Comments on: Tips for Enjoying Your Dance Outing at the Reservoir Lounge

By: Payday Loans Online

Payday Loans Online — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 09:09:57 +0000

Can you write another post about this topic simply because this post was a bit tricky to comprehend?

By: Kathleen

Kathleen — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 18:27:29 +0000

I’ve only been to the Rez once, and I had a blast. I rarely dance to live music in Toronto, so it’s a treat. My only hesitation about going regularly is that I don’t like to drink much, especially when dancing. $5 is totally worth it for the band *applause*! I just wish I wanted to drink as much as I wanted to dance (which I don’t). The staff were great, so I don’t want to go when I’m not bringing in business. It’s just the reality of dancing in this kind of establishment.

By: Hamfats.ca » (re)Building a Blues Scene – Part 1

Hamfats.ca » (re)Building a Blues Scene – Part 1 — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 01:02:28 +0000

[...] are getting exciting here in Toronto. And I’m not talking just about the Reservoir Lounge comment fest from my last blog post (although very interesting). There are dances specifically for blues dances [...]

By: Alisha

Alisha — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 21:40:15 +0000

Jessica,
For the record = not at all offended at the correction. :) The reason I referred back to the source of writing was because that was what was being discussed in the first place, as opposed to my opinion, which wasn’t in question and not even necessarily relevant since I didn’t have much that was different to say…if I spoke with more confidence about what he meant than seemed warranted, it may be because I’m going based on what I also know of him outside of this particular piece, and he would confirm that I was pretty much on the mark. :)
Cheers,
Alicat

By: Jessica

Jessica — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 21:19:42 +0000

Hey Randy,
actually, I do come out almost every Tuesday or Wednesday…just been absent lately. And I really thank you for taking the time to read my post.

Alisha, my term of newbie for Randy refers to the fact that he’s been in Toronto for a year, not that he’s a dancing new come.
As for the issue of cover Randy writes (and I quote) “If you are any way affiliated with the Reservoir Lounge, what about the idea of having free cover for dancers?”
I know what he’s trying to achieve here, and it’s laudable, just not possible.

As well, it wasn’t a “private” conversation. As you said, it was posted on a blog. And I welcome your comments. Just because someone has a divergent opinion doesn’t mean I’m not interested in hearing it… You took my response to this blog and responded not just with your own feelings and misinterpretation of my tone (which, being written, and since you don’t know me is understandable) but how you think Randy feels or an attempt to explain to me what Randy meant. That’s genuinely kind, but not necessary. I’m fairly certain I understood the tone of his blog…somewhat jocular, light hearted and sadly a bit offensive to other people (not me, but other people who have read it).

I welcome any and all interpretation of what I’m saying, but please don’t be offended when you’re corrected that you’re incorrect.

If you could, if you want to continue this, write from the first person…as opposed to “Randy means…” or “Randy says…”

By: Alisha

Alisha — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 20:59:56 +0000

Jessica,
I’m sorry if you feel I misread your tone :( I was reacting to what seemed to me to be like a good deal of sarcasm – I think a response to a critique (and again, I’ll state that I don’t find this so much of a critique as observations and suggestions on how to handle the venue, done with some measure of irreverent tone which I actually find humorous) that is, in essence, “find something better” IS often defensive or at least, comes across as such. Saying you’ll bow down to someone and declare yourself entirely wrong is not something I’m used to hearing within measured and unsarcastic speech but admittedly tone cannot always be detected with absolute certainty through a medium such as the internet.
I’m not defending Randy so much as a) also sharing my opinion, which just happens, to a large degree, to be in agreement with him, and b) pointing out where I thought you might have misinterpreted what he was saying (i.e. that saying “Never ever” re: the set list was hyperbole used for effect and not meant to be taken literally)…and stating that commentary does not = rant. I realize putting your name in front of the comment may have made it seem pointed but it was just so you would be alerted to the fact that someone had responded to what you said: it was not my intent to butt into your conversation if it was intended to be private, but seeing as this is an open forum, I felt free to respond to it.
Since I’m not sure if you know Randy I’ll just say that he may be new to TO but he’s not new to dancing and he travels quite widely so he’s not really speaking from the point of view of a “newbie”. Actually, he didn’t say the Rez shouldn’t charge cover – just brought it up as a suggestion, not as something that should be done out of some kind of right we have…and as you can see, I disagree with that suggestion.
Again, he didn’t say that he wants a place that’s bigger with a band that never repeats his set list – the whole point of the blog entry was how to have fun within the confines of that space, even if there are things that aren’t optimal…which is why I didn’t understand what prompted you to “throw down the gauntlet”, since none of this sounds like a complaint to me.

By: Randy

Randy — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 20:54:34 +0000

Hey Jessica,

thanks for chiming in and thanks for the short Toronto history lesson ;) I always respect everyone’s opinion even if I do not share them.

Here’s the thing Jessica, I will constantly be trying to find great dancing to great music. It’s what I love doing more than anything else. So maybe you are right, maybe the Reservoir Lounge is the best live venue that we have in Toronto (and hey it’s only $5 right)? Shouldn’t there be a better way to market and promote that though, if it is the best live venue in Toronto other than, “try to find something better”?

