Reopening of nightclubs and karaoke "It was time for it to happen!"»»

On November 15, put on your most beautiful shoes and make your vocalizations: Quebec gave the green light on Tuesday to the reopening of dance and karaoke tracks.After months of claims, the night industry sighs relief.

"It was time for it to happen!""Says Nic Urli, who collaborated at the opening of the Speakeasy Club Velvet and the Flyjin nightclub.

In recent weeks, the night bird has claimed the right to dance - prohibited by decree since June 2020 - for the survival of its industry.He had even entrusted to the press, at the end of October, that he was thinking of civil disobedience "if the dance tracks did not [rouv]".

The prohibition of dancing will be lifted on November 15, with obligation to carry the mask, the Minister of Health and Social Services announced on Tuesday, Christian Dubé, in a series of health alleys.It will also be allowed to participate in karaoke activities, according to certain health instructions.In performance halls, the public will be able to stand, without assigned place, a relaxation that mainly affects independent places.

We were in the last major cities in the world to ban dance.I think we have done well to demonstrate and ask for changes.[I am proud] of our industry.There, we have to go up the slope!

Nicolas Urli, owner of Velvet and Flyjin

Tommy Piscardeli, owner of the Stereo, a Montreal nightclub, also sees the announcement of a good eye, although he issues certain reserves.

"It's a step forward.Mask side, it will be a bit hard to control large crowds.We look at the Bell center, for example, and people do not all wear masks.We are going to do our best, but it will be very difficult to control, ”he says.

"The other fight" he will have to lead, it will be to bring back his customers who, in recent months, had taken refuge in clandestine places to satisfy his dance of dance.

"People have so much freedom in these events.No mask, no vaccine passport.I hope that we are going to be able to bring our customers back and that it agrees to comply with the regulations, "he fears.

Place at DJs

​​According to Anthony d'Urbano, promoter of electros concerts and manager of the Frontrite community, the date of November 15 has been circulating for several weeks.

We joined him in Toronto, where he went to take the pulse of the scene during the Halloween."Clubs are full and people dance," he observes, happy to know that Montreal will follow suit.

"It is impossible to be disappointed with this news, adds the CRI DJ.It's been two years since nothing.Quebec will no longer be the exception to the rule.»»

During public health procrastination, a clandestine scene has grown in Montreal through social networks.Anthony d'Urbano sometimes found heartbreaking to see the legal promoters kept away.

I understand, because people needed to dance, but we could not be part of this gang which organizes illegal events.We have been rolling for too many years and we are known.

Anthony d'Urbano, promoter of electros concerts and manager of the Frontrite community

Will revelers agree to keep a mask on their face all night?Anthony of Urbano in doubt."Dancing in a legal space where everyone is doubly vaccinated, with or without mask, it is 1000 times better than dancing in an illegal room where no law is respected.»»

Cry, which regularly transports its consoles to the United States, offered a performance in front of masked spectators in a single city, Seattle."It worked very well.People seemed to have fun.On the other hand, when you order a drink and have a sip, you don't have your mask.Is it better not to have it at all or get your hands in the face every two seconds?I don't know.»»

The DJ crosses his fingers so that no new wave in the spring comes to taint his Quebec tour."Finally, nightlife will be able to resume, hoping that, for the rest of things, we consider it a little more as a cultural medium.»»

Sing

In addition to discos, karaoke bars will also be able to reopen their doors.These festive places had had a bad press after a hatching of COVID-19 had generated 72 cases and 1 deaths, in August 2020.

« On est agréablement surpris, parce qu’on entendait parler d’une reprise en décembre»», explique Pascal Lefebvre, propriétaire de la Taverne Le Normandie, dans le Village.The establishment presented seven evening karaoke events before everything changes."We had to reinvent ourselves with improv improvisation, quiz, songwriters, but it is certain that it did not attract the same number of people.»»

The Normandy Taverne can finally respond positively to the many customers who call to ask if the karaoke will be back for office parties. « On est très heureux et on est prêts»», assure-t-il.

One night singers will have to wear a talk cover if they cannot respect the 2-meter physical distancing, a lesser evil."In the summer of 2020, there was no one vaccinated and we made karaoke with more demanding measures than those asked.It's going to be easy for us to adapt.»»

Forests as much as possible of their capacity

Tuesday's announcements also affect the performance halls that are not equipped with fixed seats.From November 15, they will be able to open in cabaret formula or stand up as much as possible.The mask and the vaccination passport, once again, will be prescribed.

"We have been waiting for this for several weeks," says JonWeisz, director general of the Alternative Music Scenes of Quebec.On the other hand, there are small flaws, as every time we announce new measures.»»

For example, the rooms wishing to maintain a distant cabaret formula - such that falling for the sale of the show - will still have to impose the port of the mask."This is not the format that was promised to buyers of tickets.It causes a little friction.In bars or restaurants, once you are seated, you can remove the mask.»»

Le cas des soupers-spectacles est lui aussi « très compliqué»», note M.Weisz."There are different conflicting rules that should be specified.It's not clear.»»

Finally, physical distancing will no longer be compulsory in major events such as festivals, which can regain their normal capacity from November 15.

The announcement falls right, rejoices Martin Roy, CEO of the grouping of major international events, in full preparation for the winter season.It will open in mid-January with Igloofest, followed by the Quebec Carnival and Montreal in Light.

"These events needed to know in which box they were going to be able to take place.This is really good news. Et puis, imaginez le déneigement de toutes les zones indépendantes !»», s’exclame Martin Roy.

And if it is too late for the summer that has just spent, the next summer season can be saved."We know what we are going.We can weigh on the gas for the summer.»»