Mayor Rob Ford dropped by a downtown nightclub to attend a fundraiser for local musicians Saturday night.

Held at The Rivoli on Queen Street West, just east of Spadina Avenue, the event aimed to raise funds to send local music producers to compete in the annual South by Southwest music festival in Austin, Texas.

Ford himself toured the Austin City Limits music festival in October of last year to try and find out how Toronto might duplicate the city’s success as a musical destination.

Walking in to enthusiastic applause, Ford took to the stage and tried his hand mixing some beats. The mayor also stopped to pose for pictures with the crowd afterward and said he’d like to turn Toronto into “the music capital of the world.”

“I went down to Austin and saw how successful it was, how many jobs it creates, how it stimulates the economy,” Ford told CP24 at the event. “We have so many amazing musicians in this city that aren’t being recognized and we’re going to make sure they’re recognized around the world and we’re going to bring a music festival up to here.”

Following the event, social media quickly flared up with photos and videos of the mayor’s appearance.

Ford is also expected to play to the crowds Sunday with a public appearance to watch Canada’s men’s hockey team take on Sweden for the gold medal in Sochi. However Ford said he’s not yet sure which venue he’ll attend.

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