Palais Royal Dancing Hall

Palais Royal Dancing Hall

Picture of Palais Royal in Toronto, a very well known leisure spot for dancing c. 1930s for white people only. After several protests from the Black communities in the area, they desegregated in 1947. Only after 27 years of being open as a dancing and concert hall did they allow Black people to enjoy the space, and even up until the 1960s regular consumers made it clear they were still unwelcome as patrons but rather as musicians to perform. Jazz was always an energetic dancing music and those who owned these clubs would control the course of Black musicians careers and hold power over the performers income and future. Playing at a small dancing club might not have meant that they were going to make a breakthrough and become famous, but it did mean being able to support themselves and loved ones financially.

City of Toronto Archives

Palais Royale, City of Toronto Archives, Series 330, File 567, c. 1930.

City of Toronto Archives

c. 1930

City of Toronto Archives

Image