guide

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Night-time fun
easy to find in Cottage Country
While you’re no doubt aware of Muskoka’s
millennia-old Canadian Shield, chances are you’re not
as familiar with that other rock-type known to
frequent the region – the kind of rock that rolls.
Not only is Muskoka famous as a hotbed of musical
talent – it is, after all, where Shania Twain and Deric
Ruttan honed their skills – it’s also earned a reputation
amongst musicians themselves as a first-class venue
stopover on the live circuit, as well as a place to just
hang out (ask Keith Richards, often seen hanging out
in Bala).
Muskoka first attracted the attention of the world’s
music scene back in the 1920s and 30s when such
talent as Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Guy
Lombardo visited resorts such as Bigwin to entertain
tourists with their big band sounds. Then, in 1942,
it was the turn of the Kee to Bala. Started by Gerry
Dunn and originally known as Dunn’s Pavillion, the
lakeside concert hall was soon drawing big names such
as Glenn Miller, Woody Herman… even Louis
Armstrong and while musical styles have changed
somewhat since those early days – recent visitors
include the likes of Burton Cummings, Colin James,
Blue Rodeo and April Wine – the Kee still draws
enthusiastic crowds.
Peter’s Players in Gravenhurst is another important
musical landmark in Muskoka. Now in its sixth year,
Peter’s Players has hosted countless professional acts
since opening its doors in 2008, including international
music icons James Cotton, Johnny Winter,
Robben Ford, Omar and the Howlers, and John
Mayall – all of them thrilled to play to packed houses.
Muskoka Rocks