Studio Bell is now open (atleast the East side - the King Edward side was not open yet). The National Music Centre is a first of it's kind for Canada and they have done an amazing job and built the most amazing building to live in. Walking around the museum is like walking inside an sculpture. I'm not sure if it's a good or bad thing that the building gets a lot of attention - because the exhibits are all wonderful but I was pretty taken with the architecture. Somehow they built this amazing thing around the King Edward as a way of preserving the historical significance. Something that's difficult for someone of my generation because the King Edward doesn't equate to legendary music because it was well on its way to being condemned by the time it got my notice. This part wasn't reopened so I'm interested to see the rest of the studio and figure out what Calgary lost before I came of age.
On to the collection - I'd seen the Cantos collection before it closed to the public (and got significant flood damage) and I recognized a few things here and have confirmed this is the new home. There are some very funky instruments that are either one of a kind or of a bygone era.
The new complex houses the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and the Canadian Country Hall of Fame. There is performance space and recording space. This is space for restorations and places where you can play and experiment like one might at a science centre. There is a Rosso cafe and I hear more retail and food might come in the other side.
Overall it's a VERY diverse complex and a beautiful space all to celebrate and explore music (something that is often ignored and really shouldn't be).
Very cool to see this place added to the east village and expand the cultural exposure available to us and our children.