Canada's Smallest Music Shop: Mountain Fruit Folklore Centre

Canada's Smallest Music Shop: Mountain Fruit Folklore Centre

Mountain Fruit Folklore Centre

Through the Mountain Fruit Folklore Centre (yes it's Canada’s Smallest Music Shop!) in Kaslo, Jeremy Behn is helping people get the tools they need on their musical journeys. Repair has been the focus for the last few years. It’s deeply rewarding — “folks are often deeply attached to their instruments, so there is much trust involved. It feels like right livelihood.” But recently, he’s “been pleasantly surprised with finding and selling products (or inventions if you will) that I believe in.”

Introducing people to instruments and to music, indeed, finding connections is one of many gifts Jeremy brings to Kaslo. As he says, “One unexpected joy has been all the connections between people, musicians, history, etc. It’s as though my vision for this endeavour was simply a vehicle for a portal of connection that was awaiting a location.”

Will Jeremy continue to make instruments, though? Here’s his answer: “I love making instruments and I’ve been too long from it! With a “wonderful full-time employee,” Kevin John, of the Selkirk Music Program, Jeremy’s time is potentially freeing up to actually make instruments again. Fingers crossed.

The full vision includes space for in store concerts and workshops. Take a look at Halifax Folklore Centre or Dusty Strings in Seattle for an idea of what this might look like in Kaslo.

And where will all this lead?

“In this new digital realm anything seems possible; I always look to the success of the Kaslo Jazz Fest when I need inspiration about what can happen in small towns.” He’s on the board this year and can tell us that this year is going to be fantastic. And certainly, from the example of the Kaslo Jazz Fest, the vision to grow the Mountain Fruit Folklore Centre into “more of a cultural institution than just a place to ‘buy stuff’” seems immenently possible, if not probable.

Come and visit Jeremy and his beautiful music store in Kaslo, and enjoy the vibrant community with shopping and music on many street corners and in dining establishments.

 

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