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Goin Steady

Goin Steady


Last Updated: 11/28/2009

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Gender: Male
Status: Single
Age: 61
Sign: Pisces

City: Toronto City
State: Ontario
Country: CA
Signup Date: 3/8/2006

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Thursday, July 10, 2008 

We had a nice review in the Globe and Mail
Here it is ----------------------------------

Labatt 50, life jackets, bad smell -- perfect
How did a former seafood restaurant become one of the hottest bars of the season? It's just the latest dive to hit the hipster jackpot
DENISE BALKISSOON

Special to The Globe and Mail

It's a Friday night, and the dance floor is packed.

Everyone is dressed to the nines -- loud striped leggings, fedoras, massive plastic glasses. But the music isn't thumping house or top 40; it sounds more like an oldies station. The drink is flowing, but it's Labatt 50 and not fancy cocktails. There are no leather sofas, no lasers zooming across the crowd. In fact, the decor could only be described as nautical: The walls are decorated with faux portholes and noble landscapes in seaworthy blues and greens. Massive circular light fixtures illuminate the room, and there's a life preserver on the wall.

Most nightclub owners drop buckets of dollars on high design, big sound and expensive alcohol, to entice the rabble. But at The Boat in Kensington Market, Joe Andrade has been fighting back capacity crowds since last fall -- at a former seafood restaurant that hasn't seen a reno since Three's Company was on the air.

Mr. Andrade is presiding over one of the hottest hipster bars of the season, and he has no idea how it happened. But veteran partygoers aren't surprised: It's just the latest weird venue to catch their fancy.

When Mr. Andrade bought The Boat 12 years ago, it was a Portuguese restaurant. But as the Portuguese community started moving out of the neighbourhood, business suffered. So five years ago, the sixtysomething Mr. Andrade decided to make a move: He turned it into an Asian karaoke bar.

Matt Cully came into the picture last July. A member of Concrete Arts, a visual art, film and music collective, Mr. Cully was looking for an offbeat party venue. Chasing a rumour, he and two friends arrived at The Boat. They found the space blindingly lit, populated by eager karaoke fans crooning away.

'We were a little bit turned off by it,' Mr. Cully remembers. 'To be honest, it smelled a little bit strange.'

But Mr. Cully and his friends decided to take a chance. Canada Day weekend saw the debut of Goin' Steady, a fifties dance night. The crowd flocked in and got to jiving. By the second Goin' Steady, last September, the room was jammed. Dan Aykroyd and Ron Wood, in town for the Toronto International Film Festival, came by to check it out. Mr. Cully threw on a tune featured in the Aykroyd classic Ghostbusters II.

'The whole thing was kind of bizarre,' he says.

The Boat has been booked solid with DJs and live bands almost every weekend ever since.

Chalk it up to novelty or kitsch appeal, but these days the more unlikely the space, the better the party.

'People are sick of big, predatory club spaces and paying $20 or $30 to see some superstar DJ play 30 feet above them,' says Will Munro, an artist, DJ and promoter known for pulling off packed dance parties in off-the-wall venues.

Weird bars have several hidden attractions. The low-rent decor keeps things cheap -- there are no pricey cocktails, just $4 bottles of domestic beer. The dress code is strictly casual. If anything, the style competition works in reverse, as at Concrete Arts' Honest Ed's Fashion Show, a celebration of bargain couture held last November.

There's also a touch of slumming going on: As middle-class kids move into grungier neighbourhoods, the allure of the local dive has a certain outlaw draw. And small-town transplants feel at home, recalling their grungy hometown bar.

Also attractive are fringe-space owners. Consider Jerry Stone, the owner of Stones Place at Queen and Dufferin. Plastered with Rolling Stones paraphernalia, the five-year-old bar was conceived, unsurprisingly, as a rock joint. Then, in 2003, along came Big Primpin' -- a gay hip-hop party promoted by Mr. Munro.

Big Primpin' now regularly attracts a capacity 350-person crowd, with a lineup clamouring outside the door. Mr. Stone, a self-proclaimed 'rock guy,' has enthusiastically embraced this unexpected popularity. At the most recent event, he says, he danced so much he dropped five pounds.

