A little bit of summer romance. Wonderfully used depth of field!

Summer is almost knocking on the door and children in Toronto will soon be on the loose! If you’re having a hard time planning a perfect summer for your kids, our post about summer camps in and around Toronto might be a nice inspiration. Choose from a range of camps offering traditional camp activities and arts workshops, or help your kids learn new things through fun and exploration.

UCC Summer Camps

UCC Summer Camps are an excellent example of a traditional summer camp offering a well balanced range of activities that children are free to choose from. Located in the city centre (200 Lonsdale Road), kids can play both outdoors and indoors in the extensive and well equipped campus of Upper Canada College. The camp’s programming is done on a weekly basis, making it very easy for parents to plan kids’ schedules. Prices of the camps vary according to the type and date, but five days in the day camp usually cost between $375 and $750.

Academy of Theatre Arts

Academy of Theatre Arts

The RTS Summer Camps invite children to explore their creative potential, learn how to express themselves, and enhance their imagination in exciting and stimulating theatre camps. In 2012, three different theme camps are offered: Summer Musical Performance Camp, Create an Ensemble, and Summer Theatre Academy. Located in Ryerson Theatre School, 44 Gerrard St. East, all the camps start at 9:00 A.M. and end at 4:00 P.M., including an option for early care from 8:00 A.M. and after care until 6:00 P.M. Costs vary according to different camps and their duration, but the weekly price is about $230. Kids who wish to apply for camps don’t need to be experienced at all; all they need is good mood and the desire to perform and learn new things.

Alliance Française de Toronto Summer Camp

Alliance Franaise de Toronto
Summer Camp

The Alliance Française de Toronto Summer Camp focuses on developing fluency and confidence in conversational French for non-francophone children aged 5 to 11, regardless of their level of language skills. Language activities in the morning classes are supplemented by sport, cultural, and science workshops full of fun in the afternoon designed to provide a perfect French language immersion for kids. This year, parents are free to choose from three different locations, as camps will be held in Mississauga, Oakville, and Toronto (at Toronto French School 294 Lawrence Avenue East). Prices vary, but an average two-week program costs between $600 and $660.

Brightstart Camp

Brightstart Camp

Brightstart Camp is a well known and successful camp that offers educational programs for children with special needs from 6 years of age to 12. Kids with language disabilities, language delays, autism, and other exceptionalities are supported here to gain enough skills and experience to be able to manage in grade school. Age-appropriate activities full of exciting field trips will keep your kids entertained and help them explore and learn while playing, always supervised by experienced professionals. Check the Brightstart website for prices.

Wanda’s Creative Clay

Wanda’s Creative Clay

Wanda Goodman devoted her life to uncovering the beauty of bringing clay into the lives of people of all ages. Signing up your kids for her summer camp means giving them a wonderful opportunity to let their imagination run wild while acquiring tools and expertise in clay creation. Wanda uses non-toxic, oven-baked clay that’s easy to work with and safe for children at the same time. After workshops, little sculptors can take their works home and keep them as a memory of this amazing day camp. Wanda’s studio is located at 252 Soudan Avenue.

Bond Academy Day Camps

Bond Academy Day Camps are traditional day camps that combine arts, crafts, scientific exploration, sport activities, magician workshops, cooking, and computers skills enhancement. Camp organizers also try to include activities aimed at building positive character traits and values such as honesty, respect, tolerance, and fairness. Children aged 3 to 13 can choose from a wide variety of programs and levels designed with respect to their age and skills. Weekly cost for the camp is $230 for local campers and $300 for international participants. Before- and after-camp programs are offered for free. The camp is held at 1500 Birchmount Road.

Debate Camp Canada

Debate Camp Canada

Debate Camps are designed to empower students from grades 4 to 11 with some basic skills of competitive debate and public speaking that might help them to enhance their effective communication and teamwork in their real lives. Campers learn how to express their ideas in a convincing and eloquent manner under the supervision of experienced trainers. Four different areas are put in focus: parliamentary debate, impromptu and prepared public speaking, global awareness, and case construction. Ontario’s Debate Camp will be held on the campus of the Sterling Hall School from June 25th to June 29th from 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. with included hot lunches for the participants.

