January 2nd 1953 - Reggie Goff and his Sextet play at the Savoy Ballroom.
January 5th 1953 - At the Theatre Royal Carroll Levis and his discoveries plus Violet Pretty and the Teen-agers. The Portsmouth and District Pembroke County Club have a New Year's Dance at the Rock garden Pavilion with music from The Gonzolians Dance band.
January 9th 1953 - Carl Barriteau and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
January 10th 1953 - Terry Flynn and his Band are resident at the Unity Hall.
January 11th 1953 - A series of Municipal concerts begin at the Theatre Royal, with many local musicians in the Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra.
January 15th 1953 - Frank Hurlock is re-elected secretary of the Portsmouth Jazz Club.
January 16th 1953 - Eric Winstone and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
January 17th 1953 - Irene Keen's Old Time Trio play at the RAFA Club Cosham.
January 20th 1953 - Ad in the Evening News; Irene Keen's Old Time Dance Orchestra now booking engagements for season;- 22, Beaulieu Road, Portsmouth.
January 23rd 1953 - Stanley Black and his Famous BBC 17 piece Orchestra appear at the Savoy Ballroom. Dancing to Vic Walker and his Band at the Drill Hall, Albert Road, Cosham.
January 24th 1953 - Dancing at the Rainbow Room, Unity Hall to the Terry Flynn Quintet.
January 29th 1953 - At the South Parade Pier, British Railways Staff Carnival Ball dancing to Leonard Leslie's Orchestra and Reg Bannistra's Modern Dance Music.
January 30th 1953 - Teddy Foster and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
January 31st 1953 - After playing at Fratton Park, the Portsmouth Fire Brigade Band, conductor Mr. Fitch, travelled to Southampton and came second in a band contest.
February 6th 1953 - Nat Temple and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
February 8th 1953 - Proceeds of the Portsmouth Philharmonic Society Concert at the Theatre Royal will go to the East Anglian Flood Relief fund.
February 9th 1953 - Tito Burns and his Band play at the Embassy Ballroom alongside Gene Mayo and his Orchestra. Leslie 'Jiver' Hutchinson appears at the Savoy Ballroom. The Airspeed Singers perform at a meeting of the Portsmouth Post War Brotherhood.
February 11th 1953 - At the Wesley Central Hall, Fratton Road, the Portsmouth Music Lovers Society, heard a 'miniture promenade concert' on records played by PC Woollven (secretary of the City Police Recorded Music Society).
February 12th 1953 - The St Cecelia Singers, conductor Reg Wassell, give a concert at Christ Church on Portsdown Hill.
February 13th 1953 - Jack Parnell and his Music Makers play at the South Parade Pier. In aid of the flood victims, Eve Pedwell's Variety Starlets with Reg Aldridge, appear at the Unity Hall, St John's Road. Ted Heath and his Music play at the Savoy Ballroom.
February 14th 1953 - The Music Club, founded 1942, celebrate their Eleventh Anniversary at the Lecture Hall, in the Central Library behind the Guildhall with a concert.
February 16th 1953 - Oscar Rabin and his Broadcasting Band, featuring David Ede, Marain Williams, Marjorie Daw, Franklyn Boyd, Bobby Benstead (Britian's ace trumpeter), and the David Ede Quintet, play at the Embassy Ballroom. Freddie Randall and his Band play at the Savoy Ballroom.
February 17th 1953 - Ron Male and his Dixielanders play for the Portsmouth Rhythm Club at the Sir John Peel, St Vincent Street.
February 19th 1953 - The Aeolian Players entertain the St Marks Darby and Joan Club at St Marks Institute.
February 20th 1953 - Joe Loss and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom. Lord Donegall, President of the new National Jazz Federation, has accepted the Presidency of the Portsmouth Jazz Club.
February 21st 1953 - The Drayton Methodist Church Choral Society perform, principal soloist include Ernest Barr (violin) and Reg Wassell, with Betty Stow and Stanley Matthews accompanists.
