THE RISE AND FALL OF THE TORONTO RAVE SCENE
A freinds of mine, Yamina (one of the foxiest babes ever), does work for a Toronto community outreach program called TRIP (Toronto Raver Info Project). She asked me for help writing a piece about the history of the Toronto Rave Scene (she also asked a bunch of other old people aswell). It’s a subject that I’m quite passionate about, so I spent some quality time on it. I’ve decided to post it here, where anyone can find it, and I hope you will take the time to read it.
NOTE: This is by no means a complete work. It is an overview and is souly based on my own knowledge, having been active in the Toronto Rave Scene for over 15 years. Here we go…
In the 1990′s, through the support and efforts of several key figures, the Dance Music scene in Toronto rose from meager beginnings to become one of the biggest and most renowned music scenes in the world. While other cities have managed to maintain vibrant Dance Music cultures, Toronto’s was doomed to fall, and did so swiftly after the turn of the millenium.
MARK OLIVER & EXODUS
By 1991, there was a massive scene booming in the UK, which centered around “Techno & House” music, and an exciting new drug, colourfully referred to as “Ecstasy”. The scene had even settled on a name for itself: “RAVE”. But over in Toronto, the idea of “raving” had yet to be conceived. That quickly changed, as UK immigrants, living in Canada, began returning to Toronto, from vacations home, with a taste for this exciting new culture. Some of them even brought back music with them. One of these undergound music collectors was MARK OLIVER, a young DJ of Scottish descent, who took it upon himself to start spreading the vibes of rave music. His first chance to do so was a gig DJing at an unpopular afterhours club, called 23 HOP. It was here that he met ANTHONY DONNELLY and JOHN ANGUS, two fellow Scotsman, who were searching for like minded individuals interested in bringing UK Rave culture to Toronto. An alliance was formed. Together, they grew 23 Hop into a headquarters for rave music, which led to the creation of Toronto’s first rave promotion group. They named themselves EXODUS, and threw the city’s first legitimate warehouse parties, which quickly spread and grew in popularity amongst the more eccentric members of the city’s underground music scene. Exodus events served as an exciting secret underground paradise for those who knew, and they were celebrated with great affection.
For more indepth details on the ORIGINS of raving in Toronto, I highly recommend you spend some time on THECOMMUNIC8R.COM. It’s a wonderful read and highly informative.
CHRIS SHEPPARD
In the late 80s, he was a radio DJ who hosted a late night program on CFNY (now known as 102.1 The Edge). Sheppard’s PIRATE RADIO program showcased underground electronic music sourced by Sheppard himself, mostly from Europe and the United States. At the time, the Dance Music scene in Toronto was very small and mostly confined to after-hours clubs. Sheppard would often DJ at these clubs under his then secret alias, DOG WHISTLE.
When CFNY decided to shift its focus, Sheppard found a new home at the cities first all dance music station, ENERGY 108. Garnering major support from the station, Sheppard began to do live-to-air broadcasts from local nightclubs and release major label compilations of underground dance music. He formed a House music group, BKS, and used his major label connections to push his songs onto Top 40 radio play. During this time, Sheppard also played a key role in many ground breaking Rave events.
By the Mid-Nineties, Dance Music had exploded in Toronto (thanks, in part, to the efforts of Energy 108 and Sheppard himself). People were flocking to Toronto from all over the globe to attend dance events and many super clubs were opening to accomodate the mass attendance. Sheppard decided to capitalize on the growing momentum by putting BKS to rest and starting a new, more commercially friendly group, called LOVE INC. He still continued to support the Rave scene, releasing 2 compilations and beginning the first hour of his live to air program under his Dog Whistle alias. His distance from the underground, however, began to grow as he gained more commercial success.
DR. TRANCE
Don Berns should more commonly be referred to as The Godfather Of Raving In Toronto. He was an American radio DJ who moved to Toronto to become programming director of CFNY. Berns was interested in the growing movement in Pop/Rock towards electronic dance music and pushed the station to support these new sounds. When the stations management decided to shift focus back to more traditional sounding rock, they fired Berns and he found a new home at Energy 108, where he continued his quest of exposing electronic dance music to the masses, now with major support from the station.