Horizon Arts Camp

If your kids wish to be future artists and love music, dance, and theatre, Horizon Arts Camp is a perfect place for them to gain confidence to reach their dreams. Professional trainers will do their best to enhance their performing and visual arts skills in a fun and exciting way and provide plenty of traditional camp activities at the same time. Camp organizers work hard to create a safe and supportive environment for all kids who decide to take part in the camp and challenge themselves through art. Kids from grades 1 to 10 are all welcome for different levels and modules prepared for them during two- or three-week long sessions. Prices of programs tend to vary, so check the Horizon Arts Camp website for further details. Summer camps are located at Kingsway College School, 4600 Dundas Street West, Etobicoke.

Toronto skyline as seen from the pier.

Click individual photos to enlarge and enter the Lightbox Gallery.

We are introducing a brand new series of Photo Essays! Have a look at amazing Photo Sets all shot by talented photographers. Explore the vibe of the city, its hidden treasures, meet the Torontonians!

The Harbourfront is a beautiful neighbourhood in central Toronto located on the northern shore of Lake Ontario. Spreading between Bathurst Street along Queen’s Quay to Yonge Street, it has been the centre of Toronto’s shipping and industry for years. This is where the Town of York started to expand and become the sprawling Toronto of today.

While taking a nice walk along the waterfront enjoying the fresh breeze, you will pass many notable buildings, such as the Harbourfront Centre, filled with galleries and cultural spaces, or the magnificent Toronto Islands ferry terminal. A large part of the waterfront at the western edge is made up of former industrial lands — a reminder of the area’s industrial past. Some buildings, like the Redpath Sugar Refinery, are still in business today. You can visit its sugar production museum and sink back into its history of glory.

This perfect spot for recreation offers many green areas along the harbour. The network of walking trails and parks such as the HTO Park, Ireland Park, or Yo-Yo Ma Music Garden are literally just minutes away from the Financial District.

A perfect spot for your lunch break just minutes away from the Financial District.

The 3.5 km long wooden paths and Waterfront WaveDecks landscape project.

A meeting point for all the keen sailors.

Thinking of a dive in the hot summer?

Take a ferry to the Toronto Islands.

Canada Malting Silos built in 1928 escaped planned demolition and are protected under the Heritage act now.

North of Queen's Quay filled with high-rise glass condominium towers, glistering in the sun.

CN Tower from the beach

The ever present sea gulls are happy to taste your lunch.

Park your sailboat in Toronto Harbour

The beautiful beach near HTO park.

Kayaking is a popular water sport in Canada.

Decks of Toronto Harbour

Meet the Photographer

Benson Kua

Benson was born and raised in Manila, Philippines and currently resides in Toronto, Canada. He loves taking photographs of everything under the sun (or the moon) but has a soft spot for landscape and nature photography.

Remember the times spent in summer camps when you were a kid? Remember all the friendships you made and promised to keep forever? First summer love maybe? If you have children, maybe you’re thinking that now it’s time for them to have their own warm memories. Check out our guide to summer camps in Ontario for a bit of inspiration.

Kettleby Valley Camp and Outdoor Centre

All kids aged 6 to 14 years are welcome to Kettleby Valley Camp, a traditional summer camp facility almost like the ones we all remember from our childhood (the campsite was established in 1957). Located in Newmarket, just west of Aurora, campers can choose from a wide variety of activities offered in the 60-acre camp site. The most popular workshops include canoeing and kayaking, bouldering, camp crafts, arts, and outdoor skills enhancement. Each camp session is limited to 65 participants, ensuring a customized personal approach to every kid. Camps begin on Sunday and end on Friday, and weekly costs vary from $640 to $690.

Camp Tournesol

Camp Tournesol

Camp Tournesol has earned its name as an excellent place to help your kids immerse themselves in French language and gain confidence before entering French programs at schools. Students aged 8 to 15 are welcome join overnight programs and even younger ones (5 to 6 years old) can always come for day camp. Weekly camp costs vary from $200 to $350 and take place at two different sites in Ontario, Midland and Lake St-George. Kids get a taste of adventure and independence while familiarizing themselves with French and learning the language quickly and naturally — without even realizing it.

Fridge Door Live Theatre Company

Every year, Fridge Door Live! Theatre Company organizes a theatre summer camp in the London area for over 80 kids attending grades 3 to 10. For all young theatre fans, innumerable theatre games and activities are prepared, aimed at building self-confidence and developing acting skills while having fun in a team of kids. In addition to this, children will work toward an ultimate final production that will be presented at the end of the camp to family and friends. Let your kids explore the talent they have and experience an unforgettable camp full of theatrical art.