Stones Place's fluke success has paid dividends: With the unexpected cash flow, Mr. Stone has redone some of the plumbing and plans to introduce a year-round patio.

Three years ago, the weird space du jour was 56 Kensington, a basement bar famed for black lights, bad plumbing and neon-lit fish tanks.

It was ground zero for alternative dance parties, like Mr. Munro's Peroxide, an electro night. When it closed at the beginning of 2004, he wasn't sure where he'd find another suitably odd venue.

Then he was approached by Barbara Swan, the co-owner of Thymeless, a Greek-Jamaican bar and grill near College and Bathurst. Reggae is the bar's mainstay, but the bare bones, linoleum-floored space now hosts everything from gangster-rap nights to post-punk parties.

The club's $60,000 'Jamaican wall of sound' audio system doesn't hurt. Neither does its owners' accommodating attitude.

'They are so sweet, ' Mr. Munro says.

'And believe me, that is not typical in the club scene.'

Still, it's hard not to wonder: What happens when the novelty wears thin?

Mr. Andrade doesn't seem worried about The Boat losing steam. 'It's a nice space,' he shrugs, confident that the crowds will keep coming.

Mr. Cully, on the other hand, sees the end as inevitable, having already lived through the wax and wane of other once-overflowing venues and events. 'I definitely know the novelty will wear off. In a way, that's just the process,' he says, even as he plans for the next Goin' Steady. 'I just hope, for Joe's sake, it can last a couple more years.'
--------------------------
thanx for the love jackie!
A review of the first party by Benjamin Boles (Now Magazine, July 7th, 2005)
Rockin' the Boat
How's this for something different? A 1950s-themed party of doo-wop, rock and roll, early R&B and juke joint jazz in a restaurant styled to look like the inside of a boat (see Club Spotlight on the Boat , page 71) thrown by a bunch of young indie kids. Last Saturday's Goin' Steady was a charming little party that got a pretty good turnout considering the absurd concept. There was lots of dancing by the time it filled up, and some people even got dressed up in vintage costumes for the occasion.
Very silly, but very fun.
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From Toronto Life - (Best of 2005 Issue)

The Boat

It looks like a cross between a seedy motel and a ferry (think portholes). And its a bit smelly. But this one-time Portuguese eatery is a veritable Kensington hot spot. Known for the past few years as a karaoke bar, The Boat started hosting dance nights in 2005and the indie kids showed up in droves. Now weekends are devoted exclusively to parties, which feature marching bands, live political punk and deejayed Ninten-disco, courtesy of Trevor the Booker, who arrives dressed as a sea captain. Other boys wear oversized glasses, 80s sweatbands and short shorts; girls go for the markets best vintage. Strobe lighting plus $4 bottles of domestic beer may induce seasickness. Going Steady, the packed monthly shindig, is a riot. It takes place to a soundtrack of 50s and 60s doo-wop and sha-na-na; the ladies get dressed up and scream like the front row of a Beatles concert. Cover varies
 
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From Eye Magazine May 11, 2006
NEW OLD KID ON THE BLOCK The Boat (158 Augusta) Has it already had its 15 minutes of fame or will The Boat -- a 1970s-era aquatic-themed former Portuguese restaurant hidden away on the second floor of a Kensington low-rise -- keep up with the demands of Toronto's coolest? For popular monthlies like Goin' Steady, the lines outside just keep getting longer. But waiting an hour to get on a rocking and rolling ship really shouldn't surprise you.
-------------------------------
From Eye Magazine, 'Best Bets' June 2007

