Dancing to the Mighty Wurlitzer
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PHIL KELSALL DANCE SUNDAY 27TH JULY
In this year of Bradford 2025 City of Culture, Bradford City Council - through its Shipley Area Committee - is part sponsoring a 'dance to the Wurlitzer theatre pipe organ' event in the Victoria Hall, Saltaire on Sunday 27th July from 1.30pm. Playing the organ will be the principal resident organist from the Tower Ballroom Blackpool, the much acclaimed Phil Kelsall. Thanks to the sponsorship, the Cinema Organ Society is able to offer free admission, thus we hope that the event will attract attendees from all over the Shipley/Bradford district, whether to dance or just listen and enjoy a social occasion in the superb Victoria Hall. Refreshments will be available for a donation and visitors will be able to view the nearly 1000 pipes and percussions under the stage (access via staircase) during the interval.
There is level access to the hall via Lockwood Street and a lift. Doors will open at 1pm and dancing on the sprung floor will be between 1.30pm and 4pm, with a 30 minute interval.
Many visitors will have happy memories of holidays or day trips to Blackpool, perhaps even dancing to Reginald Dixon in the Tower Ballroom playing the famous Wurlitzer, which is very similar to our Wurlitzer in Saltaire.
Phil Kelsall has amazingly now been playing for over 45 years at the Tower, having been appointed in 1975, initially as organist in the Tower Circus band with occasional appearances in the Ballroom. In 1977 Ernest Broadbent the then Tower organist, retired through ill-health and Phil was the obvious choice as the new principal resident organist, a position he has held ever since.
Phil was extremely proud to have received the MBE in the 2010 Queen's Birthday Honours List for services to music.
Whether ‘tripping the light fantastic’ or just enjoying the music why not join us for a superb afternoon of music and memories.
In this year of Bradford 2025 City of Culture, Bradford City Council - through its Shipley Area Committee - is part sponsoring a 'dance to the Wurlitzer theatre pipe organ' event in the Victoria Hall, Saltaire on Sunday 27th July from 1.30pm. Playing the organ will be the principal resident organist from the Tower Ballroom Blackpool, the much acclaimed Phil Kelsall. Thanks to the sponsorship, the Cinema Organ Society is able to offer free admission, thus we hope that the event will attract attendees from all over the Shipley/Bradford district, whether to dance or just listen and enjoy a social occasion in the superb Victoria Hall. Refreshments will be available for a donation and visitors will be able to view the nearly 1000 pipes and percussions under the stage (access via staircase) during the interval.
There is level access to the hall via Lockwood Street and a lift. Doors will open at 1pm and dancing on the sprung floor will be between 1.30pm and 4pm, with a 30 minute interval.
Many visitors will have happy memories of holidays or day trips to Blackpool, perhaps even dancing to Reginald Dixon in the Tower Ballroom playing the famous Wurlitzer, which is very similar to our Wurlitzer in Saltaire.
Phil Kelsall has amazingly now been playing for over 45 years at the Tower, having been appointed in 1975, initially as organist in the Tower Circus band with occasional appearances in the Ballroom. In 1977 Ernest Broadbent the then Tower organist, retired through ill-health and Phil was the obvious choice as the new principal resident organist, a position he has held ever since.
Phil was extremely proud to have received the MBE in the 2010 Queen's Birthday Honours List for services to music.
Whether ‘tripping the light fantastic’ or just enjoying the music why not join us for a superb afternoon of music and memories.
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