February 23rd 1953 - Mick Mulligan and his Magnolian Jazz Band play at the Savoy Ballroom. Leslie Baker and his Orchestra play at the Embassy Ballroom. Eight year old Adrian John played his accordion and sang, and Pamela Arthur's Concert Party entertained the Darby and Joan Club's fourth anniversary party at Cosham British Legion.
February 25th 1953 - The Portsmouth Glee Club give a concert at the London Road Baptist Church, which includes soloists Florence Brice and Donald Cox, plus Ernest Barr violin, Rosalind Matthews cello, and Stanley Matthews piano, in aid of the Lord Mayor's Flood Relief Appeal. Mrs. D. Perkins concert party, 'The Gems' gave a performance at the Ascension Hall Chichester Road for the Flood Relief Fund.
February 26th 1953 - The Cambridge in Portland Road opens, mine host Johnny Douthwaite.
February 27th 1953 - At the Savoy Ballroom, The Jimmy Walker Quintet, Johnny Lyne and his Music and the Benny Freedman Orchestra. Vic Walker and his Band play at the Drill Hall, Albert Road, Cosham.
March 2nd 1953 - The Squadronaires, directed by Ronnie Aldrich, play at the Embassy Ballroom. Chris Barber and his New Orleans Jazz Band play at the Savoy Ballroom. Nearly 250 members from City clubs and from Le Court at Greatham were entertained at the Wesley Central Hall with a concert given by the 'Gasworks Wonders' plus Norman Conquest and Don Parnell.
March 6th 1953 - Ambrose and his Broadcasting Orchestra with Ray Burns and Wally Carr, play at the Savoy Ballroom.
March 9th 1953 - Vic Lewis and his Band play at the Embassy Ballroom. Eric Silk and his Southern Jazzmen, plus Benny Freedman's Orchestra, play at the Savoy Ballroom.
March 11th 1953 - At the Co-operative Employees Ball on South Parade Pier, Chiz Bishop plays the accordion, also included in the cabaret were Carroll Levis discoveries, The Bermudan Boys.
March 13th 1953 - Harry Gold and his Pieces of Eight play at the Savoy Ballroom. Dancing to Jimmy Leach and his Organolians at South Parade Pier.
March 16th 1953 - Cicely Courtneidge appears in the musical 'Over The Moon' at the Kings Theatre. Ken Mackintosh and his Broadcasting Orchestra play at the Embassy Ballroom.
March 20 1953 - Arthur Rowberry and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
March 21st 1953 - The Portsmouth Music club meet at the Public Library to hear the St Andrews Singers and others in concert.
March 23rd 1953 - The Christie Brothers Stompers play at the Savoy Ballroom. Jack Parnell and his Music makers play at the Embassy Ballroom.
March 24th 1953 - The Broadway Orchestra play at the Rock Gardens Pavilion.
March 27th 1953 - Carl Barriteau and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom. At the Empire Theatre talent show, the winners were Harold Legg of Berersford Road, North End, on accordion, and Gordon Morgon a Dockyard Joiner from Shearer Road, Portsmouth on guitar. Second were the singing Braelon Sisters, really cousins Joan Dollerey and Mary Stroud. The Harmonica Scamps, Ted Sutton, Jim Merrett and Norman Bone, from Gosport came third.
March 28th 1953 - Dancing to the Melody Makers at the Twyford Avenue Community Centre.
March 30th 1953 - Oscar Rabin and his Orchestra play at the Embassy Ballroom. Sid Phillips and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom. Celebrated English composer in Hollywood, Anthony Collins gives a talk at the Oddfellows Hall at the first meeting of the 'Long Play Club' organised by Ernest Wyatt of 10, Queens Road, Portsmouth.
March 31st 1953 - The Choral Society of the Portsmouth Grammar School and the Portsmouth Philharmonic Society Orchestra perform Bach's Mass in B Minor in the Gymnasium of the Royal Naval Barracks.
April 1st 1953 - Johnny Lyne and his Orchestra play at the Embassy Ballroom.
April 2nd 1953 - The Woverines Jazz Band play at the Savoy Ballroom.