GOIN' STEADY SECOND ANNIVERSARY

Sat, June 30. The Gladstone Ballroom, 1214 Queen W. 10pm. $5 before 11pm, $10 after.
'Chuck Berry, Big Joe Turner, Bo DiddleyÉ' Your dad's iPod playlist? No, it's a taste of the artists Louis Calabro and Matt Cully, the boys behind Goin' Steady, spin every month at their good-rockin'-tonight '50s dance party. They normally throw down at The Boat, but for their second anniversary they're moving the party to the Gladstone Ballroom, where the theme is 'Under The Sea' (bring your DeLorean, and try not to disappear while rocking the guitar part to 'Johnny B. Goode'). Believe it or not, the likes of Booker T. & The MGs used to drive dancefloors to a frenzy, though if you've ever been to Goin' Steady, you already know what that looks like.
MONSTER MASH @ THE BOAT
October 27, $5 before 11 PM, $8 after 11 PM

They're doin' it again. They're doin' the mash, and you know what kind. The third annual Goin' Steady Monster Mash is a highly anticipated event at The Boat. Not only will the amazing Goin' Steady DJs be working their craft, spinning a collection of the best '50s and '60s tunes, but everybody, that is everybody, will be goin' all out in the costume department. C'mon! These kids dress in '50s garb daily. We'll be seeing some interesting things that side of Kensington Market. If you're up for getting down with these cats, show up early. I'm telling you right now, if you show up after 11 PM, you're not getting in.

Sandra Ferrari
From now magazine, Week of November 29, 2007 - By Benjamin Boles
Wanna Go Steady?
If you're looking for something a little different from your usual DJ party, the monthly Goin' Steady throwdown at the Boat might just fit the bill. Expect girl groups (think Ronettes rather than Destiny's Child), doo wop, raw 50s rock 'n' roll and greasy classic R&B.
------------------------
From Toronto Life, December 2007
(very similar to their first article about The Boat and us)
It looks like a cross between a seedy motel and a ferry (think portholes). And it's a bit smelly. But this one-time Portuguese eatery is a veritable Kensington hot spot. Known for the past few years as a karaoke bar, The Boat started hosting dance nights in 2005—and the indie kids showed up in droves. Now weekends are devoted exclusively to parties, which feature marching bands, live political punk and deejayed 'Ninten-disco,' courtesy of Keith Hamilton, who sometimes arrives dressed as a sea captain. Other boys wear oversized glasses, '80s sweatbands and short shorts; girls go for the market's best vintage. Strobe lighting plus $4 bottles of domestic beer may induce seasickness. Goin' Steady, the packed twice-a-month shindig, is an absolute riot. It takes place to a soundtrack of '50s and '60s doo-wop and sha-na-na; the ladies get dressed up appropriately and scream like the front row of a Beatles concert. Cover is usually $5.
------------------
From Now Magazine, Dec 20, 2007
Friday December 14, 2007 ..:namespace prefix = o ns = 'urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office' />....
CiRCA....
Despite the fact that no one's come up with a usable name for it yet, the hipster party sound has become too codified and narrow over the past year. Perhaps realizing how important variety is when entertaining a diverse crowd, Circa has begun inviting other promoters in alongside AD/D to mix things up a bit at Randomland Friday nights.....
Last week urban promoters REMG took over the Skyy Lounge, the doo-wop and girl group sounds of the Goin' Steady crew played the Bathroom Bar, and the Dmoney boys were upstairs in the Mirror Ballroom. Still, you sometimes heard different DJs playing the same songs 10 minutes apart.....

....

-------------
 
From The Globe and Mail,
December 22nd, 2007
 
Goin' Steady
If you're tired of the Santa hats and mistletoe, try the second-annual outer-space themed Goin' Steady, a monthly hipster dance party that plays 1950s doo-wop, girl groups and slow jams. The sci-fi Christmas themed party transforms the Gladstone's ballroom into a carefully crafted 'Forbidden Planet' with lasers, Martians and local poet and founder of the night, Louis Calabro, behind the turntables. Tonight, 10. $10. Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen St. W. 416-531-4635. http://www.gladstonehotel.com
---------------
From http://www.eyeweekly.com/style/snaps - February 7th edition
Goin' Steady At The Boat - Feb 2nd
Sweethearts swooned to old-fashioned music from the 1940s, '50s and '60s at the regular Kensington dance party, undoubtedly sneaking off to pet each other heavily in the shadows.
 -------------
From Now Magazine, March 6th, 2008.
..>..>..tr>..table>

