We interviewed owner Terrence Skoreyko about what the businesses plan to offer the community and what changes they’ve seen in the community over the past several months.
“With Pulse we have 2 new residents – DJ Dickey Doo from Vancouver and DJ Malcolm from Montreal. What we’re going to do is in the Arena we’re going to rotate out new DJs from North America as well as the UK. So every week will be a new DJ on the Arena Side. …It’s open to anybody, and that’s our philosophy, there’s no boundaries. We’re an open-door kind of place so anybody is welcome. But with Arena, definitely depending on the events you’ll just get a different following.”
“We’ve already participated with ARGRA and hosted one of their events here already. We’ve approached all the [community groups] and we’re offering an event called Stake Nights, where it’s a combination between the restaurant and the club. It’s a fundraising initiative for groups to come down and sell tickets, get together – it can be whatever they want it to be, if it’s a show, live entertainment, or whatever. …With our Lads and Lashes, our dinner and drag show, a portion of the ticket sales goes to a local charity depending on the season, …so every 2 months we’re going to do a different charity.”
“I think it’s pretty dramatic. In terms of changes, the cosmetic is the huge piece. We’re done one phase and have 3 more to go, so that over the next 6 months will be complete. …We’re going much more main stream with the level that we require with DJs and entertainers. We have a lot of different events in our pocket that we’re going to introduce down the line as well, so a combination of working with community and the restaurants as well. We’re going to be open 5 days a week in Pulse, Wednesday through Sunday. We’ve hired all new people on the bar side as well as the restaurant side, …the concept [of Pulse] is much more Miami/New York club feel than it is your typical Calgary bar. …You’ll hear our name a lot.”
“Part of our Rush Fridays is 2thebeat Records, it’s their night on Fridays so it’s a much straighter crowd. Mixed Media Motion heads our Saturday after-hours. We’re also working with a company called PPM, so…we’re tailoring it so that it’s much more main stream and not so amateur.”
Pulse will celebrate the 23rd anniversary of gay space on a date yet to be determined.
Pulse
318 17th Avenue SW
(403) 244-8537
Pulse
Classification: Dance Club
Typical Crowd: Gay and straight, some nights lesbian.
Average Age: 20-30
Established: 1982
Sq. Footage: ~2500 sq. ft.
Floors: 1 (main)
Approx. Capacity: 400
Consumables: Alcoholic beverages, Food Available
Entertainment: DJs, Drag Shows, Contests, Television
Activities: Dancing, Conversation.
The Arena
Classification: Coffee Shop, Dance Club, Venue
Typical Crowd: Gay and straight, some nights lesbian.
Typical Age Range: 20-30
Established: 1982
Sq. Footage: ~3000 sq. ft.
Floors: 2 (main, upstairs)
Approx. Capacity: 450
Consumables: Alcoholic beverages, Full Food Available
Entertainment: DJs, Contests.
Activities: Dancing, Conversation.
Features: After Hours Nights
The Loading Dock
Classification: Bar
Typical Crowd: Gay.
Typical Age Range:.
Established: 1982
Sq. Footage: ~800 sq. ft
Floors: 3 (lower, main, upper)
Approx. Capacity: 63
Consumables: Alcoholic beverages, Food Available
Entertainment: GayCalgary.com Internet Terminal, Pool Table (1), Touch-screen Games.
Activities: Conversation
