Saskatoon nightlife: DJ Mama Purl' Halyk Duchess of Dub

    Local artists are often overlooked in Saskatoon, Canada as part of my nightlife series I will touch base on one of our local artists. DJ Mama Purl' Halyk Duchess of Dub originally from Northern Manitoba, but has been in Saskatoon over 30 years. Take to Saskatoon street with her unique mix of music that is provided by her from many friends local and internationally. Her own music title derives from Euro Dub, music that comes from the heart of rave. As a local aboriginal artist she is an inspiration to not only aboriginal youth but youth in general. Now back from a personal journey of rediscovery, she is back on stage bringing out the music people have come to love. Here is what she had to say when i recently spoke to her in interview....
GreenRider: Who is all part of Duchess of Dub?

DJ Purl' Halyk Duchess of Dub: Myself, the music is from great friends made overseas here on FB.

GR: Can you elaborate a little more on that comment, who do you hold credit to?
Duchess: They write the music; I am given some and I buy the rest. I am in a way their messenger. I play their hard work in my mixes, I hold credit to them. I am the "middle-person" sharing the sounds further. Plus, as far as I know... the only native female dj to feature this sound, exclusively.
GR: Who are your musical influences?
Duchess: Well...
GR: Is there anyone that first inspired your music is what I mean ie you heard as an example a catchy tune by Queen or whoever.
Duchess: Influences could be from my past hearing from radio.
Duchess: That is one, other is more personal
GR: Do you care to share that one?
Duchess: Was thinking how to word the second part....
Duchess: Hmmm, ok from the early 90s, Our local CFCR had one show named "New House Culture" show. Hosted by Kevin K. and Techno Tom. I had the pleasure getting to meet them as I had to find a way to find copies of music they were playing. I went to Records On Wheels Much. Ran by Ron Spazerri, along the way I met Mike Babb (Dj Deko-ze).
GR: I am not to familiar with Record on Wheels, can you tell me a little about them?
Duchess: It was a record shop on 2nd Ave no longer around. Exclusive to vinyl and cassettes and cds.
GR: Thats unfortunate but at least they were able to help you on your start.
Duchess: This was where much of the underground music was ordered and purchased. I was friends with all of them.
GR: I am still getting familiar with a lot of musical background in Saskatoon
Duchess: It wasn't much long after Mike invited me to join a private rave club he hosted and played at. That old club was named the Plastic Puppet Motive, I went every weekend.
GR: What age range would you say your music is geared towards
Duchess: Any age.. my grantots fall asleep to some of my mixes that are deep dub and smooth.
GR: If someone was to ask, How would you describe your music to people.
Duchess: Euro dub from the heart of the rave culture. I have wonderful friends from all over Europe and more.
GR: Since some may ask this what exactly is Euro Dub
Duchess: Names of some of the many I know and acquainted with now are: Deepchord, Vytis, Lars Leonhard, Jelly For The Babies, Terry Lee Brown Junior. Only a few of many.
Duchess: I try to keep the flow constant; however some instances I need to "work" the crowd up for next dj, and I switch it up and begin to play some tech dub.
GR: Do you find at least in this province being a proud aboriginal woman hold you back at all, or do you find our roots help your more?
Duchess: I feel for me there is something about what I hear and what I play that "pulls" me to play it. I leave people specifics or heritage at the door. It's about the music and the music only.
GR: Good to hear, sometimes and you hear about it all the time, it can effect people sadly this province as much as I love it is fairly racist. Its getting better though, but lets move on.
Duchess: I just want to share a sound not heard in Canada... especially here. I am the only Dj to play dub aside from others I had heard feature it in Calgary areas or along those lines.
GR: Good to hear.
Duchess: Deko-ze told me he is amazed at what I do...what a doll he is at that.

GR: I can't wait to hear you.

Duchess: I feel humbled by all that has transpired so far. I serve the artists as messanger, I play for those striving for relief of the real world. I am The Duchess Of Dub.

