January 1st 1956 - The Portsmouth Philharmonic Society present a Christmas Oratorio at Portsmouth Cathedral.
January 3rd 1956 - Roy Richards and his Mayfair Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
January 6th 1956 - The Basil and Ivor Kirchin Band play at the Savoy Ballroom.
January 7th 1956 - Wally Fry and his Collegians are joined by Reg Bannistra and his Orchestra with Johnny Lyne on South Parade Pier.
January 9th 1956 - Edna Savage and the Tanner Sisters appear at the Theatre Royal.
January 10th 1956 - Roy Richards and his Mayfair Orchestra play athe Savoy Ballroom.
January 11th 1956 - Graham Leslie and his Music play at Kimbells.
January 13th 1956 - Johnny Dankworth and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
January 14th 1956 - Wally Fry and his Collegians are joined by Reg Bannistra and his Orchestra with Johnny Lyne on South Parade Pier.
January 16th 1956 - Garry Miller and Lorrea Desmond appear at the Theatre Royal. Barry McCarthy and his Dixielanmders play at the Savoy Ballroom.
January 19th 1956 - A 21 year old disagreement between Musicians' Unions of America and Britain have been settled and the exchange of Stan Kenton and Ted Heath has been arranged, Kenton will play at the Savoy Ballroom on March 14th.
January 20th 1956 - Tommy Whittle and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
January 21st 1956 - At Kimbells it's Roy Richards and his Newly Augmented Orchestra and electric keyboard. Wally Fry and his Collegians are joined by Reg Bannistra and his Orchestra with Johnny Lyne on South Parade Pier.
January 22nd 1956 - The Municipal concerts, by the Southern Philharmonic Orchestra, at the Theatre Royal and Kings Theatre continue after the New Year break.
January 23rd 1956 - The Kentones appear at the Theatre Royal. The Red River Jazzband, and Roy Richards and his Mayfair Orchestra appear at the Savoy Ballroom.
January 26th 1956 - The British Railway Staff Dance at the South Parade Pier with Wally Fry and his Collegian plus the De Reske Orchestra.
January 27th 1956 - June Harvey competes in the "Girl Vocalist of the year" competition at the Royal Albert Hall. Sid Phillips and his Band play at the Savoy Ballroom.
January 28th 1956 - Wally Fry and his Collegians are joined by Reg Bannistra and his Orchestra with Johnny Lyne on South Parade Pier.
February 2nd 1956 - Roy Richards and his Mayfair Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
February 3rd 1956 - Vic Lewis and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
February 4th 1956 - The Portsmouth Salvation Army Citadel Band broadcast on BBC Radio. Wally Fry and his Collegians are joined by Reg Bannistra and his Orchestra with Johnny Lyne on South Parade Pier.
February 6th 1956 - Roy Richards and his Mayfair Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
February 7th 1956 - The Portsmouth Music Club celebrate their 14th anniversary with a piano recital by Maurice Cole at the Central Library Lecture hall.
February 10th 1956 - Ted Heath and his Music play at the Savoy Ballroom.
February 13th 1956 - The Royal Marines Band broadcast from Eastney Barracks on the BBC West Radio. Roy Richards and his Mayfair Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
February 15th 1956 - Sydney Thompson and his Old Tyme Broadcasting Orchestra play on South Parade Pier.
February 17th 1956 - Lou Preager and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
February 18th 1956 - Wally Fry and his Collegians are joined by Reg Bannistra and his Orchestra with Johnny Lyne on South Parade Pier.
February 24th 1956 - Ronnie Scott and his Newly Augmented Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
February 25th 1956 - The Portsmouth Philharmonic Society give a classical concert at the Wesley Central Hall. Wally Fry and his Collegians are joined by Reg Bannistra and his Orchestra with Johnny Lyne on South Parade Pier.
March 2nd 1956 - Malcolm Mitchell and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
March 3rd 1956 - Wally Fry and his Collegians are joined by Reg Bannistra and his Orchestra with Johnny Lyne on South Parade Pier.
March 4th 1956 - Rawicz and Landauer perform at the Kings Theatre with the Southern Philharmonic Orchestra.
March 5th 1956 - Ronnie Hilton sings at the Theatre Royal.