http://www.nowtoronto.com../music/story.cfm?c..162010

Sat, March 1

Steady sailing
The monthly Goin' Steady party at the Boat shows no sign of waning popularity. It still hits capacity early, and the lineups still stretch down the street. It's hard to say exactly why this 1950s-focused night has become so successful; it's not as if all the kids are sporting poodle skirts and pompadours. Whatever originally drew the crowds, though, it's easy to see why they keep coming back – it's a genuinely fun party, and there's very little else like it in town.
Well worth checking out, but get there early to be sure of getting in.
---------------------
From She Does the City Blog
http://shedoesthecity.com/nightlife/profile/goin_steady_the_boat
By: Lizzie McNeely

My friend Fraser and I have planned on goin’ to Goin’ Steady
at The Boat for, no exaggeration, years now. Girl groups, rockabilly,
Motown, ol’ fashioned rock ‘n’ roll, damn, we knew the tunes would be
awesome. But somehow, we always missed it – a birthday would be on or
one of us would go to a cottage – the suspense was torture. Days after
the monthly event, old (adorably kitschy) flyers would taunt at us from
telephone poles. Fools, you forgot to go again!

Finally, this Saturday serendipity struck. We were both free, Goin’
Steady was on and my ballerina-like dress, perfect for twirling in, was
clean. It was too good to be true. Eerily so. As we rode the streetcar
to Kensington we confessed our fears. What if the night wasn’t worth
the wait? Had we built it up too much in our minds?

Let me assure you, our fears were for nothing. We entered The Boat
at a quarter-to-eleven, and the dance floor was already taking shape,
an impressive feat for a renowned hipster joint. Two young university
students in full black skirts and strings of faux pearls were jiving. A
grey haired forty-something man in a Hawaiian shirt was impeccably
leading his sweetheart about the dance floor. Not sure if it was a
lindy hop or a jitterbug, but I approved. Such a refreshingly
unselfconscious clientele.

And the fashion sense of the girls was killer. Red Mary-Janes with
matching hair bands. High waisted poodle and pencil skirts. Betty Paige
bangs. It was a veritable vision of the secretaries, girls-next-door
and pin-ups who populated the dreams of 1950s males.

“It’s a real box social in here. What will I do? I only dance like
this,” Fraser half-jokingly mourned as he demonstrated his standard
move: one arm pumping in the air.

After two beers we were ready to experiment with non arm pumping
moves. One zinger after another came on: Rockin’ Robin, Shout!, Wipe
Out. Personal highlights of the night were My Boyfriend’s Back and that
song lip synched by a levitating Winona Ryder at the end of
Beetlejuice, Jump in the Line. There were also a whole lotta songs I’d
never heard before, but after a verse or two I was belting most of the
lyrics. Apparently songs of this era weren’t so complex. You just sing
a girl’s name, pretend that you’re surfing and mash some potatoes.

I can’t wait to return to Goin’ Steady, especially since the
approach of winter means The Boat won’t be so stiflingly hot (what is
with that? I don’t smoke, but had to go on numerous “smoke” breaks).
October 27th will be its third annual Monster Mash night. Dress up as
your favourite B-movie lagoon monster. Should be a hep bash.


---------------------

Now Magazine, Pulse Section - July 10th, 2008.  http://www.nowtoronto.com/music/story.cfm?content=163871

DJs Matt Cully (left) and Louis Calabro cue up some -classics at the Gladstone Ballroom Saturday night.
Pulse

My week in the clubs

Sat, Jul 5

Steady as she goes
Like the well-loved Hip-Hop Karaoke parties, the monthly Goin' Steady shindig started out at the Boat and later moved to the Gladstone Ballroom, where it just celebrated three years of playing 1950s-era dance music.
You might think that an esoteric party focused on rockabilly, jump blues, girl groups, doo-wop and surf might draw an older crowd, but if you manage to make it inside before it hits capacity, you'll find up-for-it kids ready to dance their ass off to songs that, in some cases, were recorded before even their parents were born. The balloons strewn around the space add to the sock-hop vibe, and the tinny sound system actually suits the music.
Some of the regulars make an effort to dress the part, but at this point it's a large enough event that you won't feel out of place if you can't find a poodle skirt or your Brylcreem.
However, you should work on your classic dance steps, as there isn't much space for wallflowers here.
--------------------
From Torontolife.com, Friday July 15th, 2008.
http://www.torontolife.com/features/weekender-july-18/

