The classic 17-piece big band Standing Room Only (SRO) with vocalist Saffron Bradbury will stage its first Almonte Tea Dance in the 2026–27 season on the afternoon of Sunday, October 18. These dances feature a variety of music for ballroom and swing dancers including swing, waltzes, and Latin (cha chas, tangos, rumbas, etc.).
Tea dances are afternoon dances that were popular in the ’20s, ’30s, and ’40s, when big bands were king. They were held in hotels and, of course, featured a live band. As implied by “tea,” beverages were non-alcoholic.
The dances are held in the auditorium of the Almonte Old Town Hall — a beautiful classic old building located at 14 Bridge Street. The auditorium is on the top floor (there’s an elevator) and is a beautifully preserved venue with a clean and spacious wooden dance floor, natural lighting, and wonderful acoustics.
SRO launched the popular dances in 2006. They give guests a chance to dance and listen to live big band music in a period atmosphere. The dances attract ballroom and swing dancers from the Ottawa area and as far away as Brockville and Deep River.
Doors open at 1pm and dancing is from 1:30pm to 4pm. Admission is $20 per person at the door (cash only). Reservations are not required. Light refreshments including delicious treats and a range of non-alcoholic beverages will be available at reasonable prices (cash only).
The remaining Tea Dances in the 2026–27 season take place on November 29, January 17, February 28, and April 11.
For more information about SRO and its tea dances, visit the band’s website at srobigband.ca or Facebook page at facebook.com/srobigband. To receive notifications of upcoming tea dances and other public performances, you can “like” SRO’s Facebook page. In addition, you can be added to SRO’s email distribution list for notifications sent out about two weeks before each tea dance by sending an email to srobigband@bell.net with the subject “Subscription Request.”