All right, well you TA's should know by now that I can usually get into my writing and write stuff a litte long sometimes
anyhow, this is what I posted on the Aria forum, had to do with 514 and Aria, just thought some people might enjoy it, a few statements in there are copies of what I've posted in different TA threads. For all those that read this and don't enjoy it..... suckas I'm kiddin I apologize if this is long and boring, but if it makes you think and you have something to add, please do

Well I'd like to comment on the whole after hours and party scene, so I’m going to give some of my personal opinions also. Hmm, this might end up being a little bit long, because I have a lot of opinions and other things I'd like to share, so I'll just apologize in advance This is something that I've all ready been discussing a bit of on a different forum, I would suggest if there was anybody looking to do more discussing about different subjects to do with the Montreal scene or international for that matter, that you come and check out www.tranceaddict.com
I know that I've all ready seen a few TA's chatting in here,
FASTDJMP3, RNAKR, TriPhOdd, ZinG if I missed any others I apologize.

I know that I'm not personally in a position to really understand how everything works with running parties and clubs, because I haven't experienced it for myself, but I have talked to a few people that are or were very involved, and I got the same thing from everyone, it's a risky business. There's a lot of ways for promoters to get fucked and lose a nice amount of $$. Now for Ferry Corsten not showing up, that was one of the most common problems that I've heard from all promoters that I've talked with, occasionally a performer or there management can be real pricks, or for some unforeseen reason, they're not able to make it. The performer and management are the ones who have the most control over the situation, because the way I understand it, is that they usually get 50% $$ up front before the party, which is to my understanding, not exactly refundable if they don't come (again, this is just what I've heard from talking with certain promoters). So for a dj to skip out on a party or for it to get cancelled, they're still getting paid some $$.
I've been to Aria maybe 10+ times now, I have to say that I've enjoyed myself every time, there hasn't been too many problems or hassles, yes there is sometimes a large wait in line, but what can you do, you can't let everyone in rushing threw at once, there's a process to go through and it takes time. Inside Aria is incredible!!!!! I find the lighting and setup to be phenomenal. I personally have not experienced another club that comes close to the same level. I thought the sound still needed a bit of playing with, I found the base levels were off sometimes, hitting very low at certain times I went, and then at others not hitting so low when it was music that called for it. I'm sure that's a minor adjustment thing, and for all I know it's perfect now, considering I haven't been to Aria in about a month. The resident dj's, well I really like them, every time I’ve gone I‘ve heard good music, although I would definitely love to hear more trance With lighting like that, the place deserves to have pure trance nights. The capacity level has always been okay for each time that I've attended, maybe once it was really packed, but even then it wasn't quite at over crowded yet. The only big mistake I've heard about Aria making so far was Ferry Corsten, which I actually didn’t end up buying a ticket for because I had work the next day(which I was extremely sad about). It wasn’t so much that the event got cancelled, but to not even have a person at the door to explain. I think that's just inconsiderate, or scared of having to deal with the problem that occurred. Either way it’s part of the business, and the way Aria chose to deal with it, just reflected negatively upon themselves. It should have been seen as common courtesy to have someone in person to tell the people arriving the show was cancelled. I know some people drove over a couple hours to see Ferry, showing up to a closed-door club must have been so disappointing. One thing though, bringing in Armin Van Buuren can make for very good redemption
The little things with bouncers and what not, that's just common with every place you go, and the more often you go, and the more you're recognized perhaps they'll start treating you nicer, or if they don't like you......
Sona and 514, well no doubt they know how to put on a great party, and if there's anyone out there that says they don't, excuse the language but you're full of shit! The only thing is, there have been quite a few problems with 514, and it's usually the lack of respect for there customers. I've called and tried to speak with them a few times, I usually wanted to get a group rate on tickets because there have been events were I picked up 35+ plus tickets for friends to attend (some people are just lazy, and if you don’t go out of your way to get tickets for them, they'll forget or not bother and have to pay higher prices, or not want to attend ) , or just to talk to them about some general questions. I don't think I've ever gotten an email or fax response from them when I've tried sending one out. Anyhow, I can't remember when, I think it was pre-sale for Freaky last year, I ended up meeting Mike Lynes at the shop where they were selling the pre-sale tickets. I recognized his voice from the couple of times that I had actually gotten threw and was able to talk to someone in person, without having to leave a message that would never get a reply. He was extremely nice and helpful, and gave me his extension, and told me that I could call him when I had any questions. I've called him several times since then, and he has always returned my messages and been able to give me answers to my questions. I don't know exactly what position it is that Mike holds at 514, but from what I can tell he must care, and I definitely tip my hat off to him.