Camp Tamarack

Camp Tamarack

Camp Tamarack is a traditional overnight summer camp located on a magical 1,000-acre private site surrounded by a pristine lake in the Muskoka area. Campers aged 7 to 16 are provided with a blend of opportunities and programs and also guided to discover self-confidence and independence in themselves while remaining part of a team. Besides all the traditional camp activities, Tamarack offers some specials, such as hang gliding or wake boarding. Many former participants like the camp so much that they even become part of the staff and never stop returning to Tamarack. Camp fees vary greatly according to date and duration of the camp, so check the website for more detailed information.

Camp Eden

Camp Eden

Established in 2000, Camp Eden invites campers to experience a beautiful summertime full of fun activities in a totally natural environment. In the picturesque 30-acre setting in Thornhill children have plenty of space for games and exploration in the woodlands and grassy pastures of the area. Camp organizers take care to offer diverse programming so that kids of all ages and experience have something to enjoy there. Camp Eden accepts participants from 3 to 15 years old and guarantees a warm, family-like atmosphere during the camp sessions. Safety is ensured by low camper-counselor ratio (5 to 1) and the wishes for all the kids are to be heard and respected. Prices of camps vary greatly, so check the website for more details.

Deep Summer Academy

Organized by the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Applied Sciences and Engineering, Deep Summer Academy provides talented and highly motivated students aged 13 to 18 from all around the world with an opportunity to spend time in an inspirational academic environment and use a space for advanced study in a variety of engineering, technology, business, and science disciplines. Some of the best students, alumni, and Ph.D.s attend the camp as tutors. In this manner, bright high school students get a taste of concepts usually presented at university courses and explore their options and preferences for further academic careers. Costs per week vary from $325 to $1,350.

Toronto Brigantine

Toronto Brigantine camp

Young, passionate sailors will love Toronto Brigantine camp. Trainees in this internationally renowned youth leadership program get a chance to experience an unforgettable summer adventure on the Great Lakes onboard Canada’s majestic Tall Ships. Youngsters learn how to set sails, climb aloft, take the helm, stand watch, and many more skills all true sailors need to master. Furthermore, participants in the camp will explore the necessity of team work, as without cooperation, such large ships couldn’t be sailed. The capacity of each session is 18 to 36 participants and one night of the program costs $130.

Camp Arowhon

Camp Arowhon does its best to teach kids new skills they choose to learn and increase their self-confidence for good by encouraging them to overstep their limits. Since 1934, three generations of happy campers have already experienced the camp in the heart of Canada’s wilderness in Algonquin Park area. As the organizers say, kids are free to choose any activity from a rich program — the only option that is not available is inactivity. Well trained and educated counsellors accompany campers all the time (the camper-to-staff ratio is set 2:1) and help them understand and master the art of teamwork in the wilderness. The camp is open to children from 7 to 16 years old and costs between $1,000 and $1,250 a week.

This is completely different from all the usual shots of Toronto skyscrapers, almost like from a sci-fi blockbuster! 

A new monthly report released by REALTORS® from Greater Toronto on the state of the real estate market in the area shows stable growth in sales in April 2012. While last year, REALTORS® recorded 8,778 transactions, about 10,350 firm deals were reported in April (18 per cent growth in a year-to-year comparison). The most rapid growth was experienced in the single-detached homes’ segment, which increased 22 per cent compared to April 2011. Single detached homes also led the charts in price growth, while the average price was up 8.5 per cent compared to last year.

Richard Silver, Toronto Real Estate Board President, commented on the data: “Interest in single-detached homes has been very high, both in the City of Toronto and surrounding regions. Growth in single-detached listings has not kept up with demand, which means competition between buyers in this market segment increased. With this in mind, it was no surprise that the strongest annual price increase was also experienced in the single-detached segment.”

Amid the price growth, Torontonians seem to be comfortable with their monthly mortgage payments and borrowing costs are likely to be a positive factor boosting home sales throughout 2012.

Casinos are polarizing. They’re associated with so many contrasting images and connotations. On one hand, you have the glossy ad campaigns that promise endless vacations and luxuries after hitting the jackpot; on the other, you have the hundreds of thousands of problem gamblers in Ontario that lose their savings, their family, their life to the game. You have a source of government revenue that can pay for roads, schools, and hospitals, but you also have related expenditures such as additional policing and treatment for addiction and depression. Now, Torontonians are faced with this impending reality right in our own backyard.

