Dear friends,  Somebody asked me about dance halls and cafes with a
playing mechanical organ in the Netherlands and Belgium.  For those
visiting our countries, and who would like to hear these wonderful
machines in their right setting, I hereby send a list of places where
you still can hear dance-hall organs playing.

The best chance to listen is on Sunday afternoons.  Even then,
I cannot guarantee success, but the organs will be there:


Kruisland
 Zaal Koch, Molenstraat 120 / Gebr. Decap electr/pipes 105-T

Oud Gastel
 v/d Kasteele, dorpsstraat 80 / Gebr. Decap pipe organ 92-T

Rijsbergen
 Cafe-rest. Napoleon, Antwerpseweg 36 / Alb. Decap electr. 105

Bergen op Zoom
 Cafe Ponderosa, Fluwelenbroekstr. 17 / Fr. Decap electr. 80-T

Zundert
 Cafe Schuttershof, Kl. Zundertseweg 38 / Gebr. Decap elec/pipes 105-T

Dussen
 Cafe J Sagt, dorpsstraat 42 / systeem Decap pipes 92-T

Ossendrecht
 Cafe/zaal de Vrede, kerkstr. 2 / Th. Mortier orchestrion 112-T *

Hilvarenbeek
 Cafe de Reisduif, bloemenstr. 32 / Gebr. Decap pipe organ 92-T

Antwerpen
 Cafe Beveren, Vlasmarkt 2 / Gebr. Decap pipe organ 92-T

Rumst
 Dancing Misty, Antwerpsesteenweg 1 / Gebr. Decap electr/pipes 105-T

Zandhoven
 Dancing Willem Tell, Langestraat / Gebr. Decap electr/pipes 105-T

Zandhoven
 Dancing de 14 billekens, Langestraat 14 / Gebr. Decap el/p 105-T

Mol-Postel
 Dancing Heidelicht, Eerselseweg 100 / Gebr. Decap electr/pipes 105-T

Mol-Postel
 Dancing de Kaasboerin, Eerselseweg 99 / Gebr. Decap electr/pipes 105-T

Geel
 Dancing Loana, Kievermont / Gebr. Decap electr/pipes 105-T

Wuustwezel
 Dancing Europa, Bredabaan 4 / Gebr. Decap electr/pipes 105-T

Putte
 Cafe Tourist, grens / Gebr. Decap electr/pipes 92-T

Poppel
 Dancing Bungalow, grens / Alb. Decap electr. 105-T

Beerse
 Dancing Caroussel, Turnhoutseweg / Fr. Decap electr/pipes 105-T

Wechelperzande
 Klessens' danstent classique (september) / Fr. Decap pipes organ 121-T

Lichtaart
 Cafe Valentijn, / Fr. Decap electr/pipes 105-T


Robbie, please note the dance-hall "de veertien billekens" in
Zandhoven.  Go and count them!

Hans van Oost, KDV, Netherlands

 [ Editor's note:
 [
 [ In 1909 the Billiken was "the rage of America" (for all of six
 [ months!) and it still serves as the mascot of Saint Louis University
 [ in Missouri.  To buy a Billiken doll brought the buyer luck.  To have
 [ one given to you, better luck.  But the best luck was to be had if
 [ the Billiken was stolen!  If one Billiken brings good luck, imagine
 [ the good fortune awaiting you at the "Fourteen Billikens" dance hall
 [ in Zandhoven !
 [
 [   "I am the god of luckiness, so always keep me nigh.
 [    Misfortune's frown will disappear, at one flash from my eye.
 [    Be sure that I am on the spot, when projects you begin.
 [    I am the god of luckiness.  My name is Billiken."
 [
 [ The history of this charming figure and the little poem
 [ appear at  http://www.jester.net/secure/Billiken.htm
 [ and at  http://quake.eas.slu.edu/People/BJMitchell/lbill.html
 [
 [ Thanks to Joyce Brite for the Billiken research.
 [
 [ -- Robbie