March 7th 1956 - Victor Silvester and his Ballroom Orchestra play on South Parade Pier at the Furnishing Trades Benevolent Association's Charity Ball. Victor senior is in hospital so his son Victor junior conducted the orchestra. The Portsmouth Young Peoples String Orchestra give a recital at St Mary's Church.
March 9th 1956 - Eric Winstone and his Full Broadcasting Band play at the Savoy Ballroom.
March 10th 1956 - The Greenwood Entertainers presented a musical evening for residents of Sunbury Court, Southsea.
March 12th 1956 - The Portsmouth Salvation Army Citadel Band broadcast on BBC Radio. The Portsmouth Grand Opera Company present Bizet's Carmen at the Empire Theatre and includes Sadie Shaw from Gosport.
March 14th 1956 - Stan Kenton and his Orchestra play two sit down concerts at the Savoy Ballroom
March 15th 1956 - At the South Parade Pier, George Mills and his Music, plus Doris Westaway's Orchestra play for dancing at the 'Hampshire Night'
March 16th 1956 - Ray Ellington and his Quartet play at the Savoy Ballroom.
March 19th 1956 - Roy Richards and his Mayfair Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom. Sir Adrian Boult conducts the choir of 150 at Court Lane Modern School in rehearsal for a national Festival of School Music.
March 22nd 1956 - British Railways Staff Dance at the South Parade Pier has the Southern Dance Orchestra and Raymond Franks Modern Dance Orchestra playing for dancing.
March 23rd 1956 - Freddie Randall and his Band play at the Savoy Ballroom.
March 24th 1956 - Wally Fry and his Collegians are joined by Reg Bannistra and his Orchestra with Johnny Lyne on South Parade Pier.
March 26/27th 1956 - Roy Richards and his Mayfair Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom along with Benny Freedman's band.
March 29th 1956 - Tubby Hayes and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
March 30th 1956 - The Portsmouth Choral Union present Handel's Messiah at the Wesley Central Hall. The Portsmouth Glee Club present Handel's Messiah at London Road Baptist Church, with soloists including Reginal Wassell, and organist Stanley Matthews. Reginald Porter-Brown is the new resident at the £3,000 wonder organ on South Parade Pier.
March 31st 1956 - Gordon Banner plays his Wonder Organ at the Savoy Ballroom Tea Dance.
April 2nd 1956 - At the Empress Ballroom, Mick Mitchell and his Music are joined by Billy Burkett and his Band. The Club Quintet play at Kimbells. Gordon Banner plays his Wonder Organ at the Savoy Ballroom Tea Dance. Wally Fry and his Collegians are joined by Reg Bannistra and his Orchestra with Johnny Lyne on South Parade Pier.
April 3rd 1956 - The Portsmouth Musical Competition Festival begins. The Portsmouth Irish Society gave a program of singing and dancing to the Portsmouth Music Club meeting at the Central Library Lecture Hall.
April 5th 1956 - Roy Richards and his Mayfair Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom. The Whirlwind Concert Party from Havant entertained the residents of Margaret House Farlington.
April 6th 1956 - Frank Weir and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom. The Southern Counties Orchestra play at the Oddfellows Hall.
April 7th 1956 - Wally Fry and his Collegians are joined by Reg Bannistra and his Orchestra with Johnny Lyne on South Parade Pier.
April 9th 1956 - Roy Richards and his Mayfair Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom along with Benny Freedman's band.
April 13th 1956 - The Basil and Ivor Kirchin Band play at the Savoy Ballroom. The Band of the Royal Marines Portsmouth broadcast on the BBC Light Program. The St Boniface Singers, leader and pianist Mrs E Mahoney, gave a musical evening at the Social Centre for the Blind in Stubbington Avenue.
April 14th 1956 - Two young Portsmouth accordionists, Gary Holder and David Darvill compete in the National Accordion Championships.
April 16th 1956 - David Darvill, age 19, of 19 Esslemont Road Portsmouth wins the National Accordion Championships in London. Courtney's Teen-age Band and Courtney's Advance band both won third prize in their category.
April 18th 1956 - 'Brtitish Made Music' was the title of the program of records at the Guildhall Recorded Music Group.
April 19th 1956 - Roy Richards and his Mayfair Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom along with Benny Freedman's band.
