If you live or have lived in the West Island for the past twelve years, you are no stranger to the noise that takes place in the night.
The charity event, which traditionally raises funds to help local organizations – is also an opportunity for local restaurants to showcase their wares. Depending on how much you wish to spend, food and drink from practically all corners of the globe provide a backdrop to the live entertainment. Eighty restaurants delight the diners as local celebrities pass with twinkles in their eyes.
Founder Larry Day started the event in the parking lot of his club The Firm. The Boogie Wonder Band was the first band to dance the night into what is now history. As the event grew and the crowds and bands became larger, a move to Fairview Pointe Claire took place. The shopping center parking lot became the temporary home away from home for the likes of The Pointer Sisters, Randy Bachman, Blue Rodeo and April Wine among many more. Great bands and performances yet nothing compared to Day’s bucket list band in what may turn out as a farewell to Fairview.
In 2017 Styx was ‘in the house’ and as Styx keyboardist Lawrence Gowan pointed out from the stage; ‘it was the most fun most have ever had in a parking lot since high school and the back seat of a car’. Styx drew the largest and noisiest crowd to date.
Starting this year, a new page has been turned with Gowan’s words the closing script as Strangers in the Night will be in a new home this coming August.
Due to land expropriation at Fairview Pointe Claire for the Light Rail Project, Strangers in the Night will be held at the Borough Hall, 13665 Pierrefond Blvd. The date is August 25th and ‘the show’ will start at 8pm.
The Miriam Foundation, Lymphoma Canada and the West Island Women’s Shelter will be the charities who benefit from the arrival of a bouncing ‘not really a baby’ boy.
Boy George that is and unless you lived solely under a Rock n Roll rock since 1980 – George and his Culture Club are in your ears every once in a while.
Do You Really Want to Hurt Me, Karma Chameleon and The Crying Game were staples of the video age eighties and chances are – Boy George’s effeminate image is etched in your memory if the songs are not. Culture Club set the bar high for drag queens to ‘come out’ by the millions? To dance the night away.
Rick Keene Music Scene 