During his time at CFNY, Berns regularily attended the few after-hours clubs in the city and became a recognized figure in the underground music scene. He was eventually asked, by DJ IAIN (early Toronto Dance Music supporter) to DJ at an after hours event. Iain had also asked Chris Sheppard, Denise Benson, and James St. Bass, who were all radio personalities pushing the new sounds of underground electronic dance music. Berns had never DJed before, but he agreed to do it. Iain’s plan was to use the on-air promotional abilities of his DJs to attract lots of people to his night. Little did he know that this teaming of media personalities would spawn an alliance that would lead to the creation of a world renowned music scene.
Berns had connections in L.A. and had heard stories about the amazing “Rave” culture that was budding there. It took one weekend of raving in L.A. for Berns to conclude that he had to bring this unique experience to Toronto. He formed a company called Nitrous and began to organize and Promote Rave events in the city. His goal was to expose Rave culture to the masses. Through the mainstream media connections of himself, his partners, and his resident DJs, he was able to do just that.
Nitrous parties grew larger and larger and many other promoters began to throw similar events. By 1997, there were multiple Raves being thrown every weekend, as thousands of people flocked to Toronto from all over the world to attend.
CITRUS @ THE SCIENCE CENTRE
In 1997, DJ Citrus, a local Rave promoter, wanted to throw something really big and remembered a 1993 event that Nitrous threw in the Ontario Science Centre. He discovered that you could rent out the entire building for an overnight event, with all of the exhibits open. It would be the largest rave event thus far in Toronto, and was exactly what the scene needed to push it into the mainstream. Really, it was the safety of it. The dangers and illegality of partying in an abandoned warehouse had kept the average person from attending the Raves that they had heard so much about, but the idea of one being held in an educational institution funded by the government was one that you didn’t even have to lie to your mom about. CITRUS (the DJ named the night after himself) was a huge success and became an annual event for the following 2 years. It was the perfect venue to expose the Rave Scene to mainstream Toronto, which led to massive raves being thrown in the years to come, some of which even took place on city and government funded property, such as The Better Living Centre, The International Centre, Pearson Airport, and even SkyDome (now named Rogers Centre).
THE DEATH OF ALLAN HO
By 1999, Toronto’s Rave scene was getting a lot of media attention, but in general, raves generated a very positive atmosphere and good news is no news so there wasn’t very much for major media moguls to write about. They were waiting for something tragic to happen, and they would soon get just that. In October of 1999, Hullabaloo! (Toronto’s most celebrated and world renowned Rave promotion company) threw an event in an underground parking garage. It was enjoyed by most of the thousands who attended and would have been a great success. Unfortunately, a 20 year old University student, named Allan Ho, overdosed on Ecstasy and his body was discovered during the party. The story leaked to the press and they ran with it, making an example of Ho and painting a picture of Raves as dangerous drug feasts and a threat to youths. Accusations were made against Toronto’s mayor, Mel Lastman, as being a supporter of dangerous rave parties, bringing to his attention that major events had been thrown on city property. In his defense against such accusations, Lastman began to campaign against the Rave scene, leading to the inacting of a law banning electronic music from being performed after 3am.
WILL CHANG, better known in the Rave scene as KLUBMASTA WILL, was a lawyer with a deep passion for Rave culture. He agreed to represent the head of Hullabaloo!, CHRIS FROLIC, during the Coroners public inquest into the death of Allan Ho. Chang, and several other Rave Culture activists also formed a committee, called The PARTY PEOPLE PROJECT, who’s purpose it would be to publically expose the positive aspects of Rave culture, while dispelling the negative myths being spread by the media. It was this committee that invisioned the ultimate response to Lastman’s “Rave ban”.
THE iDANCE RALLY
By 2000, Raving in Toronto had become an industry that employed thousands of people. The size of Toronto’s scene meant that it also effected the success of underground music scene’s in other North American cities, aswell as the livelihood of electronic music artists from all over the world. The rave ban incited an uproar amongst the many businesses that benefited from the city’s Rave culture. With the PARTY PEOPLE PROJECT at the head, all of the major players in the scene quickly banded together to plan the iDANCE RALLY, a massive protest against the Rave Ban that would take place on City Hall property the day before city council was to review the new law.
Some of the biggest names in electronic music signed on to perform and local celebrities and politicians agreed to give their support. Several press conferences were organized to discuss the issue, announce the rally, and explain its importance. Word spread quickly. Promoters in other cities organized busses to travel to the event. They knew too well that the outcome of the rally would have a direct effect on Rave Culture all over North America.