April 20th 1956 - Ken Mackintosh and his Radio Band play at the Savoy Ballroom. The Portsmouth Royal Marine Band will play at Wembley F A Cup final on the 8th May. The Lord Mayor's Ball is held at the South Parade Pier with entertainment from the Royal Marine Orchestra and Russian dancers from the Cruiser, Ordzhonikidze.
April 21st 1956 - The Creation by Haydn is performed by the Portsmouth Philharmonic Society at the Wesley Central Hall, Fratton Road. Advert in the Evening News for 'Courtney for Accordions, 17 Arundel Street. Wally Fry and his Collegians are joined by Reg Bannistra and his Orchestra with Reginald Porter-Brown at the Wonder Organ on South Parade Pier.
April 22nd 1956 - Reginald Porter-Brown plays the New Wonder Organ at South Parade Pier.
April 23rd 1956 - At the Theatre Royal Jerry Allen and his Trio, and Dorothy Squires perform. At the Empire Theatre 'Stars to Remember' Music Hall of today and yesterday, is performed.
April 24th 1956 - Russian sailors give a concert on the South Parade Pier. The St Wilfred's Singers entertained at the Anniversary Dinner of the Portsmouth Music Lovers Club at the RAFA Club, Cosham.
April 25th 1956 - A Musician's Ball, the first of three to be held this year, is held at the South Parade Pier includes Harold Dunn and his Orchestra, Southern Countries Orchestra, Eric Bernard and his Broadway Orchestra, Wally Fry and his Collegians, The Masterpieces Dance Orchestra, Wally Gresham and his Band, Raymond Franks and his Music, with Bernard Glover at the Hammond Organ to support Portsmouth Branch Musicians Union Benevolent Funds. Roy Richards and his Mayfair Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom along with Benny Freedman's band.
April 27th 1956 - Eric Winstone and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom. The Broadway Orchestra play at the Oddfellows Hall.
April 30th 1956 - Sid Seymour and his Mad Hatters appear at the Theatre Royal.
May 4th 1956 - Johnny Dankworth and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
May 5th 1956 - Verdi's Nabucco is performed by the Portsmouth Choral Union at the Wesley Central Hall, Fratton Road. The Fratton Trades Club opens.
May 11th Alex Welsh and his Dixielanders play at the Savoy Ballroom.
May 14th 1956 - Danny Kaye makes an appearance at the South Parade Pier. The Phyllis Dixey Show appears at the Theatre Royal. Also on the bill is Portsmouth's own Bobby Collins.
May 18th 1956 - Tommy Whittle and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
May 19th 1956 - Jack Leon and his All Star Broadcasting Orchestra return to the South Parade Pier deck for the summer season. Billy Burkett and his Band play at the Empress Ballroom with Mick Mitchell and his Music. In the Savoy Ballroom Restaurant twice daily, Gordon Banner at his Wonder Organ.
May 20th 1956 - The Squadronaires directed by Ronnie Aldrich appear at the South Parade Pier.
May 21st 1956 - The Portsmouth Players present Ivor Novello's 'The Dancing Years' at the South Parade Pier. Anne Shelton, The Five Skyliners and Arthur Worsley appear at the Theatre Royal. Billy Burkett and his Band play at the Empress Ballroom with Mick Mitchell and his Music.
May 22nd 1956 - The Broadway Orchestra play at the Rock Gardens Pavilion.
May 23rd 1956 - At the Conservative Hall, Fratton Road music from dancing from the Ruby Resall Trio.
May 25th 1956 - Mick Mulligan and his Magnolia Jazz Band, with George Melly, play at the Savoy Ballroom. The Cosham Happy Wanderers Concert Party, produced by Miss O. Cooper, entertained patients at the Portsmouth Royal Hospital.
May 26th 1956 - Billy Burkett and his Band play at the Empress Ballroom with Mick Mitchell and his Music.
May 29th 1956 - A Jazz record club has been started and meets at the Old Trafalgar clubroom in Fratton Road.
June 1st 1956 - Ted Heath and his Music play at the Savoy Ballroom. Billy Burkett and his Band play at the Empress Ballroom with Mick Mitchell and his Music.
June 4th 1956 - The Empress Ballroom is closed for renovations and will re-open on August 31st. The Savoy Ballroom run a Vocal talent contest. The Greenwood Entertainers give a variety show at St Vincent Lodge, Southsea.
