If the Waltz, Foxtrot and Cha Cha get your feet moving, join Windsor Downs organist Tom Barber for an afternoon of live ballroom and old time dance numbers at Richmond School of Arts.
Mr Barber (71) has played organ professionally for over 50 years, and said following the success of an inaugural event in March, he hoped to drum-up enough interest to make Ballroom & Old Time Dance a monthly gathering from the next event in April.
"It's a nice way to bring the old time dance numbers back, and also an outing for people to do something they wouldn't usually do," he said.
"People can come along and dance, or just sit and listen while socialising. And then we have a very nice afternoon tea halfway through."
Mr Barber's song sheet will include the Quickstep and the Tango, as well as some progressive tunes including the Pride of Erin and the Barn Dance.
A retired sign-writer by trade, Mr Barber spent over half a decade playing organ and keyboards for bars and clubs of an evening, as well as organs for theatres, and taught over 1,000 young people to play the instrument.
His home garage-turned-music-room is a shrine to old time music, with 10 organs, two pianos and various memorabilia he has collected over the years.
"I have the best of the electronic organs from the 1970s and '80s, which cost $60,000 to $70,000 in those days. That was when they were at their peak, and just about every suburb had an organ shop in those days," he said. "I also have thirty 100-year old movie chairs in red and gold."
Mr Barber said he had played most of the brands and models of organ available in Australia, New Zealand and the UK, and even played the Wurlitzer organ in the Blackpool Tower Ballroom in England.
Since retiring from sign-writing in 2012, he has held numerous musical get-togethers, including for a club of around 40 ladies whose parents were in WWI.
"Their average age is about 85 and I play them music from WWI right through to the 1960s and '70s," Mr Barber said.
"I've had a full life of sign-writing and a full life of music, teaching music and writing songs. I've played over 1,500 weddings over the years, and hundreds of clubs. Now, it's time for me to play my music for the people of the Hawkesbury.
"We used to have a lot of dancing in the district but it died off when people passed away or couldn't do it anymore."
Everyone is welcome at Ballroom & Old Time Dance at the Richmond School of Arts, 26 W Market Street, on Thursday, April 4, 1-4pm. The venue is air-conditioned. The cost is $10, which includes afternoon tea served at 2.30pm. Call 4572 5773 for more information.