1) The most disgusting thing I've ever seen at a party- Connected - 2000, they took away the caps from the bottles when you purchased water. Yeah it was still a great party and every other party that I've been too so far(which has been every major event except connected 2001), they haven't done it again, but to do that just once, and to put so many people at risk, is despicable.
2) Not keeping promises- well lets see, there's a few of those, I’m not going to name them all, here's a couple
1* VIP Bracelet for Swirl 2000, no waiting in line. Huh, huh, well I guess waiting in line for over 1 1/2 hrs isn't really anything to be considered a wait.
2* Cream 2000, by the advertisements I was under the impression that the party was to be held on the Olympic stadium field, for which was the only reason I was willing to spend 70$+ on a ticket. When I arrived, and walked through the whole crowd to the end, to find out it was just right next to the parking garage, well I was needless to say quite pissed off for a good little bit. I did end up having a great night though, but thought the setup was awful, the dj could only see maybe a 1/4 of the crowd, so really couldn’t play to there reaction.
3) Over capacitating- This is a really difficult subject, there's many different nights at Sona where there were or are far too many people. I'm not even going to bother putting down 514, many of those nights, there’s a lot of regulars who go, and they go knowing that it’s a possibility the place could be over crowded. So in a way 514 is just trying to supply the demand for the party, which I guess is all right, but just one thing, if something ever goes wrong(which I hope it never does), and it has something to do with there being too many people, or the place being too warm, when the time comes, no excuses, no looking someplace for blame, it will be time for the truth, and the truth is that 514 will be responsible, because it will have been them that had let all those people through the doors.
4) 514 can throw one hell of a party! They know how to put together great parties, with excellent setups, they’ve done it plenty of times! They also have the connections to bring in the big name dj’s that have everyone in the world waiting to see them. Every party at the Molson Center(excluding the connected water cap thing) has been astounding, the setup is always good, from what I’ve seen there’s never been a capacity issue, definitely no waiting for a bathroom. My first party I ever went to (which I didn’t know until 2 years ago was thrown by 514) was “22”, July 22, 1995. I remember back then it was considered to be one of the biggest parties (excluding black and blue), and it was amazing, an unbelievable great experience. Anyhow, my point with all that is this, with 514 it seems as if every time you buy a ticket to go to one of there parties, your gambling, because you don't know if the if they're going to throw an outstanding party, over pack the place, change the location, have a headliner not show up, or take away your bottle cap, ..etc.
I think 514 could be known as a great production company, but the way things are now, I could never consider them to be great, maybe great $$ makers, but that’s about it.


All these things are just some opinions and thoughts that I’ve had, I’m not trying to criticize and put anyone down, I just think people should share what they think, because if there are changes that need to be made, maybe people discussing it could help shed a light on the path to show the way to the greatest possible city for partying!!! God bless Montreal

My opinion on what would make a promoting company or club great, would be to put the clients ahead of themselves, maybe at times take a risk at losing a bit of $$ if something goes wrong, especially when you consider how much there is out there to be made with a good name for yourself.
Well in the end, until I'm throwing my own parties, or bringing in my own djs, I'm left with only one choice that I can control......... do I go?

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