June 8th 1956 - Harry Leader and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
June 10th 1956 - The Orchestra of the Royal Marine School of Music conducted by Maj. F Vivian Dunn give a Summer Symphony Concert at The Old Rectory, Droxford.
June 11th 1956 - Portsmouth's Audrey Jeans appears at the Theatre Royal with Joan Regan.
June 12th 1956 - The Ace Dance Band play at the Victory Hall, Fratton.
June 15th 1956 - Ken Mackintosh and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
June 14th 1956 - Roy Richards and his Mayfair Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom along with Benny Freedman's Band.
June 16th 1956 - The South Parade Pier plus Portsmouth Corporation and the Musicians Union are at war, because the Union is demanding a certain rate of pay for the pit orchestra, which the Pier disputes.
June 17th 1956 - Eric Delany and his Band Show appear at the South Parade Pier.
June 20th 1956 - The Portsmouth Musical Competition Festival was even more successful than ever, and even with an increase of membership, made a loss of £75,17s.
June 22nd 1956 - Freddy Randall and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
June 25th 1956 - Sadlers Wells perform a variety of ballets at the Kings Theatre.
June 26th 1956 - A new jazz club opens at St Mary's Institute, Fratton Road.
June 29th 1956 - Laurie Gold and his Pieces of Eight play at the Savoy Ballroom.
July 6th 1956 - Vic Lewis and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
July 13 1956 - The Basil and Ivor Kirchin Band play at the Savoy Ballroom.
July 15th 1956 - Jack Parnell and his Orchestra play at South Parade Pier.
July 17th 1956 - Mrs Ludman's Trio play at the Carlton Club, Drayton. Thirteen well known bands play at the Savoy Ballroom, proceeds to the benevolent fund of the Portsmouth Branch Musicians Union.
July 18th 1956 - Roy Richards and his Mayfair Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom along with Benny Freedman's Band.
July 20th 1956 - Tubby Hayes and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
July 25th 1956 - Roy Richards and his Mayfair Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom along with Benny Freedman's Band.
July 26th 1956 - The Broadway Quartet play at the Rock Gardens Pavilion.
July 27th 1956 - Ted Heath and his Music play at the Savoy Ballroom admission 5/-d. Dancing at All Saints Church Hall Commercial Road to Irene's Trio.
July 30th 1956 - A Jive Competition is held at the Savoy Ballroom.
August 3rd 1956 - Ken Collier's Jazzmen play at the Savoy Ballroom.
August 7/9th 1956 - Roy Richards and his Mayfair Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom along with Benny Freedman's Band.
August 10th 1956 - Johnny Dankworth and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
August 12th 1956 - Jack Leon and his Orchestra broadcast from the South Parade Pier on the BBC Light Programme.
August 13th 1956 - George Formby stars in 'Too young to marry' at the Kings Theatre.
August 17th 1956 - Carl Barriteau and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
August 20th 1956 - 'Rock around the clock' is shown at the Gaumont, Southea, formerly the Plaza, and 'features rock'n'roll, the controversial beat music from America'.
August 22nd 1956 - Roy Richards and his Mayfair Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom along with Benny Freedman's Band.
August 24th 1956 - Teddy Foster and his New Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom. David Darvill, the 19 year old from Esslemont Road Southsea is leaving today for the world piano accordion championships in Switzerland.
August 27th 1956 - Cole Porter's 'Can Can' is performed at the Kings Theatre.
August 30th 1956 - Roy Richards and his Mayfair Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom along with Benny Freedman's Band.
August 31st 1956 - The Basil and Ivor Kirchin Band play at the Savoy Ballroom.
September 1st 1956 - The Empress Ballroom re-opens with the new resident band Reg Bannistra Orchestra with Johnny Lyne and guests Bobby Mickleburgh and his band. Barry Moseley and his Orchestra play at the Royal Beach Hotel, Southsea.
September 4th 1956 - Roy Richards and his Mayfair Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom along with Benny Freedman's Band.
September 7th 1956 - Alex Welsh and his Dixielanders play at the Savoy Ballroom.
September 8th 1956 - Dancing to the Reg Bannistra and his Provincial Showband at the Empress Ballroom.
September 10th 1956 - The Tony Crombie band bring rock'n'roll, the new rhythm entertainment, to the Theatre Royal.
September 11th 1956 - Roy Richards and his Mayfair Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom along with Benny Freedman's Band.