    DJ Purl' Halyk, love her or hate her, is is one of us. She continues to be an inspiration to people around her, as said before its not about your background its about bringing the spirit alive. Society is changing, some say its getting worse, I think its evolving. Check out the Duchess on Youtube and make your own own mind up, her offical site can be found at http://artistecard.com/purlgraham. A tre role model and hero is someone who has gone through the trials of life, from the good to the bad, and can keep their head up high...

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Saskatoon Nightlife: Copper Mug

When you first enter copper mug the ambient light is welcoming, very well placed. Copper Mug itself feel like one of those neighborhood bar, very welcoming. When looking around two things catch your eyes. The first is the pool table. I wish more bars and clubs would do this. It's set up off and out of the way off all food traffic with low waist high dark stained oak walls. The next thing you notice is the bar. Other then the oak finish on the bar, above it has a unique red slightly pulsing dull red light from one end to the other of the bar.

Some of the other features of Copper Mug are a set I games: Big Buck Hunter and Golden tees golf. Several large Televisions throughout for those who wish to watch sports. Above every booth is unique multi coloured low hanging light fixtures. The serving staff and bar staff as well the owner Louie are all very friendly and easy to approach. They make your experience top notch.

Throughout the week they have many specials. On Tuesday is Copper Mug's wing special of 0.25$, on Thursday they have their infamous Ukraine nachos for 5.00$ which are nachos topped with mini perogies, and Sunday is draft prices all day. Baseball teams get specials if they call in ahead of time to let then know they are coming for more details call Copper Mug.

Copper mug is a 4 out of 5 rating. The improvements they could do is when you first walk in there is a small area with VLTS that could be used for another table. As I mentioned with another place it's always best to have VLTS out if view otherwise it detracts from the feel of a location.

Great location, good reasonably priced food with some unique dishes. Alcohol selection isn't much different then most places. If you are looking for a place to hang out at and have a good time this would be a good place to do it. They will treat you well here.

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Saskatoon nightlife: Piggy's

Piggy’s has a great ambient atmosphere with a lot of hanging lights. While this is great for lighting it falls short at the same time. The ambient lights are good however there are too many harsh lights that detract from what the mood is trying to set. Even though the lights need some work it’s nice that the seats are all black leather backed as are the booths and they are quite comfortable.

Some of the things you notice are the interesting pig decor around the main bar. 

Piggy’s does have a single pool table as well, though it seems a little cramped in its current location. Moving it to a space with more room might help enhance what it offers to customers. The corner wall by the pool table is a beautiful wood mantle that has a tv in the middle of it. While it’s a good location a fire place might add to that corner with some couches.

Piggy’s features live bands on the weekends, not many places do this anymore, which is unfortunate. The food is decently priced. I had one of their hotdogs off the menu, this is something else very few places in the city offer, hotdog plates. It was interesting because you would figure it would be a small overpriced hotdog, but it was a big foot long hotdog with a generous portion of fries. I recommend the beer battered fries they are quite tasty.

They have a steak special on Tuesdays and a wing special on Wednesdays I give Piggy’s a 3.5 out of 5. The atmosphere is great, the waitresses are friendly and smoking hot. I didn’t have to wait long for drinks so great customer service. What scores Piggy’s lower the lack of seating and while the stage is in a good spot not all the tables are. Where I sat I couldn’t see the band very well. Also they have VLTS which are located in a good spot but because they are not partially walled off it distracted from the mood if the establishment.

A couple minor improvements some maybe costly it would definitely jump up as a place to go and hang out in time. In the mean time come out and check out the live bands on the weekend and the great Tuesday and Wednesday specials. Like them on face book and check out their prizes in Facebook and their website www.piggys.com.

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Saskatoon nightlife: Canada day 2014

The day was July 1, the year was 2014, Verb hosted Canada day in Friendship Park Saskatoon. The air was electric, the laughter contagious, the music was filled with energy.

Upon arrival the park began to fill up, ages young and old celebrated Canada’s 147 birthday. Verb agents scoured the park with water pistols. The music vibe was that of dj’s showing off their talent with original mix of music that made those around celebrate in dance. There was no cake to celebrate but there were burgers and hotdogs. Disco Dog food truck kept bellies full with a variety of different ways to cook hot dogs. Mmm is all I could say about the definitely not healthy but oh so good hot dog I had. The dog was covered in bacon, eggs, cheese, hot sauce. Loaded dog with oh so delicious maple syrup wrapped in a warm naan bread.