April 3rd 1953 - Portsmouth Choral Union perform Handel's 'Messiah' at the Northern Grammar School hall. The Portsmouth Glee Club perform Handel's 'Messiah' at the London Road Baptist Church Portsmouth. Portsmouth's own xylophonist Joan St Paul performs at the Savoy Ballroom Continental Cafe.
April 6th 1953 - Nat Gonella and his Georgians play at the South Parade Pier. Billy Ternent and his Orchestra play at the Embassy Ballroom. Humphrey Lyttleton and his Band play at the Savoy Ballroom.
April 7th 1953 - George Turner, entertainments manager at the Savoy Ballroom celebrates the completion of five years service.
April 10th 1953 - Ted Heath and his Music play at the Savoy Ballroom. A variety concert at the Transport Hall, North End, is given by Miss Irene White's Melodians, featuring her Juvenile Troupe, in aid of the National Spastics Society. Stan Mathews and his band play at the South Parade pier.
April 13th 1953 - Leslie 'Jiver' Hutchinson and his 'all coloured band', play at the Embassy Ballroom. Portsmouth's own soubrette Audrey Jeans appears at the Theatre Royal. The Spa (Bath) City Stompers play at the Savoy Ballroom. The Portsmouth Musical Competition Festival April 13-16 1953 begins at the Buckland Congregational Church Hall with 850 entries, 40% up on last year, and more than 1,000 people expected as visitors.
April 17th 1953 - Freddy Randall and his All Star Band play at the Savoy Ballroom.
April 20th 1953 - The Johnny Dankworth Seven and Cleo Laine play at the Embassy Ballroom. The Cy Laurie (London) Jazz band play at the Savoy Ballroom.
April 24th 1953 - Reggie Goff and his Band play at the Savoy Ballroom. Two local accordionists, David Darvill, and Sylvia Bennett audition for BBC 'In town tonight'.
April 25th 1953 - "The Six Notes" Concert Party perform at the TB ward of the Infectious Deceases Hospital, those involved Lydia woodcock, Gwen Benney, Sylvia Benney, Jack Doughty, Lesley Packer and William Benney with Mrs Hilda Owen accompanist. A farewell night for Ronnie Caryl and his Band at the Empress Ballroom.
April 27th 1953 - Kenny Baker and the new resident band Tommy Easby and his Band play at the Empress ballroom. The Squadronaires play at the Embassy Ballroom. At the Theatre Royal, Dick James and the Skyliners perform. The "Curley" Stompers play at the Savoy Ballroom. The Portsmouth Music club meet for a program called "Music at Lilac Time", those involved were Phyllis Tipple, Dorothy Buckle, Patrick Collins, Francis Deacon, Gladys Cartwright and Marjorie Buckle.
May 1st 1953 - Stanley Black and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom. 18 year old Pat Francis of 68, Boulton Road, Southsea, sang with the Ronnie Hancox Band in the summer of 1949, is at present conducting the band while Mr. Hancox is in hospital.
May 4th 1953 - Ken Mackintosh, his saxophone, and his Broadcasting Orchestra, plus Gene Mayo and his Orchestra, play at the Embassy Ballroom. Singer, David Whitfield, and Syd Seymour and his Crazy Band are at the Theatre Royal. Charlie Galbraith and his Jazzmen play at the Savoy Ballroom.
May 6th 1953 - The Portsmouth Young people's String Orchestra give a concert at Cosham Baptist Church, those involved were Barbara Bonner, Derek Fry, Orchestra lead by Trevor Clark and conducted by John H Grayson.
May 8th 1953 - Teddy Foster and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom. Bobby Collins, the 17 year old Southsea lad, has made his first broadcast on " 'appy 'arf 'our". He is under contract to Stanley Dale for the next five years and Bobby's salary will rise to £75 per week by then.
May 9th 1953 - The Portsmouth Choral Union perform Haydn's 'The Creation' at the Northern Grammar School Hall.
