About the venue
The Great Hall at Finsbury Town Hall
Finsbury Town Hall (originally built as Clerkenwell Town Hall) is a magnificent grade 2 listed building, built in 1895 for the then Metropolitan Borough of Finsbury. The building has had a turbulent history, serving as a civil defence reporting centre in 1939-1940. During this time, a two-level bunker was set up, serving as the boroughs defence control centre and an air-raid shelter for the duration of the war years, and as a nuclear-defence shelter in the 1950s.
The great hall, built in Victorian-era splendour, with more than a hint of Art-nouveau style, has, like the building that houses it, a few stories to tell. When built, the great hall served as a vestry, before coming into use as a meeting chamber and publically accessible wedding and events hall, until the 1990s.
Most recently, completely closed to the public while Islington council (its current host borough, following the merging of Finsbury Borough into Islington) tried to rid itself of this decadently expensive building, has had its doors finally opened to the public after 15 years of disuse. Completely refurbished by its current owner, the Urdang dance academy, it shines in its new glory, and offers a brand-new, top-of-the-range fully-sprung dance floor.
The great hall unabashedly shows off its Victorian architects' vision of extravagance: detailed stained windows, angels atanding on gilded plinths lighting the way, extremely ornate cornices and gypsum-covered walls and ceilings, mahogany panelling and gilt-edged mirrors throughout.
It can easily accommodate 300 dancers whilst providing plenty of seating space for full enjoyment of a long dance evening, and especially comfort and viewing of the evenings' performance. Words are woefully inadequate to convey the atmosphere, it must simply be experienced.
How to get here
The venue is within walking distance from Angel or Farringdon Underground stations. There is a frequent bus service down Rosebery Avenue: bus routes 19, 38 and 341, stopping directly outside the venue, Finsbury Town Hall.
For the drivers and pedestrians, the main landmark in Rosebery Avenue, is Sadler's Wells theatre, which is only 200 metres from Finsbury Town Hall, on the opposite side of the street. They are both distinct and well-known landmarks, if you need to resort to asking for directions.
There is plenty of parking available on the street on the yellow lines, after 6.30pm. Pay and display spaces are available in several places in the surrounding streets for those coming for the early workshop.
Address:
Urdang Academy, Finsbury Town Hall, Rosebery Avenue, London, EC1R 4RP Click here for a detailed, printable map of the area.Simplifed map of Clerkenwell
