LAMPLIGHTER TO GO DARK
In the ever-shifting world that is Vancouver's live-music scene, the next venue to disappear will be the Lamplighter. The Gastown bar and its parent hotel, the Dominion, have been sold, and new management will be installed at the club within the week. The Lamplighter's outgoing booking agent, David Rogers, told the Straight that he has had no direct contact with the new owners, but he said that their lawyers instructed him to cancel all shows scheduled after the end of this month.

"On August 16 they will be here on hand to take over and do what they will," Rogers said. "That's when the official trade of power happens with the old management and new management. All my shows that I've booked from September 1 on have been cancelled. And even though they haven't said outright that they're closing the club, it's basically like they are, because they've asked me to cancel everything, and all the bar staff is out of work. Sixty shows got cancelled.…It's pretty obvious that they will close it as of September 1."

Because of the uncertainty about the bar's future, Rogers is encouraging acts with shows booked at the Lamplighter for the remainder of August to move their gigs elsewhere. "You remember what happened with the Buffalo Club–they just closed the day of. And I don't know these guys, but it is possible they could do that if they want, because as of August 16, they have control. So, just to be safe–because I've made connections with people–I'm just saying, 'If you can move it, do it. If you can't, cross your fingers and hold your breath.'"

The Straight phoned the Dominion Hotel and left a message for the new owners, but the call had not been returned by this column's deadline.

For a complete list of events scheduled at the Lamplighter through August 31, see www.myspace.com/thelamplighter .

> John Lucas

SHARK CLUB TAKES
A BYTE Promoters and fans of underground electronica have found a new ally in the unlikeliest of venues: the Shark Club. Long recognized as one of the city's premier sports bars, the downtown spot has recently been hosting one-off events showcasing the kinds of house and techno acts usually confined to Gastown and Granville Street. Reached by the Straight , general manager Tim Murphy outlined the club's newfound alliance with Twisted Productions and Tight Entertainment, a pair of promotion companies known for throwing left-of-centre parties.

"I know we're looked at as a sports bar, but at night we really do try to push the bar theme," he explained. "We're looking to create a very comfortable setting for people that like this type of music. They can come in here casually dressed, there are great sightlines in the room, and we can project the artists on all our plasma screens. Most of the time, these DJs are playing at places that might not have nice décor, and a lot of them are in a dungeon somewhere, so when people come here it's a totally different feel for them. Our experience so far is that it's been really popular."

There are no immediate plans for a weekly underground-themed club night, but the Shark Club will continue to host one-off events, starting with DFA recording artist the Juan Maclean, scheduled for a DJ set next Saturday (August 18).

> Martin Turenne

SETTING IT STRAIGHT
Last week this column stated that the Plaza of Nations "continues to be the venue of choice for events such as the annual Alcan Dragon Boat Festival". In fact, the dragon-boat festival relocated to the park directly north of the Telus World of Science several years ago.