In light of the tragic events of Sept. 11, tourist destinations everywhere are just a little apprehensive about the possible fallout. Anxious flyers have cancelled vacations and conferences and it remains to be seen whether the winter crowds will regain enough confidence to fill the Whistler hotels, chairlifts, businesses ? and bars.
Among the lights, loud music and liquor, it?s easy to forget that the entertainment establishments may also see a decline in numbers. Traditionally, Whistler pubs and clubs have been packed to capacity seven days a week. Local establishments are still cautiously optimistic about the 2001-02 season. None have initiated any emergency plans, but some admit they?ll be paying extra attention to detail.
The Boot Pub has consistently been bringing in quality live music this summer. Manager, Paul McNaught, says he intends to continue the trend through the winter, which could lend an edge to the out-of-village pub. The first night to be spruced up will be Sunday, a night traditionally reserved for punk bands.
"Large numbers of good punk bands are hard to find, especially right here on the West Coast. So what I?m trying to do is turn Sunday into an alternative rock series, where I have the option to expand. What I?m trying to fulfil is good, good music on Sunday night again," explains McNaught. "Not to say anything bad about the punk bands that have come through. They?ve been awesome. But I?ve run out of numbers. We?re missing that flair."
Goya (Oct. 14) and the triple bill of Sun Like Star, Monochrome and Super Jaded (Oct. 21) will kick off the new project.
The Boot has also struck up a solid relationship with the promotional company Upstream Entertainment, responsible for booking such bands as Sound Tribe Sector 9 and Umphrey?s McGee. Although Upstream has previous connections with the larger and more central venue of the GLC, The Boot will still be privilege to play for many top acts.
"A lot of these bands still love to come to The Boot. The room feels really comfortable because we can pack them in there," adds McNaught.
Regular performances by Das Boot Ballet on Saturday nights are up in the air. McNaught says the Saturday night crowds in the winter are largely American tourists. If the resort experiences a decline in U.S. visitors, hiring strippers for the weekend would be a money-loser. McNaught had already nixed the Saturday Ballet this summer, speculating that the gradual slowing of building in Whistler has meant fewer construction workers at The Boot.
"If I do go to dancers, it won?t be until January. We started that in November last year. The terrorist attack does affect everyone. We sat and discussed it and we?re going to hold off for now," McNaught says.
Garfinkel?s also stepped up its live music standards this summer, and although the popular village venue could normally pack the house without live music in the ski season, expect to see some well-known musicians on its play list this winter.
However, manager Adam Harris says the big names are not an attempt to counteract the possibility of slower business.
"Obviously Sept. 11 has crossed everyone?s mind. It has made me wonder how it will affect our American visitors. They?re a large portion of our tourism here," says Harris. "It?s going to affect us to some degree. We?ve already seen that in the last few weekends with cancellations, especially with conferences. I heard people saying that our numbers have been down, but others are saying that the numbers are already beginning to bump up again. Everyone?s being a little cautious right now, but I think the real test will be the American Thanksgiving when the hill opens."
David Wilcox is the first to be confirmed for Garfinkel?s; he?ll play in early November. Harris is in negotiations with several outstanding MCs and DJs to headline Garf?s continuing hip hop night. The newly-established Live Wire Fridays will also continue through the ski season as will drink specials like Double Up Tuesdays.
"Live music can be very costly, especially with the bigger shows," Harris adds. "Bar wars get ugly. They only hurt everyone in the long run because no one really makes any money. So if there is a lot of competition is town, it?s hard to say what we would do. I?m really hoping for the best for us and the whole resort. I hope we aren?t affected that dramatically that we?re competing for customers and laying off staff."
One of the biggest entertainment/sports events of the winter, the World Ski and Snowboard Festival, shows no signs of balking under the uncertainty. In the past, the festival?s mainstage has housed such acts as Nickelback, Default, Michael Franti and Mix Master Mike. Quality entertainment doesn?t come cheap but the WSSF?s positive reputation should ensure another success.
"The budgets are being okayed. It all depends on sponsorship, but we have a high level of interest right now, especially on the music side of things," confirms producer Kristen Robinson of Resort Communications Group. "What is also unique about the WSSF is that people want to play the gig."
Tommy Africa?s doesn?t have the live music component to worry about. And owner Warren Gabriele doesn?t seem too worried about a few less visitors to the mountains due to the night club?s longstanding local clientele.
"The local following has always been important to us. We?ve always been a local spot. We believe they?re our most important customer actually," says Gabriele.
He is hoping Tommy?s new high tech Web site (tommyafricas.com) and the variety of music offered (jungle to Top 40) will capture the interest of those who do decide to travel before they even hit the resort. In the interim, Gabriele says Tommy?s is going through the "hurry up and wait" syndrome.
"Right now our numbers are about the same as last year. I think that it happened early enough in the year that, when people think about skiing in December and January, I?m crossing my fingers that people will be coming back to Whistler."
