by JACK OATMON

In the weeks leading up to the enactment of the smoking ban, I was involved in the filming of a documentary chronicling public opinion about this somewhat divisive issue. For the record, we found perhaps three individuals who were against the ban, while the vast majority of those interviewed, all of whom were smokers, were in support of the ban.

Since May 31, I’ve been keenly observing both debate about the ban and the actual effects it’s had on the discotheque experience. It’s tough for me to tell what changed with attendance or sales, because I’m not yet convinced of the statistics I’ve read, and because the change of seasons from spring to summer is naturally going change these things anyway.

There is, however, an obvious increase in the number of people that hang out in front of bars: on the stoop, in the strip, talkin’ trash, schmoozing and cajoling passersby. In fact, chillin’-out-front business is booming, with major stock spikes in both the smoke-mooching and stranger-smooching industries. Excuses to escape lame parties and snub people are at an all-time high, and figuring out which bars are full has never been easier. Unscrupulous doormen will never again be able to trick us with tall tales of big parties behind the tinted doors.

Call me a stick in the mud, but I kinda like this ban. Whatever view you decide to have on it, try to focus on the positive points of our situation, rather than getting sweaty under the cuffs about details. Anyway, at least wait until the middle of some ice storm to complain.

In Montreal’s continuing struggle to include the prefix “electro” to as many titles as possible, there are two worthy events in the works for the weekend. The eighth edition of Electro-Chic is happening at the SAT on Friday, Aug. 11. On the bill are a live set from Alice and the Serial Numbers, plus Naughty Mart, OSG and Omni. On the following night at Club Soda, Encre Noir, Dandi Wind, Many Mental

Mistakes and Frigid, who made my weekend with his rendition of “Search and Destroy” at Sex Garage, present you with Electroblues. Okay, what’s next: Electroclassical? I heard DFA’s got a crazy new Bach remix coming out.

While writing this, I’ve been bobbing and grooving in my seat to a slick mix of jazzy, ever-so-slightly-minimal, four-on-the-floor house music by Detroit’s Chuck Daniels. He’ll be at Stereobar this Saturday, Aug. 12, with Eloi Brunelle.

FOR THOSE WHO LIKE TO DANCE… jack.oatmon@gmail.com

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