September 14th 1956 - Vic Lewis and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom. The Southern Counties Orchestra play at the Oddfellows Hall, Kingston Road. Flanagan and Allen sing on the South Parade Pier deck and judge at the beauty contest.
September 18th 1956 - Roy Richards and his Mayfair Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom along with Benny Freedman's Band.
September 21st 1956 - Laurie Gold and his Pieces of Eight Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
September 25th 1956 - Roy Richards and his Mayfair Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom along with Benny Freedman's Band.
September 28th 1956 - Johnny Dankworth and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
October 1st 1956 - Audrey Jeans appears on Jack Payne's 'Off the Record' television programme.
October 3rd 1956 - The Roy Richards Trio play for a tea dance at Kimbells Osborne Road.
October 5th 1956 - Ray Ellington and his Quartet, featuring Marion Ryan, play at the Savoy Ballroom.
October 6th 1956 - The Milton Glee Club give their Autumn Concert version of 'Merrie England' at the Wesley Central Hall Fratton Road.
October 8th 1956 - Vic Oliver appears at the Theatre Royal. Dancing at the South Parade Pier to Wally Fry and his Collegians and Mick Mitchell and his Music.
October 9th 1956 - Roy Richards and his Mayfair Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom along with Benny Freedman's Band. The St Wilfred's Singers present 'Merrie England' at St Wilfred's Hall, George Street.
October 11th 1956 - Miss Florence Greaves conducted the Portsmouth Ladies Choir and also sang, at the Nurses home in aid if the St Mary's hospital League of Friends Chapel Fund. David Darvill, accordion champion of Great Britian, also played.
October 12th 1956 - The Squadronaires play at the Savoy Ballroom.
October 13th 1956 - Reg Bannistra presents 'Show Band Night' with Johnny Lyne, plus Douggie Wheeler and his Trombone, and Chiz Bishop, National Professional Accordion Champion and World Finalist.
October 15th 1956 - The Fratton Hall, Goldsmith Ave, opposite Fratton Station, re-opens 7 nights a week with public dancing and instruction.
October 17th 1956 - The Jazz Club of Portsmouth meets at the Ship and Antelope in Arundel Street.
October 18th 1956 - British Railway staff dance at the South Parade Pier, with the De Reske Orchestra and George Mills and his Modern Dance Music.
October 19th 1956 - Ted Heath and his Music play at the Savoy Ballroom.
October 20th 1956 - The Theatre Royal, celebrated it's centenary last month, and today closes down and the management blame a decrease in patronage and ever increasing costs. Reg Bannistra presents 'Show Band Night' with Johnny Lyne, plus Douggie Wheeler and his Trombone, and Chiz Bishop, National Professional Accordion Champion and World Finalist. The Portsmouth Philharmonic Society Mozart's Symphony in D, The Hoffner Requiem, the soloists are Thelma Godfrey, Rosanna Hibbert, Andrew Gold and Reg Wassell. Dancing at the South Parade Pier to Wally Fry and his Collegians and Mick Mitchell and his Music.
October 22nd 1956 - At the Empire Theatre, Columbia recording star Ronnie Harris, and Kenny Flame and his Rockets in 'Rock around the Town'.
October 24th 1956 - Roy Richards and his Mayfair Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom along with Benny Freedman's Band.
October 25th 1956 - Frankie Vaughn appears for a Youth Club dance arranged by Hillside and Goodwyns clubs.
October 26th 1956 - Joe Daniels and his 13 piece Dixieland Band play at the Savoy ballroom.
October 27th 1956 - The Portsmouth Glee Club give a concert at the Wesley Central Hall in aid of the British Empire Cancer campaign. Soloists include George Pinhorn from the Portsmouth Grand Opera Company. Mick Mitchell and Wally Fry and their bands play at the South Parade Pier. Page 7 headlines in the Evening News "Rock'n'roll has swamped the Top Twenty", by 'Spinner' First known article by this reporter.
October 28th 1956 - Joan Hammond sings at the Kings Theatre.
October 31st Roy Richards and his Mayfair Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom along with Benny Freedman's Band.
November 1st 1956 - The Portsmouth Choral Union, conducted by Bertram Bradshaw, soloist William Parsons, broadcast on the BBC West Region programme 'Choir Night'.
November 2nd 1956 - Bobby Mickleburgh and his Band play at the Savoy Ballroom.