May 11th 1953 - Jack Parnell and his Music Makers play at the Embassy Ballroom. At the Theatre Royal, The Merry Macs, an American close harmony group, and Cardew Robinson perform. The Christie Brothers Stompers play at the Savoy Ballroom.
May 12th 1953 - Major F Vivian Dunn, has been succeeded by Capt. Kenneth McLean as Director of Music for the Royal Marine Band.
May 15th 1953 - Humphrey Lyttleton and his band play at the Savoy Ballroom.
May 16th 1953 - Portsmouth accordionist David Darvill plays on BBC Children's Hour. The Portsmouth and District Organist's Association hold their annual social and are entertained by Mrs. S. Matthews, Misses P Hinds and R Aumond, and Messers L Gibbs, S Coates, and T Wren.
May 18th 1953 - Singer David Hughes and pianist Semprini appear at the Theatre Royal.
May 20th 1953 - The Portsmouth Glee Club perform "Merrie England" at the Central Hall, Fratton Road.
May 22nd 1953 - Harry Gold and his Pieces of Eight play at the Savoy Ballroom. Portsmouth xylophonist Joan St Paul has appeared on BBC Radio's Mid-Day Music Hall. At St Peter's Church Hall, a performance by "Miss Jennings City Wonders"
May 23rd 1953 - Portsmouth Bach Society perform choral and orchestral music. Davy Jones and his Nautical Orchestra play on South Parade Pier.
May 24th 1953 - Ivy Benson and her Ladies Orchestra booked to play on South Parade Pier but because of a holiday traffic jam, the band arrived as money was being refunded, so too late to play!
May 25th 1953 - Vic Lewis and his Broadcasting Band play at the Embassy Ballroom. The Portsmouth players present the musical "The New Moon" at the Kings Theatre. Their expenses amounted to nearly £1,600 and a deficit of only £20 at the end of the week's run. Cyril Stapleton and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
May 26th 1953 - The Broadway Orchestra play for dancing at the Rock Gardens Pavilion.
May 27th 1953 - Roy Richards and his Mayfair Music play at the Savoy Ballroom.
May 30th 1953 - The London Philharmonic Orchestra play at the Wesley Central Hall, Fratton Road. Kenny Baker and his Band play at the Savoy Ballroom.
June 1st 1953 - Nat Gonella and his Georgians play at the Savoy Ballroom. At the Kings Theatre, the Queen of all musical comedies, 'Florodora'. At the Theatre Royal, Portsmouth's own, Bobby Collins appears with Gladys Morgan, Max Geldray and Eddie Arnold.
June 2nd 1953 - Coronation Night dance at the Royal Beach Hotel with music from Brian Moseley and his Dance Orchestra. Dancing to Grace Cole and her All Girl Orchestra at the Embassy Ballroom supported by Gene Mayo and his Orchestra.
June 3rd 1953 - Nat Temple and his Orchestra play for a Press ball at the Savoy Ballroom. Stanley Matthews and his Band play at the Wellington Hall Coronation dance.
June 4th 1953 - Geraldo and his Orchestra play at the Connaught Drill Hall, Portsmouth as part of the Coronation Week Festivities supported by Jimmy Harris and his Band. Stanley Matthews and his Band play at the Wellington Hall, St James Road, Southsea for a Grand Coronation Dance. At the Portsmouth Group Hospitals Coronation Ball at Kimbells, cabaret from Joan St Paul, the local musical prodigy of BBC fame.
June 5th 1953 - Geraldo and his Orchestra play their second date at the Connaught Drill Hall Portsmouth as part of the Coronation Week Festivities supported by Jimmy Harris and his Band. The Ronnie Scott Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom. The 'Mirth and Melody Makers' Concert Party entertained patients and staff at the Infectious Deceases Hospital, Portsmouth.
June 6th 1953 - Barry Moseley and his Dance Orchestra play at the Royal Beach Hotel, Southsea. Geraldo and his Orchestra play their second date at the Connaught Drill Hall Portsmouth as part of the Coronation Week Festivities supported by Jimmy Harris and his Band. June 8th Winifred Atwell appears at the Theatre Royal with Jimmy Wheeler and Tommy Fields. Teddy Foster and his Orchestra appear at the Savoy Ballroom all week. At the Embassy Ballroom, the Tito Burns Sextet play for dancing.