It all started when the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) announced plans for a strategic reform in March, after another year of declining revenue. The big focus is on opening a casino in the GTA, a densely-populated area without a casino. The OLG’s current casinos have seen profits drop steadily over the years due to their reliance on border-crossing American gamblers; in these days of a strong Canadian dollar, post-9/11 security, and new casinos opening on the US side of the Falls, less Americans are driving over the bridge to spend their money. The OLG believes a Toronto casino will revitalize their fortunes by retaining GTA gamblers and attracting tourists to the big city to play.

Ontario Finance Minister Dwight Duncan, Mayor Rob Ford, and numerous suburban councilors support this move, while many Toronto councilors oppose it. As for public opinion, it’s split 54% for, 46% against, according to an Ipsos Reid poll. With opinionated advocates on both sides voicing their arguments, let’s take a look at the pros and cons of opening a casino in Toronto.

Pros

Casino Night by Rishad Daroowala

Creates a new entertainment hotspot

• If the proposal from gambling giant MGM is any indication, the Toronto casino would be part of a sprawling, family-friendly, all-inclusive complex that would also include a lavish resort and restaurants, shops, theatres, and convention halls.

Boosts the economy

• Building a casino would be a massive development project, one with a budget probably in the billions.
• Money would be invested into the city and province to build the casino.
• As part of a resort or complex, many other businesses would open and operate alongside the casino.

Boosts tourism

• A casino in Toronto would definitely draw more tourists into the city, especially if it’s part of a greater, one-stop entertainment complex.

Creates jobs

• Many jobs would be created with a new casino: service staff, management, maintenance personnel, security, and more. With the expected big scale of the casino and possibly its associated entertainment complex, thousands of positions would need to be filled.

Creates a new source of government revenue

• Maintained and operated by the OLG, earnings from the casino would go into the provincial government’s pockets. Profits are expected to be in the hundreds of millions, if not a few billion, per year. This could greatly help balance the $16 billion provincial deficit.
• The casino would also be a way to generate income for the province without raising taxes.
• Mayor Rob Ford has said that the city’s cut of the casino revenue will be directed towards the TTC, roads, schools, and hospitals.

Cons

Slot Machine by Jeff Kubina

Leads to more and worse problem gambling

• Gambling addiction is estimated to currently afflict over 300,000 Ontarians; the number will probably increase if a casino opens in a high-population area such as the GTA.
• The reduced commuting time and cost would enable problem gamblers in Toronto to play more and lose more.

Increases poverty and homelessness

• Going hand in hand with gambling addiction, more low-income individuals (those who are statistically most susceptible to becoming problem gamblers) may find themselves bankrupt and kicked out onto the streets, unable to pay for rent or mortgage, due to the convenience of a casino in the city.

Increases crime

• Crimes associated with drug sale and use, prostitution, loan sharking, and pawn shops might spring up in the area surrounding the casino due to the high-stakes, late-night nature of gambling. This will be especially problematic if the location of the casino leads these crimes to take place in the heart of the city.

Creates a poor source of government revenue

• In terms of making money for Toronto, the new OLG casino will only cut a small percentage of its profits towards the city, while directing the vast majority of earnings to the province.
• For the casino to truly make money, it needs tourists to play, whose money comes from abroad. If most of the gamblers who visit the casino are Torontonians, the money earned is just being redirected from other businesses that also drive the economy (i.e. retail, restaurants, arts and cultural institutions).
• A portion of the revenue will be spent on the police, social, and health services needed to deal with the possible increases in crime and addiction resulting from the new casino.
• A casino in Toronto could actually take revenue away from existing casinos in the province.
• Studies have shown that one-third of casino revenue comes from problem gamblers. Thus, it can be argued that government-operated casinos make money off of the vulnerable.

So, is opening a casino in Toronto a good idea? The mayor’s executive committee will consider the issue as early as May, when Torontonians get the chance to voice their thoughts. From looking at the investment and revenue numbers being thrown around, it seems likely that a casino will be built. It looks to be a quick way to balance out the provinicial deficit, and a question on the public poll also shows that more people would agree to the GTA casino if it is part of a resort and entertainment complex.

Hot Docs 2012

If you’re wondering what to do in Toronto during May, be sure to check out our list of top ten May events in the city. It looks like there’s an exciting month coming!

