EyeSpy 035 – August 19, 1993

KICK UP FOR DANCE: The fringe Festival of Independent Dance Artists (fFIDA) held their opening night party at the Winchester Hotel in Cabbagetown last Thursday. A cool little affair in an odd venue, greeting the masses at the door were [035-001, l&r] the co-directors of the fest, Michael Menegon and Allen Kaeja, seen here in the company of designer Deborah Torr. Hanging out by the bar were [035-002, l-r] National Ballet of Canada soloist, Nicholas Khan, with the owner of the Daily Express Café, Lisa-Marie Doorey. Playing around in the room were [035-003, l-r] Sari Eckler (choreographer/performer of Hangman), Sylvanus Klotz (choreographer of Därb) and Shannon Cooney, who’s in Dust Dances. Meanwhile, getting silly on the dance floor were [035-004, l-r] self-described “dance slut” Philip Drube, a performer with Desrosiers, and “dance amazon” Diana Nielson, who’s in Sara Porter’s piece. Strangely enough, there was little dancing. Guess these folk consider it work. Never previously published outtakes – 035-005 to 035-020 – follow. Do you recognize anyone?

National Ballet of Canada soloist, Nicholas Khan, with the owner of the Daily Express Café, Lisa-Marie Doorey found hanging out by the bar at the fringe Festival of Independent Dance Artists (fFIDA) opening night party, in Toronto, August 1993.

Unnamed guests at the fringe Festival of Independent Dance Artists (fFIDA) opening night party, in Toronto, August 1993

Philip Drube, a performer with Desrosiers, and "dance amazon" Diana Nielson, who's in Sara Porter's piece and unidentified party-goer at the fringe Festival of Independent Dance Artists (fFIDA) opening night party, in Toronto, August 1993.

Unidentified guests at the fringe Festival of Independent Dance Artists (fFIDA) opening night party, in Toronto, August 1993.

Artist Emmanuel Lopez at the fringe Festival of Independent Dance Artists (fFIDA) opening night party, in Toronto, August 1993.

Unknown guest [l] with Cathy Levy at the fringe Festival of Independent Dance Artists (fFIDA) opening night party, in Toronto, August 1993.

Can you identify these guests at the fringe Festival of Independent Dance Artists (fFIDA) opening night party, in Toronto, August 1993.

OLD WALLS, NEW BOOKING POLICY: First in the “refurbished clubs of the week” file is the Glass Buckette, housed in the old Café New Orleans. The grand opening bash was a fairly civilized affair, befitting the club’s jazz leanings. However, once the diamond hunt began, the unmitigated greed factor kicked in. Diamond hunt? You betcha. with maps, clues and everything. Gearing ups were [035-021, l-r] veterinarian nurse Suzy Newman, National Velvet singer Maria Del Mar, and photographers Cassis and Andrea. Caught up in the chase, after finding a clue were [035-022, l-r] Chris Whitern and Anthena Voyatzis. And the winner is…. [035-023, l-r] Olympic silver medalist boxer Mark Leduc, with artist – and befuddled witness to Mark’s good fortune, Emmanuel Lopez. Were you there? Search though the carousel of outtakes – photos 035-024 to 035-039 – for lost memories.

Veterinarian nurse Suzy Newman, National Velvet singer Maria Del Mar, and photographer Cassis getting silly at the diamond hunt at the Glass Buckette grand opening, Toronto, August 1993

Veterinarian nurse Suzy Newman drawing attention at the diamond hunt at the Glass Buckette grand opening, Toronto, August 1993

Veterinarian nurse Suzy Newman, and photographer Cassis getting close at the diamond hunt at the Glass Buckette grand opening, Toronto, August 1993

Veterinarian nurse Suzy Newman leaving no stone unturned at the diamond hunt at the Glass Buckette grand opening, Toronto, August 1993

Unknown guests taking part in the diamond hunt at the Glass Buckette grand opening, Toronto, August 1993.

Unknown guest taking part in the diamond hunt at the Glass Buckette grand opening, Toronto, August 1993.

The winner of the diamond hunt at The Glass Buckette grand opening was Olympic silver medalist boxer Mark Leduc in Toronto, August 1993.

OLD WALLS, PART II: Whisky Saigon opened to much fanfare last week, in the four floors of the old Go-Go’s. Opening night had much of the same old gang hanging down in the Happy Lounge, or the rooftop patio. Meanwhile, the darker and louder dance floors in the middle were all but abandoned – those media types just don’t know how to have fun. In the Happy Lounge, we caught up with the entertainer for the evening, [035-040, c] Carole Pope, in the company of (I) guitarist Ken Myhr, and (r) stopping by to say hi, from National Velvet, guitarist Tim Welch. Up on the roof, it was sorta club staff’s night out with [035-041, l-r] Rachel from Phoenix, Holly from Club Max, Steve from the Boom Boom Room and Rosemary from Oz checking out the new competition. The verdict? “A 5.6 on the Holly scale.” Checking out the décor on the third floor were [035-042, l-r] club promoters Timber and Mychol Holtzman, with club personality Papa Chanel. There are plenty of outtakes from that memorable night! Check out pics 035-043 to 035-069 for some familiar faces.

Unidentified party-goers at opening night of Whisky Saigon in Toronto, August 1993.

Public relations wiz Ingrid Hamilton with unidentified party-goer at opening night of Whisky Saigon in Toronto, August 1993.

Broadcasters Anne Mroczkowski and John Gallagher: from CityTV - everywhere, including opening night of Whisky Saigon in Toronto, August 1993.

Singer / musician Mary Margaret O'Hara, with lots of familiar faces, who’s names escape me on opening night of Whisky Saigon in Toronto, August 1993.

Unidentified buff party-goers at opening night of Whisky Saigon in Toronto, August 1993.

Unknown guest with DJ Mr. Pete on opening night of Whisky Saigon in Toronto, August 1993.

Bartender Holly Batson with unknown friend at Whisky Saigon on opening night, in Toronto, August 1993.

Artist Bruce Scott with Robin at Whisky Saigon on opening night, in Toronto, August 1993.

Photographer Michael Parker at Whisky Saigon on opening night, in Toronto, August 1993

Photographer Michael Parker looks on as international jet-setter / Fashion Cares entertainment chair Natalie Kovacs, check out the dance floor at Whisky Saigon on opening night, in Toronto, August 1993.

Unidentified guest at opening night of Whisky Saigon in Toronto, August 1993.

Unidentified party-goer, international jet-setter Natalie Kovacs, and Marcus O’Hara getting tight at Whisky Saigon on opening night, in Toronto, August 1993.

Unidentified guest and photographer Michael Parker at Whisky Saigon on opening night, in Toronto, August 1993.

Unidentified guests with unidentified red aberration at opening night of Whisky Saigon in Toronto, August 1993.

ROLLING OUT: Releasing their fine self-titled debut CD to the world at Clinton’s last week was the Mighty Train Revue: [035-070, l-r] Brian Gravestock, Kirk Reid, John Galbraith and d. Bull. Nice suit, Brian. The band kicked out a pair of tight sets, and popped the champagne for the event. Meanwhile, sitting proud in the crowd were a pair of moms, [035-071, l-r] Bev and Carol, who came out to see their sons, Brian and Kirk respectively. And wouldn’t you know it … people were dancing! Must be some secret floor wax. A brief smattering of outtakes – 035-072 to 035-078 – follows.

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