Almost a century after the roaring 20’s concluded, social dancing is returning to the Palais Royale ballroom! The one-of-a-kind venue will be open for social dancing from 1pm to 5pm on Sunday afternoon March 19th. Read below why this is such a historical occasion:
Until you’ve been to The Palais, you haven’t fully lived.
From Boat House to Dance Hall
The Palais Royale was originally built as a boat works in the 1920’s. This decade saw significant cultural and social change in North America and nowhere was this more evident than in Toronto’s vibrant dance scene. The Palais Royale, with its spacious dance floor and elegant atmosphere, was at the forefront of this cultural revolution, and became a popular destination for dancers of all ages and backgrounds.
Eager to cast off the strictures of traditional society and embrace new and exciting forms of expression, young people explored the latest dance styles, including the Charleston, the Foxtrot, and the Tango at the venue with a sense of abandon. Dancing was a way to break free from the social constraints of the time and celebrate life in all its vibrancy. The music was lively and energetic, the fashion was daring and colorful, and the atmosphere was charged with excitement and possibility. The Palais Royale was a symbol of this newfound sense of liberation.
During the 1940s, the Palais Royale became even more popular as a dancing destination, with many of the city’s top musicians and bands performing at the venue. The popularity of Swing music and the Jitterbug dance craze made the Palais Royale a hot spot for young people, and the venue became known as one of Toronto’s premier dance halls. For just 10 cents plus five cents a dance, dancers could glide and spin to the likes of Duke Ellington and Count Basie, Paul Whiteman and the Dorsey Brothers six nights a week.
Eventually the rise of disco and other forms of music led to a decline in the popularity of traditional ballroom dancing and in the 1970’s and 1980’s the Palais settled into a space for concerts, weddings, and corporate functions.
However, in the early 2000s, the Palais Royale underwent a major renovation, restoring many of its original features and updating its facilities, returning it again to a superb venue for dance. Now, with the slow easing of a long pandemic, the Palais is uniquely poised to reclaim its place as one of Toronto’s premier dance halls.
Singer-songwriter Glenn Chipkar and venue owner Mary Lou Borg are the organizers of Toronto’s largest annual Valentine’s Day Dinner Dance. Now they want to reopen the Palais Royale to the public for social ballroom dancing. They invite you to the inaugural opening on March 19, 2023.
For only $35, singles and couples are invited to gaze over the lake, enjoy an optional charcuterie platter, and dance to the sounds of the Big Band Era by DJ Ralph (including Latin, Ballroom, Jazz, and Pop). Requests from the American songbook are welcome. Dress code: Semi-Formal to Formal
About Glenn Chipkar
Glenn Chipkar is a singer-songwriter based in Toronto, Canada. Born and raised in the city, Glenn developed a passion for music at a young age, learning to play guitar and write songs in his teenage years. He has since become a well-known figure in Toronto’s music scene, known for his powerful voice, soulful lyrics, and dynamic performances.
Glenn has released several albums throughout his career, showcasing his diverse range of musical influences, from rock and pop to blues and soul. He has also collaborated with other artists and musicians, further expanding his creative repertoire. In addition to his music, Glenn is also a prolific writer and has published several books on topics ranging from health and wellness to technology and marketing. He continues to be an active performer and is dedicated to sharing his love of music with audiences around the world.
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