Contrary to popular belief, not all pre-teens are head over heels for the Jonas Brothers or Fall Out Boy. (That is also the last time you will see those two names mentioned on this site…ever) In fact, all I’ve done for years was sit around a lunch table, surrounded by fellow frustrated underagers, complaining about the plethora of 19+ shows in town and how we long for the day Jason Collett or The Rural Alberta Advantage would play another all-ages show. It’s understandable, all ages shows can’t always be done. But we may as well be stealing delicious, musical candy from babies – and by babies, I just mean anyone under 19. For those who are still coping with this frustration, here’s a little guide of all-ages venues and events in Toronto. Hope this helps.

The Venues

The Music Gallery
Most shows at the Music Gallery (197 John St.) are all-ages. As Toronto’s Centre for Creative Music since 1976, this music venue has hosted great shows recently by The Dears and Basia Bulat. It’s location at St. George the Martyr Church provides a unique, unconventional atmosphere and the beautiful stained-glass windows makes for amazing back drops.

The Whippersnapper Gallery
This art space is quite the hot spot for all-ages shows. Located in the heart of Little Italy (587A College St.), this venue may be hard to spot on the outside, but the staircase covered with its name and the loud and fun checkered floor leave a bigger impression in your mind than the Kool Haus ever will. The Whippersnapper is small in capacity size, but has packed loads of fun from past performers such as Two Hours Traffic, Matt and Kim and Spiral Beach.

Harbourfront
Harbourfront consistently hosts some of the best (mostly FREE) shows throughout the summer. With the lovely lake on one side and a great outdoor stage on the other, what can go wrong? (besides potential drowning if you were to fall into the lake…) This past summer alone held free, all-ages show by Crystal Castles, Ladytron, Woodhands, Basia Bulat and Plants and Animals. So why worry about getting into a dark, 19+ show in a bar when you can go out and enjoy the fresh air (yes, it exists) by the lake!

Other Venues:
Massey Hall
Air canada Centre
Rogers Centre
Ricoh Coliseum
Molson Amphitheatre
Danforth Music Hall
Queen Elizabeth Theatre
Church of the Redeemer
St. Stephen-in-the-Fields Church
Trinity-St. Paul’s Centre
Rolly’s Garage
Yonge-Dundas Square
Nathan Philips Square

In-Stores (All-ages AND free!):
Soundscapes
Criminal Records
Sonic Boom

Occasional All-Ages Shows:
Sound Academy
Kool Haus
Tranzac Club
Opera House
Mod Club
Phoenix
Reverb/Kathedral/Holy Joe’s

The Events

Over the Top Festival
This phenomenal all-ages festival is now seven years old, entering its eigth in 2009 and was created by Toronto, Music-man-extraordinaire, Eric Warner. This film and music festival takes place in various venues around Toronto, and has hosted shows by acts such as Kevin Barnes (Of Montreal), Matt and Kim, Silver Apples, and Woodhands. This is basically any underager’s dream. Thank you, Eric Warner. Thank you.

All Caps
Brought to you by Ryan McLaren, All Caps is a monthly all-ages concert series that is an all-day funfest of bands. Taking place both indoors and outdoors, All Caps is a fantastic place to tune into new bands and discover and share the wonderfully diverse arts community in the city. A common venue used for All Caps shows is the aforementioned Whippersnapper Gallery and the concert series in general has included performances from Hooded Fang, Brides, Huckleberry Friends, The Rural Alberta Advantage and Bruce Peninsula.

Daps All-Ages Shows
Brand new and created by the wonderful folks of Daps Duo, the Daps All-Ages Shows is a new series in all-ages concerts in Toronto. Recently celebrating their successful, first show featuring The Bicylces, Tonka & Puma and Oh No Forest Fires (and many more), Daps clearly have a bright future in all-ages events. If the gods of Toronto work in our favour, will there even be a Daps-Singing Lamb all-ages funfest? Stay tuned.

Well I hoped this helped someone; I definitely would’ve liked to have known about these venues and shows way earlier. See, there are options out there! So stop moping around about the latest Wavelength show or even the upcoming Canadian Music Week festivities! Go to an in-store! Go experience the Whippersnapper Gallery (Boys Who Say No are having an EP release show at the end of the month there – GO)! If I was able to rack up 30+ shows in one underaged year, you can too!

Happy listening!

Musically,
Melody