7. CHRONOLOGIC
Offering a unique twist on the common dance party, the Goin' Steady DJs (Matt Cully and Louis Calabro) spin hits from the 1940s to today in—wait for it—chronological order. Come just for your favourite decade or dance the night away through all 70 years. July 19, 10 p.m. $5. The Boat, 158 Augusta Ave., www.myspace.com/goinsteady.

---------------
From New York City's PAPER MAGAZINE, October 2008
http://www.papermag.com/?section=article&parid=2886&page=1

The Beaver Cafe (1192 Queen St., W.) will welcomeyou whether you want a cappuccino or you're all dressed up in purplevinyl with no polymorphously post-queer place to go. For dancing, skipthe Richmond and King Street pick-up sheds (except maybe Circa,the Peter Gatien-owned, over-designed labyrinth that gets the occasionaldrop-in from Nas or Lupe Fiasco) in favor of DJ-owned Wrongbar(1279 Queen St. West), or roving nights like '50s-themed Goin'Steady, and artist Tyler Clark Burke's smoochy Santa Cruz, staged ona kitschy seafood-resto boat in the Toronto harbor.


-------------

From EYE MAGAZINE, July 2, 2009 -  http://www.eyeweekly.com/clubs/bestbets/article/64769


Goin’ Steady Fourth Anniversary
WITH DJS LOUIS CALABRO, MATT CULLY. SAT, JULY 4. GLADSTONE BALLROOM, $5 BEFORE 11PM, $10 AFTER.

What’s not to love about a party that’s so genuine in its retro fetish? For four years, Goin’ Steady has steadily been drawing sizable crowds that are interested in getting down to beat music from the 1950s and ’60s. Resident DJs and big-time collectors Calabro and Cully mix everything from doo-wop and boogie-woogie to soul, R&B, rock, rockabilly, girl groups and more for audiences who love to dress the part. This special anniversary edition features 3-D glasses for all and special mix-CDs “for best dressed and best dancers.”

..........


Monday, February 25, 2008 






First Poster - (July 2nd, 2005)





August 2005



September 2005



MONSTER MASH 2005



December 2005 @ FOOTWORK



January 2006



March 2006



April 2006



June 2006



July 2006 (One Year Anniversary)



August 2006



September 2006



October 2006



MONSTER MASH 2006 (4 posters)








DECEMBER 2006


January 3rd, 2007 (no official poster)



February 2007



March 2007



April 7, 2007




April 21, 2007



May 5, 2007



May 19, 2007



June 16, 2007 - Guest DJ'ng at the BACK TO THE FUTURE Dance Party @ The Boat



June 30, 2007 - Special 2 Year Anniversary @ The Gladstone Hotel Ballroom



July 21st, 2007



August 4th, 2007



September 1st, 2007



September 15th, 2007



October 6th, 2007 - Back To The Future Dace Party: Part II



October 27th, 2007 - Third Annual Monster Mash



November 17th, 2007


December 1, 2007



December 15, 2007 - Back to the Future Dance Party: Part 3



December 22, 2007 @ The Gladstone Ballroom (3 Posters)







January 5th, 2008



January 19th, 2008 - CHRONOLOGIC 1



February 2nd, 2008



February 16th, 2008



March 1st, 2008



March 15th, 2008 (Chronologic 2)



Friday, April 4th, 2008 (Back to the Future IV)



Friday, April 18th, 2008 (Friday Night Fish Fry)



Saturday, April 19th, 2008 (Chronologic 3)



Saturday, May 3rd, 2008



Saturday, May 17th, 2008



Saturday, June 7th, 2008



Saturday, June 21st, 2008 (Chronologic 4)



Saturday, July 5th, 2008 (3 year anniversary)



Saturday July 19th, 2008 (Chronologic 5)



Every Wednesday in July, 2008 @ The Gladstone Melody Bar, free !



