Dreamy Deco in Toronto: Sunnyside Bathing Pavilion and the Palais Royale

I still have not had the pleasure of enjoying deco high tea at the Windsor Arms in Toronto (as previously blogged about) and so that may be what I would like to do for Valentine's Day. However, I'm now thinking an even more amazing and romantic Art Deco venue for this lovey-dovey occasion would be Toronto's Palais Royale. Before I get to more on the Palais, however, I wanted to mention another Art Deco structure that sort of led me to discover the Palais Royale. Briefly, while driving into Toronto last weekend to sleuth some vintage, I caught a glimpse of this amazing building on the lakeshore which I have since discovered is a 1920s Bathing Pavilion. Oh boy am I going back there this summer, vintage suit and parasol in tow, for some pics. In the mean-time, here's a little peek at this astounding structure.






Okay, back to the Palais Royale. As I was researching the Bathing Pavilion, I discovered that there used to be a whole amusement park down at the lake front known as Sunny Side Amusement Park. In conjunction with the construction of the Park, the Palais Royale Ballroom had been erected. Apparently, it was THE place for amazing ballroom dancing in the 1920s and 30s. ALL the big names in Big Bands played there in the 1930s (including the Count Basie Orchestra---see below for a 1930s photo of his bus backed up to the door of the Palais for set up or tear down).






Anyway, I read that the Palais went through a period of disrepair, but it is now a swank deco venue for dinner and dancing (note: I hate the music on their website, though). Hello, Cupid!









I leave you with a video clip of the best lindy hopping EVER, from the movie Hellzapoppin', set to Count Basie's "Jumpin' at the Woodside." WOW!