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I’m standing in the middle of a club. A huge club—
cavernous by bar standards. The music is pounding from the speakers and
coursing through my veins. The lights flash along with the dark beats. There
are two large bars with gorgeous girls serving. Dozens of people are dancing
away. Some looking fluid and graceful, others are thrashing around powerfully--
all united in the love of the music.
Ah, but there is another room to
enjoy. I slip inside and peer into the darkness. A small cluster dances.
Couches line the far wall for weary bodies to settle in. The atmosphere is fun
and heady.
The mix of music on this particular night is alternative
leaning toward the dark. That’s why I come here whenever I have the
opportunity. I fell in love with this club the moment I mounted the stairs.
There is something intoxicating about it. To quote the brilliant Siouxsie,
I’m happy here, in this happy house.
Every time I come back from
New York, I lament the fact that I miss the clubs. But how great does this
place sound? It’s perfect for us dark, lurking souls looking for our
musical fix?
And you, my dear Gothic Torontonian, can go every single
week.
I wasn’t talking about a club in New York. I was talking
about Funhaus.
Funhaus is easily one of the best clubs on Queen West.
The obvious reason is DJ Lazarus. One of the most inspired DJs in Toronto is
the magic behind this one-of-a-kind venue that has an uncanny New York club
look and vibe. So why aren't more of us going there?
By nature, Goths
are creatures of habit. We like to go to the same places, and hang around the
same people. Yet we pride ourselves on breaking the mould and stepping outside
of the box in many other respects, like with clothes and music. So why the hell
don’t we try a new club night?
Let’s take Thursday nights for
example. Velvet Underground has been the club of choice for Toronto Goths for
years. And it was pretty good. I used to go all the time until my work schedule
limited me to the occasional weeknight out. But in the last year, the music has
become tiresome. It’s the same-old, same-old. Sure, you can make a
request, but it rarely gets played. The only reason it’s crowded week
after week is force of habit in the scene.
Then Mixed Tape Thursday at
Funhaus came along. Imagine a clubland where whatever you request gets played.
And the mix of music keeps things lively and energetic. Where else can you hear
The Cure, Muse, Sisters of Mercy, Covenant and Catherine Wheel all in one
night? Don’t like what you’re hearing? Make a request. And unless
you’re asking for Conway Twitty, Paul Anka, or Jennifer Lopez, Lazarus
will play whatever your dark little heart desires.
So the music is
fantastic. The lights and sound are great. And there is lots of room to move on
the dance floor. What’s the problem?
Everyone is at Velvet. And
the funny part is, the majority of people are tired of Velvet. But they go
because their friends are there. The masses are there. Goths like to get lost
in their own crowd. I have been guilty of the same thing until very recently
when I lost myself in the awesome music and the vibe that is Funhaus. (And the
cheap beer. Can’t forget the cheap beer…)
So, my dark
readers, may I propose this: Stop being so habitual on a Thursday. Try great
music at a fantastic club. And bring your friends along for the ride. I can
guarantee that you will all have an amazing time. The funny thing about the
Goth scene is that we pride ourselves on being individualists. Yet, many follow
the crowd like a flock of sheep, for fear of getting lost or being left out.
Why not proudly proclaim yourself as the black sheep and get your ass to
Funhaus?
Go on. Be different. You know you want to.
posted
October 31 2004 |
Darq Angel has been living in
Toronto for 15 years. An avid reader, writer, club-goer, and music lover, she
has been a lurker in Toronto's gothic scene, floating around quietly, casting
her dark shadow over various clubs and events in the city. 