1963 – Looking southeast towards the Bandshell in Bandshell Park at Exhibition Place (CNE Archives)
The Bandshell is located at 100 Prince Edward Island Cres in Bandshell Park, on the south side of Exhibition Place in Toronto.
Before the Bandshell
In the mid-1930s, the Exhibition needed a larger outdoor stage to host various musical performances. Until then, many of the CNE’s outside concerts were taking place at the bandstand stages in various areas of Exhibition grounds.
Architects Craig & Madill were commissioned to design a permanent open-air concert venue. They extensively researched other music shells, including the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, which inspired the design of our Bandshell.
The Architecture of the Bandshell
Built in 1936 and set against the backdrop of Lake Ontario, the Bandshell is designed in the Art Deco style. When completed, its elevated north-facing stage was 19 m or 63 ft wide, 11.6 m or 38 ft deep and could accommodate a 100-piece band. The stage is covered by a concentric semicircular shell consisting of 8 louvres that are specially engineered to achieve optimal acoustics. Its staggered arches are designed to reflect the sound. There were over 1,000 lamps concealed in the inner part of the shell. The dimmable lights could illuminate the stage in red, blue and green and add further expression to performances.
Art Deco details included stylized geometric shapes on the shell’s exterior, and it was once accented with bold colours. The structure has a full basement that originally housed dressing, transformer and store rooms.
At the time of completion, the Bandshell was considered a state-of-the-art concert venue and cost approximately $50,000 to construct.
August 15, 1936 – Looking southwest towards the Bandshell at Exhibition grounds in Toronto. The venue officially opened during the 1936 CNE and was modelled after the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, California (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1231, Item 1247)
The Official Opening
On August 28, 1936, thousands stood under a rainy sky for the official opening of the Bandshell as part of the Canadian National Exhibition opening ceremonies. It was presided over by several dignitaries, including the Premier of Ontario, Mitchell F Hepburn, Toronto Mayor Sam McBride and the Mayor of London (UK), Sir Percy Vincent. With the press of a button, Premier Hepburn released rockets and hundreds of Union Jack flags into the air. This was followed by performances by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the Kneller Hall Band and the United States Navy Band and more.
Hosting a Variety of Entertainment & Events
1983 – An extravaganza at the Bandshell during the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE Archives)
Through the years, the Bandshell stage has hosted many famous military and big bands, orchestras, choirs, jazz bands, musical shows, rock bands, comedians, dignitaries, celebrities, contests, and more.
Some of the notable names include Louis Armstong, The Band, Benny Goodman, Joni Mitchell, Motorhead, Count Basie, Marvin Gaye, Glen Campbell, Guy Lombardo, Chicago, Bob Hope, OMD, Mel Torme, Sammy Davis Jr, Petula Clark, The Guess Who, Gene Krupa, Hall & Oates, Johnny Cash and The Moody Blues. Other events at the Bandshell include Battle of the Bands, talent shows, bodybuilding competitions and church Mass.
And while today’s opening day ceremonies for The Ex take place at the Princes’ Gates, for decades, the Bandshell was the site for the annual fair’s formal launch. Dignitaries officiating the occasion include William Lyon Mackenzie King, Vincent Massey (grandson of Hart Massey, who built Massey Hall) and Lester B Pearson.
A Renovation & the Bandshell Today
2020 – The Bandshell at Exhibition Place in Toronto is set against the backdrop of Lake Ontario
In 1983, the structure underwent $200,000 in improvements, including enlarging the stage to about 30 m or 99 ft in width and 16 m or 52 ft in depth. A removable grid to shelter entertainers was also added to the stage; however, it has since been updated to a more permanent arch that extends the Bandshell’s depth. Inside are dressing rooms, a green room, sound and switch rooms, and an office.
The Bandshell and the 160,000 sq ft Bandshell Park continue today to host a variety of shows, concerts, community events and festivals.
Did You Know?
Before the construction of the Bandshell, the Exhibition grounds had three bandstands – one was in Bandshell Park (in front of today’s Bandshell), another near the southeast corner of Princes’ Blvd and Newfoundland Rd (on the site of the Automotive Building) and the third where it stands today in Centennial Park.
Major Adkins, the famous conductor of the Kneller Hall Band, whose band played at the 1936 opening of the new Bandshell, criticized the new music venue at a CNE Directors luncheon. Major Adkins said the shell was built 4 ft too high and felt “the music went around and around and came out upstairs.” He also offered suggestions to better the acoustics. It caused a bit of an uproar among city officials. Kneller Hall in the United Kingdom was the home of the Royal Military School of Music and the Royal Corps of Army Music.
In 1973, the Bandshell received heritage status from the city.
During the 1983 renovation, work on the Bandshell was temporarily halted due to protests by the Toronto Historical Board. They were concerned that the updates would not preserve the architectural significance of the heritage structure.
At the 2003 CNE, Sesame Street’s Elmo led over 4,700 dancers doing the Hokey Pokey in Bandshell Park.
Bandshell Park is also home to the Carillon Tower and was once the site of the CNE Flagpole (only its base remains).
