fourONEsixSTYLE

Signs had been up for awhile, announcing the sale of the building on the corner of Peter and Richmond, formerly known as nightclub Fez Batik. I passed often on my way up to Queen wondering what the next incarnation would bring. Maybe it would be another stuffy joint catering to lines of men in black leather, or a techno club for kids jacked up on Red Bull. If we were lucky, I’d thought, it would once again find the laid-back vibe of those who loved Fez, and the summer scene would once again jump to life on its patio. Seems though, that future plans may bring an entirely different kind of crowd.

The City is in the works to purchase the site in the hopes of facilitating the needs of homeless and displaced people in the downtown core. The centre would be open around the clock and provide beds and counseling to get people back on their feet. In theory it sounds like a beautiful thing. However, in reality, I can’t imagine a worse place for these kinds of social services. I can just imagine, with music pumping and littering drunkards spilling out of clubs looking for confrontation, that comfort and stability would be the last thing one would find in the middle of our Entertainment District.

A community meeting to discuss the plans will be held tonight, 6:30PM, at Metro Hall - Room 308.

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Originally uploaded by funkin.

Jay Kay’s funk bank Jamiroquai played at a little publicized concert at Toronto’s Koolhaus Friday night. A girlfriend called me late that afternoon to see if I wanted to try and get in somehow, even though it was already sold out. I was still game, only because she seemed very optimistic. I’d been listening to the band since high school and never seen them play live. At one point it didn’t look good, but my girl Rachel, in a stroke of genius, scored a way in for me and Liz as well as herself. A wonderful, fun and polite crowd nearly filled the place, everyone unable to stop shakin their thing. We danced the whole time and could’ve kept going for hours while Jamiroquai played classics like Cosmic Girl, Alright, High Times and You Give Me Something. Jay Kay also used the opportunity to promote the new CD “Dynamite” and played it’s signature track. I was impressed; more fun, danceable tracks by the group who knows how to get down and get funky. I was only put off a bit that the group didn’t seem to explore their musical range which includes several unusual instruments. I’d still definitely pick up the new CD, in fact I was just about to but noticed it isn’t yet available on itunes Canada. Big surprise. Guess I’ll have to go to the record store just like the high school days.

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Originally uploaded by 416style.

Nothing makes my summer like a Sunnyside party, and the first of this season is tomorrow night (Friday). You can expect great house music all night long and a terrific vibe at the Pavilion, one of Toronto’s best venues. Beside the beach, the charming courtyard is sure to fill up with a mix of beautiful people all there to get their boogie on. We can thank Gani of Milk and Natalie of RNB who have teamed up to bring us the best (one night) event of the summer.