5 Best Performing Arts in Chinatown, Kensington Market, and Queen West, Toronto

This historic music venue is famous for legendary '70s concerts by the Rolling Stones and Elvis Costello, but after local celebrity investor Michael Wekerle bought it and gave it an expensive renovation, it's active again in the 2020s. Still an intimate space with two different stages, the Elmo (as it's affectionately known) is now a very shiny, neon-lit tribute to classic rock with some of the crispest sound and lighting in town. Tickets can be costly.

The Beaches International Jazz Festival. Held in late July, the 10-day The Beaches International Jazz Festival in the east Toronto Beach neighborhood showcases jazz, Latin, R&B, funk, soul, and world-music performers like eclectic R&B-pop-reggae group Jay Douglas and the All Stars and "blusion" pianist-saxophonist Deanna Bogart at its Woodbine Park and Kew Gardens stages. Musicians and food vendors also line 2 km of Queen Street East, which is closed to traffic for the event. All performances are free. Toronto, ON. 416/698–2152. www.beachesjazz.com. 501 Queen streetcar to Woodbine.

Canada's internationally recognized classical-ballet company was founded in 1951 and is made up of more than 70 dancers and its own orchestra boasting alumnus Karen Kain as artistic director. It's the only company in Canada to perform a full range of traditional full-length ballet classics, including frequent stagings of Swan Lake and The Nutcracker. The company also performs contemporary works and is dedicated to the development of Canadian choreography. The season runs late fall through spring at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, Canada's first purpose-built ballet opera house.

Toronto's oldest alternative theater company, established in 1968, focuses on presenting themes of the unique Canadian cultural mosaic through collaborative productions and has launched the careers of many actors and playwrights.

Toronto Jazz Festival. Late June and early July bring music lovers to Toronto for the Toronto Jazz Festival. The 2013 bill included Smokey Robinson, Trombone Shorty, and Willie Nelson. Performances are at various venues around town. Concerts are priced individually, but you can buy a three- or five-show pass for a 15% or 20% discount on Mainstage shows. Toronto, ON. 416/928–2033. www.torontojazz.com.