Twitter Updates

    follow me on Twitter

    Saturday, November 7, 2009

    30 something crisis... again?

    i-Quote ::
    Most people just get older, and they find parking spaces, honor their credit cards, choose personal preferences in drink, have the nerve to get married and have children, and they call that growing up. That's not. That's getting older. ~ Maya Angelou
    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    What's up?
    It's been a minute since I've felt to sit down and write a long, heartfelt email. This week has been that week however, when my emotions have waxed and waned like the movement of the moon (who says I'm not poetic ~ Editor's Note: Check out my brother Dwayne Morgan at When Brothers Speak next weekend at the St. Lawrence Centre for the performing arts).

    I digress. So it's been a minute since I last wrote a heart to heart email - but this week the pieces just sort of FELL into place as my thoughts, time, circumstance, and coincidence came together.

    I don't know about anyone else, but I'm on an emotional rollercoaster. One day when I wake up, I feel depressed. I think about all of the conversations that I've had lately about friends losing their jobs. I think about my constant disclaimer to everyone that I have serious conversation with "don't let people fool you... no matter how much anyone's making, everyone's catching their a$$ right now". I wonder if it's true, or if it's just media H1N1 like hype (I've decided that I'm not taking it), scaring us all into a state of panic. Either way, I've decided not to take any chances - if all these celebrities can go bankrupt, so can anyone. I've started watching coupons and trying to trim unnecessary Rogers features, turn the heat down a notch and researching high efficiency furnaces (lol)...

    I see homeless people in Scarborough - the suburbs - in record numbers and unlike many, truly wonder what their story is. Is that an engineer? A college graduate who made a mistake and cussed his boss? Did her husband take her children and home? Did a relative pass leaving that person without a home?

    I think about myself, and I wonder if I'm "truly" doing what I was put here to do... I mean, I'm great at it, and I love it, but is it truly "adult"? Is it recession proof? Especially, when Wall Street, Telus, television and radio, and construction aren't? Maybe I should do something else. Maybe I should go back to school?

    2 years, on the first of January, I held something at my house that I stole the concept from my good friend Wayne Warner (yeah... we're friends - now everyone knows Wayne). It was called 30something at 30something (as opposed to 30 at 30, 31 at 31 so I could continue it annually). I invited the, you guessed it "30 something" most influencial people to me getting there. The next year, as I sat to write the list, I revisited the list from the year past and realized that many, if not most of the original 30 were old friends... who, like the experiences that shape an artists first album, equalled my experience from 0-30. So when putting the list together the next year, I thought - damn... this person didn't know my furnace was out for a month last year. That person didn't even know I reinjured my leg. I didn't call this one when I went to Japan, and that one was shocked to see me not driving the civic. My point? I realized that the term "friend" (and again I'm aware that friends don't speak every day) in some of the instances had lost meaning - that I hadn't been a friend to them, or them to me - we were acquaintances who cared, and of convenience in the event that something happened - but not FRIENDS. I cancelled 30something.

    Then there's the flipside. Someone asks "how are you", and I monitor my answer to not say or bring any negativity into my space... "I'm great". And I am. I'm fully aware of the fact that we complain too much. I have a home, strained but existent family relationships, strained but great friendships, and a strained but existent financial situation. But others have worse - and for what I have, I am truly, truly grateful.

    Apart from having a cold, I'm healthy. (Actually, that's a lie. I think I heard my friend Hance say that "upwards of 70% of people live in a state of pain". I would fall into that category where I live with certain and certain pains, as they've become a part of me so much as not to bother me).

    Again. The flipside is, however, that like the Drake lyric, sometimes - some days - I feel "24 hours from greatness... I'm that close". Sometimes, I'm aware - of the impact that my contributions in entertainment, with this newsletter, as a voice in the community (look out for the return of my Black history moment as a full commentary segment on Worldwide soon). Somedays, I feel great. I feel driven to do more. And I feel grateful.

    My thoughts go out to all the families going through health issues - fighting cancer or lupus or any other terrible disease. My thoughts go out to friends who are letting ego get in the way or relationships that are broken by pride and anger and hurt.. And then, like Desiderata, and my mom's favorite song, I think to my self "Its a Wonderful world"... And I need to be more gracious and grateful to be here. Someone else wishes they had what I have... and once again, I need to remind myself to celebrate life and let the little things go...

    Happy birthday to my partner in crime, DJ Starting from Scratch. Happy birthday to my brother, Dr. Jay de Soca Prince (I'll be partying with you at Soca Or Die this Saturday - http://toronto-lime.com/). Happy birthday to Ms. Giona (I'm glad you've found happiness). Happy birthday to one of my greatest motivators and friends, Jully Black (your work ethic & positivity truly inspires me - Black Book in Stores November 23rd).