Hot Docs

April 26th to May 6th

Every year, Toronto is proud to host the largest documentary festival in North America. As usual, this year of the festival presents more than 150 breathtaking documentary films from all around the world in about 12 venues scattered around Toronto’s downtown area. Some of the festival highlights include “Life in Stills,” which is about huge efforts to save nearly 1 million negatives of late photographer Rudi Weissenstein when her studio is about to be demolished or “Inocente,” telling an intriguing story of a young girl growing up homeless in San Diego as she discovers that art could change her life. Individual tickets to Hot Docks are $14.50 and tickets to all late-night screenings (those after 11:00 P.M.) are $5, but many more discounted packages for extra keen filmgoers are available as well.

Picasso in Toronto

May 1st to August 26th

AGO Picasso

The Art Gallery of Ontario (317 Dundas Street West) is coming up with a very special exhibition starting in the beginning of May: Picasso: Masterpieces from the Musée National Picasso in Paris (the Parisian museum decided to send the masterpieces out to the world while its building undergoes renovation works). This unique temporary exhibition introduces more than 147 highlights from the Musée’s amazing collection and could be viewed as a major survey of masterworks by the art genius whose name became a synonym for modern art. Exhibited works will be displayed chronologically to follow the artistic development and will include Picasso’s paintings, sculptures, prints, and drawings. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore the world of one of the most influential artists of the 20th century, as Toronto is the only Canadian stop of the tour before the works return to Paris.

Toronto Jewish Film Festival

May 3rd to May 13th

20th Toronto Jewish
Film Festival

The 20th annual Toronto Jewish Film Festival is an intriguing showcase of over 95 feature films and documentaries representing 15 countries that are linked with Jewish culture and identity. The festival tries to celebrate the diversity of Jewish communities all around the world also by presenting all the films in their original language with subtitles. As a part of the film competition, the David A. Stein Memorial Award will be presented to the director of the best documentary making its Canadian premiere at the festival. Several free ticketed events are also part of the festival, including free talks and couple of movie screenings. No Torontonian should miss this colourful festival celebrating the roch Jewish culture (lucky ones might even win a trip to Israel!).

Good Food Festival

May 4th to May 6th

Good Food Festival & Market

The Good Food Festival celebrates its 20th birthday with style! The largest festival of home cooking in Canada will open in the International Trade Centre to introduce its visitors to the world of fine cuisine. The programme of the weekend dedicated to food includes on-stage cooking lessons by food experts, a presentation of wonderful cheeses and wine, and ethnic food sampling. Some of the most prominent Canadian chefs promised to come and share their skills and experience. Furthermore, besides tasting, visitors will have an opportunity to buy lots of delicious or useful stuff to bring home. The luckiest Good Food Festival visitors will also have a chance to win an amazing vacation getaway. Admission is $15 when purchased online and $20 at the door.

Goodlife Fitness Toronto Marathon

May 6th

GoodLife Marathon

The Toronto Marathon is a 35-year-old tradition that offers an opportunity for athletes of all ages to challenge their limits in a downhill, fast, and scenic course around the city. All the race types (marathon, half marathon, half marathon walk, and five-kilometre run) will finish in Queen’s Park, one of the prettiest venues that could be chosen for the runs. This year, about 14,000 participants from over 45 countries are expected to participate in the run and the numbers might grow further. All the determined runners who manage to reach the finish will receive a special 2012 edition of the finisher’s medal. The price of registration for participants starts at $40. People under 18 are not permitted to take part in the marathon race.

Contact Toronto Photography Festival

Throughout May

Contact Photography Festival

This month-long festival encompasses what photography has to say for the contemporary world. Featuring more than 1,000 artists, the Contact Festival is the largest photography event in the world that takes place in various locations and over 200 different venues. This year’s main theme of the festival is “Public,” stimulated by the global renaissance of interest in street photography. Several exhibitions, site-specific simulations, and events all around the city will try to explore the power of photography to shape collective experience and bring things to the public sphere. The Contact festival also cooperates with Hot Docs during some of the events. As usual, numerous interesting workshops and debates will be present for the whole duration of the festival.

