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MISS RAQUEL :: Proper Partying


When it comes to clubland, are the parties you play at proper?  Miss Raquel defines proper partying across Canada and chats further with Shaun Proulx:

My friends and I have a saying about partying. “Proper”, we say, when describing a venue or event we feel is run and put together professionally with care. There’s partying and then there’s proper partying. I don’t think you get to fully understanding proper until you’ve had at least four to five years experience under your dancing shoes.

It’s about knowing what you like and how to seek it out. Picking the venue to spend your hard-earned money and precious time at, their sound system, the calibre of the DJ(s) booked, and the price for drinks are all part of the proper process that makes a great night out.

When it comes to the most proper city to party in, I’ve been to many different venues in cities around the world; for me Montreal is proper. It was a trip there in April that was the reminder to me what exactly proper partying is.

Montreal club Stereo’s sound system, for example, is constructed from a DJ’s perspective (Angel Moraes) and delivers delicate pounding sound waves that let you talk while being right in front of the speakers. They don’t allow gum inside the venue. The floor is so clean and sheen you could eat off it (seriously). There’s vending machines not bartenders (although there is one on the upper level) selling water, pop and energy drinks to quench your thirst. And the calibres of DJs who play there are high: Steve Lawler, Danny Tenaglia, D-Unity, for example.

Toronto has many proper venues such as Footwork, fly Nightclub, Wrongbar, Stone Lounge, Sound Academy, and The Guvernment for example. It’s too bad thought that several venues in Toronto fall short in too many areas such as cover charges way too high for what you get (bad sound, bad service, etc.), and the same DJs all the time (or hearing ones that don’t understand the concept of programming). And then there are those venues which are downright dirty, with filthy washrooms, or wet floors. These places aren’t exactly the type that should be asking for $20 or $30 at the door.

Now that I’m a senior in proper partying – and damn proud of it – I lean towards smaller venues that have lasted in the scene for some time. They step outside the musical box and book all kinds of electronic music talent, the kind of talent which doesn’t always get the chance to play but should, club cool politics be damned.

Across Canada there are many proper places to party. In Calgary there’s the Warehouse, in St. John’s, Newfoundland there’s Liquid, but for best in Canada Montreal is where it’s at.

It’s proper.

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POPPYCOCK! – CANADA’S FINEST HOUSE 2


Canada has a volcanic amount of musical talent within its structure. Hundreds of producers submit tracks for a spot on this mixed compilation produced by Hi-Bias Records. And only 19 get picked!

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Poppycock! Good Vibes!


A good party doesn’t have to be in a large venue, it also doesn’t need hundreds of people. It only requires a good vibe, friendly folks, great music and enough room to dance, and no long line-ups for the washrooms.

This is one reason the College Street and the Bathurst and Bloor areas are the places to hit. These locals have always had nightlife, just not always dance nightlife.

Case in point I went with one of my BFFs Lauren and her man, and my fellow Scenester writer/DJ Samhouse to hit a private birthday party held in a rented loft. DJ Charles G, the birthday boy is a long time friend and affiliate. He was the first to hire me to write his bio back in the day.

The Loft where he had his birthday was on Bloor at Bathurst (Studio 56). It was very dark and the few cement steps within this small gallery loft could’ve used some lighting, but other than that this was a night when hearing music from DJs who I don’t get to experience that much. In a venue hand-picked for a party such as this reminded me why I love this scene, and electronic music so much.

The DJs at Charles G’s birthday were Audio Creeps who both took me on a bumpy, joyous dancefloor ride; O-God delivered some fresh beats as did Hubert K who’s been bringing his beats for years to dancefloors. Hotmess DJs who I never heard of before this night got me dancing without a care in the world, and dropped one kick-ass “Happy Birthday” track which no DJ should do without. Sorry at time of this blog I didn’t have the name, but Samhouse got it! I just need to get it from him!

We tend to pay attention to large venues putting on large events which are spoon fed to us through social networks and promotional advertising which only the fat cats can afford. Then of course there’s the popularity issue, but the one common complaint I hear is these events always have the same DJs booked pretty much all the time.

Since I was released from a “club political hold” three years ago I’ve been breathing fresh musical air thanks to the vast array of small venues booking talent who play with passion.

Scenester will be putting on a small event inside the Loft of MOD CLUB (yes I know MOD CLUB isn’t a small venue, but the Loft is!) Saturday April 10. It’s called “Scenester Soundz” and it’ll showcase Toronto’s Cam Maxwell, Samhouse, Mike Colas and Ryan Carlucci.

Then of course the little event which grew is fast approaching, JaXx HouZe 9 – The Enchanted Tribal Platoon Friday April 23rd. The barracks are Footwork Bar & Afterhours (425 Adelaide St. W, Toronto).

The musical Platoon is D-Unity, irGO playing an all vinyl set! Cam Maxwell and Samhouse. Dress in your army best, win prizes courtesy of Cinelli Hair, Stag Shop, Scenester, bpm:tv and more….Ooops! Now all that sounded like a fat cat, no?

Nonetheless I’m only trying to say to go out and hit places you never have before and hear DJs you’ve never heard before. You just might like the experience.

To get on the JaXx HouZe 9 – The Enchanted Tribal Platoon Soldier Guestlist by emailing [email protected].

See you on the dancefloor!

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