    Happy birthday to all my Scorpio friends (the most difficult jealous, yet loving sign to deal with...): Nurse Karen, TreyNix, Chantelle Knight, Ayana McLean, Plaeboi (what up East coast), Debra Haughton, A-Game (my condolences little Bros), Taboo, Michee, Romero (what up Montreal), Sarah Lyn, Mona Lady Luck, Jeanelle Igwe, Skinny Ricky, Amol Standout, Gillian Baptiste, Xandi, Solitair, MarXman, Nicole Alexander (was it good to you?), Ayanna Sealey, Kwamster Monster, Roscoe (aka P90X), Thrust, Sir Phillips, Marsha Matthews, Wendy Madevu... I don't generally do this, but there seem to be more Scorpios than any other sign for some reason - and that was only up to this week lol...

    AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.

    I feel better. Back to work. It's funny... with all that said, work wise, I've been very motivated since the Amnesia Anniversary in September... Coming up of course is the Sound>Track Edition of Soul Kitchen with the return of Starting from Scratch and the long awaited return to Vola (formerly known as Blurr).

    Saturday, September 19, 2009

    Amnesia 10 Yr with Bell Biv Devoe, Das Efx & WAY more. Hold on DAS EFX?

    TONIGHT...

    THE BIGGEST ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION WEEKEND EVER CONTINUES...

    IF YOU HAVEN'T HEARD YET, THE FIRST OF MANY ARTISTS AT THIS YEAR'S

    AMNESIA 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY IS

    BELL BIV DEVOE.

    To this, we add a COUPLE more acts...
    1 Hip Hop duo - responsible for a pivotal lyrical style in the 90s (from NYC)

    DAS EFX
    1 R&B/Pop Act - International - nuff said
    1 Hip Hop act - have arguably 3 of the biggest hip hops hits in the 90s
    1 Canadian act - never seen before at Amnesia - TDot stand up.

    ---------------------------

    THE LEGENDARY AMNESIA ANNIVERSARY

    10 YEAR WEEKEND

    MAIN EVENT

    SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 19TH 2009

    Koolhaus - 132 Queens Quay East

    Starting from Scratch x Jason Chambers

    + BELL BIV DEVOE +

    + DAS EFX +

    + surprise performances +

    (past surprises have included...

    Chubb Rock, CeCe Peniston, CL Smooth, Special Ed, Ten City, Maestro, Michee Mee,

    T-Dot All Stars, Shannon, Naughty by Nature, MC Lyte, Greg Nice (of Nice & Smooth), Do Dat, Bag A Trix, Lisa Lisa & the Cult Jam, Dream Warriors et.al over the past 10 years).

    $35 ADVANCED TICKETS MOVING QUICKLY AT

    EAST
    Cut Creator 1 :: 31 Tapscott Rd - Malvern Town Centre :: Scarborough :: 416.754.2030
    WEST
    Big It Up ~ Square One Shopping Centre :: 100 City Centre Drive :: Level 1 :: Mississauga :: 905.803.8407
    CENTRAL
    Big It Up ~ Yorkdale Shopping Centre :: Toronto :: 416.785.3770
    DOWNTOWN
    Big It Up ~ Eaton Centre :: Toronto :: 416.597.6773
    Play de Record :: 357A Yonge St :: 416.586.0380

    THERE WILL BE TICKETS

    AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR FOR $40

    Friday, September 18, 2009

    AMNESIA + BBD + [ACT] + [ACT] + [ACT] = AMNESIA 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY

    Ian Andre Espinet 18 September at 10:44
    BEFORE I BEGIN... There are ONLY $25 TIX AT VAUGHN MILLS BIG IT UP, SHINE BRAMPTON & PLAY DE RECORD DOWNTOWN. All other outlets are at $35.
    Play de Record = 51
    Shine Brampton = 21
    Vaughn Mills Big It Up = 48

    FAQ'S ANSWERED:
    How much is Friday - $9.99 advanced :: $15 door before 12 / $20 after

    How much is Saturday - $35 at all outlets EXCEPT as listed above

    What's the difference between the parties: Friday is a regular Amnesia throwdown with Scratch & Chambers // Saturday is the legendary traditional Amnesia Anniversary PARTY WITH PERFORMANCES (not concert... party with performances).

    Who's performing: I can't tell you, but on Wednesday, we released BBD - BELL BIV DEVOE. Now you know. Yo, Slick, blow (pause lol).

