Amidst all this live music and excitement in Saskatoon this week, we have quietly lost one of the most important spaces in town. One that I never wanted to see go - a room that helped introduce Saskatoon to a higher quality way to dance (and don't forget, eat!), and one which created a community of creative and stylish personalities. I am honored to have worked for Scratch since its doors first opened on Sept 23rd, 2009.

Now I am disheartened because I love this city, and it doesn't seem right that a local boy like Neil Malik should have to close his doors after taking such a risk; after bringing us Ali Shaheed Muhammed, Jayceeoh, Mat The Alien, Team Canada, Yacht, Bonjay, (FINGERPRINCE!), Questlove & Scratch of the legendry Roots crew, Numark, Maseo, Maestro Fresh Wes, Hedspin, Pump, Grandtheft, Scratch Bastid, and fostering the ever growing local talent of The Gaff, Charly Hustle, Ricky Rock, Dj Heywood, Scott Turner, Cris Cake, Conky Showpony, and more...

Yes, we will find other ways to party, and other ways to hold events and be entertained, but I think that a few months down the road we will all start to realize just how special a place Scratch was, and how important it was to breeding a unique culture and the most fantastic creative community downtown. Some of the greatest people I know - hell, MOST of the greatest people I know I met just west of those front doors at Scratch.

Here's to Saskatoon's greatest staff, and a legendary club built that we will not forget.

Neil Malik, Sean Grant, Mike Gaffney, Andrew Carson, Chad Coombs, Tyler Abrahamson, Shanna Pang, Haley Anderson, Adam Engdahl, Jayce Noal, J.F., Tara Dattani, Jaycee Harding, Jeremy Marucot, Cory King, Marc Morris, Chris Jarvis, Nathan Laturnus, Patrick Wood, Zach Weal, Andrew Yanko, Adrienne Ford, Kellen Rixon, Chris Enns, Barret Lucak, Samantha Simonot, Colbi Reynolds, Megan Flottorp, Janelle Knihnitski, Megan Wawryk, Kalem Edlund, JP Lapoint, Nathan Grover, Nathan Woroniuk, Brennan Elliot, Daniel Cox, Dani Simes, Mandy Pravda, Harley Steinke, Scott Turner, Sheldon Evacheski, Evan Viloria, Anthony Hadlen, and everyone I inevitably forgot. A list was a bad idea.

And below, some nostalgia...