Science Rendezvous

May 12th

Science Rendezvous

Take your kids out and show them a world full of discoveries and fun at Science Rendezvous, an annual festival that focuses on bringing scientific research to life on various university campuses, research institutions, and community centres all around the country. This exciting day dedicated to science includes live demonstrations, explosive experiments, and many hands-on activities for everyone. Admission is free and the experience at the Science Rendezvous is unforgettable. Some of the event sites in Toronto include all the Toronto Public Libraries, the University of Toronto campuses, the Ontario Science Centre, the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, and many more. It’s where people and science meet!

Forest of Reading Festival of Trees

May 15th to May 16th

Forest of Reading

During the Forest of Reading Festival of Trees, the largest children’s literary event in Canada, children will discover the adventure of reading. The Harbourfront Centre in partnership with the Ontario Library Association welcomes two days full of fun workshops, award ceremonies (prizes named after different tree types are presented to the authors), author signings, and many more events that focus on love for books and reading. Last year, the Forest of Reading Festival of Trees was visited more than 8,000 keen literature fans and it is expected to grow even further this year. Tickets cost $14 dollars.

Artisans at the Distillery

May 19th to May 21st

ArtFest

The historic Distillery District will embrace more than 85 artists and artisans from all around Canada for a huge festival of arts during the weekend from May 19th to 21st. These three days are going to be filled with presentations of a large variety of arts, wood, glass, textile, alternative clothing, pottery, photography, jewellery, and body care. Besides an opportunity to buy all of the amazing things to be found in the Distillery during the festival, the event includes many hands-on activities and interactive presentations given by professional artisans on the site. So don’t hesitate to hit the industrial part of town to get inspired and maybe also to become artisans yourselves!

Doors Open Toronto

Running: May 26th to May 27th

Doors Open Toronto 2012

Doors Open Toronto is an annual festival for all Torontonians who are keen on architecture in our city. For two days, many historically and architecturally important buildings (especially those generally closed to the public) open their doors to welcome visitors and offer them a free and often also guided visit. In commemoration of the War of 1812 bicentennial, this year of the festival will be devoted to 200 years of building the urban city. More than 135 significant and interesting buildings will open up to highlight their city builders who took part in shaping Toronto that we know today. As every year, a photography contest is part of the festival.

Who knew that even moving out from your place can look this photogenic? Superb composition, Rick!

There may be more performers in Los Angeles, more guitarists in New York, and more concerts in San Francisco, but the offer of music stores in Toronto indicates a fact that’s often ignored — that the city’s musical reputation can be compared with other popular destinations for musicians. Whether you want to equip a string quartet, a jazz group, or a black metal band, the music stores of Toronto will probably meet your specific demands. Although many famous musicians shop here, music stores have instruments for almost anyone’s wallet. Here is our selection of stores that musicians and music lovers should not miss in Toronto.

Steve’s Music

415 Queen Street West

Steve's Music

The eponymous Steve’s Music Store opened up in Toronto in 1977, after Steven Kirman, its founder, decided to expand the business from Montreal to Toronto. In a short time, the store became a famous spot for all music lovers as word of mouth about its friendly atmosphere spread. People were encouraged to play the instruments before buying them, often at discount prices. This open approach, so rare in those times, blazed a trail to success. “The store just exploded,” said Gerry Markman, one of the managers who helped open the Toronto location. Markman thinks that it was exactly Kirman personality that made Steve’s Music a legend. “He always called it a hands-on store. Let the people come in and try the goods.”

Steven Kirman is often described as “the man who brought guitars to the masses,“ and is remembered as a decisive businessman who always encouraged a casual atmosphere at his stores. Apart from the Toronto store and the original branch in Montreal, one store can be found in Ottawa as well. The Toronto store offers an extensive variety of musical instruments, a whole floor dedicated to drums, and about 900 guitars displayed in three fascinating, colourful rows. Steve’s Music can be found on Queen St. West in Toronto and is considered as the go-to store for all musicians in the downtown.

Musideum

401 Richmond St. W. (main floor)

Musideum

Are you inspired by the movie Kill Bill and do you want to get yourself a Chinese bamboo flute? The mix of world cultures in the city was one of the reasons for setting up a store that offers musical instruments from all around the globe. Musideum offers a captivating, museum-like setting, and its spirit makes you easily forget that it’s actually a store and not a gallery.