    There are a COUPLE more acts...
    1 Hip Hop duo - responsible for a pivotal lyrical style in the 90s (from NYC)
    1 R&B/Pop Act - International
    1 Hip Hop act - have arguably 3 of the biggest hip hops hits in the 90s
    1 Canadian act - never seen before at Amnesia - TDot stand up.

    ****************

    What's up,

    By now you've probably heard...The first artist at Amnesia 10 year is:
    BELL BIV DEVOE.

    DON'T LISTEN TO RUMOURS. IT'S NOT MONTELL JORDAN (he's cool, but it's not him).

    Many have asked why we released the name as we usually keep it a secret... Well, let's just say this. Think of (or look down at) the number of artists that have been on past Amnesia Anniversary events. Now, to say that BBD is the biggest yet - and enough on their own - would be an understatement. Now glance BACK at the list, and know this... There are MORE in quantity - AND in size - than ANY AMNESIA ANNIVERSARY preceeding this one.

    Some of you trusted us early and bought $20 tickets and got 2 parties. Some of you took some time, bought $25 tickets and got 2 parties. These lucky people are partying free on Friday and are seeing BBD et.al on Saturday for $20 & $25. You're welcome. Thank you for believing.

    Yet others bought $25 tickets late, and came to know that for $25 they will see BBD at Amnesia (which in - and of itself is worth $20), so they're seeing BBD for $5.

    Now. When this round of tickets are complete - (and it wasn't 400 either) - the price will be $35. KNOW THIS. At $35, you are witnessing BBD and a COUPLE of acts that will absolutely BLOW YOUR MIND.

    DO NOT. I repeat. DO NOT second guess this. You will hear about it for the next 5 years (unless you're there, in which case you'll remember it forever).

    Tune into Scratch at 5 on Friday for a last preview. Get your tickets now... THE CITY IS ON FIRE.

    GOVERN YOURSELF ACCORDINGLY. Tell a friend to tell a friend to tell a friend.

    Let's the guessing begin... Any MORE ideas for 10 years ???????????????????????????????????????

    ==========================================
    THE BIGGEST ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION WEEKEND EVER BEGINS...

    WE STILL HAVE A COUPLE (REMEMBER YOUR MOM'S DEF'N OF COUPLE... NOT 2)
    ACTS TO COME...
    BOTH FROM THE R&B AND HIP HOP GENRES
    ---------------------------

    PLEASE NOTE THAT
    *** TONIGHT FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 18TH 2009 HAS MOVED ***
    TO SOUND ACADEMY 2 - 11 Polson Piers
    Starting from Scratch x Jason Chambers
    $9.99 TIX FOR FRIDAY AVAILABLE AT ALL TICKET LOCATIONS
    & AT THE DOOR for $15 before midnight & $20 after.

    *****

    Tomorrow night:
    SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 19TH 2009
    THE AMNESIA ANNIVERSARY MAIN EVENT
    Koolhaus - 132 Queens Quay East
    Starting from Scratch x Jason Chambers
    + surprise performances + BBD

    (past surprises have included...
    Chubb Rock, CeCe Peniston, CL Smooth, Special Ed, Ten City, Maestro, Michee, T-Dot All Stars, Shannon, Naughty by Nature, MC Lyte, Greg Nice (of Nice & Smooth), Do Dat, Bag A Trix, Lisa Lisa & the Cult Jam, Dream Warriors et.al over the past 10 years).


    *****************************
    $35 ADVANCED TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE AT
    EAST
    Cut Creator 1 :: 31 Tapscott Rd - Malvern Town Centre :: Scarborough :: 416.754.2030 - RESTOCKED 13 LEFT - $35S ON HAND
    Cut Creator 2 :: 810 Midland Ave :: Scarborough :: 416.266.1962 - SOLD OUT - WILL NOT BE RESTOCKED
    Modern Edge Hair Design :: 11 Harwood Ave S :: Ajax :: 905.426.6894 - SOLD OUT - RESTOCKING AT 6PM -
    WEST
    Big It Up ~ Square One Shopping Centre :: 100 City Centre Drive :: Level 1 :: Mississauga :: 905.803.8407 - SOLD OUT
    CENTRAL
    Big It Up ~ Yorkdale Shopping Centre :: Toronto :: 416.785.3770 - 16 LEFT
    DOWNTOWN
    Big It Up ~ Eaton Centre :: Toronto :: 416.597.6773 - 35 LEFT

    UPON SELLOUT THERE WILL BE A SMALL NUMBER TICKETS
    AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR.



