That Empty Space at the U of C will soon be filled with happy beer-drinking students enjoying free music on Friday afternoons
It’s a plight faced by University of Calgary students aplenty on many Friday afternoons eternal: last night’s Den-induced haze has finally started to wear off but going to class certainly isn’t an option. Where to go for that first beer of the day? For three years running, That Empty Space at Mac Hall has been a strong contender, offering free music and cheap beer as a run-up to Friday night antics.
“The idea of the shows is to give students a relaxing Friday afternoon and bring in some live music. We’re trying to promote the arts scene in Calgary,” says Luke Valentine, U of C Students’ Union (SU) vice-president, events, whose tenure as curator for That Empty Space begins this fall. “We try to get as many local artists as we can, but of course we also encourage bands and artists from around the country to come in to the space and play their music to students.”
Before it became That Empty Space, the venue was just that — an empty space left behind by a recent round of renovations at the student centre. Conceived during the 2005-06 academic year by then vice-president, events, Alex Vyskocil as a stopgap use for vacant real estate, the newly christened room was hastily furnished with shabby-chic ’70s couches, a makeshift bar and a handful of murals. With an impressive inaugural run of bookings, including local favourites like Chad VanGaalen and The Summerlad, the event drew near-capacity crowds week after week. Students had voted with their feet, confirming the organizers’ suspicions that the sort of entertainment offered by That Empty Space was in high demand.
Over the years, the SU has landed some impressive acts for That Empty Space, especially considering the intimate nature of the venue. On a few occasions, musicians passing through town have been convinced to make a quick Friday afternoon stop, as was the case when the Golden Dogs and The Meligrove Band, two of Toronto’s most promising young acts, put on the most rocking double-bill before 5 p.m. in recent history. And while the room has been graced by dozens of other notable acts — the gentle strains of Great Lake Swimmers, the frenetic pop of Mother Mother, the raucous country stomp of Carolyn Mark — the most memorable sets have emerged from impromptu collaborations.
“All of our artists are encouraged not only to familiarize themselves with other artists, but to play with each other, too,” says Valentine. “My favourite Empty Space was our most recent visit from C.R. Avery. When he called The Consonant C up on stage to jam with him at the end of his set, it was ridiculously good and it was one of the reasons why I kept coming back. It was so easygoing and approachable.”
Having demonstrated surprising longevity for an SU project, That Empty Space will likely continue to thrive in years to come. Kicking off on September 12, this year’s slate of Friday afternoon shows will include performances from regular fixtures Michael Bernard Fitzgerald and Kris Demeanor as well as newcomers like Crystal Kid, Hey Ocean, and Adam Smith and the Invisible Hand, who will no doubt provide extra-curricular studies for ECON 201 students. Valentine also hopes to introduce a charity aspect, starting this fall with a group of singer-songwriters called Babes for Breasts who tour the country raising money for breast cancer research.
With new artists and new initiatives, it seems that the only remaining problem for That Empty Space is the capacity issue. Although the cramped quarters of MSC201 offer a certain charm to the shows, the fact remains that would-be revellers need to be on the ball if they don’t want to get turned away at the door.
“Every week it’s full to the brim,” acknowledges Valentine. “But with the current expansion plan for MacEwan Student Centre, That Empty Space is slated for renovation in the near future. I’m hoping with that, we can expand the area that is there so we can get more students into the space.”
In the meantime, the SU is hoping to extend the That Empty Space brand to new frontiers by recording shows and posting audio or video clips online. Given the success of sites like La Blogothèque and Pitchfork TV, which both specialize in webcasting lesser-known acts playing exclusive shows in small or idiosyncratic venues, the potential for ThatEmptySpace.ca isn’t too much of a stretch.
“It really depends on the individual bands and on copyright and stuff like that,” explains Valentine, “but it’s actually something I’ve been looking at. For students who miss That Empty Space because they’re busy, it would give them a chance to enjoy it. And if a band doesn’t mind having their set recorded for a podcast or a video, then that shouldn’t be too much of a problem.”