On August 1st of 2000, more than 20, 000 people flocked to Nathan Philips Square to show there support. There was an unwritten agreement amongst most in attendance that drugs were not to be ingested this day. They would show the Mayor that raving was a positive force driven souly by a common love of music and dancing.
The rally was a great success and the Rave Ban was lifted. Lastman, however, continued to work towards crushing the scene, based on recommendations resulting from the public inquiry. He quickly instated laws that would place criminal charges on the owners of venues in which illegal narcotics were seized. Large venues rapidly began closing their doors to rave events. New rules were also made pertaining to running water, security, police and emergency medical services present at dance events. These new rules were to be met at the expense of the promoter. The lack of legal venues forced Rave promotion companies to downsize their events and throw them in expensive night clubs. All of these factors caused Raves to become unprofitable and most of the industry either abandoned Rave Culture or folded all together.
IN THE END
After the success of the first iDance, there were plans to make it an annual music fesival, celebrating Dance culture. A second iDance was thrown the following year (2001) but it was a disaster. With no altruistic spirit to fight for, the attendance was poor and with corporate sponsorship (from The Toronto Star and X-Box) funding a very commercial add campaign, the wrong crowd was attracted. Drug use was rampant this time around and the event only further fed the city’s crack down on Raves. There would not be another iDance.
Don Berns sites his own efforts to expose Rave culture to the masses as the ultimate downfall of the scene. In the beginning, Raves were largely attended by older, experienced partyers that were sick of night clubs and looking for a more fullfilling experience. By exposing Raves to the mainstream, they began to attract younger and younger crowds and because the events were all ages, they were able to attend. As the majority of attendees got younger, the older ravers stopped going. With the Rave scene now dominated by adolescents, it began to face the issues that always follow teenagers, mainly irresponsible drug use, which leads to irresponsible drug dealing, which so often leads to gang violence. The mass exposition of Rave culture also brought it to the attention of the wrong kinds of people. Those who go out with the intention of partying irresponsibly. In a scene based around tolerance and personal freedom, there was little anyone was willing to do against these negative activities. Thus, its downfall was inevitable.
A decade later, Toronto still has a worthwhile underground dance scene but it is much much smaller and very different. A lot has happened within it from 2002 to the present, but I’m going to leave it for someone else to write about.
NOW FOR SOMETHING SPECIAL
To promote the iDance Rally, several Toronto electronic music producers contributed to a small CD compilation made up of tunes protesting against Mel Lastman’s efforts to destroy the Rave scene. The CD was handed out, in VERY limited quantity, to members of the press during a conference organized by the PARTY PEOPLE PROJECT. I have a copy of this CD and am going to share one of the tracks with you.
RICOCHET, by D-REGION & MC FLIPSIDE, is a Drum N Bass jam containing samples of Mayor, Mel Lastman, saying “I didn’t know what a rave party was” and “I thought we could control them”. Grab it below and enjoy. This one is super rare.
D-Region & Flipside – Ricochet
Yamina, I hope you and everyone at TRIP appreciate this post. It was a bitch to write. Hahahaaa.
Thanx for reading.
43 Comments → “THE RISE AND FALL OF THE TORONTO RAVE SCENE”
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Pete, this is a really great and informative piece.
Even as someone involved in the party scene, I’ve never really thought of these events and these key figures in the way that you have in connecting them to rave scene.
Keep up the awesome work! <3 this blog.
I partied from 94-97, I wasn’t partying in 99 but if that underground parking garage was the same one as the DOSE party in 95, I could have told you it was a death trap from the beginning. The simple fact is promoters made a lot of irresponsible decisions when throwing some of those parties in the early years that could have killed a lot more people. I had a great time during those four years but I can completely understand why city hall wanted to regulate it.
Below is a short doc that I did for school on the origins of the Toronto Jungle scene with Tej (DJ Slide from Slip & Slide)
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=9317321298&set=o.8338283889&type=3&theater
Nice one Pete
Thanx guys.
Wow, I had no idea Chris Shepherd and Don Berns played such a big role in Toronto rave culture.
