Sheezer performing at Lee’s Palace in Toronto (Brady Knight/The Quill)
Student delegates from university newspapers across Canada were welcomed to an all-out dance party in downtown Toronto on Thursday, January 10th.
The event, part of Canadian University Press’s 75th National Conference, was coordinated in combination with the Young Lions Music Club. Students, volunteers, and speakers were gathered at Lee’s Palace, a live alternative/rock club on Bloor Street West. The event was headlined by Rivers Cuomo-approved, all-girl Weezer cover band Sheezer, with an opening DJ set by the Rural Alberta Advantage and local favourites Summer Fling DJs.
The night began on a slower pace as the Summer Fling DJs started their set with a leisurely mix of folk rock over hip-hop beats. After a while, a transition was made into bubbly dance music to the crowd’s delight as they steadily filled the dance floor. At that point, the Rural Alberta Advantage also took the stage to entertain the throng of attendees. The building was booming with bass which grew louder with the excitement of the crowd. The energy from the audience roared into the night with much anticipation for the main event.
Sheezer took the stage at midnight. The musical act was comprised of four of the five regular band members, and was welcomed on stage with thunderous applause. Sheezer charmed the crowd with covers of mid 1990’s hits from Weezer’s albums Weezer and Pinkerton, released in 1994 and 1996 respectively. Some of the various songs included “Buddy Holly” and “Undone – The Sweater Song.”
A large mosh pit covered the half of the dance floor adjacent to the stage. Dozens of young adults pushed and shoved in a joyous rhythm drunk from the festive atmosphere and, of course, a healthy amount of alcohol. Several brave young adults hopped onto the edge of the stage before placing their trust into hands of their fellow attendees as they fell blindly into the swarm of people below.
After their one-hour set was completed, the band came back onto the stage for an encore. The crowd dispersed at ten after one in the morning. The Summer Fling DJs returned to the stage and many attendees continued to socialize in the club until its close at half after two.
Republished from The Quill print edition, Volume 103, Issue 17, January 15, 2013.