    THANK YOU FOR 10 YEARS OF MEMORIES, MUSIC, FRIENDSHIP & LOVE

    Yours sincerely,

    Ian Andre Espinet

    per Jason Chambers + DJ Starting from Scratch

    AMNESIA. FOREVER.


    *************************
    DAY OF EVENT INFO :
    EMAIL >> IAN@AMNESIA.CA - TO MY BLACKBERRY.
    *************************

    Tuesday, September 15, 2009

    Amnesia 1st Headliner revealed: Tune into Scratch at 5pm on FLOW 93.5fm & read on.

    The Home of Canada's Leader In Urban Nightlife Entertainment

    :: in this email ::
    4 DAYS UNTIL
    THE BIGGEST ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION WEEKEND.
    EVER.
    The surprise performances are SO big
    and we have so many acts, that
    WE THOUGHT WE'D START THE EXCITEMENT EARLY
    BY LETTING ONE OFF TO GIVE YOU A TASTE.
    YOU. ARE. NOT. READY.
    FRIDAY & SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 18-19TH 2009
    THE LEGENDARY AMNESIA ANNIVERSARY
    10 YEAR WEEKEND
    DJ Starting from Scratch x DJ Jason Chambers
    FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 18TH 2009
    *** HAS MOVED ***
    TO SOUND ACADEMY 2 ***
    Starting from Scratch x Jason Chambers
    $9.99 TIX FOR FRIDAY AVAILABLE AT ALL TICKET LOCATIONS
    & at the door.

    SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 19TH 2009
    Koolhaus - 132 Queens Quay East
    Starting from Scratch x Jason Chambers
    + surprise performances +
    (past surprises have included...
    Chubb Rock, CeCe Peniston, CL Smooth, Special Ed, Ten City, Maestro, Michee
    T-Dot All Stars, Shannon, Naughty by Nature, MC Lyte, Greg Nice (of Nice & Smooth), Do Dat, Bag A Trix, Lisa Lisa & the Cult Jam, Dream Warriors et.al over the past 10 years).
    EARLY BIRD $25 ADVANCED TICKETS FOR SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 18TH
    ARE IN STORES NOW
    EAST
    Cut Creator 1 :: 31 Tapscott Rd - Malvern Town Centre :: Scarborough :: 416.754.2030 - 5 LEFT (RESTOCKING TODAY WITH $25 TICKETS)
    Cut Creator 2 :: 810 Midland Ave :: Scarborough :: 416.266.1962 - 24 LEFT
    Modern Edge Hair Design :: 11 Harwood Ave S :: Ajax :: 905.426.6894 - 35 LEFT
    WEST
    Big It Up ~ Square One Shopping Centre :: 100 City Centre Drive :: Level 1 :: Mississauga :: 905.803.8407 - 43 TICKETS LEFT
    CENTRAL
    Big It Up ~ Yorkdale Shopping Centre :: Toronto :: 416.785.3770 - 16 LEFT
    DOWNTOWN
    Big It Up ~ Eaton Centre :: Toronto :: 416.597.6773 - 35 LEFT
    Play de Record :: 357A Yonge St :: 416.586.0380 - 81 LEFT
    NORTH/BRAMPTON
    Big It Up ~ Vaughan Mills :: Vaughan :: 905.738.4462 - 48 TICKETS LEFT
    Shine Salon :: 50 Sunnyvale Gate :: Brampton :: 905.790.3031 - 45 TICKETS LEFT
    UPON SELLOUT THERE WILL BE A LIMITED NUMBER OF $35.00 TICKETS LEFT
    FOR PART 2 OF THE BIGGEST ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF ALL TIME.
    TICKETS WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR.

    How I feels...
    Be aware of the historical moment that you are about to witness.
    YOU. ARE. NOT. READY.

    :: i-Quote ::
    "Backstage, under age, adolescent
    How ya doin', “Fine,” she replied
    I sighed, “I like to do the wild thing”
    Action took place
    Kinda wet, don't forget
    The J, the I, the M, the M, the Y, y'all
    I need a body bag"


    :: i-Hear ::
    I Thought It Was Me
    :: i-Read ::
    [and I think you should too - my suggested reading]
    www.twitter.com/amnesiaforever ~ for up to the minute amnesia anniversary info
    www.twitter.com/ianandreespinet ~ for everything else