June 10th 1953 - At the Connaught Drill Hall, Portsmouth, Al Parkman's American Rhythm Orchestra and Gordon Banner and his Ballroom Organ, play for dancing.
June 13th 1953 - At the Ascension Hall, Chichester Road, the 'Merry Mascots' Concert Party perform a Coronation Variety Concert.
June 15th 1953 - At the Cosham Civic Centre, 250 'old folk' were entertained by Mr. John Hawkins and Miss Helen Dyer, with Mrs Hawkins at the piano, plus the Gas Undertaking Social Club Concert Party.
June 19th 1953 - Ted Heath and his Music play at the Savoy Ballroom.
June 20th 1953 - The Portsmouth Philharmonic Society present Vaughn Williams' A Sea Symphony at the Wesley Central Hall.
June 22nd 1953 - The 'Curly Stompers' play at the Savoy Ballroom. At the lecture hall of the central Public Library, the Portsmouth Music Club were entertained by the Gosport Ladies Choir, conducted by Mrs. Diaper.
June 24th 1953 - Roy Richards and his Mayfair Music play at the Savoy Ballroom.
June 26th 1953 - Nat Temple and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom. Irene Keens Trio play at the RAFA Club Cosham.
June 29th 1953 - Carl Barriteau and his Music play at the Embassy Ballroom. Bob Micklebrugh and his Bobcats play at the Savoy Ballroom. At the Theatre Royal Billy Cotton and his Band appear. The Portsmouth Jazz Club had a record attendance to hear records of American Jazz trumpeter Wingy Manone. The Portsmouth Music Lovers Club hear a recital from Ivan Bowler, piano, and Miss Gladys Freeland, soprano.
July 1st 1953 - Roy Richards and his Mayfair Music play at the Savoy Ballroom.
July 6th 1953 - At the Theatre Royal, Elsie and Doris Waters, The Radio Revellers and the Vancouver Boys' Band. Reggie Goff and his Sextet play at the Savoy Ballroom.
July 10th 1953 - Harry Gold and his Pieces of Eight play at the Savoy Ballroom.
July 13th 1953 - The Bournemouth Pine City Stompers appear at the Savoy Ballroom. Whistler Ronnie Ronalde appears at the Theatre Royal, with Dickie Henderson.
July 14th 1953 - Roy Richards and his Mayfair Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
July 17th 1953 - Ronnie Scott and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
July 20th 1953 - At the Empire theatre, an act didn't turn up so the impresario George Black told the Empire manager to contact 15 year old Joan St Paul, her parents run a pub in Commercial Road Portsmouth, and get her as a replacement. Dave Shepherd and his Band play at Kimbells, Osborne Road.
July 24th 1953 - Humphrey Lyttleton and his Band play at the Savoy Ballroom.
July 25th 1953 - Patients at the Portsmouth Infectious Deceases Hospital were entertained by Ken Dukes and his "Mirth and Melody Makers" Concert Party.
July 27th 1953 - Jerry French and his Jazz band play at the Savoy Ballroom. At the Kings Theatre, Prince Littler presents Edmund Hockridge in Carousel. Vic Oliver appears at the Theatre Royal.
July 29th 1953 - Benny Freeman and his Orchestra broadcast on the BBC Home Service in "What's new?".
July 30th 1953 - A three day Coronation Tattoo begins at Fratton Park, with massed bands and drums. Ad in the Evening News;- Ace Dance Band for old time and modern, L Wemy, 8 Wharf Road Mile End.
July 31st 1953 - Freddy Randall and his Band play at the Savoy Ballroom.
August 2nd 1953 - Sid Phillips and his Band play on South Parade Pier.
August 7th 1953 - Bob Micklebrough and his Bobcats play at the Savoy Ballroom.