Growing during the peak and fall of the scene, me and the kids I partied with looked for other explanations for the the death of raving–a shift from amphetemine drugs to ketamine; growing opportunities to gain prestige in the scene leading to elitism and the death of the plur. I didn’t realize the main factors were top-down.
Everyone should read this.
Wadup J!
The things you’ve mentioned were also important factors. As I wrote, this is a mere overview, highlighting key individuals and events. Had I written this as “A People’s History”, it would have been very different, going into the collective consciousness of people at the time, but writing history from that perspective is difficult because you don’t have names and dates to draw upon as evidence. Know what I’m sayin’?
Thanx for reading. If there’s anything you can do to get this infront of more eyes, go for it!
For me Chris .S is the godfather. I remember my brother listening to the early house/techno tracks way back then all played on the “wheels of steel” I did not learn of Dr. Trance until my first few raves. My first rave was World Cup 1994. it was in King City, a short drive away from one of my childhood homes. At that age I was it was the funnest and most adventurous thing I ever did. After that party I was hooked. The Honey Pot parties at Dufferin St & Major Mackenzie were pretty hype as well. Damn those days were the shit. I also remember Eminem performing at a rave. I forgot which one it was though.
I remember that Eminem rave aswell, though I didn’t attend. I believe that was a Syrous party. Can anyone confirm???
Didn’t even see this part.
True good things must come to an end. But I get the feeling something better could’ve happened.
But I find it funny how theres always that one person who can ruin it for all. Doesn’t matter the city.
Repostin like a mad man though.
This is a GREAT article. Gonna share it with everyone cause the Ottawa scene has always closely mirrored the TO scene.
Thanx for spreading the love, bro.
That’s killer, guys. Thanx a bunch.
Rich, I think if it wasn’t Allan Ho, it would have been someone else. There were 2 other ecstacy related deaths in 1999 and there was bound to be another. These things are all about timing. A girl ODed at a rave in Toronto last year, but it was during the G20 summit so nobody cared. It’s the media that ruined it for all, not Allan Ho.
Chris and I are actually working on the second draft of his rave-years memoir now, which is a full-size book that covers this particular subject from the POV of someone who was right at the center of a lot of it. We expect it’ll be published within the next year.
As for blaming the teenagers for the downfall, it’s worth pointing out that the three rave deaths were all people in their 20′s.
That’s an interesting point, Robin. Thanx! I was one of those teenagers. hahaaa!
“While other cities have managed to maintain vibrant Dance Music cultures, Toronto’s was doomed to fall, and did so swiftly after the turn of the millenium.”
Thats not really true. If anything, its bigger than ever now – its just that it moved into the nightclubs post-2000. The same is true for most cities around the world – a mix of moral panic, the scene’s ever-increasing popularity and diversification, and “rave” simply falling out of fashion after the 90s made it inevitable. Which I don’t think is necessarily a bad thing, mind you, so long as “the underground” lives on in some capacity.
Another correction: the legendary CN Tower Rave (“Vertigo”) was in 93′, not post-’97. Here’s a flyer if you don’t have it already: http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/7375/161093atlantiscntower.jpg
“Berns had connections in L.A. and had heard stories about the amazing “Rave” culture that was budding there. It took one weekend of raving in L.A. for Berns to conclude that he had to bring this unique experience to Toronto. He formed Nitrous and began to organize and Promote Rave events in the city. His goal was to bring Rave culture to Toronto and expose it to the masses”
Also sort of wrong. Berns did not “bring rave to Toronto from Los Angeles”. If I remember correctly, he first “appeared” in ’92 or so, at which point Exodus was already at it (arguably the first rave promoter outside of Europe), along with Chemistry. Read up on the early history (1991-1995) of Toronto’s scene here: http://thecommunic8r.com/. You can’t talk about TO rave history and not even mention the likes of Mark Oliver, Malik X, and Captain-B-Mental!
Erik, thanx for this. I’m gonna update the entry with your link, and fix the date of the CN Tower party. The Ontario Place raves were also pre-97. You caught me.
I don’t know much about the contributions of Malik X or Mark Oliver. Would you be interested in writing an entry about them for me to add to this post???
“a mix of moral panic, the scene’s ever-increasing popularity and diversification, and “rave” simply falling out of fashion after the 90s made it inevitable.”