    More Food forThought at my Blog... Click here...
    What's up,
    I said on twitter that I'd release the first Amnesia 10 year anniversary performance artist at 4:45pm. Christmas came early (like that Tic?).
    Starting from Scratch is a bad bad man.
    Jason Chambers is a bad bad man.
    And me? Yeah. A bad bad man.
    For 10 years. 10 years.
    For 10 years, we have provided individually, and as part of a team, some of the most memorable, historical events ever - because we're fans. And we get off on watching you get off. You may have seen us on stage bussing a running man, or singing "All Cried Out", or rapping along to any of the countless hip hop artists that have graced the Amnesia stage.
    For this, our 10 year anniversary celebration - the 10 year anniversary celebration of Toronto's favorite party - the movement known as Amnesia, we proudly present the 1ST - THE FIRST of MANY SPECIAL GUEST PERFORMANCES.
    We generally keep them a secret... although we often slip and leak them cause we can't keep it a secret.
    You've seen MAESTRO FRESH WES & BAG-A-TRIX, GREG NICE [NICE & SMOOTH], MICHEE MEE & MAESTRO FRESH WES, DO DAT DANCE AGENCY, TEN CITY [BYRON STINGLEY] & SPECIAL ED, TDOT ALLSTARS (SAUKRATES, KARDI, CHOCLAIR, RO DOLLA, SOLITAIRE], CECE PENISTON & CL SMOOTH... MC LYTE & CHUBB ROCK with special guests GREG NICE & SPECIAL ED, LISA LISA & THE CULT JAM & DREAM WARRIORS, NAUGHTY BY NATURE & SHANNON.
    It's our 10 year anniversary. And we wanted to do something EPIC. Something that would make you swear.
    We spent months and months hitting our heads against the wall to figure out how we could take your breathe away. And for a while, we couldn't think of anything. For a moment, I THOUGHT IT WAS ME that would be performing at the Amnesia 10 year anniversary. Then out of no where Scratch called and said wouldn't it be DOPE if we just took Amnesia to another level and played ABOVE THE RIM?
    Jason was like, what are you thinking? LET ME KNOW SOMETHING. Scratch was like... it's our 10 year anniversary, let's just finish the city.
    4 days away from history, I proudly announce that the first artist at Amnesia 10 year anniversary is...
    keep scrolling
    isn't this fun?
    the single biggest artist ever to appear at an Amnesia, in terms of historical significance....
    as members of one of the single most - if not, the most successful male groups of all time....
    due to their group success, but their individual success without...
    BOBBY BROWN....
    RALPH TRESVANT....
    or JOHNNY GILL.
    The first special guest for Amnesia 10 year Anniversary is none other than...
    RICKY BELL
    MICHAEL BIVINS
    RONNIE DEVOE
    better known as...
    BELL BIV DEVOE.
    And that's just 1 of the acts. 1 of the R&B acts. I love teasing. Wait til you see our... oh.
    Tune into Scratch at 5 and get hype. Get your tickets now... There are STILL NEARLY 500 $25 tickets citywide - the next set of tickets are $35 and then the event is within SELL OUT RANGE...
    A small number of tickets will be held for the door.
    GOVERN YOURSELF ACCORDINGLY. Tell a friend to tell a friend to tell a friend.
    Let's the guessing begin... Any MORE ideas for 10 years ???????????????????????????????????????



    Until next time,


    I remain,



    Yours sincerely,

    IAN ANDRE ESPINET



    ian andre espinet
    ian andre espinet entertainment +
    black star graphic design & communications
    canada's leading urban graphic design studio. period.
    ian andre espinet 2007


    RE:VISION
    In September 1999, we revolutionized the way you viewed events with Amnesia. Since then, we have listened to you, our patrons and friends, and changed to suit your lifestyle. In the orchestration of our flagship event, Amnesia, we have stayed true to our goals. In the creation of other signature events such as Soul Kitchen, Big People Fete, B-Boy Document, X-Factor, ICON, re:connect, Socaholics, The ONE, Music Cafe etc, we have continued the mission.

    With more than 2/3 of the urban nightlife scene attending Amnesia and/or one of the our signature events in the past 9 years, we continue to prove that success takes more than VISION. It takes RE:VISION. Stay tuned as we hone our online presence - www.amnesia.ca coming soon...

    Get at me dawg...
    Wanna be down? Tired of begging your friends to forward the email to you?
    Hearing about it the next day? Get on.