Saturday, August 2nd, 2008 (Back to the Future 5)



Saturday, August 16th, 2008



Friday, September 5th, 2008 - 50th show (actually was 52nd) at The Gladstone Hotel



Friday, September 19th, 2008 - CHRONOLOGIC 6



Friday, October 10th, 2008 - Goin' Steady - No poster, so, enjoy:



Saturday, October 18th, 2008 - CHRONOLOGIC 7



Friday, October 31st, 2008 - Fourth Annual MONSTER MASH



Saturday, November 8th, 2008 - CHRONOLOGIC  8



Saturday, November 29th, 2008 @ The Gladstone Ballroom



Saturday, December 13th, 2008 (Chronologic 9)



Saturday, January 17th, 2009



Saturday, January 24th, 2009 (Chronologic 10)




Saturday, February 7th, 2009 (Back to the Future # 6)



Saturday, February 21st, 2009



Saturday, March 7th, 2009 (Chronologic # 11)



SATURDAY, MARCH 21ST, 2009 - GOIN' STEADY @ THE GLADSTONE HOTEL BALLROOM






SATURDAY, APRIL 18TH @ THE BOAT - CHRONOLOGIC DANCE PARTY!!



FRIDAY, APRIL 24TH, 2009 - GOIN' STEADY IN MONTREAL @ IL MOTORE

+ + + + + +



SATURDAY, MAY 2ND, 2009 - BACK TO THE FUTURE Dance Party @ THE BOAT (Toronto) (1950s vs. 1980s - Primary Colors Vs. Goin' Steady)

++
+



FRIDAY, MAY 8TH, 2009 - GOIN' STEADY @ THE GLADSTONE BALLROOM (Toronto)

+
+


+ + +

+

SUNDAY, MAY 10TH, 2009 - DAN DEACON With 13 Piece Big Band @ The DeLeon White Gallery (1139 College Street, Toronto, ON)




SATURDAY, MAY 16TH @ THE BOAT - CHRONOLOGIC



GOIN' STEADY ::: JUNE 6TH, 2009 @ THE BOAT




FRIDAY, JUNE 12TH, 2009 - GOIN' STEADY MONTREAL PART DEUX





 FRIDAY, JUNE 19TH, 2009 - CHRONOLOGIC @ THE BOAT




SATURDAY, JULY 4TH, 2009 - GOIN' STEADY: 4TH YEAR ANNIVERSAY @ THE GLADSTONE HOTEL ---- 3D EDITION !!



SATURDAY, JULY 18TH @ THE BOAT - CHRONOLOGIC Feat. DJ Wes Allen



SATURDAY, AUGUST 1ST, 2009 --- GOIN' STEADY @ THE BOAT




CHRONOLOGIC - SATURDAY, AUGUST 15TH @ THE BOAT




Saturday, September 15, 2007 

Next Goin' Steadys :

- UPCOMING  -

--- THE VERY NEXT GOIN' STEADY DANCE PARTY IS :

SEE FRONT PAGE OF MYSPACE FOR UPCOMING DATES !!!





Friday, January 05, 2007 

More pictures coming soon - check us out on facebook under "Louis Calabro" for more pics!

Monster Mash 2006 Photos

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lowboy/sets/72157594352140933/

from our one off engagement @ footwork


http://www.flickr.com/photos/fotograf416/sets/1618115/


and a little review


http://fotograf416.blogspot.com


thanx mike!

some pictures here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fotograf416/sets/72057594076246368/

More Pictures to come, including Video




 
Wednesday, April 12, 2006 

If you would like Goin' Steady Birddog djs to spin at your party, wedding or any event that calls for hot, rare 40s/50s/early60s choones..

email us at goinsteady@gmail.com or call 647 436 4627 (ask for Matt)