August 15, 1936 – Looking southwest towards the Bandshell at Exhibition grounds in Toronto. The venue officially opened during the 1936 CNE and was modelled after the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, California (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1231, Item 1247) 2020 – The Bandshell at Exhibition Place in Toronto is set against the backdrop of Lake Ontario. Its stage has hosted many famous performers, including Louis Armstong, The Band, Benny Goodman, Joni Mitchell, Count Basie, Marvin Gaye, Glen Campbell, Guy Lombardo, Chicago, Bob Hope, Sammy Davis Jr, The Guess Who and moreJanuary 31, 1936 – The Bandshell in the early part of its construction. The open-air concert venue opened later that year during the Canadian National Exhibition (City of Toronto Archives, Series 372, Sub Series 1, Item 1381) June 25, 1936 – Looking southwest towards the construction of the Bandshell. Notice the former Bandstand and the CNE flagpole in the park, along with Lake Ontario in the background (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1231, Item 1445)August 15, 1936 – Looking northwest towards the Bandshell at Exhibition grounds in Toronto. The Art Deco-style venue was designed by architects Craig & Madill. It officially opened less than two weeks later during the CNE (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1231, Item 1246) 1937 – Looking east towards the Bandshell one year after it was built. Notice the Art Deco-style details on the Exhibition’s open-air music venue (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 200, Series 372, Sub Series 52, Item 1949) Circa 1936 – An aerial view of the Bandshell and Lake Ontario at Exhibition grounds. The building on the right was the Transportation/International Pavilion (Courtesy of Canadian National Exhibition Association Archives)July 15, 1937 – The Bandshell is located in the southwest portion of Exhibition grounds, with Lake Ontario as a backdrop. The outdoor stage hosted big bands and military bands in its early years (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1231, Item 1453) Between 1952 and 1953 – Looking southeast in Bandshell Park towards the Bandshell at Exhibition Place. The opening of the Bandshell is covered with an advertisement “CANADIAN NATIONAL EXHIBITION – AUG. 22 TO SEPT. 6″. Notice the base of the former CNE flagpole while under repair (Toronto Public Library R-3462)August 27, 2022 – Looking southeast towards the Bandshell in Bandshell Park at Exhibition Place. The stage is being set up for a performance during the CNE1963 – Looking southeast towards the Bandshell in Bandshell Park at Exhibition Place. The music venue was officially opened during the 1936 Canadian National Exhibition (CNE Archives)2022 – Looking southeast towards the Bandshell located in Bandshell Park during the CNE. Notice the cement base where the CNE flagpole once stood2022 – Looking southeast towards the Bandshell with the leaves changing colour in Bandshell Park. The Bandshell received heritage status from the city in 1973. Notice the cement base where the CNE flagpole once stood 1948 – Looking east towards a crowd watching an event at the Bandshell. Notice the event is being filmed, and the former Manufacturers Building is in the background (CNE Archives)1953 – Fireworks lighting up the sky over the Bandshell at Exhibition grounds in Toronto (Courtesy of Canadian National Exhibition Association Archives)Circa 1960 – Looking out towards Bandshell Park from the Bandshell stage during a hootenanny. Notice in the background from left to right the Horticulture Building, the Press Building and the Queen Elizabeth Building (CNE Archives)1946 – Opening ceremonies at the Bandshell for the CNE. While today’s opening day ceremonies for The Ex take place at the Princes’ Gates, for decades, the Bandshell was the site for the annual fair’s formal launch (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1257, Series 1057, Item 2368) 1961 – Looking southeast at Exhibition grounds towards the Good Year Blimp over the Bandshell (Courtesy of Canadian National Exhibition Association Archives)2022 – The Bandshell behind beautiful trees changing colour in Bandshell Park. Exhibition Place’s out-door music venue was built in 19362022 – Looking southwest from Bandshell Park towards the Bandshell and the wind turbine at Exhibition Place in Toronto 1956 – Lester B Pearson addresses the audience during the opening of the 1956 CNE from the Bandshell. At the time, Lester B Pearson was Canada’s Minister of External Affairs. He later served as Prime Minister from 1963 until 1968 (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1257, Series 1057, Item 3965)1960 – Postcard of the Shrine Peace Memorial. Notice in the background, from left to right, the roof of the former International Building, the Bandshell Café (today known as Acqua Dolce), The Bandshell and the Horticulture Building (today known as the Toronto Event Centre) (CNE Archives)1960 – The Military Band of the 48th Highlanders of Canada performing at the Bandshell during the Canadian National Exhibition. The Toronto-based band formed in 1893 (CNE Archives)1961 – The Shrine Peace Memorial, the former International Building, the Bandshell Café (today known as Acqua Dolce), The Bandshell, and in the distance, the Government Building (today known as Medieval Times Building). Notice The Bandshell features bold blue, red and yellow Art Deco style colours (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 536, Item 748)1963 – The NORAD Band conducted by Howard Cable on the Bandshell stage. NORAD “Cavalcade of Music” Band was comprised of musicians from Canada’s military services and the United States