    <<<>>>

    Thanks for reading...

    p.s. PLEASE REMEMBER THAT FRIDAY HAS MOVED TO SOUND ACADEMY 2 AT THE DOCKS. PASS IT ON.
    p.p.s. Friday tickets are still available for the rollback price of $9.99 at all of our outlets citywide..
    p.p.p.s. $25 Saturday tickets are running short citywide. The next price point is $35 and when that point is reached, the event is within sellout range with a limited number of tix left for the door.
    AMNESIA ANNIVERSARY IS COMING. 9 DAYS.

    p.p.p.p.s. The 2nd guest appearance at Amnesia Anniversary is a HIP HOP ACT from the US, that influenced POP CULTURE...
    p.p.p.p.p.s. They are from the same Empire State that Jay-z & Alicia Keys are from & NOT where Lil Mama was born, but raised. Babybabyugh.
    p.p.p.p.p.p.s. The 2nd special guest is NOT LIL MAMA. And we'll have better security than MTV to make sure that we're not interrupted..
    p.p.p.p.p.p.p.s. MORE HINTS NEXT EMAIL.

    Sunday, September 13, 2009

    EPIC FAIL

    One day, I'll be somewhere and simply buss a huge laugh for no apparent.

    This is the most EPIC FAIL I've seen in AGES. I laugh just thinking about it...

    Monday, August 24, 2009

    AMNESIA ANNOUNCES 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS

    THE LEGENDARY “AMNESIA” TORONTO OLD SCHOOL EVENT
    ANNOUNCES 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

    August 21st 2009 – Toronto, Canada – Amnesia, one of Toronto’s most beloved monthly music events, will celebrate 10 years during a 3 day celebration, September 18-20th 2009.

    In 1999, a chance conversation amongst friends unearthed the fact that the Toronto Urban entertainment scene lacked substance and failed to play music if it wasn’t new music. In fact, certain musical genres were found neglected and omitted – almost as though DJs and patrons had musical memory loss. In response, “AMNESIA”, a monthly old school event was born - with a mandate to play Classic House and Old School, and has grown to encompass other “forgotten genres” such as New Jack Swing (90s R&B), True School Hip Hop, Classic Slow Jams, and Retro including 70s and 80s television themes packaged as “Scratch’s #onky #its.

    The Amnesia team consists of 3 members, the award winning and number one club/radio DJ in the country, DJ Starting from Scratch, and underground legend, Jason Chambers of the Attitude Sound crew (both of whom play mixed shows on Flow 93.5fm), and Canada's top Urban promoter, Ian Andre Espinet.

    Since it’s humble beginnings in Toronto’s Granite Lounge, where it played host to a 150 friends, Amnesia has grown to average 600 patrons monthly, and has gone on to produce over 115 unique events including boat cruises, roller skating all-nighters, old school dress up events and Pajama Jammy Jams - in the process playing host to tens of thousands of patrons in dozens of venues, while often collecting food for those less fortunate.

    Its euphoric music selection, theme based and costume parties, have garnered the event legendary status with music enthusiasts nationwide, becoming the focus of print and internet articles and even the backdrop for Much Music’s urban programming - appearing in episodes of RapCity and MuchVibe.

    A major catalyst in the phenomenal resurgence of old school and retro nationwide, Amnesia celebrated its 7 year anniversary in 2006 with yet another milestone, as the Amnesia team became the first ever EVENT to sign to a major recording label deal in Canada. In September 2006, Universal Music Canada rewarded the trio’s hard work with the release of “Amnesia: Thee Old School Album” (nationwide at HMV, Music World, Sunrise location). Boasting over 70 minutes of Old School mixed by Canada's top duo - Starting from Scratch and Jason Chambers of the Attitude Sound Crew, the album was a runaway success taking retail by surprise, selling well despite the industry climate at the time.

    The event has also played host to old school musical legends at Amnesia's Annual Anniversary with surprise guest performances for the last 9 years. 2009’s surprise guest performances by pop icon Shannon (“Let the Music Play”), and hip hop anthem kings, Naughty By Nature took place before yet another sold out crowd at Toronto's Koolhaus.

    Past surprise anniversary guests have included hip hop icons MC Lyte, Special Ed, Greg Nice, CL Smooth, and Chubb Rock, house and dance acts Ten City (featuring Byron Stingly), CeCe Peniston, Lisa Lisa and the Cult Jam and Canadian mainstays Maestro Fresh Wes, Michee Mee, Dream Warriors and the “T-Dot All-Stars” featuring Kardinal Offishall, Saukrates, Choclair, Ro Dolla and Solitair as well as dance crews Bag-A-Trix and Do Dat Dance Agency.

