Tucked at the bottom of Blue Mountain, there’s a garage that glows. And not from fluorescent lighting or the hum of tools but from the kind of electric warmth that only live music and real connection can create.
This is Studio 79 – Anna Potvin’s transformed garage that has become something of a legend for those lucky enough to experience it. What started as a humble love for music has now become a fiercely loved community space, equal parts house concert, sound sanctuary, and underground cultural movement.
Anna describes herself modestly: a lifelong music lover, a piano kid turned graphic designer, and now a vegan cheesecake maker with a soft spot for sound. But she’s done more than just open her doors; she’s created a microcosm where music is sacred, people feel present, and connection is inevitable.
“People walk in, the music starts, and I get the look,” she says. “The one that says, ‘Ohh… I get it now.’”
It’s hard to define exactly what it is. But everyone who steps into the space feels it. Studio 79 is intimate; only a limited number of guests are allowed to preserve the magic. The lights are dim, candles are lit, and seating is arranged with a graphic designer’s eye for flow and function. Sometimes Anna even matches the lighting to an artist’s album cover or considers her outfit when it comes to the style of each artist, tiny details that speak volumes about her intentionality.
It’s these touches that elevate Studio 79 beyond just “another garage show.” Anna pays attention in a way that feels rare. She cooks pizza for the musicians, makes sure the acoustics are right, and greets guests like old friends. No one here is removed; there are no green rooms (other than Anna’s backyard, which she jokes is the real green room), no VIP passes, no bouncers. There’s just music, shared breath, and the kind of appreciation that feels contagious.
“The gratitude floors me,” Anna says. “From the musicians, the guests, the people who write to me the next day…I feel it all.”
Her daughter quietly helps behind the scenes, starting the oven mid-show so hot pizza greets the artists post-set. The shows end around 7:30, an intentional time slot that respects both the musicians’ needs and the natural rhythm of Anna’s home life and her neighbours. It’s an ecosystem that works because it honours everyone.
“The music starts, and I get the look,” she says. “The one that says, ‘Ohh… I get it now.’”
And people get it. They don’t just attend; they protect it. Word has travelled fast. Musicians from across the world are reaching out. Highly recognized and sought-after rockabilly performers from the west, roots-soul singers from Australia, east coast folk bands – they’ve all played under the string lights of Studio 79. The rotation of genres is deliberate, Anna says. “It keeps things fresh, balanced – it’s curated, but not exclusive.”
The space itself is cozy and steeped in meaning. Every piece of art on the walls has a backstory; every corner feels considered. This isn’t a traditional venue. It’s a story brought to life and the moment you arrive, you’re written into it.
Studio 79 is a vibe, yes – but it’s also a living organism. One that breathes with the collective energy of its guests, then holds onto that hum long after they leave. Anna walks in midday and can still feel it: the afterglow.
This passion project has even been documented in a six-part mini docuseries by local filmmaker Benjamin Rouse, called Anna’s Garage. The series captures not only the performances, but the soul of what Anna has created – an antidote to big venues, sterile concerts, and music that’s been overproduced and under-loved.
Anna’s email newsletter subscribers get first dibs on tickets, and spots go fast. Anna’s spirit remains open and welcoming. She encourages people to come solo, to bring your friends, and mostly, to just feel a part of something without having to try.
There’s a kind of therapy in it, she’s been told. A place where people can feel something real again, together. In a world that often feels disconnected, Studio 79 is a reminder that magic still exists. And it doesn’t need a stadium to be heard.
Anna isn’t stopping anytime soon. With more shows on the horizon and a community that’s deeply invested, Studio 79 is well on its way to becoming one of those legendary local places, the kind people talk about for decades.
So, if you’re ever invited into the glow, accept. Let the music get under your skin. Let the candles flicker and the harmonies land like a place you’ve been looking for.
Upcoming shows include:
Thurs, Nov 20 • Cousin Harley featuring Paul Pigat
Wed, Dec 3 • Jim Cuddy & Sons (sponsored by JA Custom Homes Inc.)
Thurs, Dec 4 • Jim Cuddy & Sons (sponsored by Tracey Stewart – Chestnut Park Muskoka)
Follow Studio 79 on socials and get added to their newsletter for earliest access to shows.
Words and photos by Erin J Coholan