The store is the brainchild of talented composer, Donald Quan. “I’m not focusing on music. I’m not focusing on musicians. I’m not focusing on culture… my focus is on the instruments,” explains Quan, introducing his retail project as a “look at music through the eyes of musical instruments.” The philosophy of the store is based on emphasizing authenticity and accessibility. That’s why you cannot find anything more expansive than $1,500 in the shop. “I take a very karmic, spiritual approach to it. It’s a journey,” Quan explains his business strategy. “You know you’re going to get there. The point is, how do you get from here to there?”

Recently, Musideum has expanded to a performance organization, even though it still claims to remain mainly a retail store with its characteristic intimate mood. Musideum continues to share the music of the world with its fan base; various genres and cultures are regularly present in this art venue. The store associate describes the store as a “point of access,” where curiosity about world music is invited to make a place for something new in our lives.

Capsule Music

921 Queen Street West

Capsule Music

Capsule Music is a right place to look for rare and vintage guitars. The shop’s vintage guitar expert, John Dinsmore, had his hands on a 1952 Fender Telecaster, considered the Holy Grail of electric solid-body guitars among collectors. There’s also a story about how the Rolling Stones would come to the store to buy guitars when they were in town. Three cramped rooms are loaded with guitars with f-holes or candy-apple race car finishes. Capsule Music, owned by twin brothers Mark and Peter Kesper, offers a view on old classics and new retro creations that hang side by side. Their repair department can get your guitar right.

Just Drums

137 Willowdale Ave

Just Drums

If you feel that drummers are neglected, Just Drums will probably cheer you up. But its focus is not only in drums. Apart from drum sets, you can choose from hundreds of cymbals, other percussion instruments, and countless accessories. The store offers private lessons by experts at its own Learning Centre. Over 200 students currently take lessons in modern studios equipped with two kits for both teacher and student.

Experts in Just Drums also do repairs and restoration of instruments. They have the necessary equipment and capability to re-skin a hand drum, repair a piece of hardware, or do a more complex job like re-cutting bearing edges. Equipment rentals, purchasing a drum set using a rent-to-own plan, and drum tuning of your tired sounding drums for free if you purchase them from the shop — these are some of the services that attract customers from across North America to this store.

Saved By Technology

10 Breadalbane Street

Saved by Technology

Saved by Technology is ‘a music boutique’ established in 1985, when it was one of the world’s first stores to sell synthesizers. A rather small shop where everyone registers you the second you walk in, it’s packed to the gills — you may even feel claustrophobic there. This store doesn’t sell traditional instruments, but recording items. Here, you can buy plug-ins for any sequencer. The store has collaborated with the Rolling Stones, AC/DC, Stevie Wonder, Pink Floyd, and Linkin Park, to mention a few. They also supply music production companies, film and television composers, recording studios, and broadcasters.

Remenyi House of Music

210 Bloor Street West

Remenyi

This store stares at the Royal Conservatory of Music and caters to a more classically-orientated customer. The Remenyi building consists of three floors filled up with quality pianos, string instruments, accessories, repair corners, and the Music Bookstore that offers sheet music and educational literature. The company is still operated by the founder’s grandson. Its story, however, didn’t begin in Toronto, but in Budapest. In the summer of 1890, Mihály Reményi opened a tiny violin shop there, dedicated to a distinguished musical legacy of his predecessor, Edouard, who was a court violinist to Queen Victoria, befriended Franz Liszt, and is known to bring the talent of Johannes Brahms to light.

Mihály’s business soon became a synonym for fine craftsmanship and expertise. In the Budapest era, the shop introduced several inventions of violinist Reményi, for example an early version of today’s shoulder rest. After his two sons joined the family firm, Reményi expanded into the other areas of the music trade and became the country’s largest music house. Its strong position is well reflected on the fact that Reményi Music House survived two world wars, as well as economic and political turmoils. It was the communist regime that terminated private business in 1951. Eight years later, the firm was re-established by one of the sons, Zoltán, after immigrating to Canada. Starting from a tiny, 13-foot-wide store on Toronto’s Queen Street, the shop moved to their present location on Bloor Street in 1979 and is the oldest business of all music stores in Toronto.

Kala Kendar

1440 Gerrard Street East

Kala Kendar

The Kala Kendar shop is one of the largest sellers of traditional Indian instruments in North America. Furthermore, Kala Kendar concentrates on quality of workmanship and insists on materials and conditions to withstand various climate changes, to transport, and to deliver excellent tone quality. The store claims to play every single instrument before it displays the item for potential customers to assure that all the instruments are inspected and adjusted. Kala Kendar offers shipping services to more than 37 countries.