The legendary “AMNESIA” anounces 10 year anniversary celebration

August 21st 2009 – Toronto, Canada – Amnesia, one of Toronto’s most beloved monthly music events, will celebrate 10 years during, 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.

GET INSTANT NEWS... subscribe to www.Toronto-Lime.com/feed.rss