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Toronto's historic Palais Royale originally opened in 1922 as part of Sunnyside Beach by Lake Ontario. Dean's Sunnyside Pleasure Boats Factory occupied the basement and the ground floor from the lake side. The second floor or ground floor from the front was a dance hall. The boat factory soon went out of business, but Palais Royale continued as a dance hall.
Throughout the 1930s, the Palais Royale hosted the classic big bands. The legendary Glen Miller, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, Artie Shaw, Paul Whitman, and the Dorsey Brothers had them doing swing and more. Jitterbugging was considered too risque at the time.
In 1933, some 3000 people packed the place for New York's Eddie Duchin's Park Central Orchestra. And from 1933 to 1950, some seventeen years, Palais Royale had a house band, Bert "Canada's King of Swing" Niosi. During the Second World War - 1939-1945, the Palais Royale stayed open 24-7 / around-the-clock to occupy and entertain war industry shift workers.
In 1974, the City of Toronto declared The Palais Royale a historic site. Along with the Sunnyside Bathing Pavilion, Palais Royale is the last vestige of what was Toronto's historic Sunnyside Beach and Amusement Park.
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, a new generation of now legendary musicians including Oscar Peterson, Stan Kenton, Woody Herman, The Carlton Show Band, The Specials, Joe Jackson and Rough Trade, Blur, Blue Rodeo, Sigur Rós, Echo & the Bunnymen, The Sadies, Constantines, Sloan, The Rolling Stones played the Palais Royale.
The Palais Royale underwent modification and some re-construction sometime after 2005. The back terrace was rebuilt, windows were replaced.
The historic wood dance floor was reduced by almost half, to an oval in front of the stage with the rest of the dance floor carpeted over. Today, the Palais Royale, the last of the three legendary dance halls on Toronto's waterfront, is a premium priced venue available for events.
Palais Royale Website
2011 - Latest News
Mon. 14 March. SalsaTO was unavailable for Sunday's wrap up and shows. Professional Couple results will be coming soon. And where applicable, links to imagery by others will be listed.
Saturday night was full of surprises, including a "Guest" MC who stole the show - literally - with one of his own - sort of. Pics of that show, a video and an Oscar worthy "Acceptance Speech are coming!
Five Solo Finalists ramped up their game Saturday, with routine and in some cases, costume changes.
Montreal's Adriano; Toronto's Mira; Samantha, Java and Lisa put it all out as days and weeks of work all came focussed on two short minutes.
When the dust and the feathers settled, it was Montreal's Adriano who took the trophy as the 2nd Toronto Festival Solo Winner. Toronto's Mira took second place with a 2011 New Skin solo troupe routine reprise - music and costume. Samantha took Third Place.
Please support the Toronto Salsa Festival Sponsors for you health, dancing shoe, travel, florist and other needs.
Saturday 12 March. If you wear your rain boots, parking in the space separating the Lakeshore from the Gardiner may be free! Read the signs first! Parking a little further west of the Palais Royale may also be free.
Great shows, fabulous competition. "Amateurs in 2011 are at the level of professionals in 2001. That's how far they have progressed.
Friday night, the advancing couples from Thursday's semi-finals were Roberto & Samantha; Crystal & Sumeet; Domenic & Pamela; Jenalyn & Raymond; Johnny & Jenny.
After the judges tallied the scores, checked the feet, timing, complexity, flow, partnerwork, the results were: third place Roberto & Samantha; Second place Domenic & Pamela;.
and, the 2011 Toronto Salsa Festival Amateur Champions are ...
Jenalyn & Raymond.
Kudos to all who put it out there and spent time working up something to be judged and performed in front of hundreds and hundreds of people.
Do not bring food or beverage with you to the Palais Royale. You are searched at the door. Some food is available for purchase.
Friday 11 March. Some mighty fine dancing Thursday night!
Amateur Couples Domenic & Pamela; Silvana & Sebastian; Roberto & Samantha; Crystal & Sumeet; Samantha & Kunal; Jenalyn & Raymond danced off.
Solos Corie; Albert Gomez; Sharon; Mira; Samantha S.; Adriano; Java; Patience; Lisa danced off.
Adriano & Samantha professional routine was a teaser for Sunday night's Professional finals.
Solos Mira; Samantha, Adriano, Java, Lisa advanced to the Saturday Finals.
Roberto & Samantha; Crystal & Sumeet; Silvana & Sebastian; Jenalyn & Raymond advance to Friday night's finals.
The fun continues Friday night at the historic Palais Royale.
Wednesday 9 March. Catch a dance with the international instructors Thursday 10 March at Michael The Archangel Church Event Hall - 212 Delaware Avenue - cross the street from the Ossington Subway Station west entrance/exit or one block west of Ossington, just north of Bloor Street West. Doors Open 8:00pm.
Tuesday 8 March. Earlybird rates end midnight Tuesday 8 March 2011. Two days 'til Toronto Salsa Festival Blast-off. Thursday starts with the competitions - solo, Amateur, and professional.
Yes, confirmed, there is a Zouk and Bachata room at the 2011 Toronto Salsa Festival. DJ line-up for the week-end includes: DJ Duck, DJ Geronimo, DJ Danillo, DJ El Romantico, DJ Kafe aka Java Panzo.
Salsa DJs include: Salsa Room: DJs Julio Cezar, Mark Anthony Sheppard, Gury Gury, Geronimo, Nilson, Kafe and dVo.
Monday 7 March.And, there may be a Bachata and Zouk room. Please confirm in their site.
Friday 4 March. Book your hotel room now! Not many left.
Four Points by Sheraton Toronto Lakeshore 1926 Lake Shore Boulevard West, Toronto. 416-766-4392.
Registrations & Options here
Tues. 1 February Early Bird pricing extended to 11:59pm. Tuesday 1 February 2011. Buy your tickets / passes now before price goes up!