Shall we dance?

For the first time since 1955, the Hornsey Town Hall grand ballroom was filled with music and dancing on Saturday thanks to Richard Pucci's event, Nighthawks: The Big One. Richard has been running Nighthawks previously in the Supper Room in the town hall, but this is the first opportunity he and the dancers of London have had to dance in the main Art Deco ballroom.

The town hall was built by Reginald Uren in 1935

With most of London's dancers descending on the venue for the event (dancing in the ballroom for the first time since 1955, lets make that historic event!), the evening ended with the same question on everyone's lips; when will we be able to dance in the ballroom again?!

Richard's event in the Supper Room has been a sell out since it started

Well the answer to that question sadly doesn't lie with Richard, who I'm sure would be keen to make it a monthly event (much like the many, many dancers who attended the event). The answer to that question lies with Haringey council, who, after the building had sat vacant for a number of years has approved a proposal to allow companies to bid for the future use of the Grade II-listed building.

Richard at the grand event on Saturday

Built by Reginald Uren in 1935 (and listed in the Telegraph's top ten town halls to visit) , the opinion of those in the local area is that the building should be used to benefit the arts - I can see it as a North London type Battersea Arts Centre type venue - a venture which would hopefully see Richard and his event have a place in it's future. Luckily the council have said they will only take into consideration bids that ensure community access.

The ballroom in its heyday, which hopefully it will be again

A quick scout of Google hasn't shown up any petitions we can sign (please anyone reading this, comment below with links if I've missed one!) to save the town hall, but hopefully the lindy hop and dancing community can help to fill the ballroom with the songs of Shaw, Goodman and Miller and the sound of tapping toes for many years to come.