The day started with the lovely Duchess of Dub…. Dj Purl Halyk at noon, followed into Swing Edition who graced us until early afternoon. Cam Watson entertained us with his take on psy-techno and goa techno mixes. The party only became more charged, as music artists graced the stage one after another setting the air on fire. The music changed over to Dj Danger, and DJ Nick James took us into early evening lighting the stage up with techno and dance music. Emilio Del Canto blew us away with his house/electric music. Currently he is Spadina Freehouse’s resident DJ. DJ Us Marshall Catterson took us near the end of the night. But as the lights began to fade on Canada Day J.A DJ finished off the music for Verb’s first and very successful Canada Day cultural festival.

At the end of the day everyone seemed to have fun. Our local talent had a chance for exposure. Disco Dogs got to have more exposure. Even the little ones were out and about with the face painting. Only thing that could have been better is having a bigger face painting area and perhaps someone giving out or selling Canada products. All in all a well planed event, it’s only going to get better next year. 

Keep a look out for my interview with Duchess of Dub coming soon. GreenRider signing out.

Saskatoon nightlife: Mulligans

Located inside the Ramada hotel at 806 Idywyld drive north. When you first enter Mulligan’s sports bar the first thing you notice is the dark stained dusty rose colored walls, with low hanging cone shaped brass, promoting a relaxing environment to enjoy whatever you have come to watch. There is several televisions throughout so no matter where you sit you never miss the entertainment.

 Now for seating they have a few large booths available so if you have a large party no one is left out. The main viewing area has plush leather couches and chairs with tables for your drinks, makes you feel like you are at home. At least you don’t have to cook! Also. located throughout. there is sports memorabilia but noticeably more Saskatchewan Roughrider flags.
Mulligan’s hosts various sporting events on their televisions. The biggest thing they are trying to promote is UFC. During the UFC events they have specials they offer only when the event is on.

The specials they have are wings (which taste great), ribs, calamari, burgers, and a 7 inch pizza. Also featured on Tuesdays they have a cheeseburger special and Fridays they have their wing night. Come check out the wing night, they have great wings.

 For something different they have an HD deer hunter game in the corner near the main viewing area. What makes this unique is it is one of only a handful in Saskatchewan. You can use cash or a credit card for the machine. It is also played online, where scores are recorded as is your account, so you can log in at another location and keep playing. Top scores can win you cash prizes.

I am giving Mulligan’s a 4 out of 5. While it’s a relaxing environment they still have some work to do to promote the location. As more people realize it’s out there the more they can offer. But until then come check out Mulligans it has a great ambiance, good food and drinks, they also have a juke box which really sets the musical atmosphere. Mulligan’s is a great place to watch UFC with great specials to match. See you all there, come check it out you won’t be disappointed the serving staff are quite friendly and quick.

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Saskatoon nightlife: Winstons

Winston’s is located inside the historical hotel Senator located at 243 21st street east. When you walk in it has an old world charm, feels like an old style English pub. Beautiful dark oak decor and brass fixtures. Inside you will find various places with old, well looked after, high back leather chairs with one set being situated beside a fireplace. There are also a couple private but open rooms for more of an intimate gathering. Upstairs they also have an open patio where from time to time they have musical performances.

Food is reasonably priced but that’s not the big eye catcher. It’s the fact they have 72 different types of ales plus the hard alcohol. The service is fairly quick even when busy. Sometimes the serving staff looks overworked but that’s like any place when it gets busy.

I would give this a 4.5 out of 5 due to no place to dance. But when you have good food, a vast selection of beverages to choose from and friends to hang out with so you really need it. If you want hip hop and more modern music this is not the place for you. If you want a relaxing environment, even when busy, choose Winston’s. Winston’s currently is trying to establish itself as Saskatoon’s World Cup headquarters.

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