The Mars Bar

[Bryen]

The Mars Bar
Press Release

Media Contact:
Bryen Dunn, Promoter
416 761 1673
[email protected]
www.themarsbar.com

Release Date: April 01, 2004

The mars Bar is set to launch on Saturday April 24th at the historic Gladstone Hotel ballroom. This monthly musical extravaganza happens the last Saturday of every month and “aims to provide an alternative for music, lifestyle, and inspiration”, according to local promoter Bryen Dunn.

Dunn has teamed up with music mastermind, David Marsden, who is best known for his role as Program Director at the infamous radio station CFNY, during the 1980’s. Marsden lead an unknown team of personalities through what many listeners called the greatest radio programming ever. He was recently inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, in Cleveland. “The honour was surely one of the most exciting I’ve ever had”, recalls Marsden.

The evening focuses on the music that mattered during the 80’s. This is not another retro night, but a night of enlightenment. For those seeking the “original alternative”, this is the place to hear the obscure and the classics. Although 80’s is the background, there’s also the chance to hear new tunes rarely heard on the radio or in the clubs. This is something special – a place to hang out, dance, hear some good tunes, or play some pool.

The Gladstone Hotel, opened in 1890, provides the perfect ambience for one to gather and soak up the history of this famous Toronto landmark. The brick walls make for great acoustics and the large bay windows provide an open air concept within the intimate 200 capacity Ballroom.

Special events are planned throughout the summer, ranging from performance artists and art exhibitions, to video presentations and guest DJ’s.

As Dunn points out, “this is a place to call home once a month. Arrive with your friends or come and meet new ones. It’s a house party without having to clean up the mess the next morning”.

The Details: Every last Saturday of the month, beginning April 24th at 9:00 P.M. with a $5.00 early admission charge. Location: The Gladstone Hotel Ballroom, 1214 Queen Street West. Phone: 416 531 4635. Both Bryen and David are available for interviews.

The Gladstone Hotel
Press Release

Media Contact:
Bryen Dunn, Promoter
416 761 1673
[email protected]
www.themarsbar.com

Release Date: April 01, 2004

Queen and Dufferin? What was once a questionable area of the city has recently been transformed into the place to be for those seeking an alternative to the downtown scene.

The Gladstone Hotel proudly stands above its neighbours on the north-east corner. Its reputation has had some proud moments and some not so memorable times. Opened in 1890 as a railroad hotel serving Parkdale Station, it has the distinction of being the oldest continuously operating hotel in Toronto.

A brief history of the hotel details how the “Richardsonian Romanesque” style hotel was designed by Toronto architect George M. Miller, and named after British Prime Minister William E. Gladstone. This 60 room hotel was restored by the Appleby family in 1989 in memory of their late father.

Now under new ownership of the 401 Richmond collective, the hotel is fast becoming a haven for artists and performers to showcase their work. The Gladstone Hotel is actually comprised of three different bars: The Melody Bar, The Art Bar, and The Ballroom. Continuous renovations are quickly showing a noticeable improvement at all levels.

The owners and management are committed to a gradual revival of this beauty, while maintaining the charm and character of the past. The crowd is diverse as the events that take place on a weekly basis. Long time residents mingle among the trendy set.

Next time you are seeking an evening adventure, why not head on over to The Gladstone Hotel? Check out their event listings at www.gladstonehotel.com, or in the local papers. Before entering, take a look up and marvel at the three storey steeple and its façade adorned with lions and dragons from the days of yore.

The mars Bar is set to launch on Saturday April 24th at the historic Gladstone Hotel ballroom. The evening focuses on the music that mattered during the 80’s. This is not another retro night, but a night of enlightenment. For those seeking the “original alternative”, this is the place to hear the obscure and the classics. Although 80’s is the background, there’s also the chance to hear new tunes rarely heard on the radio or in the clubs. This is something special – a place to hang out, dance, hear some good tunes, or play some pool.

Retro Rewind
Press Release

Media Contact:
Bryen Dunn, Promoter
416 761 1673
[email protected]
www.themarsbar.com

Release Date: April 01, 2004

Retro is one of those overused words that have almost taken on a sort of brand identity. Anything from any past era can be coined as retro. In fact, in the fast paced new millennium what you did yesterday or wore last week could in actuality be considered retro. One medium where the term retro has been frequently used is to identify a particular period of music. No where is this more prevalent than with the 1980’s.

The punk movement of the late 70’s quietly morphed into either guitar driven alternative bands or synthesized new wave collaborators. Radio stations completely ignored anything with a resemblance to punk music. However, the 80’s brought about a “softer” approach to new music, and listeners were now being exposed to a variety of one hit wonders that were competing for air space against 70’s stalwarts Foreigner and Journey.

Bands with quirky names such as Spandau Ballet and KajaGooGoo were making the play lists of most top 40 radio stations. Meanwhile, out in the bedroom community of Brampton, an individual had the foresight and determination to go against the mainstream. In 1977, David Marsden left his position at CHUM-FM and took hold of a 6-month old radio station located in a house on Highway 10.

From this humble beginning, CFNY was born. Marsden and his team moved into uncharted radio waters, quite literally. There were no play lists and the music that was played certainly wasn’t top 40. Fans, as CFNY listeners certainly were, had been exposed to the underground sounds from Canada, United States and Europe. Soon, a following ensued and converts were being transformed. Marsden lead an unknown team of personalities through what many listeners called the greatest radio programming ever.

Now, local promoter Bryen Dunn has teamed up with mastermind Marsden to launch a monthly musical extravaganza. The evening focuses on the music that mattered during the 80’s. This is not another retro night, but a night of enlightenment. For those seeking the “original alternative”, this is the place to hear the obscure and the classics. Although 80’s is the background, there’s also the chance to hear new tunes rarely heard on the radio or in the clubs. This is something special – a place to hang out, dance, hear some good tunes, or play some pool. The mars Bar is set to launch on Saturday April 24th at the historic Gladstone Hotel ballroom on Queen Street West in Toronto. This monthly event continues the last Saturday of every month there after.