As far as the cover charge, It was simply a suggestion to create more business opportunities. Obviously if you say it’s never going to change, well I guess it’s never going to change. I think we are saying the same thing though, the cover charge that dancers pay is very minimal, so why not think outside the box and try to see if something else will work to make more money? Finding out how to fully tap into market segment is what every business should be doing.

I’m sorry that you have hung up your dance shoes. I feel that a lot of your comments has a lot of historical aspects tied to it and maybe that is why you feel so strongly about this issue. Sadly, I have only been in Toronto for over a year so I do not know the history of lindy hop and Toronto. You are right, the Rez isnt’ going to get bigger but you are wrong if you think that the crowd is not going to change. You don’t come anymore right? I would bet that a lot of people from your generation do not come anymore. Maybe its time for Toronto’s Lindy Hop community to actually take ownership in their venues (like the Dovercourt House) and where they should spend their money on.

Jessica, feel free to hit me on email randypante@gmail.com or over the phone 647.330.9230, if you want to discuss The Rez or the toronto lindy hop scene past and/or present. I’ll be happy to talk further in detail about it and love to hear more of your view points.

- Randy

By: Jessica

Jessica — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 19:56:18 +0000

Alisha,
it’s very nice of you to defend Randy, however, my response was directed at him, not you. No offense.
Also, if you read the tone of his blog, it starts by saying Brad NEVER changes his set and goes into how the Rez shouldn’t charge dancers cover. I didn’t misinterpret that. Whilst it’s “tips for enjoying your outing” and it’s an honest critique, he’s a newbie…and his observations are errant as they are honest and “cheeky”.

You’ve misread my tone…so your “whoa…was that really necessary” is actually a bit of over reaction. I simply threw down the gauntlet.

I’m not being defensive, I am simply, like Randy, sharing my opinion. And often people’s response to critique is “find something better” because that’s the natural response. The Rez isn’t suddenly going to get bigger in space, the cover charge isn’t going to change and largely the crowd isn’t going to change. The observations about the elements he doesn’t like unfortunately are as concrete as the floor at the Rez. So, if he wants a place with no cover, a band that NEVER repeats their set list and more room for swing outs and better dance partner options, I’m asking him to find that. Not harsh, just simply making a suggestion.

By: Alisha

Alisha — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 18:49:46 +0000

Hey Jessica,
I wouldn’t say that this is a “rant”, by any means – just some comments with a bit of cheekiness. I don’t think observations and statements of feelings, i.e. general commentary counts as a rant.
As Randy mentioned, in no way did he say that he didn’t like the Rez, the band, or discourage people from going: he’s just pointing out what he sees, and as it’s his blog, he’s free to do it with the tone he wants.
It’s completely normal that a band repeats a lot of its tunes and even its arrangements because when they are working multiple gigs, they often don’t have time to learn a ton of new tunes and get them arranged and rehearse them from week to week, esp if they may have other musical endeavours that take up more of their creative time. It just so happens that if you come out faithfully to hear/dance to a band, you will more quickly recognize what is the same and as Randy is saying: Get over it. And Bradley – we know you love us! Hugs :)
Likewise, his comments about there being wait staff walking around was not criticism, just an observation – he says nothing about them being annoying (which they are not) or rude (which they definitely are not) and in fact I think his advice for handling small spaces should be heeded (um, esp the leads who seem blissfully unaware of people and walls and frequently bang me into them – not a fan)
Re: cover charge – I don’t think it would be a good idea to stop charging it, as I know that is what goes towards paying the band…as musician, doing gigs (esp with long sets like they have) for percentages of the bar is terrible…and unwillingness to pay for live music (unless it’s a jam/pass the hat situation) shows disrespect towards the profession. I would much prefer paying a cover knowing it’s going directly to the musicians than drinking when I don’t really like alcohol and not knowing how much they are getting.

“Here’s my challenge to you…find another room on a Wednesday (easily accesible…and in Toronto proper) with a cover lower than 5 dollars, with a better band, more dancing room and a bevvy of willing followers and I will bow down to you and declare myself entirely wrong.”

Whoa…was that really necessary? Why is it that whenever someone makes simple observations and gives an opinion that the response is always “well, find something better”. There is no need to be so defensive! If that was the answer to everything that someone made observations about we would constantly accept the status quo and never improve anything. Even if it’s not possible, due to various circumstances to bring about change, knowing how to understand/appreciate and work within the circumstances in a sane, safe, and joyful way is valuable.
Finally, the blog title is “tips for enjoying your outing” not “the REZ SUCKS!”
Alisha, who likes the Rez, and dancing, and musicians, and not drinking so much :)

By: Randy

Randy — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 18:40:21 +0000

RE: Bradley,

Great to hear that! At the end of the day its what I think we all hope for. Be able to have a great time doing what we love doing with our friends and the people we love. And if we can make money while doing it as well… well that’s the life right.