August 10th 1953 - Billy Ternent and his Orchestra play at the Theatre Royal. At the RAFA Club Cosham, the 'Musick' Makers play for dancing. The Tony Kinsey group, with Jimmy Skidmore and Tommy Whittle, play at the Savoy Ballroom.
August 14th 1953 - Vic Lewis and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
August 15th 1953 - Madame Courtney's Juvenile Troup entertained at the Cosham British Legion in Sixth Avenue at their Coronation Party.
August 16th 1953 - The Gosport Municipal Concert Orchestra, with Gwen Catley, perform on South Parade Pier. Gwen Catley contracts bronchitis and is replaced with Helen Hill.
August 17th 1953 - The Wolverines Jazz Band play at the South Parade Pier.
August 21st 1953 - Ambrose and his 17 piece Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
August 23rd 1953 - Jack Parnell and his Music Makers play at the South Parade Pier.
August 24th 1953 - The High Curly Stompers play at the Savoy Ballroom. The Music Makers play at the RAFA Club Cosham.
August 28th 1953 - Carl Barriteau and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
August 31st 1953 - The Jeremy French Jazz band play at the Savoy Ballroom.
September 2nd 1953 - Roy Richards and his Mayfair Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
September 4th 1953 - Ted Heath and his Music play at the Savoy Ballroom.
September 7th 1953 - The Wood Green Stompers play at the Savoy Ballroom.
September 8th 1953 - The Broadway Orchestra play at the Rock Gardens Pavilion. Roy Richards and his Mayfair Music play at the Savoy Ballroom.
September 11th 1953 - Nat Temple and his orchestra at the Savoy ballroom.
September 14th 1953 - The Gene Mayo Band moves from the Embassy Ballroom to become the new resident band at the Empress Ballroom at North End
September 20th 1953 - Shirley Abiciar, the zither girl, appears at the South Parade Pier with the Gosport Municipal Concert Orchestra. At the Festival Bar in Southsea, a special lunchtime and evening appearance of Miss Elice Granadoff at the organ.
September 21st 1953 - The Portsmouth Players present the famous musical comedy "Mr. Cinders" at the South Parade Pier. Graham Stewart and his Jazzmen play at the Savoy Ballroom.
September 23rd 1953 - Bebopping to David Francis and his Orchestra at the Embassy Ballroom.
September 24th 1953 - The De Reske Orchestra play at the Co-op Hall Fratton Road.
September 25th 1953 - Ronnie Scott and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
September 27th 1953 - Farewell appearance of Gordon Banner and his Wonder organ at South Parade Pier. Alan Littlejohn and his Jazzmen play at the Savoy Ballroom. At the Festival Bar, in the Savoy Buildings, in Southsea, regular lunchtime and evening appearances of BBC organist Miss Edice Granados at the organ.
September 28th 1953 - Issy Bonn and Eddie Calvert appear at the Theatre Royal. The Vagabonds Concert Party entertain Patients and staff at the Portsmouth Infectious Deceases Hospital.
September 30th 1953 - Roy Richards and his Mayfair Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
October 2nd 1953 - Jack Parnell and his 15 piece 'Music Makers' Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom. Miss Q Jennings variety concert party "City Wonders" performed at the Transport Hall, Stubbington Avenue.
October 3rd 1953 - Farewell night for David Francis and his Orchestra at the Embassy Ballroom.
October 4th 1953 - Municipal Concert at the Kings theatre with the southern Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Herbert Menges, with Gina Bachauer, pianoforte.
October 5th 1953 - Joe 'Tiny' Nicholls and his Merry Men begin a residency at the Embassy Ballroom. G H Elliott, the chocolate coloured coon, makes a farewell appearance at the Theatre Royal and celebrates 50 years in the theatre, plus Leslie Welch, the memory man. Gerry Brown's Dixielanders play at the Savoy Ballroom.
October 6th 1953 - At the Oddfellows hall, the Portsmouth Long Playing Record Club heard a talk by Mantovani who was publicising his latest record, more than 450 people attended.