November 3rd 1956 - 'Merrie England' is performed at the Wesley Central Hall, by Helen Dyer, Ronald Chandler, Jean Evans, Robert Comlay and 80 boys of St John's College Choir.
November 5th 1956 - The Portsmouth Grand Opera Company present 'Faust' at the Empire Theatre.
November 6th 1956 - Milton Glee Club give a concert at St Mary's Institute in aid of funds for St Faith's Church Hall.
November 7th 1956 - Roy Richards and his Mayfair Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom along with Benny Freedman's Band.
November 9th 1956 - Joe Loss and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
November 15th 1956 - The British Railways Staff Dance at the South Parade Pier has music from the De Reske Orchestra and George Mills and his Modern Dance Music.
November 16th 1956 - Freddy Randall and his Band play at the Savoy Ballroom.
November 17th 1956 - The Portsmouth Choral Union, leader Ernest Barr, Conductor Bertram Bradshaw, and Reginald Wassell as one of the soloists, perform Berlioz's 'Childhood of Christ' at the Wesley Central Hall, Fratton Road. An invitation to Sunday morning music at the Cromwell Room of the Eastney Tavern with Eric Maddison's Trio. Ted Neil's Band play at the Forester's Hall, Fratton Road.
November 19th 1956 - Swing and Sweat with the Teddy Davis Quartet, at the Irish Club, Fratton Road.
November 21st 1956 - The Liddell Sisters sing at a Hospital Ball at the Savoy Ballroom. At The Festival Bar, Southsea, Organ solos by Eric Maddison, Thursday and Saturdays 1pm to 2-30pm.
November 23rd 1956 - The Basil and Ivor Kirchin Band play at the Savoy Ballroom.
November 24th 1956 - The Southern Counties Orchestra play at Drayton Institute.
November 30th 1956 - Ray Ellington and his Quartet featuring Marion Ryan play at the Savoy Ballroom.
December 1st 1956 - Wally Fry and his Collegians are joined the Hector Davies Blue Star Players on South Parade Pier. Alex Welch and his Dixielands play at the Empress Ballroom. The Portsmouth Philharmonic Society and the City of Portsmouth Police Choir perform a concert of Ballet Music at the Wesley Central Hall.
December 3rd 1956 - New resident band at the Empress Ballroom, Mick Mitchell and his Music.
December 4th 1956 - Roy Richards and his Mayfair Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom along with Benny Freedman's Band.
December 5th 1956 - The Portsmouth Choral Union broadcast on 'Choir Night' on the BBC West Home Service.
December 7th 1956 - id Phillips and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
December 8th 1956 - Accompanying Winifred Atwell on her new long playing record of boogie woogie and ragtime is rock'n'roll drummer Tony Crombie. The Portsmouth Grand Opera company sang 'Music from the Operas' at the Wesley Central Hall.
December 10th 1956 - Mick Mitchell and his Music are joined by the Southern Counties Old Time Orchestra at the Empress Ballroom for a dance in aid of the Hungarian Relief Fund, with cabaret from the Liddell Sisters and Eddie Forehead's Rock'n'roll Trio.
December 13th 1956 - British Railways Staff Dance at South Parade Pier with music from The De Reske Orchestra and George Mills and his Modern Dance Music.
December 14th 1956 - Ted Heath and his Music play at the Savoy Ballroom.
December 15th 1956 - The Portsmouth Glee club present Jean Grayston, Max Jaffa, Reginald Kilbey, Jack Byfield, with Stanley Matthews at the organ, and the full chorus of the Portsmouth Glee Club, at the Wesley Central Hall. For the first time, the Evening News publish a Top Ten selling list of records, with Johnnie Ray, "Just walking in the rain", at number one.
December 16th 1956 - The Milton Glee Club give a concert at the Empire Theatre for the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth's Polio research fund.
December 18th 1956 - The Southern Counties Orchestra play at the Empress Ballroom.
December 21st 1956 - Johnny Dankworth and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
December 22nd 1956 - The Portsmouth Coral Union give a concert of Carols and Christmas Music, and soloist John Hanson, at the Wesley Central Hall.
December 28th 1956 - Ken Mackintosh and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
NOTE: This is an edited version of Mick Cooper's research. The full version can be found at Mick Cooper's website