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IAN ANDRE ESPINET
ENTERTAINMENT: AN OVERVIEW
Ian Andre Espinet Entertainment is a young dynamic company with a
mandate to provide quality, theme oriented and safe entertainment to the
Urban community. Now in its 9th year, the company has grown into
Canada's leading urban nightclub and promotions entity. As such, it has
produced or co-produced hundreds of events, playing host to tens of
thousands of patrons and numerous celebrities from the GTA, the United
States and worldwide during events such as the annual Caribana [TM]
festivities.
Ian Andre Espinet began his journey in the Urban entertainment scene as
founder of Black Star Graphic Design and Communications, Canada's Leading
Urban Graphic Design Studio, and brings more than a 10 year proven marketing
track record to the Urban entertainment scene. He has worked for virtually
every significant promotional entity, DJ, community organization and event
planner in Toronto, as well as many from across Canada and throughout the
States.
HUMBLE BEGINNINGS ~
AMNESIA
In 1999, he partnered with the country's number one urban club and radio DJ,
Mark G, better known as DJ Starting from Scratch and underground
sensation, Jason Chambers of the Attitude Soundcrew. They decided
that the Urban entertainment scene in Toronto was lacking something -
substance.
The inaugural Amnesia event
took place in September 1999 in response to the fact that the club scene in
Toronto failed to play music outside of the parameters of that which was
current. As such, certain musical genres were found neglected – almost as
though DJs and patrons had AMNESIA. Armed with musical knowledge, Amnesia
began with a mandate to play Classic House and Old School, and today has
grown to encompass New Jack Swing, Classic Slow Jams, and Retro which
including 70s and 80s television themes packaged as Scratch’s Honky Hits.
Since it’s humble beginnings in Toronto’s Granite Lounge, where it played
host to a hundred and fifty friends Amnesia has gone on to produce over 100
unique events including boat cruises, roller skating all-nighters, old
school dress up events and Pajama Jammy Jams - in the process playing host
to over 100,000 patrons in dozens of venues, while often collecting food for
the homeless.
Attaining legendary status
and creating a phenomenonal resurgence of old school and retro nationwide,
Amnesia celebrated its 8 year anniversary in September 2007 with a
surprise guest performance by Canadian old school hip hop act The Dream
Warriors, and the iconic 80's group Lisa Lisa and the Cult Jam
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, and Canadian mainstays
Maestro Fresh Wes, Michee Mee, and the T-Dot All-Stars featuring
Kardinal Offishall, Saukrates, Choclair, Ro Dolla and Solitair as well
as dance crews Bag-A-Trix and DoDat Dance Agency. Due to its
euphoric music selection, theme based and costume parties, roller skating
events, pajama jams, boat cruises and the such, almost 9 years after it's
inception, Amnesia has achieved near legendary status to 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.
2005 marked 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, they would
release of Amnesia: The Old School Album (IN STORES NATIONWIDE at
HMV, Music World, Sunrise) on Universal Records. Boasting over 70 minutes of
Old School mixed by Canada's top DJs - Starting from Scratch and Attitude
Sound Crew, the album was a runaway success taking retail by surprise.
This however, was simply the beginning. Since then, Ian Andre Espinet
Entertainment has gone on to enter all facets of nightlife entertainment -
weekly, long weekend, special events, and even niche areas such as the
emerging Soca/Calypso market. In 2006, the company added concerts to its
already massive roster of events.
Whether involved as a team member, individually, or in a combined role, Ian
Andre Espinet has been involved in some capacity in many of the major
successful club events presented in the Urban market over the past 9 years
in the city's most beautiful clubs.
AT A GLANCE:
Founded in September 1999, IAN ANDRE ESPINET ENTERTAINMENT has grown into
Toronto's leading and most trusted name in Urban nightclub and special event
promotions servicing nightclub patrons in the 19-35 age demographic.
In the process, the company has produced over 400 unique nightclub events
for specific age and musical demographics.
These events include the now legendary Amnesia Old School party;
weekly parties such as Trilogy (a 2 year running Saturday night
weekly at Toronto's Kajmere nightclub), "Soulful Fridays" at
Lucid (One of Canada's largest ; Long Weekend parties such as
X-Factor and ICON; monthly events such as Soul Kitchen, and niche
market events such as Big People Fete and B-Boy Document in the
emerging soca/calypso and hip hop markets respectively...
LIVE SHOWS:
The company has played host to R&B/Soul Icons, Hip Hop Icons Amnesia's Annual
Anniversary has boasted surprise guest performances for 5 years
including:
Soul Kitchen:
Dwele ~ Full 8 Piece Band [3 Year Anniversary ~ Dec. 2006 ~ Level
Nightclub]
Jon B. ~ Acoustic Set - 3 piece band (2007 - Docks)
Ray Robinson (2007 Boat Cruise)
Glenn Lewis ~ Full 8 Piece Band [4 Year Anniversary ~ Dec. 2007 ~
Tonic Nightclub]
B-Boy Document:
Boot Camp Clique featuring Buckshot [Blackmoon] and Smif and Wessun ~
The Berkeley Church
Slum Village [Baatin & T3] with full band ~ Tonic Nightclub
The 2007 Stylus DJ Awards 3 Turntable showcase with special guest
performance by Greg Nice
Amnesia:
Maestro Fresh Wes & Bag-A-Trix ~ 3 Year Anniversary: The Legendary
Party Centre ~ Sept. 2002
Greg Nice [Nice & Smooth], Michee Mee, Maestro, Do Dat Dance Troup ~
4 Yr Anniversary: Koolhaus ~ Sept. 2003
Ten City [feat. Byron Stingley], Special Ed, Tdot Allstars (Saukrates,
Kardi, Choclair, Ro, Solitaire] ~ 5 Yr Anniversary: Koolhaus ~ Sept.
2004
Cece Peniston, Cl Smooth [Pete Rock & CL Smooth] ~ 6 Year
Anniversary: Koolhaus Entertainment Complex ~ Sept. 2005
MC Lyte, Chubb Rock, Special Ed, Greg Nice ~ 7 Year Anniversary:
Koolhaus Entertainment Complex ~ Sept. 2006
Dream Warriors, Lisa Lisa and the Cult Jam ~ 8 Year Anniversary:
Koolhaus Entertainment Complex ~ Sept. 2007
Big People Fete:
Scrunter
Johnny King
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