October 7th 1953 - The Broadway Trio play at the Co-operative Hall, Garnier Street.
October 9th 1953 - Teddy Foster and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
October 10th 1953 - The Reg Bannistra Orchestra begin a winter season at the South Parade Pier with Wally Fry and his Collegians. Milton Glee Club perform a selection of melodies from musical comedy at the Eastney Central Methodist Hall in Highland Road.
October 11th 1953 - The Portsmouth Choral union perform a mixed classical program at the Northern Grammar School. At the Empire Theatre a concert for the blind includes the Portsmouth Police Choir, who recently won the Coronation Cup and the Gosport music festival, and solo singers and a special appearance of Max Miller.
October 12th 1953 - Dr Crock and his Crackpots, The Malcolm Mitchell Trio and comedian George Martin appear at the Theatre Royal.
October 16th 1953 - Geraldo and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom. The 'Mirth and melody makers' Variety show entertained patients at A9 ward of St Mary's Hospital performers included Glenda Hayles, Julie Smith, Rita Nelson, Nina Lodge Kes Withev, Frank Lloyd, Bill Renouf and it was produced by Ken Dukes. After 42 years of service, South Parade Pier's stage manager is retiring. Charles Peters is the musical director at the Theatre Royal.
October 17th 1953 - The Portsmouth Glee Club perform 'Carmen' and 'Hiawatha's Wedding Feast' at the Wesley Central Hall, Fratton Road. Johnny Lyne and his Music, winners of the Melody Maker all Britain Dance band contest at Manchester on October 11th, play at the South Parade Pier. The Portsmouth City Police Choir, winners of the Coronation Cup at the Gosport Music Festival, entertain patients at Queen Alexandra Hospital Cosham.
October 19th 1953 - Jeremy French and his Jazzband play at the Savoy Ballroom.
October 21st 1953 - The St Cecelia Singers were guests who entertained the Portsmouth Music Lovers Club at the Wesley Central Hall, and included Joan Reynolds, Florence Price, Dorothy Wassell, Reginald Wassell, John Ellison, and Joan Price.
October 23rd 1953 - Nat Temple and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom. The Portsmouth Orpheus Singers give a concert at Christ Church Hall Widley.
October 29th 1953 - Irvin Miller's Orchestra entertained a large audience at the Transport Hall, Stubbington Avenue, in aid of the Portsmouth and District Spastics Society.
October 30th 1953 - Ted Heath and his Music play at the Savoy Ballroom.
October 31st 1953 - The Portsmouth Philharmonic Society present Brahms Requiem at Portsmouth Cathedral. Johnny Lyne and his Music join Wally Fry and his Collegians at South Parade Pier.
November 2nd 1953 - Frankie Vaughn, accompanied by Bert Waller, and Bernard Miles appear at the Theatre Royal. At the Savoy Ballroom, dancing to the High Curley Stompers and Roy Richards and his Mayfair Music. The 'Windmill Follies' at the Empire Theatre included Portsmouth musicians Harry Legg and Gordon Morgon playing accordion, guitar and xylophone.
November 6th 1953 - Ambrose and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom. The 'Mirth and Melody Makers' Variety Party entertained patients at ward M1 of the Infectious Deceases Hospital.
November 7th 1953 - Reg Bannistra and his Orchestra join Wally Fry and his Collegians to play at South Parade Pier. The Portsmouth Irish Society hold a Ceilidhe at the Forresters Hall, Fratton Road with music from Cyril Rice and his Band. Organist Elise Granados, resident in the Festival bar Lounge each evening and Saturday and Sunday lunchtimes.
November 9th 1953 - Johnny Lyne and his Music play at the Savoy Ballroom. New singing star, John Hanson plays the part of the Red Shadow in 'Desert Song' at the Kings Theatre. Harry Lester and his Hayseeds appear at the Theatre Royal.
November 11th 1953 - The Portsmouth Jazz Club re-opens at the 'Old Countryman' in Thomas Street, Landport.
