Happy Birthday, Starlite Room! Or probably more accurately, Happy Anniversary.
That’s right, it’s been five years. FIVE YEARS. If it the Starlite were a kid, it would be starting kindergarten in September. If it were a marriage, it would be (at least statistically) right on the verge of separating. If it were a goldfish, it would have died like four and a half years ago. It’s a noteworthy anniversary for a building that is, arguably, a music institution in Edmonton.
And it’s not going unnoticed. To celebrate, the Starlite folks are having a big crazy Starlite Room party with DJ Degree, Ben Stevenson and Bedouin Soundclash.
30-year-old Julie Ogg handles booking, marketing and event planning for the Starlite Room, and has seen the whole thing unfold.
She was there when the doors opened back in 2004.
“I was even here when they were setting it all up,” she says. “It’s been crazy. I can’t believe it’s been five years now.”
Starlite Talent Buyer Julie Ogg
“I got my start because my roommate … when this was still the Rev, he used to production-assist shows. He used to … bring all the catering, and he was the runner; and he was like ‘Oh, I need help,’” she recalls.
“I basically started as a doorgirl. I worked behind the bar, I served. I worked the bar during the day, and ran doors during the night.”
Julie says that, for her, this was an unexpected career path. Her background is in psychology, and she spent time working with autistic children before starting at the Starlite. It’s led to plenty of other music-related projects too; Julie organizes an annual electronic music festival and is involved with Vibe Tribe, the Tribal belly dancing troupe. She credits her career at the Starlite with opening a world of opportunities.
“I’ve learned a lot. I literally went from being just a helper around here to…one of the talent buyers.”
Julie estimates the Starlite has around 30 to 35 staff in total; they keep all three rooms, the Starlite Room, Brixx Bar and Grill and the Temple, running.
“What I really like about this place, is I find that our staff is really diverse. Everybody comes in here, they look different, they can wear their own style, and it’s cool to the venue.”
So has the Starlite changed much over the last half decade?
“We’ve really, in the past couple of years, tried to focus on the local talent. It’s just grown with the scene in Edmonton. And I think we do pretty good with hitting all ranges of music. We have everything in here.”
Again, IN CASE YOU MISSED ME NAMEDROPPING, Bedouin Soundclash is headlining tonight’s Starlite Room Anniversary party. Opening acts are DJ Degree and Ben Stevenson. Doors at 8 p.m.
