteen eighties and for most of that time was their only musician as well as playing at a number of other venues. He often said that he mainly played for the enjoyment with his daytime job being the life of a pig and cattle raiser.

During the Ball, President John thanked Grahame for his co-operation and cheerfulness and the many fun times. He will be missed but leaves with our good wishes for a long and happy retirement. Vice-President Dorothy then presented Grahame with an engraved gold watch in appreciation of his long service. At our invitation Grahame then proceeded to give an interesting account of his musical history including how he came to be a dance musician. Whilst no longer being seen at Dances he will be kept busy and still able to enjoy playing his keyboard at up to 11 Retirement Homes in the district.