November 13th 1953 - Ken Mackintosh and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom. The 'Mirth and Melody Makers' Variety Party entertained patients at ward M2 of the Infectious Deceases Hospital.
November 14th 1953 - At the Wesley Central Hall, the Portsmouth Bach Society present a Choral and Orchestral Concert. Johnny Lyne and his Music join Wally Fry and his Collegians at South Parade Pier. Chiz Bishop wins the British Professional Accordion Championship Silver Trophy outright at Westminster Central Hall London.
November 16th 1953 - Len Beadie and his 17 piece Jazz Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
November 19th 1953 - The Portsmouth Players entertained more than 300 blind people and their guides at the Wesley Central Hall, Fratton Road.
November 20th 1953 - Stan Matthews and his Band play on South Parade Pier for the Civil Defence Corps Dance. Carl Barriteau and his Music play at the Savoy Ballroom.
November 21st 1953 - Reg Bannistra and his Orchestra join Wally Fry and his Collegians to play at South Parade Pier.
November 22nd 1953 - Musicians Union Annual Branch Meeting at the Pompey Hotel, Frogmore Road.
November 23rd 1953 - Nat Gonella, formerly with Billy Cotton, and Roy Fox, appears 'solo' in 'London Takes A Bow' at the Theatre Royal. Phyllis Dixey appears at the Empire Theatre.
November 27th 1953 - Freddy Randall and his Band play at the Savoy Ballroom.
November 28th 1953 - Johnny Lyne and his Music join Wally Fry and his Collegians to provide music for dancing at the South Parade Pier.
November 29th 1953 - At the Municipal Concert at the Kings Theatre , the soloist, Sheila Randall collapsed and fainted while playing. After an interval, the Southern Philharmonic Orchestra completed the concert.
November 30th 1953 - The Alan Littlejohn Quintet play at the Savoy Ballroom.
December 2nd 1953 - The Barnstormers, the variety section of the the Southsea Little Theatre Entertainers visit the infectious deceases Ward K to entertain patients.
December 4th 1953 - Harry Gold and his Pieces of Eight play at the Savoy Ballroom.
December 5th 1953 - Reg Bannistra and his Orchestra play at the South Parade Pier along with Wally Fry and his Collegians.
December 7th 1953 - Anne Shelton with comedian Nat Jackly, also the Five Skyliners, appear at the Theatre Royal. At the Savoy Ballroom, Joe Brickell and his Jazzmen play for dancing.
December 11th 1953 - Teddy Foster and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
December 12th 1953 - The Portsmouth Glee club give a concert at the Wesley Central Hall, Fratton Road featuring Max Jaffa, and Jack Byfield. Johnny Lyne and his Music join Wally Fry and his Collegians to provide music for dancing at the South Parade Pier.
December 13th 1953 - Municipal Concert at the Kings Theatre with guest conductor Sir Adrian Boult and at the pianoforte Clive Lythgoe.
December 14th 1953 - The High Curley Stompers play at the Savoy Ballroom.
December 18th 1953 - Ted Heath and his Music, plus Denis Lotis, Lita Rosa and Dickie Valentine, appear the Savoy Ballroom.
December 19th 1953 - Reg Bannistra and his Orchestra play at the South Parade Pier along with Wally Fry and his Collegians. Elise Granados plays the Hammond Organ at the Festival Bar, carols and seasonal music nightly.
December 21st 1953 - Bobby Collins returns to the Theatre Royal, together with singer Tony Brent
December 28th 1953 - At the Savoy Ballroom Johnny Lyne and his Music play for dancing.
December 29th 1953 - The Broadway Orchestra play at the Rock Gardens Pavilion.
December 31st 1953 - Two bands at Kimbells Orsborne Road, Trevor Nabarro and his Music plus Roy Richards and his Mayfair Music. Joe Brickell and his Jazzmen join Benny Freedman's Band at the Savoy Ballroom. The Broadway Orchestra play at the Co-operative Hall, Garnier Street, Fratton.
NOTE: This is an edited version of Mick Cooper's research. The full version can be found at Mick Cooper's website