    ###
    Press/Media Contact :: press@amnesia.ca
    Event Info: www.amnesia.ca /
    www.amnesiaforever.com coming soon.


    =========================================

    ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

    AMNESIA ANNIVERSARY CHRONOLOGY

    1 & 2 YEAR ANNIVERSARIES AT THE LEGENDARY KAJMERE NIGHTCLUB
    DJ STARTING FROM SCRATCH & JASON CHAMBERS OF ATTITUDE SOUNDCREW

    3 YEAR: THE LEGENDARY PARTY CENTRE (IT NIGHTCLUB)
    SURPRISE GUEST PERFORMANCES BY:
    MAESTRO FRESH WES & BAG-A-TRIX

    4 YEAR: KOOLHAUS
    SURPRISE GUEST PERFORMANCES BY:
    GREG NICE [NICE & SMOOTH]
    MICHEE MEE & MAESTRO FRESH WES
    DO DAT DANCE AGENCY

    5 YEAR: KOOLHAUS
    SURPRISE GUEST PERFORMANCES BY:
    TEN CITY [BYRON STINGLEY]
    SPECIAL ED
    TDOT ALLSTARS
    (SAUKRATES, KARDI, CHOCLAIR, RO DOLLA, SOLITAIRE]

    6 YEAR: KOOLHAUS
    SURPRISE GUEST PERFORMANCES BY:
    CECE PENISTON & CL SMOOTH...

    7 YEAR: KOOLHAUS
    SURPRISE GUEST PERFORMANCES BY:
    MC LYTE & CHUBB ROCK
    with special guests GREG NICE & SPECIAL ED

    8 YEAR: KOOLHAUS
    LISA LISA & THE CULT JAM
    DREAM WARRIORS

    9 YEAR: KOOLHAUS
    NAUGHTY BY NATURE
    SHANNON

    LET THE ANTICIPATION BEGIN FOR AN ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
    SO BIG, IT WAS 10 YEARS IN THE MAKING.

    AMNESIA.

    10

    Special guests. Live performances. Mind-blowing music.
    Prepare.

    =========================================

    DJ STARTING FROM SCRATCH

    Canada's foremost urban club and radio DJ. He can be heard daily on Toronto's Flow 93.5 fm during afternoon & evening drives and throughout the country at club & concert engagements weekly. DJ Starting from Scratch, FLOW 93.5 FM's mix show magician, has been pleasing club crowds across the country for about 12 years and overseas from Greece, Antigua, Grenada, Barbados, Cancun, Acapulco, Germany, Cuba, St.Kitts & much, much more.

    ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
    • NOW Magazine's Best of Toronto Hip Hop DJ 2008
    • Official Tour DJ for Usher
    • Official Tour DJ for comedian Russell Peters
    • Canadian Urban Music Award for DJ of the year 2002,2003,2004 & 2005
    • Voted T.O.'s #1 DJ in Now Magazine's "Best Of Toronto" edition
    • Winner of Toronto Night Club Awards "DJ of the Year 2004 & 2005"
    • Winner of Toronto Bartender?s Ball Award for "Best Urban DJ for 2004"
    • Named "Greatest Of All Time" by Flavor Pool (Nov/2005)
    • Toronto Record Pool award for "DJ of the Decade - 90s"
    • Featured in Source Magazine
    • Featured in Vibe Magazine's Anniversary Edition, as one of the "100 Most
    Influential People in the Music Industry"
    • Voted "DJ Of The Year 2004" in Eye Magazine's "Reader's Poll"
    • Four time Toronto Record Pool award for "DJ of the Year"
    • Lifetime Achievement Award as voted by the Toronto Record Industry
    • Canadian Rep (& only Canadian member) of DJ Whoo Kid's "Shadyville DJ's”
    • Official member of Clinton Sparks' "Smash Squad" DJ Crew
    • Appeared in the movie "Honey" with Jessica Alba
    • Awarded Gold and Platinum Records from Virgin, BMG and Universal
    • 2006 Stylus Canadian Club DJ of the Year
    • 2006 Stylus Toronto DJ of the Year
    • 2006 Stylus Radio Mixshow DJ of the Year
    • Winner of Toronto Night Club Awards "Best Local (Toronto) DJ"
    • Official DJ for SONY BMG Recording artist Keisha Chante

    =========================================

    JASON CHAMBERS

    DJ Jason Chambers of the Attitude Soundcrew is one of Canada's foremost talents and a fixture of the Canadian Urban music scene. In Toronto, he maintains a dj schedule formittable to any schedule or planner, balancing roles on his daily "Midday Mix" show on Flow 93.5 and in the city's hottest and largest clubs. Today, his vast musical tastes, creative selections and original, on-the-fly live remixing continue to make him a crowd favorite from coast to coast, headlining events in Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Montreal, continually propelling his name toward international celebrity dj status.

