Ohhhh man, going to local punk shows there (and in the Kathedral downstairs) to support friends was always fun. It's been yearsssssss since I've been inside it though! Ugh I still remember being a small 14 year old at the front of the stage and some idiot crowd surfer decides me and my friend (who were the only ones standing around there) were an ideal target to dive into and begin his surfing escapade. He landed right on us and my friend's shirt was like almost half ripped off. Not a very interesting story in comparison to what most people likely have seen there, but lots of little memories like that from when I was pretty young (I never went to any raves there, so maybe a bit different). ALWAYS an interesting crowd there nonetheless.

long time ago at a rave there i remember seeing a fat security guard that was so fucked at work he unbuttoned his shirt and was busting out some ridiculous moves beside the speaker all sweaty and with his fat belly sticking out, lol...

Been to some cool events there over the years, and some not so cool events.

would be cool if someone purchased the place, cleaned it up a bit and continued to use it for events.

Actually had the pleasure to throw few events in there. Despite the overall dodgy look and feel in that place, the staff was down to earth and friendly. They treated the audience with respect, always making sure that people feel as comfortable as possible in a space such as that (which, as you can imagine, can scare some people abit). I say "space", because one of the positive points about this venue was the ability to transform. In essence, you could do anything with that space. Create any sort of environment, and it will always work really well. One year we did a winter-glacier themed party, and few months later did a tropical forest theme event. Both are totally different environment settings, yet both did work equally well. Above all, this was a place that welcomed anyone and everyone. No matter from which walk of life you arrived, nobody would give you any hassle or cold shoulder (unlike some venues at the club district).
People have different opinions about Big Bop, but I'd say that if anything, this place became a part of local history, and I am proud to have been a part of that history.

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Been to some wild, cool, and crazy events there. Sad to see this close down, but it's Toronto, the scene here just keeps getting worse.

RIP Big Bop.

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*This fantasy will never stop ... as long as you keep dancin'!

You know, I've never been.

I've driven by about a million times and always planned on checking it out but it just never happened. And now that it's closing, I really feel that I should pop in on Saturday just to see it.

Even if I never step foot in the place, it'll still be sad to see such a big Toronto landmark go...

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quote:

Originally posted by chinamon chinamon is INCH MOAN. LOL so fitting.

Attented and played at several memorable nights at the Bop, and always had a good time. Haven't been there in well over a decade, but also hoping that the new ownership continues to use it as a party venue, as the city is sorely lacking in decent, multi-room spaces.

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I was there for a darkrave probably 5 years ago.

It was a crazy ass party (not good, just crazy). A tone of black-light, day-glow clothes, lots of candy kids, very mashy, very young. Music was loud, over-driven and intense. People had those expanding geo-balls and lots of glowsticks, photon lights, wands and other dancing toys.

I saw some thugs choke out a guy in the bathroom and steal his wallet and stash. Minimal security and search on the way in - the crowd seemed to be half thugs/dealers and half candy kids (with few really old folks that were clearly out of place).

Somehow I ended up lost in the labrynth of rooms and really had no idea where I was or how to get out.

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- rabbit.joker [funny¿rabbit] | www.rabbitjoker.com |www.ddtt.org

Dark Dirty Tech Tribal. | Hands in air (trance) and feet on the floor (house).

Ive been to the Bop so many times back in the day before I was into house and was a huge fan of hardcore!!!!! I remember the days of Unabomber, Dragnfly, Phink etc playing there at the Darkrave parties good ol psytrance and hardcore. I remember a lot of good times there when I was younger, met some interesting people. The darkrave crowd is definatly a unique crowd. I was invited to go to a show late last year with lopi and that's when I foundout that it was the second last darkrave because of the closure of the Bop. It was quite funny when I was there cuz I haven't been to one of those event in over 5 years and it was all underage kids on the dance floor with a bunch of old pedofiles around the outside watching the kids play. Something was also off the music was terrible I thought to myself what was wrong with me before??? Well I cleaned up now and don't do drugs or drink I guess a handfull off pills will make dance to whatever noise as long as it's loud lol RIP Big Bop

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This should answer a few questions...

quote:

The Big Bop will lock it's doors forever January 31st 2010 after 29 years. The Big Bop started in 1985 as a DJ nightclub. But by the time Richmond Street super-clubs were up and running in 1993, the venue fell on hard times. Dominic bought the building in 1996 and turned it into a live music hall consisting of three venues: Kathedral, Reverb & Holy Joes. "We found a business with the all-ages crowd and that’s what The Big Bop ended up being known as: an all-ages venue." Many International acts have graced all three stages of The Big Bop, as well as the many local acts who treated the place as their second home. Muchmusic favorites like Billy Talent and Alexisonfire crafted their art within the big purple building. Dominic sheds some light on his future plans: "Now what’s happening is that I’m taking my act to the west end at Kipling and Dundas. It will be a similar idea, with a single-storey venue about the size of the Reverb.” * If you would like to keep up-to-date with the new venue opening Spring 2010, email: [email protected]. Please include 'Mailing List' in the subject line. What will happen to the building?: "We sold the building in 2006, and I just kept leasing from the new owner. Now he has a tenant coming here, a big furniture store from the States." The building is considered historical, so no one can knock it down to make way for a condo tower. The Big Bop wants to thank all the people of Toronto, music lovers and musicians who have supported not only our venue, but music over the years! Special thanks to: The Staff, Ratch, Long & Mcquade, Steve's, The 3tards, The Lonely Vagabond, The Misfits, The Creepshow, Dirty Bird, Dayglo Abortions, Down With Webster, The Matadors, R.E.D, L.A. Guns, C-P Concert & Promotion, ATG Concerts, We Got The Movement, S&S Productions, DJ Lazarus, Eye Weekly, Now Magazine, CMW, Ewan Exall, Subspace Fetish Night, Supernova & the many, many more we didn't have time to list!

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quote:

Originally posted by chinamon chinamon is INCH MOAN. LOL so fitting.

Hahah, special props to the Dayglo Abortions...awesome.

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