The things you’ve mentioned were also important factors. As I wrote, this is a mere overview, highlighting key individuals and events. Had I written this as “A People’s History”, it would have been very different, going into the collective consciousness of people at the time, but writing history from that perspective is difficult because you don’t have names and dates to draw upon as evidence. Know what I’m sayin’?
Lemme know if you’re interested in writing more: gobsthezombie@gmail.com
I don’t have much to add, but Malik X was (arguably) Toronto’s first techno DJ, starting on CKLN 88.1 in the 80s, and then at the beginning of the 90s being a part of the Exodus/23 Hop crew who started up this whole rave thing here, along with Mark Oliver. Also TO’s first rave MC.
Oliver is most notable simply for also being one of those founding DJs/promoters, and is still at it over 20 years later.
Erik is 100% correct. Alx of London must also be credited with throwing the first warehouse parties in the city. My trip to L.A. got me stoked to promote and when Iain (correct spelling) asked me to play at that first Nitrous, I asked him in return to be one of the promoters so we could maybe implement some of the ideas I had seen work so well in L.A.
A couple of more corrections:
-Chris Sheppard was never a part of Nitrous. He played every party and was instrumental in us getting Two Unlimited to play Nitrous 013.
-It was Denise Benson (CKLN), not Denise Donlon, who played Nitrous 012. Also James St Bass, who was on CIUT at the time.
-The first Science Center party was also the first for Atlantis, the group that grew out of Nitrous.
Otherwise a pretty accurate representation of the early scene in T.O.
-respect-
doN Berns
Please read http://www.thecommunic8r.com
That is the real unbiased and true history of how the Rave scene started in Toronto.
Hey Gobby Z!
Little surprised the statement that no one has ever written about the history of Toronto raves. We wrote our first entry about it almost two years ago and it’s very easy to find with a “History of Toronto Raving” Google query.
I think Erik’s comments and suggestion that you visit thecommunic8r.com was bang-on. An organized scene existed for at least a year before Nitrous was even conceived. Not a knock against Don – I’m aware of his huge involvement from 1992 onwards, Nitrous, Atlantis, his DJ Career. But there are others far more deserving of a “Godfather” title, given they were DJing, laying the groundwork and organizing raves at least a year prior. Shep, Mark Oliver, and Malik X were all DJs (two of whom had their own radio show) and were all arguably the first to play and promote raves in Toronto.
nice piece … but how come you don’t mention Police Chief Fantino? who was the man force behind shutting down the raves? Mayor Lastman really just did what Fantino said…
Respect to all mentioned. Truly Chris Sheppard was the “FIRST” and threw the most amazing parties. Back in 1998 he started throwing raves. 23hop was his club. Sheppard’s 5 Techno Trip albums and 3 Dogwhistle Albums were our soundtrack to get started. He was the first to play this music on the Air or TV in N/A and tour it. He went on to be the headliner of “ALL” the large rave events during it’s peak, just ask anyone of us who were really dancing all night long., Dogwhistle was the large crowd pleaser every time. Shep brought over The Prodigy for the 1st time and toured North America with them. Moby credits Sheppard with so much respect as do so many other rave legends. And I am just touching the surface on his role from what I remember. Yet cause of all the B.S promoters and ego’s recently re-writting history. People often forget Chris Sheppard’s critical role in the scene. Glad to see you were not one.
Thanx Kim. I agree with you that Shep’s importance is often forgotten today. I’m not sure about the accuracy of all the accomplishments you’ve stated here but thanx for supporting the point that Shep played a major role in Toronto’s Dance culture.
Hit and miss with some of your comments – you likely meant to say in 1988 Shep threw his first rave? That party was from the acid house era – epic within it’s own right. However, it can be argued that there are different components that make a rave different than an acid house party (music, drugs). Some might even argue the term rave didn’t even exist in 1988.
Prior to the first Techno Trip release in ’92 raving had been going strong in Toronto for many months. While Shep had invested in 23 Hop – he quickly abandoned his headline at the venue due to fighting amongst the crowd – raves those parties were not. The rave parties that took place there were not his, the venue was a rental hall shortly after it’s launch.
But by all means Shep was a catalyst for the scene, I know I listened to him on the radio two years prior to stepping foot in a rave – he set the table and educated the masses on dance music, then supported and helped grow the scene exponentially.
Hip Hop and police have no place at raves……..Just sayin!!!!!!!!! my 2 cents
Are you referring to the big raves, in the early noughties, that had Hip Hop headliners???
