Ballroom Dancing Events

Social Dance Events 2021

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

Unfortunately, due to the ongoing legal restrictions on public gatherings imposed by NSW Government Health Orders during the COVID-19 pandemic, our dance program has been disrupted this year.

At this stage we expect to resume our dance program in December 2021 consistent with the NSW Government's roadmap out of lock-down. Keep your eye on this page for futher updates as more information comes to hand.

Dance Dates for 2021 (mainly Fridays)

* 10 April (Saturday) with live music by Barry Noble
         * 14 May with CD music
         * 19 June (Saturday) our 31st Birthday Ball with live music by Barry Noble
         * 16 July Christmas in July Dance with live music by Barry Noble
         * 13 August with CD music
         * 24 September Spring Dance with CD music
         * 15 October with CD music
         * 14 November (Sunday 2.00pm) with CD music
         * 17 December Christmas Ball with music Barry Noble (doors open 6.00pm, dancing 6.30pm)

All dances are held in the Panthers Port Maquarie Auditorium, Settlement City, Port Macquarie. Doors open at 7.00pm with dancing from 7.30pm, except for the Balls which open at 6.00pm with dancing from 6.30pm.

Each dance event includes Raffles, Lucky Door and Monte Carlo prizes. Admission is $10 at the door and $15 on nights with live music. All welcome, including visitors.

Enquiries to principal@portballroom.org.au

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.

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.