Army, Navy and Air Force. The acronym stands for North American Air Defense (NORAD) Command Band (CNE Archives)1965 – CNE hootenanny at the Bandshell at Exhibition Place in Toronto. What is a hootenanny? According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, it’s “a gathering at which folk singers entertain often with the audience joining in” (CNE Archives)1967 – RCMP Musical Ride in front of the Bandshell during Canada’s 100th-year celebration. The Bandshell was made to look like a birthday cake with candle-like decorations on top (CNE Archives)1969 – Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau opening the 1969 CNE at the Bandshell (CNE Archives)1973 – Gene Krupa performing onstage at the Bandshell at Exhibition Place in Toronto. Gene Krupa was a high-energy American jazz/swing drummer, composer and band leader (Courtesy of Canadian National Exhibition Association Archives)1973 – Toronto-formed band, A Foot In Cold Water, onstage at the Bandshell (Courtesy of Canadian National Exhibition Association Archives)2022 – The stage of the Bandshell is covered with a concentric semicircular shell consisting of 8 louvres. They were specially engineered to achieve optimal acoustics1975 – Entertainment at the Bandshell located in Bandshell Park at Exhibition Place in Toronto (CNE Archives)2020 – The Bandshell at Exhibition Place in Toronto. The original concentric semicircular shell made up of 8 louvres was built in 1936. In 1983, the stage was enlarged. The covered arch, which extends the depth of the shell, has since been added1976 – Bob Hope officially opening the 1976 CNE at the Bandshell. The 72-year-old American entertainer arrived at the venue in a horse-drawn open landau with music by Scottish bagpipers. Mr Hope pressed the button to raise the Canadian flag and set off a fireworks display (CNE Archives)1976 – William “Count” Basie receiving a surprise birthday cake to celebrate his 72nd birthday on stage at the Bandshell. The 18,000 fans gave Count Basie a heartfelt ovation before he and his orchestra began their performance. Count Basie was an iconic American jazz/swing pianist, bandleader and composer (Courtesy of Canadian National Exhibition Association Archives)1983 – An extravaganza at the Bandshell during the Canadian National Exhibition. Earlier in the year, the Bandshell had undergone $200,000 in improvements which included enlarging the stage and adding a removable grid to shelter entertainers (CNE Archives)2022 – The Bandshell is located at 100 Prince Edward Island Cres on the south side of Exhibition Place in Toronto. The open-air music venue is in the 160,000 sq ft Bandshell Park2022 – Looking south towards the Bandshell located in Bandshell Park at Exhibition Place in Toronto. The stage was enlarged in 1983, and later, an arched extension was added to the original 8-louvre shell2022 – Looking south towards the Bandshell located in Bandshell Park at Exhibition Place in Toronto. The photo was taken during the CNE, and the park is set up with benches2022 – Canada geese in front of the Bandshell in Bandshell Park at Exhibition Place2023 – Looking southwest towards the Bandshell and wind turbine on the south side of Exhibition Place in Toronto2022 – The plaque reads:
“The Bandshell was built in 1936, replacing the Bandstand that had occupied this area of the Exhibition Place grounds since 1906.
Its Art Deco architecture, designed by Craig and Madill Architects, is modelled after the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, California. The Bandshell was officially opened on August 28, 1936 by Toronto Mayor Sam McBride and Sir Percy Vincent, Lord Mayor of London, as part of the CNE Opening Ceremonies.
Since that time, it has been home to a host of the world’s finest entertainers including military and jazz bands, orchestras, vocalists, choirs, comedians, cartoon characters, musical shows, rock ‘n’ roll bands, urban music, and dignitaries from across Canada and around the world. This plaque commemorates the 75th Anniversary of the Bandshell.
August 2011”August 27, 1936 – Bandshell tablet on an easel before being added to the structure (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1231, Item 63) 2022 – Bandshell tablet reads:
“Erected by the City of Toronto for the Canadian National Exhibition Association and officially opened by His Worship the Mayor Samuel McBride Esquire”
August 28, 1936, K.S. Gillies, MRAIC, Commissioner of Buildings2022 – A granite bench commemorating The Bandshell is located on the east side of BMO Field. It’s one of 18 granite benches at Exhibition Place that were designed by Toronto-based artist Stephen Cruise and installed in 20071920 – Prior to the construction of the Bandshell in 1936, the Bandstand once stood in what’s known today as Bandshell Park. Notice in the background the former Manufacturers Building on the right and the Gooderham Fountain on the left (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 200, Series 372, Sub Series 52, Item 902) 1906 – The former Bandstand and the Crystal Palace once at Exhibition grounds in Toronto. The Bandstand was located in what we know today as Bandshell Park. The Crystal Palace was destroyed by fire in the fall of 1906 and replaced with the Horticulture Building (CNE Archives)Circa 1937 – This version of the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, California, was constructed in the late 1920s. Engineers Elliott, Bowen and Walz designed the venue’s iconic concentric semicircle shell. Due to deterioration, it was replaced by the present-day Hollywood Bowl in 2003. Toronto’s Bandshell at Exhibition Place was modelled after the Hollywood Bowl (Herman J. Schultheis Collection/Los Angeles Public Library)