    In the early stages of his career, he built a name via his now-legendary Attitude Sound Crew Mixtape series, which garnered fans across Canada and the US, and by wowing crowds of tens of thousands as the official DJ for the NBA's Toronto Raptors. In addition, he has shared the stage with musical icons such as Run DMC, CeCe Peniston, Lisa Lisa, Naughty by Nature, Nice & Smooth, Special Ed, Chubb Rock, Michee Mee, Maestro Fresh Wes and MC Lyte as well as DJ's Jazzy Jeff, D.J. A.M., Funkmaster Flex.

    In 1999, Jason, alongside partners Ian Andre Espinet and DJ Starting from Scratch, co-founded "Amnesia", a legendary old school monthly event which has been credited as the blueprint for both events and the resurgence of old school music nationally. In 2006, his contributions were acknowledged as "Amnesia" became the first ever event to sign to a major Canadian recording deal. Jason comixed/produced the critically acclaimed "Amnesia: Back in the Day" compilation, released by Universal Music later that year taking retail by storm and selling out nationally.

    His hard work has also taken the notice of his peers, as evident in his numerous nominations for Toronto Club DJ of the Year and Radio Mixshow DJ of the year at the Stylus Awards.
    For Jason, whom many of the world's top dj's site as one of their favorites, the future is as bright as his love of music.

    =========================================

    IAN ANDRE ESPINET

    Ian Andre Espinet Entertainment is a young dynamic company with a mandate to provide quality, theme oriented entertainment to the Urban community. Now in its 9th year, the company has grown into Toronto’s leading nightclub and promotions entity. As such, it has produced/co-produced hundreds of events, playing host to tens of thousands of patrons and numerous celebrities from the GTA, the United States and worldwide during events such as the annual Caribana festivities.

    Ian Andre Espinet began his journey in the Urban entertainment scene as founder of Black Star Graphic Design & Communications, Canada's Leading Urban Graphic Design Studio, and brings a 12 year proven marketing track record to the Urban entertainment scene. In such capacity, he has worked for virtually every significant promotional entity, DJ, community organization and event planner in Toronto, as well as many from across Canada and throughout the States.

    In 1999, he partnered with the country’s number one urban club and radio D.J., DJ Starting from Scratch and underground sensation, Jason Chambers.. They decided that the Urban entertainment scene in Toronto was lacking something - substance. Consequently, they created Amnesia, a monthly old school event, which celebrated its 9th year anniversary last September with Hip Hop icons Naughty by Nature & 80s pop artist Shannon, at the Koolhaus.

    Due to its euphoric music selection, theme based and costume parties, roller skating events, pajama jams, boat cruises and the such, 9 plus years later, Amnesia has achieved near legendary status to music enthusiasts nationwide, becoming the focus of print and internet articles and even the backdrop for Much Music’s urban programming.

    This however, was only the beginning. Since then, the company has gone on to enter all facets of nightlife entertainment - weekly, long weekend, special events, and even niche areas such as the emerging Soca/Calypso market. The promotional company is now among the premier groups in the urban market servicing nightclub patrons of the market in the 19-35 demographic. Event brands include but are not limited to: Soul Kitchen, ICON, Big People Fete, GroovEssentials, B-Boy Document, THE ONE, re:connect, A Rollerskating Jam Named Saturdays.

    Whether involved as a team member, individually, or in a combined role, Ian Andre Espinet has been involved in some capacity in many of the major successful club events presented in the Urban market over the past 9 years in the city’s most beautiful clubs.

    1 & 2 YEAR ANNIVERSARIES AT THE LEGENDARY KAJMERE NIGHTCLUB 3. MAESTRO FRESH WES + BAG-A-TRIX
    4. GREG NICE [NICE & SMOOTH] + MICHEE MEE with return guest MAESTRO + DO DAT DANCE AGENCY
    5. TEN CITY [BYRON STINGLEY] + SPECIAL ED + TDOT ALLSTARS feat. SAUKRATES, KARDI, CHOCLAIR, RO DOLLA, SOLITAIRE
    6. CECE PENISTON + CL SMOOTH 7. MC LYTE & CHUBB ROCK with return guests GREG NICE & SPECIAL ED
    8. LISA LISA & THE CULT JAM + DREAM WARRIORS 9. NAUGHTY BY NATURE & SHANNON

    10 YEARS...?????
    Let the Anticipation begin...
    $25 tickets go on sale Saturday August 29th 2009...

    Stay tuned for the Amnesia Rollback event before the 29th...