The past few years have seen the demise of many of Calgary’s independent live music venues. Conversations with life-long members of the local arts community often lead towards nostalgic recollections of the Night Gallery or the Republik. Now, the writing is on the wall for yet another downtown haunt — in the near future, it seems the Castle Pub will lower its portcullis for the last time. Fortunately, its supporters will be given ample opportunity for a send-off: this Friday and Saturday, Castlefest will bring dozens of local bands to the stage to celebrate the legacy of a venue that will no doubt be missed.
“The timing of Castlefest comes at a point where the pub's future is pretty bleak,” says Steve Berezay, the bar’s promotions manager and head doorman. “I can confirm the rumours that the Castle will be closing for good in the near future, but exactly when remains to be seen. In an effort to ‘clean up’ the image of Calgary's core, the city has made it clear that multiple bars in one block will be a thing of the past. With the restructuring of downtown Calgary into mostly condominiums, it seems that bars like the Cherry and Castle will fall by the wayside in favour of an environment more conducive to comfortable living for future residents.”
Castlefest’s Friday antics will feature performances from The Motherfuckers, Cranston Foundation, Ole! and once-again-reunited local favourites Field Day. Saturday brings even more local acts to the stage, including Knucklehead, Rumrunner, The Brenda Vaqueros, Tartan Hearts and veteran horror-rockers Forbidden Dimension, who have seen more than their fair share of Calgary venues come and go.
“The Castle was always one of those good, funky, dark places,” recalls FD front man Jackson Phibes, “There was more of a punky clientele, which was good. There was always a really good crowd — people would always be quite drunk before we showed up to play.”
Still, after running through a laundry list of pioneering Calgary venues that have gone by the wayside, from the National to Ten Foot Henry’s, Phibes is optimistic that the scene will continue to thrive. “There’s always going to be bands and there’s always going to be people that want to pay to see bands,” he says. “Local music tends to survive and keep itself going.”
Bands and staff alike appear to be more excited than mournful, approaching the festival as an opportunity to throw a party that will be remembered for years to come. Additionally, in the interest of leaving their neighbourhood better-off than when they arrived, organizers will be donating proceeds from both nights’ suggested $5 admission charge to the Mustard Seed and the Calgary Emergency Women’s Shelter. Finally, in the interest of further sweetening the deal, Castle faithful can expect to see some once-familiar faces behind the bar.
“Castlefest 2007 will mark the return of the old bartending tandem of Garrett and Lisa,” says an ebullient Berezay, “which should prove to be the catalyst in what looks to be an historic night for the smallest club with the biggest heart. I'm sure I speak for past and present Castle staff and clientele when I say that its ultimate demise will mark the end of an era in Calgary's nightlife. Widely regarded as a place where anybody was welcome, the Castle will take its place alongside some of the city's most beloved venues and is sure to be missed.”
