“It’s a nice fit – musicians really like the
small, intimate atmosphere and being able to interact with the audience and the audience members really enjoy the entire experience,” says club founder Mike Spencer. “It’s all about offering local residents music they might not otherwise be exposed to.” He explains the club began in a rental
location on the city’s north side in 2008 as “basically a fun place where my friends could come and jam.” Obtaining a license from the city as a private club serving beer and wine, the venue soon grew in popularity with local musicians. Going with the gut feeling that non-local
bands might want to play the venue as well, Spencer extended the invitation to Juno award-winning, alternative country singer- songwriter, Fred Eaglesmith. “I thought there was no way he’d come
to our club, but he accepted our offer and that’s what really put us on the map as far as attracting outside entertainment,” he says. Spencer is also the owner of Mike Spencer
Geometrics Ltd. and when he relocated his business to its current location W.T. Hill Boulevard in 2009, the Geomatic Attic followed. The business is operated from the lower
level of the two-bay facility, while the upper level – featuring a performance room outfitted with a top drawer stage, sound
Mike Spencer of Geomatic Attic looks over some of the framed posters on display at the club of the nearly 100 past
performances held over the last six years.
Theatre. These performances are available to the general public as well as the club’s membership. Spencer is very optimistic about the future
of the club. The Spring 2015 lineup includes Canadian blues/reggae group Big Sugar on February 23, folk/rock group Whitehorse on April 18 and rock group Joel Plasket Emergency on May 10. All three shows are being held at the University of Lethbridge Main Theatre, which seats about 450. “It’s the first time we’ve been able to get
and lighting system, a lounge area and billiards room – is dedicated to the Geomatic Attic. The club also serves as an art gallery for
exhibitions by local artists and photographers, and a meeting place for local non-profit groups. “The club gives our members a
comfortable, social atmosphere to hang out before and after the shows,” Spencer says. He describes the club as “field of dreams
project” and notes the events are intended to be non-profit. Some local charities benefitting from the Attic’s past performances include the Lethbridge YWCA Harbour House, Women Space Resource Centre, U of L radio station CKXU, Lethbridge Family Services and Environment Lethbridge. The Attic performance room has seating
for 100. Performances requiring a larger venue are booked in facilities such as the LC Barn, Southminster Church and the Yates
the U of L Theatre and we’re really excited about partnering with them because it’s such a beautiful facility,” Spencer says. “It gives the university the opportunity to branch out into more community-based events as well.” Generally, the club hosts 15 to 20
different performers each year, Spencer says. Geomatic Attic memberships cost $10
annually for individuals and $25 for groups. Members have the perks of buying up to two tickets per show and saving $2.50 for each one while groups can get up to six at the same discount. Members can also purchase tickets two
days in advance of the general public. Future perks may include deals on merchandise, Spencer says. Tickets and memberships can be
purchased at Blueprint Entertainment (519 4th Avenue South), the Allied Arts Council (318 7th Street South) and Mike Spencer Geometrics Ltd. (#70—491 W.T. Hill Blvd. South) 1 p.m-5 p.m. Monday to Friday. More information about the club and its
upcoming shows is available at the club’s website at
www.geomaticattic.ca.B
Bridge – lethbridge’s lifestyle magazine 17
Photo by JudyWesstcott
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