SOUNDS
OF
LOVE
The Sounds of Love dance party series curated by myself alongside Immigrant Muscle (Alex And Ludo) were formed with the aim to strengthen community ties and a focus on multifaceted expression, party aesthetics, and the other fine details of short-lived escapism.
Industry insiders were saying the mid-level club night was “over. This was primarily due to the influx of newly built luxury housing in commercial districts which led to increased noise complaints from local residents, even though last call for many bars and clubs in Toronto is 2AM, unlike in other metro cities like New York where last call is 4AM.
Therefore we were eager to switch to warehouse parties in non-commercial neighbourhoods for people who wanted to part of a wider experience; those who wanted to stay our late and invest in bigger moments.
For a lot of promoters, it’s all about commerce but for us it was all about mixing different groups of people: race, sexuality, and economic class. Sounds Of Love was a pivotal point in our career as event process and promoters because we remained focused of the fundamentals of what makes a great party: an atmosphere which really allowed people to let it all hang out.
EVENT COORDINATION
GRAPHIC DESIGN
VIDEO EDITING
Video Promo For "SOUNDS OF LOVE" For The HOT TRASH Party Outside 500 Keele St. Animation. Titles, And Editing by Andrew Gavin HicksSitting at the bottom of a dead-end street, our first venture took place inside one of the city’s last original warehouses, 7 Fraser Ave located in Liberty Village. With 17’ ft high walls and beautiful glass window panes, the building looked like a wreck on the outside, but was bursting with entrepreneurial vigour inside: a stage lighting company, jewellery maker, plumber, home brewing supplier, masseuse, Pilates studio, two painters, a filmmaker, clockmaker and of course a notorious after-hours hot spot.
Toronto based graphic designer and budding carpentress Maria Andreev was tasked with building a series of furniture set pieces that incorporated generative projection maps, created by Karim Mohamed on their surfaces. Her pieces seamlessly integrated into the space and acted as focal points, providing guests with an additional interactive medium to experience during the event.
At 500 Keele we presented our trashionably late outdoor sequel (above) held in the parking lot of the infamous warehouse party space known for hosting parties and a rotating list of who’s who from the International scene including Randomer, Martyn, Mike Servito Josey Rebellle, Dj Stingray, Kerri Chandler, Antal, Jayda G, Theo Parrish.
For our second New Years eEve party we went all out and rented out the Studio North Toronto Dance Studio which housed Canada’s leading dance company and professional practice space for the dance community. Dubbed as our version of Robert Johnson but decorated with an Atlantis theme.
For our final shebang, a two and half story converted candy manufacturing plant featuring exposed brick walls housed our Valentines Day party. Fittingly titled Heartbreak Hotel as we couldn’t have possibly foreseen this as our last venture together with a Covid-19 lockdown just around the corner.
One Of Our Smaller, Intimate Events Inside
BSMT 254
Video Promo For "SOUNDS OF LOVE" Inside So So Food Club. Animation, Titles, And Editing by Andrew Gavin HicksLEAD COORDINATORS
Andrew Gavin Hicks
Immigrant Muscle
CO-PROMOTIONS
Karla Houser
WeTurnToRed
Lepi Boro
Emissive
Ensoul
Pixie
PRODUCTION DESIGN
Sandra Vukovic
Sienna
Alexis
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Andrew Gavin Hicks
Mustafa Valentinovic
VIDEO EDITING
Andrew Gavin Hicks
ART INSTALLATION
Maria Andreev
Karim Mohamed