Great post on the history of Toronto’s rave scene! Something us Torontonians should be proud of
In my opinion, T.O. doesn’t get the recognition it truly deserves as a major contributor to rave culture from a global perspective. To that end, I wrote an e-book based on Toronto’s scene from the 90′s which will be published next week. Yay, I’m so excited!
Check out a sneak preview here:
http://www.frankenraver.wordpress.com
Peace out,
Frankenräver
Wow, I really wanna read your book!
I also totally agree with you that the Toronto Rave Scene doesn’t get the recognition it deserves. I think a large part of the problem is that Torontonians, themselves, don’t take enough pride in their city.
Hi Raizza,This particular beach is in the apailprrpteoy-named area called The Beaches at the east end of Toronto. You’ll find it at the end of the Queen st car route (going east). The Toronto Islands is a different place, you can reach it by taking the ferry at the harbour and is worth a visit. A quick Google search will give you more details on how to reach those places. Enjoy your visit!
It’s official! “Tuned In, Mashed Out: Confessions of a Rave Junkie” by Frankie Diamond is available for sale on Amazon. Mark my words: this book will have people talking. Love, sex, drugs, electronica – this stuff ain’t boring! It’s high time Toronto’s rave scene gets the recognition it deserves. We had a wicked crazy AMAZING movement that should be celebrated for what it was; an epoch in dance culture history that can never be repeated. The 90′s was a special time for us indeed. Who knows what the Future of Rave might hold….but for now, a nostalgic joyride thru tha good ol’ daze should do ya…
Get ready for a rip-roaring mindtrip into one of the most colourful, fantastic worlds you will ever encounter:
http://www.amazon.com/Tuned-Mashed-Out-Confessions-ebook/dp/B0070O8OES/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1328541121&sr=8-1
For those of you whose devices don’t support Kindle, an ePub version will be available on my website soon.
To all the bloggers n surfers out there: thanks for your support! I sincerely hope you enjoy Tuned In, Mashed Out. Feel free to leave comments on Amazon and on this blog too.
Peace out,
Frankenräver
What happened to Jamie Allen and Skot Fraser of the factory and OZ also Scott Turner…. Skot and Jamie actually through the first rave ever in Canada in 1989 at the metro east convention center…housewave 89… after returning from a month long trip to london following the london rave seen with Soul to Soul… Though Chris and Don did do a lot for the scene your missing a lot of people that built clun land in toronto…. But nice try at the story…
This is not a complete work. it’s an overview, identifying the key individuals involved in the scene’s rise to world renowned popularity, and in its downfall. Did you miss that part of the article?
It’s not about who founded it… But nice try at a comment.
Ah yes, good old Skotty boy…I miss those days/Club!
Remember the filming of Don Cherry/Chris Sheppard’s “Rock-em sock-em Techno” video?!
I’ll never forget the “Foam Rave” (That was a really cold walk home!)
P.S., Don B, if your reading this, was that you I saw going to your boat last week?!
I don’t have a boat, unless you count my rubber dinghy. Ummm…not, wait, that sounds totally wrong!
Reblogged this on frankenräver and commented:
Great exposition of Toronto rave history in a nutshell.
i was at the first i dance and atill have to stop myself from crying when i think about the best years of my life and how lucky i was to be a part of the best scene around at the time. it will live on in my heart and mind forever and im positive that nothing will compare to it for anyone ever again at least for those who know. (wink)
i would bet that even elitests like jennstar would sell her soul for a sunday afternoon at comfort zone lol!
One thing that wasn’t mentioned was that the music was changing at the beginning of the millennium and it was starting to go mainstream but with so many genres and sub groups nothing was unifying the whole scene. At one time, you could go to a rave and hear everything — jungle, hardcore, house, techno, progressive etc. By 2000, there was strictly progressive parties and strictly jungle parties for example. Also, the mainstream was looking for a hero, someone that personified the scene and could entertain the masses like a rock star. No one stepped up or could deliver despite stars like Sasha partnering up with Clear Channel and going on nationwide tours with crazy staging and light shows. Also, the music wasn’t evolving. The scene was now splintered, the music hadn’t progressed and the city wanted raves dead. All of those factors imho killed the scene in Toronto.
A very astute observation, Brian.