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Sona will always have a special place for so many people, including me.
Influenced heavily by what was going on around the world, mainly Europe, Sona opened in 96' as I think the first 'afterhours' in Montreal, or of that scale anyway.
This club was instrumental in exposing so many people to the music and club culture in Montreal, and until the end of its run it was always quite busy from what I recall. This consistency was a big reason why the promoters of Silver fridays (techno!) were able to bring in headliners most weekends. So many fresh names being showcased for the first time in the city, a time when you could take 'risks' because you were still making money at the door.
Atomic in Ottawa opened shortly after Sona and they would work together on occasion for bookings and such, I think the timing had a lot to do with the pedestal these clubs have been put on, but I can attest Atomic had much of the same vibe/feeling to the patrons that Sona had here.
Looking back on Sona.. there are certainly aspects about the club I wasn't crazy about.. and those annoying big lights that would flash near the dj booth were always so blinding! Overall though I can understand the emotional attachment people will always have to the place. As some of you recall there was also a wee bit of elitist factor in the 'crowd selection' and such, I remember guys wanting to go to sona would often try to recruit a few females to go with so they could avoid the risk of waiting several hours before being 'allowed in', if at all. During the peak of Aria and Sona's rivalry I remember bouncers at Sona used to tell their 'undesirables' to go to Aria since they weren't going to be let in. ahhhhh how times change.
I have many fond memories of that place even if it was a dark and dingy hole. Seeing Carl Cox from behind the booth once was so mesmerizing for me I made my decision that night to buy dex.
To answer the original question... clubs come and clubs go, Sona's mark on Montreal clublife will never truly be duplicated because it was the pioneer for the scene, definitely fun while it lasted!
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