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Toronto has sadly been losing music venues over the past few years \u2014 so when a new one not only opens but thrives, we need to celebrate that! Ground Control<\/a>, Queen West\u2019s David Bowie-inspired video dance bar, is coming up on its two-year anniversary, and to honour the occasion, they\u2019ll be hosting a new wave retro party.<\/p>\n The independent music venue has clearly filled a niche in the Toronto music scene \u2014 it\u2019s currently Canada\u2019s only music video dance bar. The club features six high-end video projectors strategically placed in both the back and front rooms, synchronizing video playback with live music performances. <\/span>Since opening, the venue has also hosted countless themed events, from goth bingo night and alternative clothing swaps to Halloween parties.<\/p>\n Two years later, they\u2019re celebrating their success as the city\u2019s newest and coolest music venue the way they know best: with an \u201980s\/\u201990s video dance party with a Bowie spotlight. That means around 12 David Bowie songs will be sprinkled throughout the retro mix, as well as the debut of new Bowie artwork by Playdead Cult and the Bowie Magazine wall with over 50 authentic magazines with Bowie on the cover.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The dance party begins at 10 p.m., but if you arrive between 8\u201310 p.m., you\u2019ll get to enjoy a live Bowie tribute band performance.<\/p>\n The retro music mix promises plenty of new wave, post-punk, classic alternatives, synth pioneers, britpop, shoegaze, madchester, new romantic, classic industrial, ska and more.<\/span><\/p>\n When Ground Control launched in 2023, it was on the heels of multiple small music venue closures<\/a> (including The Beaver, The Orbit Room, The Hideout) \u2014 the places where emerging local artists cut their teeth and found new fans. A few more longtime music venues have since closed, including The Velvet Underground and The Dakota Tavern<\/a>. The pandemic and rising commercial rent and operational costs have all made operating a small venue even more challenging in Toronto, so we\u2019re delighted to see the city\u2019s newest addition thriving and celebrating such an amazing milestone.<\/p>\n