Muzik nightclub boycotted over ban on dance parties at Exhibition Place

Toronto's Exhibition Place has banned all-ages dance parties from its grounds, causing a wave of online protest and a boycott against the club that requested the clampdown.

Muzik, the sole nightclub on Exhibition grounds, petitioned the board to stop dance parties at other Exhibition venues.

In response, the#BoycottMuzikhashtaghas circulated on social media and anonline petition against the club has gathered more than 5,000 signatures.

TheExhibition Place board of governors voted 4-3 on April 11 to ban all-ages electronic dance musicparties from its venues, the Better Living Centre and the Direct Energy Centre. Safety was a primary concern cited by board members who votedagainst the parties.

Those concerns were brought to the board byMuzikownerZlatkoStarkovski.

He told the board the parties attract pedophiles and drug dealers because of the all-ages entry and the nature of the events.

Harmon Singh, aRyersonstudent who organized the boycott, said those concerns are overblown and that the Better Living Centre and Direct Energy Centre are safer than places likeMuzik. "These are publicly owned buildings, the policies are very strict," said Singh. "You don't get that at private venues. Inspectors don't come there three times a week."

Starkovski, however, emphasized that 30- and 40-year-old men are at the parties and mingle with underage girls. He said the fact that the grounds are heavily policed doesn't matter.

"What you're saying is it's better for 13-,14-year-oldsto do drugs in a safe place," saidStarkovski. "It's absolutely ludicrous."

Starkovskicharacterizesthe all-ages parties as "raves," a term made popular in the1990sto describe large parties withDJsand dancingoften fuelled by drugs.Singh and other attendees of the events at Exhibition Place call themEDM(electronic dance music) parties.

"Allowingthese events such as raves not only damages our good work, but that of the Exhibition Place beinga location for topnotch entertainment and hospitality and events,"Muziksaid in a statement.

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Proponents claim there hasbeen political interference in the decision. Board memberCoun.GordPerks, who voted against the ban, said theonly reason the ban was considered was because ofMuzik'sinvolvement. He called it a "politically connected nightclub."

Mayor Rob Ford has made several appearances atMuzik, which Perks said were part of his re-election campaign.

Muzikhas provided beer and wine at the mayor's semi-regular FordFest parties.

The board is made up of several city councillors, also includingCoun. MikeLayton,Coun. Gloria LindsayLubyandCoun.GiorgioMammoliti, and is chaired byCoun. Mark Grimes.