The street was alive with the sound of music (16 photos)

A portion of Queen Street East was alive with the sound of music Saturday afternoon as the newly relocated and renovated Case's Music celebrated its grand opening.

Visitors enjoyed live outdoor performances from local talent, including the Wild Turkeys, the Pesto Shirts, Blues Harvest, and Leaves Off Trees.

Owner and instructor, Jay Case, told SooToday.com that the school's move from Spring Street to its new location at 636 Queen Street East will enable greater public access and visibility while contributing to the development of Queenstown Square 1 into a community arts centre.

The new space allows Case's Music to triple its student capacity with an increase from five to 11 classrooms.

In an effort to better serve the Sault's music community, Case's has also expanded the variety instruments and accessories available for purchase.

In addition to being an authorized Larrivee guitar dealer, they now offer Walden classical guitars, G&L electric guitars, and Blackstar amplification systems.

Hopefully up and running in early 2013, Case's Music is also pleased to house a recording studio offering professional audio tools and expertise.

Case admitted to us, however, that his favourite part of the new location is the 700-square-foot lounge which not only serves as a comfortable waiting area, but a live performance and workshop space as well.

"The space lends just itself to performance," Case told us. "That's our niche, it's what we do as a music school. We prepare students for performance and creation of music."

In this space, Case's offers Live Music Saturdays every weekend from noon to 3 p.m. and will host Thunder Bay's Jean-Paul de Roover on Wednesday, August 29 from 7 to 9 p.m.

Admission to this performance is by donation to the artist.

To learn more about Case's Music, please click here.