Preview
WAREHOUSE 20th ANNIVERSARY PARTY
Saturday, April 9 and 10
Warehouse
One of Calgary’s nightlife staples has the unusual fortune of turning a year older this weekend – and more than that the Warehouse, a huge supporter of the underground music community, whether live or canned, will leave its awkward teens and embark on its 20th year.
Although the days of underground anything in Calgary seem to be a distant memory, the Warehouse has kept its promise to cater to those that are more selective in their musical and entertainment tastes. Fostering a loyal clientele, they keep the music playing and more importantly, the venue thriving.
It’s had only four owners and it’s most recent, Chris Hewitt, is well aware of his venue’s legacy. "I feel like we’ve tried, always, to hold on to the belief that we’re about catering to this small community that doesn’t necessarily want to be in the same place as everybody else."
For the last four years Hewitt, a former employee, took on the formidable task of modernizing without abandoning the loyal patrons and did so in the face of dozens of other clubs opening and subsequently closing. He’s updated the venue by combining more current musical trends without alienating its traditional "alternative" format. He also upgraded and renovated the Warehouse on a shoestring budget.
"We looked to strike a balance – to try and cater to the rising trend as well as stay with what made us a great venue," he says. The move to make the Warehouse an after hours venue was a revolution that has yet to be fully realized by the city. Offering a place for the enthusiast to keep going until the sun shines again was one of the Warehouse’s major coups, but it’s become much more than a place to go until you can’t anymore.
Their affiliation with the Jazz Festival and their ongoing support of the local punk scene (in their basement venue known as The Underground) has shown that the Warehouse is much more interested in offering something to the underground community than switching to a more easily definable and marketable musical format.
"I guess I’m more interested in the music, whatever the genre, than becoming a bar owner that just desires a bigger bank account.
"We’ve really tried to get our three nights down (Thursday, Friday and Saturday) and do them well before we offer anything in the week. One of the things I’d like to add is a bigger live element, there are so many bands that are out there touring that seem to skip Calgary when they go between Vancouver and Toronto, that’s something I would really like to incorporate in the future."
One thing is certain, Hewitt has a vision for his venue (a rare commodity in this age of mega sameness) that remains true to their motto: "Different enough to entertain."
As part of the 20th anniversary party, The Warehouse will host a BBQ on their patio at 6 p.m. on April 10. All former members are invited and free membership renewal will be offered. |
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